RECITATIVE. As Kanpei parts from Okaru and goes in, out comes Sagisaka Bannai with stealthy steps. BANNAI. What do you say, Okaru? Deep is love’s stratagem. As I saw you whispering with Kanpei, I called him away by pretending that his lord wanted him; was not that finely done? Lord Moronao says he has something to ask of you; and as for me, I want......O darling, darling. RECITATIVE. As he tries to embrace her, she pushes him away. OKARU. Come, don’t be so improper. You serve in a house noted for etiquette, and you can be so boorish. How vulgar, how unmannerly of you! BANNAI. That is too cruel. RECITATIVE. In the dark he makes several attempts to catch hold of her hand. Voices are heard. VOICES. Master Bannai, Master Bannai! Lord Moronao wants you this minute. Master Bannai, Master Bannai! RECITATIVE. Two servants come out and stare vacantly around. SERVANTS. Here you are, Master Bannai. Lord Moronao has long been asking for you. What, you, who serve in a house noted for etiquette, run after a woman! How vulgar, how unmannerly of you! BANNAI. Hang it, they say the same thing as she did. RECITATIVE. He accompanies the servants with a sulky face; and immediately after, Kanpei comes in. KANPEI. Did you see what I did? That fellow Bannai hoaxed me just now; and if I came and told him that he was wanted, he would have said, “Shut up, it is an old trick”; and so I gave drink to the servants and played the trick that he could not see through. Ha, ha, I had him there beautifully. Now that I have got rid of him, come with me. RECITATIVE. And he takes her by the hand. OKARU. Oh, how impatient you are! Please, wait a moment. KANPEI. What do you say? There is no need to wait, and the day will break before long. Come at once. RECITATIVE. He presses her; and to love inclined, she is nothing loth. OKARU. But here are people about. RECITATIVE. From within the palace is heard the song of Takasago :—“They sit on the root of the pine-tree.” KANPEI. That song reminds me; let us sit on the bench. RECITATIVE. And they go out hand in hand. RECITATIVE. The prelude is sung, and in the orchestra are heard the sounds of the _tsuzumi_[4] and the drum. They celebrate the long-continued peace and prosperity of the land. Lord Tadayoshi is highly pleased with the entertainment. [Illustration: Seated musicians] Wakasanosuke is impatiently waiting for Moronao and glances into the interior of the Palace. He tightens the cords of his long _hakama_ and grasps with all his strength the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it and cut down Moronao. Moronao and his servant Bannai, unaware that he is waiting, come out and see him from afar. MORONAO. Why, Lord Wakasanosuke, you are come betimes. Well, I am quite crest-fallen; you have beaten me. By the bye, there is something that I must explain to you, that I must apologise to you for. RECITATIVE. He throws down his sword and dirk before him.