RECITATIVE. He draws a dirk, and slipping a foot into a sandal, he swiftly cuts off at a stroke a branch of a pine in front of the verandah. Quickly he sheathes the blade. HONZO. There, my lord. Cut him down as surely as I have cut this. WAKASANOSUKE. Yes, I will; but we may be overheard. RECITATIVE. They look around. HONZO. It is still the ninth hour. Take a full rest; and I will set the alarm-clock. Go at once, my lord. WAKASANOSUKE. I am pleased with the way you have listened to me. I will now go to my wife and see her without letting her know it is my last farewell. Then I shall never see you again. HONZO. Farewell, my lord. RECITATIVE. With these words Wakasanosuke goes within. All-powerful is the samurai’s spirit. Honzo looks at him as he goes in, and then runs to the servants’ entrance, and calls out. HONZO. Let my servants bring here my horse this minute. RECITATIVE. Immediately the horse, bravely arrayed, is brought into the ground and Honzo leaps upon it from the verandah. HONZO. To Moronao’s mansion. Let my servants follow me. RECITATIVE. As he rides out, Tonase and Konami rush in and catch hold of the bridle. TONASE. Where are you going? Tell us. We have heard it all. You, Honzo, old as you are, did not remonstrate with our lord. We cannot understand it and will stop you. RECITATIVE. The mother and daughter hang on to the bridle and stop him. HONZO. You are too meddlesome. It is because I hold precious our master’s life and house that I do this. Be sure you say nothing to him; for if he hears of it from you, my daughter I will disown and Tonase I will divorce. Now, servants, I will give you orders on the road. Get out of my way, both of you. [Illustration: Honzu on horseback with drawn sword] TONASE AND KONAMI. No, no, we will not. HONZO. How troublesome you are! RECITATIVE. He kicks them both with his stirrups, and fainting, they fall on their backs. He does not look at them; but telling his servants to follow, he urges his horse and gallops out of sight. [1] Refers to the third month of the lunar year, which corresponds roughly to April. [2] A common servant’s name, which the man wishes to change for a better-sounding one. [3] About four o’clock. [4] Twelve o’clock. [5] The samurai’s manner of taking an oath. ACT III. ACT III. RECITATIVE. Magnificent is the Palace which Lord Ashikaga Sahyoe-no-Kami Tadayoshi has newly built upon becoming the Governor-General of the Eight Eastern Provinces; the _daimyo_ and the _shomyo_ in their fine court dresses are arrayed as brightly as the stars at night on the hills of Kamakura. For the entertainment the _no_-performers[1] enter by the back-gate and the guests by the front. The officers for serving the banquet come to the palace at the seventh hour. Dazzling is the glory of the military families.