FERRYMAN [Words]
Well, that is a public meeting for a universal prayer.
I would tell you, while we’re crossing, if you’ll listen to the tale,
The sad story in connection with this festival of ours.
It was last year, in the third month, on the fifteenth day, I reckon,
Yes! That is so, and to-day we have the very selfsame day,
That a kidnapper did journey from the capital, and with him
Was a lad whom he had purchased, twelve or thirteen years of age,
He was going to the north-east, but the child was not yet hardened
And the long fatiguing journey made him very sadly ill.
It was just here by the river that he could go no step farther,
But fell down, and there remained. Oh! a heartless man was with him!
And the child in that condition by the roadside simply lying
Was abandoned by the merchant who went off to the north-east.
Then the people of the district nursed and tenderly did treat him
(Though I fancy it was really just the Karma of his past),[64]
Something in his childish features and his little ways they noted,
As if he were of importance, so they watched him carefully.
Worse and worse, however, fared he, till the end seemed just approaching,
Then they asked him—“Who now art thou? and from whence hast thou just come?”
And his father’s surname asked I, and the province of his birthplace:
“In the capital my home is, and at Kitajirikawa.”
So he answered; “And my father, who is dead, was Yoshida.
I, his one child, had been living with my loving mother only,
But was kidnapped, and was taken far away, and hence my illness.
Truly, often am I thinking of the people in the city,
Of their hands and feet and shadows,[65] even, often fondly thinking.
As beside the road I’m dying, deign just here to bury me.
And to mark the spot I pray thee, be so kind, and plant a willow.”
Feebly spoke he, and repeated four or five times a calm prayer,
Then it ended. A sad story, is it not, that I have told you?
As I see now, in this boat, there are some people from the city,
Unintentioned though it may be, you will honourably join us
And your lamentation offer with our prayers on this occasion?
What! The shore! With this long story we have quickly come to land.
For you it is unimportant. Now, I pray you, disembark.
TRAVELLER [Words]
Truly, here to-day I’ll linger, and a prayer with you will say.
FERRYMAN [Words]
How now! Why does that mad woman not come here from out the boat?
Come, at once! Come up, I beg you! Yet how tender-hearted is she!
Having simply heard the story she is truly shedding tears.
Yet at once, I really beg you, you must come out of the boat.
THE MOTHER [Words]
Pray, O Boatman, of that story, what, I beg you, is the date?
FERRYMAN [Words]
’Twas last year, and in the third month; and, moreover, this same day.