ACT II.
ACT II.
RECITATIVE.
It is an evening in the month of growing plants.[1] They are sweeping the grounds in the mansion of Momonoi Wakasanosuke Yasuchika. The Councillor, Kakogawa Honzo Yukikuni, who, in the mature manhood of fifty years, guards the mansion as the aged pine overlooks the garden, comes along outside the reception-room in formal dress. The servants on the ground, unaware of his presence, talk on.
First Servant. Why, Bekunai, our lord has for the last few days been making great preparations. The guest from the Capital visited the Shrine of Hachiman at Tsurugaoka yesterday. That meant tremendous expenses. Ah, I wish I had that lot of money; for if I had it, I would change my name Bekusuke[2] and enjoy myself.
Second Servant. What, change your name and enjoy yourself? that is strange! And what would you change it to?
First Servant. Why, I would change it to Kakusuke and have a fling.
Second Servant. Oh, you fool! Don’t you know? Our Lord Wakasanosuke, I hear, came to grief yesterday at Tsurugaoka. I don’t know the particulars; but it was talked about in the servants’ room that Lord Moronao put him to great shame. I suppose he said something unreasonable and humiliated our lord.