to be confined in his own house and has just been sent home in a wicker-palanquin.
Kanpei. Great Heavens!
Recitative. He starts to run to the mansion.
Kanpei. No, no. If my lord is to be confined in his own house, I can still less return to the mansion.
Recitative. As he walks to and fro in bewilderment, the waiting-woman Okaru, whom he lost on the way, appears.
Okaru. Oh, Master Kanpei, I have heard it all; and what must we do?
Recitative. As she rushes up to him, he pushes her away.
Kanpei. What are you crying for? Kanpei can no longer be a samurai. This shall be the end.
Recitative. And he puts his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Okaru. No, please, wait. Have you lost your senses, Kanpei?