YOICHIBEI. Now this is a kindness I should not have expected of one so young. Being an old man, I do not care to travel alone; but wherever we go, there is nothing so precious as money. As I could not pay last year’s tax, I went to ask for help to my relations; but not a single cash could I get from them, and as I could not stay long where I could obtain no assistance, I am going home alone, heavy at heart. RECITATIVE. Before he has done speaking, the other cries out. SADAKURO. Hold your tongue. I did not come to hear that you have not paid your tax. Look here, old man. Listen carefully to what I am going to say. It is this. I saw long ago that you have in your bosom a purse of striped cloth with forty or fifty _ryo_ in it, if it is gold; and I have followed you. Lend it to me. See, I entreat you with clasped hands. I dare say, you got the money to rescue your child from some foolish trouble. Now that I have set my eyes upon it, why, there is no getting away. So make up your mind to it. Please, lend it to me, do. [Illustration: Saduko with umbrella standing over fallen Yoichibei] RECITATIVE. He puts his hand into Yoichibei’s bosom and pulls out a purse of striped cloth. YOICHIBEI. Oh, please, sir, that...... SADAKURO. What of that? When you have so much money......... RECITATIVE. As he snatches it, Yoichibei clings to his hand. YOICHIBEI. No, no, sir. I took some small coin out of this pouch, it is true, to buy straw-sandals a while ago; but there is now in it only a few lumps of rice for luncheon and medicines my daughter gave me for bilious attacks. Please, let me go, sir. RECITATIVE. And he snatches back the pouch and tries to escape; but Sadakuro runs before him and intercepts him. SADAKURO. What an obstinate fellow, to be sure! I speak you fair, because I do not wish to do anything cruel; and you take advantage of it. Come, fork out the money. If you hesitate, I will kill you at one blow. RECITATIVE. He draws his sword and raises it for a downward stroke; and before Yoichibei can cry out, he strikes at him as at a dry bamboo-pole. Did the sword deflect or the hands err? He misses his mark, and Yoichibei grasps the naked blade with both his hands. YOICHIBEI. Do you, then, really mean to kill me? SADAKURO. Of course I do. I kill you because I saw your money; and so give up the ghost without more complaint. RECITATIVE. He points the sword at his breast.