Mitsunaka.—What! no reply? Hast lost thy tongue, young fool?
Chorus.—Whom, then, to profit wentest thou to school?
And can it be that e'en a father's word,
Like snow that falling melts, is scarcely heard,
But 'tis unheeded? Ah! 'twill drive me wild
To point thee out to strangers as my child!
No sooner said, than out the scabbard flies
His trusty sword, and with fierce flashing eyes
Forward he darts; but rushing in between,
Good Nakamitsu checks the bloody scene—
Firm, though respectful, stays his master's arm,
And saves the lad from perilous alarm.
Nakamitsu.—Good my lord, deign to be merciful this once!
Mitsunaka.—Why stayed'st thou my hand? Haste thou now and slay Bijiyau with this my sword.
Nakamitsu.—Your commands shall be obeyed. [He retires into another apartment.] What is this horror unutterable? 'Tis no mere passing fit of anger. What shall I do?—Ah! I have it! I have it! I will take upon myself to contrive some plan for his escape. Kauzhiyu, Kauzhiyu, art thou there?
Kauzhiyu.—Behold me at thy service.
Nakamitsu.—Where is my lord Bijiyau?
Kauzhiyu.—All my prayers have been unavailing to make him leave this spot.
Nakamitsu.—But why will he not seek refuge somewhere? Here am I come from my lord, his father, as a messenger of death! [Bijiyau shows himself.
Bijiyau.—That I am alive here at this moment is thy doing. But through the lattice I heard my father's words to thee just now.
Little imports it an' I die or live,
But 'tis for thee I cannot choose but grieve
If thou do vex thy lord: to avert his ire
Strike off my head, and show it to my sire!