Chorus.—His own brave life, an' 'twere his lord's command,
Were freely giv'n; but now, in sore dismay,
E'en his fierce courage fades and droops away.
Bijiyau.—Why heed a life my sire himself holds cheap?
Nought may thy pity do but sink more deep
My soul in wretchedness.
Kauzhiyu.—Mistake me not!
Think not 'tis pity moves me; but a blot
The martial honor of our house will stain,
If, when I might have bled, my lord be slain.
Chorus.—On either side 'tis infancy that pleads.
Nakamitsu.—And yet how well they've learnt where duty leads!
Chorus.—Dear is thy lord!
Nakamitsu.—And mine own child how dear!
Chorus.—But Nakamitsu knows full well that ne'er,
To save the child his craven heart ador'd,
Warrior yet dar'd lay hands upon his lord.
He to the left, the trembling father cries,
Was sure my boy, nor lifts his tear-stain'd eyes:—
A flash, a moment, the fell sabre gleams,
And sends his infant to the land of dreams.[166]
Nakamitsu.—Oh, horror unutterable! to think that I should have slain mine own innocent child! But I must go and inform my lord. [He goes to Mitsunaka's apartment.
How shall I dare to address my lord? I have slain my lord Bijiyau according to your commands.
Mitsunaka.—So thou hast killed the fellow? I trow his last moments were those of a coward. Is it not true?