Already the big rectangular lanterns were lighted before the tea-shops; a joyous clamor began to rise from their gardens and open halls.
The Prince, followed by Loo, turned towards the largest of these establishments; but to his great surprise, when he entered the balcony, already crowded with people, he was greeted with enthusiastic shouts.
"It is my worthy Sado who wins me this popularity," he thought.
"His highness! his highness!" was the cry.
"Bring saki! open fresh casks! The Daimio wants every man to get drunk!"
"We will! we will! So drunk that we can't tell the moon from the sun."
"But we want plenty of saki,—plenty, plenty! Then we can sing the ancient song of 'Dainogon-Ootomo'."
They shouted this song in chorus:—
"Is there aught on earth more precious than saki?
If I were not a man, I would fain be a tun."
Upon this a sailor, naked to the waist, with a broad, unprepossessing face, approached the Prince.