Moronao. No matter, no matter. When I go with you, no one shall say a word against you. Besides, Lord Wakasanosuke may also have something or other for you to do. Come, come.
Honzo. I will follow you, for it would be rude to decline. Nay, after you, my lord.
Recitative. With gold he has bought his lord’s life, and a crafty servant is he whose calculation has hit the mark; but the path of loyalty and filial duty is straight and undeviating; and straight they all go in through the gate.
Soon after, enters Enya Hangwan Takasada. He, too, has left his attendants behind and keeps his palanquin standing on the road. His retainer, Hayano Kanpei, whose family has for many generations served his house, goes up to the gate rustling in his new hakama[3] figured with sere leaves. He calls out.
Kanpei. Enya Hangwan Takasada presents himself at the Palace.
Recitative. The gate-guard comes out.
Guard. A while ago, Lord Momonoi came to the Palace and asked for my lord; and just now Lord Moronao arrived and also asked for him. They have both gone in.
Enya. What, Kanpei, have they all gone in? I am grieved to find that I am late.
Recitative. With only Kanpei in his train, he hurries into the Palace. From within the Palace is heard the song for the entertainment; it runs, “They have arrived at the coast of Harima, at the beach of Takasago.” While the sound is wafted by the wind to the willow-tree outside the gate, even more shapely than the willow is the maiden of some eighteen summers, with arched eyebrows, her face covered with a hood and her obi tied behind, evidently serving in a strict family, who comes along attended by a servant with a lantern adorned with Enya’s family crest. She stops to rest before the gate.