TENNIN Pitiful, there is no flying without the cloak of feathers, no return through the ether. I pray you return me the mantle. PRIEST Just from hearing these high words, I, Hakuryo have gathered more and yet more force. You think, because I was too stupid to recognise it, that I shall be unable to take and keep hid the feather-robe, that I shall give it back for merely being told to stand and withdraw? TENNIN A Tennin without her robe, A bird without wings, How shall she climb the air? PRIEST And this world would be a sorry place for her to dwell in? TENNIN I am caught, I struggle, how shall I?... PRIEST No, Hakuryo is not one to give back the robe. TENNIN Power does not attain.... PRIEST To get back the robe. CHORUS Her coronet [1] jewelled as with the dew of tears, even the flowers that decorated her hair drooping, and fading, the whole chain of weaknesses [2] of the dying Tennin can be seen actually before the eyes. Sorrow! [Footnote 1: Vide examples of state head-dress of kingfisher feathers, in the South Kensington Museum.] [Footnote 2: The chain of weaknesses, or the five ills, diseases of the Tennin: namely, the hanakadzusa withers; the Hagoromo is stained; sweat comes from the body; both eyes wink frequently; she feels very weary of her palace in heaven.] TENNIN I look into the flat of heaven, peering; the cloud-road is all hidden and uncertain; we are lost in the rising mist; I have lost the knowledge of the road. Strange, a strange sorrow! CHORUS Enviable colour of breath, wonder of clouds that fade along the sky that was our accustomed dwelling; hearing the sky-bird, accustomed and well accustomed, hearing the voices grow fewer, the wild geese fewer and fewer along the highways of air, how deep her longing to return. Plover and seagull are on the waves in the offing. Do they go, or do they return? She reaches out for the very blowing of the spring wind against heaven. PRIEST (to the Tennin) What do you say? now that I can see you in your sorrow, gracious, of heaven, I bend and would return you your mantle. TENNIN It grows clearer. No, give it this side. PRIEST First tell me your nature, who are you, Tennin? give payment with the dance of the Tennin, and I will return you your mantle. TENNIN Readily and gladly, and then I return into heaven. You shall have what pleasure you will, and I will leave a dance here, a joy to be new among men and to be memorial dancing. Learn then this dance that can turn the palace of the moon. No, come here to learn it. For the sorrows of the world I will leave this new dancing with you for sorrowful people. But give me my mantle, I cannot do the dance rightly without it. PRIEST Not yet, for if you should get it, how do I know you'll not be off to your palace without even beginning your dance, not even a measure? TENNIN Doubt is fitting for mortals; with us there is no deceit. PRIEST I am again ashamed. I give you your mantle.