Heiyemon. After you had read the whole letter?
Okaru. Yes.
Heiyemon. I see now. Sister, your life is doomed; give it to me.
Recitative. And he draws his sword and strikes at her; but she springs aside.
Okaru. O brother, what have I done? As I have my husband Kanpei and my two parents, you cannot do as you will with me. All my pleasure now is to be redeemed and see once more my parents and husband. Whatever I may have done, I will ask your pardon. Forgive me, pardon me.
Recitative. As she clasps her hands to him, Heiyemon flings away his sword and, throwing himself down, sinks into tears of bitter sorrow.
Heiyemon. My poor, poor sister, then, you know nothing? Our father Yoichibei was struck down and murdered on the night of the twenty-ninth day of the sixth moon.
Okaru. Heavens, and how?
Heiyemon. There is something more to startle you. Kanpei, whom you think to join when you are redeemed, has disembowelled himself and died.
Okaru. What? Is it true? Is it, is it, tell me?