At Sakai, the largest port in the three provinces of Settsu, Izumi, and Kawachi, whence vessels sail to other provinces, lives Amakawaya Gihei, well thought-of by his townsmen and without a spot upon his reputation. He has amassed wealth; and though he looks a man of moderate means, he is in reality rich. He is tying heavy boxes in his shop, and the skipper of a large vessel addresses him. SKIPPER. With this I have received just seven boxes. RECITATIVE. He shoulders the box and goes out in the twilight, and the master gives a sigh of relief. GIHEI. The weather is fine, and promises a fair voyage. RECITATIVE. And smoking a pipe, he goes within. His heir is four years old this year, and his nurse is a round-browed boy of nineteen, who plays with his charge for his own amusement. IGO. Now, it is going to commence. Oh, what fun! “The Crying Benkei.”[1] Listen, gentles all! Here the one to be most pitied is this Yoshimatsu. For he has only a father, and his mother has been divorced and sent away; and that is why I call him the Crying Benkei. YOSHIMATSU. Oh, Igo, I don’t want any more puppet-show. Go and fetch mamma. IGO. There, you are again unreasonable. I’ll tell master and make him turn you out, too. Since last month the whole house has been turned topsy-turvey. The clerk, why, he has been driven out because he doesn’t keep his eyes open as if he was a young rat or something. The cook was sent packing because she gave a great yawn. And now there are only you, me, and master. I suppose we shall all slip out of this house, for boxes are being sent to ship at times. If we must flit, we will take with us the box of puppets. YOSHIMATSU. No, I don’t want puppet-playing; I want to sleep. IGO. There, you are going to entice me, too. Very well, I will sleep with you in my arms. YOSHIMATSU. No, I don’t want to. IGO. Why not? YOSHIMATSU. You can’t give milk; I don’t want you. IGO. There, you are unreasonable again. [Illustration: Kneeling man facing a standing man and woman] I can’t help it, as we are both boys. This is another cause for tears. RECITATIVE. Two samurai appear at the door. SAMURAI. If you please, is Master Gihei at home? RECITATIVE. He asks in a low voice. IGO. Master is in; we are busy puppet-playing. If you want to see him, come in, come in. SAMURAI. No, that would be disrespectful unless we are shown in. Please, tell him that Hara Goemon and Oboshi Rikiya desire to see him privately. IGO. Oh, master, great big men have come. RECITATIVE. With this cry he runs in with Yoshimatsu, and his master Gihei comes out. GIHEI. Fool, you are shouting again. Ah, Master Goemon and Master Rikiya, please, come this way. GOEMON AND RIKIYA. By your leave. RECITATIVE. They take their seats.