Kanpei. That song reminds me; let us sit on the bench.
Recitative. And they go out hand in hand.
Recitative. The prelude is sung, and in the orchestra are heard the sounds of the tsuzumi[4] and the drum. They celebrate the long-continued peace and prosperity of the land. Lord Tadayoshi is highly pleased with the entertainment.
Wakasanosuke is impatiently waiting for Moronao and glances into the interior of the Palace. He tightens the cords of his long hakama and grasps with all his strength the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it and cut down Moronao. Moronao and his servant Bannai, unaware that he is waiting, come out and see him from afar.
Moronao. Why, Lord Wakasanosuke, you are come betimes. Well, I am quite crest-fallen; you have beaten me. By the bye, there is something that I must explain to you, that I must apologise to you for.
Recitative. He throws down his sword and dirk before him.
Moronao. Lord Wakasanosuke, hear me while I explain it all. The violent language I used the other day at Tsurugaoka, how it
must have aroused your anger! And your anger was natural, and that is why I wish to apologise. What I said then from some misunderstanding I look upon as the greatest blunder of my life. See how a samurai bows to the floor and begs your pardon! I can do so now because you are a man of the world; but if it had been some excitable bungler, why, he would have cut me down on the spot. Oh, it gives me the shivers to think of it. Do you know, when I saw you turn away, I clasped my hands and bowed to you with gratitude for your magnanimity. Ha, ha, ha, when we age, we turn cowards. Think of my years and I am sure you are not a man to refuse when you see a samurai throw down his sword and beg your pardon with clasped hands. I entreat you again and again. Bannai, come and ask pardon with me.