SAMURAI. Hi, we hear great noises in your mansion, clashing of swords, whizzing of arrows, and cries. Is it ruffians or robbers, who are causing them, or is it due to a sudden order of the authorities? We are commanded by our lord to ascertain and report. RECITATIVE. They call out aloud, and instantly Yuranosuke answers them. YURANOSUKE. We are the retainers of Enya Hangwan, forty and more in number, who are fighting with desperation to avenge our lord’s death. We that speak to you are Oboshi Yuranosuke and Hara Goemon. We have no grudge against Lord Takauji and his brother and, as we certainly bear no malice against Moronao’s neighbours Lords Nikki and Ishido, we are not likely to do anything hostile; and as we have taken every precaution against fire, you need have no [Illustration: Men climbing over the top of a roof] anxiety on the matter. We only ask you quietly to leave us alone. But if you cannot remain unconcerned in your neighbour’s affairs and wish to aid him, we are ready, though much against our will, to fight you. SAMURAI. That is admirable. It is but proper that they who have served a master should act as you do. If you have anything to say to us, we will hear you. Withdraw the lanterns. RECITATIVE. And all at once the neighbourhood sinks into silence. In the fight which has lasted about two hours, only two or three of the assailants are slightly injured while the enemy’s wounded are without number. But as no one looking like their commander Moronao is to be seen anywhere, the _ashigaru_, Teraoka Heiyemon, runs about the interior of the mansion; he not only searches room after room, but also thrusts his spear into the ceiling above and the bamboo matting below, and even into the well. Still Moronao is not to be found; Heiyemon goes into a room which appears to be Moronao’s bed-chamber, he feels the bed-clothes, and as they are still warm in this cold night, he perceives that he has not long fled from the room. He runs to see if Moronao has not escaped outside the house; but he is stopped by a voice. A VOICE. Wait, Heiyemon, wait. RECITATIVE. He sees Yazama Jutaro Shigeyuki dragging Moronao after him. YAZAMA. Here, come, you all. I have found him hiding in the fuel-shed and brought him prisoner. RECITATIVE. On hearing this, they all run up to him in great glee such as a flower might feel when fed with dew. [Illustration: Yazama dragging Moronao] YURANOSUKE. Well done, bravely done. But do not kill him recklessly. He is at least a governor; even in killing him etiquette must be observed. RECITATIVE. And taking him over, he makes him sit above himself. YURANOSUKE. We, though we are but retainers, have broken into my lord’s mansion and created a disturbance, because we desired to avenge our lord’s death, and we beg you to pardon our want of manners. You will now bravely give us your head. RECITATIVE. On hearing these words, Moronao, hypocrite as he is, betrays no fear.