Nakamitsu.—My lord, deign to be calm! I will take upon myself to contrive some plan for your escape.—What! say you a messenger hath come? My heart sinks within me.—What! another messenger?
[These are messengers from Mitsunaka to ask whether his orders be not yet carried into execution.
Nakamitsu.—Alas! each joy, each grief we see unfurl'd
Rewards some action in a former world.
Kauzhiyu.—In ages past thou sinned;
Bijiyau.—And to-day
Chorus.—Comes retribution! think not then to say
'Tis others' fault, nor foolishly upbraid
The lot thyself for thine own self hast made.
Say not the world's askew! with idle prate
Of never-ending grief the hour grows late.
Strike off my head! with many a tear he cries,
And might, in sooth, draw tears from any eyes.[164]
Nakamitsu.—Ah! young my lord, were I but of like age with thee, how readily would I not redeem thy life at the cost of mine own! Alas! that so easy a sacrifice should not be possible!
Kauzhiyu.—Father, I would make bold to speak a word unto thee.
Nakamitsu.—What may it be?
Kauzhiyu.—'Tis, father, that the words thou hast just spoken have found a lodgment in mine ears. Thy charge, truly, is Mitsunaka; but Mitsunaka's son is mine. This, if any, is a great occasion, and my years point to me as of right the chief actor in it. Be quick! be quick! strike off my head, and show it to Mitsunaka[165] as the head of my lord Bijiyau!