RECITATIVE. On hearing this, Lady Kaoyo is amazed; and the retainers in the chamber exchange glances, and are dumbfounded. Hangwan remains calm and composed. HANGWAN. I humbly submit to His Highness’s will. Now, you will rest yourselves after your arduous duty is done and take a cup of wine. YAKUSHIJI. Now, Hangwan, be silent. You ought to be thankful that for your crime, for which the penalty should be death by strangling, you are ordered by His Highness’s clemency to commit _seppuku_; and you should at once prepare for death. Besides, there is the etiquette for committing _seppuku_. What do you mean by dressing yourself up in a long _haori_[1] of the present fashion? Have you been drinking, or have you run mad? You are wanting in courtesy to Lord Ishido and me, Yakushiji, who are here by His Highness’s command. RECITATIVE. As he rebukes him, Hangwan smiles. HANGWAN. I am neither merry with wine, nor am I mad. When I heard that the envoys were coming to-day, I expected to receive this sentence. I will show you how I am prepared. RECITATIVE. He puts down his swords and takes off his _haori_ and upper garment; and he appears in the white, uncrested robe of death. All are astonished at the sight; and Yakushiji, disappointed, sinks into sulky silence. Umanojo approaches Hangwan. ISHIDO. I heartily sympathise with you. I am here to see the sentence carried out. You will calmly prepare yourself. HANGWAN. I thank you for your kind words. When I drew my sword, I was prepared for the sentence. My only regret is that I was held back by Kakogawa Honzo in the Palace and prevented from slaying Moronao. I am mortified beyond expression and can never forget it. Like Kusunoki Masashige[2] who declared at Minatogawa that he would lengthen his life by the force of his iron will at the last moment, I will return to life again and again until my vengeance is wreaked. RECITATIVE. While he utters these angry words, the sliding-door of the adjoining room is rapped. RETAINERS. We, the retainers of the house, beg to be permitted to look once more upon our lord’s face. May we present ourselves before him? Inquire for us, Master Goemon. RECITATIVE. On hearing the retainers’ request, Goemon turns to his lord. GOEMON. How shall I answer them, my lord? HANGWAN. Their request is natural; but I cannot permit them until Yuranosuke comes. RECITATIVE. Goemon turns to the sliding-door of the next room. GOEMON. You have heard our lord’s will, and not one of you may come in. RECITATIVE. The retainers have not a word to say in reply, and the whole room is deadly still. At the word from his lord, Rikiya brings the dirk which he has ready for the self-immolation and places it before his lord. Calmly Hangwan doffs the _kataginu_[3] and sits more at ease. HANGWAN. Now, my lords, see the sentence carried out. RECITATIVE. He draws the wooden stand towards him and, taking up the dirk, raises it to his head. HANGWAN. Rikiya, Rikiya. RIKIYA. My lord.