YURANOSUKE. This shall be the second of the loyal retainers to burn incense. Hayano Kanpei was reduced to the greatest straits; through misconduct on his part, he was unable to join our league; and at least to be among those who subscribed for the monument, he obtained money by selling his wife; for that money his father-in-law was murdered; and the money itself was rejected, and in despair he put an end to himself by disembowelment. And Kanpei’s heart at the time, how mortified, how desperate he must have been! The rejection of his money was the greatest blunder of my life; and since I brought him to a sad end, I have never for a moment allowed this purse to leave my person and have brought it with me in this night’s attack. Heiyemon, he was your brother-in-law; let him burn incense. RECITATIVE. And he throws the purse to him; and Heiyemon picks it up with bows. HEIYEMON. Very well, sir.......... How glad must he be as he rests under the grass! It is a fortune beyond his deserts. RECITATIVE. He places the purse on the censer, and calls aloud. HEIYEMON. The second to burn incense is Hayano Kanpei Shigeuji. RECITATIVE. His voice trembles for tears; and the breasts of the comrades around are bursting with regrets for Kanpei’s death. Suddenly a tumultuous noise of men and horses is heard and the hills and valleys resound with the beating of war-drums, and battle-cries are also raised. Yuranosuke is not in the least disturbed. YURANOSUKE. Then it appears that the samurai of Moronao’s house have returned to the attack. Why should we cause more sufferings? RECITATIVE. As they wait prepared for death, Momonoi Wakasanosuke rushes in. YURANOSUKE. Yes, if we put an end to ourselves, let it be in front of our late lord’s tomb. We will retire as my lord tells us, and beg you to guard the rear. RECITATIVE. No sooner has he spoken than Yakushiji Jiro and Sagisaka Bannai, who seem to have been in hiding somewhere, suddenly appear before them. [Illustration: A man approaching] WAKASANOSUKE. Come, Oboshi. He who is now attacking at the front gate is Moronao’s younger brother, Moroyasu. If you kill yourselves here, it will be reported to the latest generations that you were afraid of the enemy. Withdraw to Enya’s family temple, Komyoji. YURANOSUKE. Yes, if we put an end to ourselves, let it be in front of our late lord’s tomb. We will retire as my lord tells us, and beg you to guard the rear. RECITATIVE. No sooner has he spoken than Yakushiji Jiro and Sagisaka Bannai, who seem to have been hiding somewhere, suddenly appear before them. YAKUSHIJI AND BANNAI. You Oboshi, we will not let you escape.