BIJIYAU.--That I am alive here at this moment is thy doing. But through the lattice I heard my father's words to thee just now. Little imports it an' I die or live, But 'tis for thee I cannot choose but grieve If thou do vex thy lord: to avert his ire Strike off my head, and show it to my sire! NAKAMITSU.--My lord, deign to be calm! I will take upon myself to contrive some plan for your escape.--What! say you a messenger hath come? My heart sinks within me.--What! another messenger? [_These are messengers from Mitsunaka to ask whether his orders be not yet carried into execution_. NAKAMITSU.--Alas! each joy, each grief we see unfurl'd Rewards some action in a former world. KAUZHIYU.--In ages past thou sinned; BIJIYAU.--And to-day CHORUS.--Comes retribution! think not then to say 'Tis others' fault, nor foolishly upbraid The lot thyself for thine own self hast made. Say not the world's askew! with idle prate Of never-ending grief the hour grows late. Strike off my head! with many a tear he cries, And might, in sooth, draw tears from any eyes.[164] NAKAMITSU.--Ah! young my lord, were I but of like age with thee, how readily would I not redeem thy life at the cost of mine own! Alas! that so easy a sacrifice should not be possible! KAUZHIYU.--Father, I would make bold to speak a word unto thee. NAKAMITSU.--What may it be? KAUZHIYU.--'Tis, father, that the words thou hast just spoken have found a lodgment in mine ears. Thy charge, truly, is Mitsunaka; but Mitsunaka's son is mine. This, if any, is a great occasion, and my years point to me as of right the chief actor in it. Be quick! be quick! strike off my head, and show it to Mitsunaka[165] as the head of my lord Bijiyau! NAKAMITSU.--Thou'st spoken truly, Nakamitsu cries, And the long sword from out his scabbard flies, What time he strides behind his boy. BIJIYAU.--But no! The youthful lord on such stupendous woe May never gaze unmov'd; with bitter wail The father's sleeve he clasps. Nought may 't avail, He weeping cries, e'en should the deed be done, For I will slay myself if falls thy son. KAUZHIYU.--But 'tis the rule--a rule of good renown-- That for his lord a warrior must lay down His lesser life. BIJIYAU.-- But e'en if lesser, yet He, too, is human; neither shouldst forget What shame will e'er be mine if I survive NAKAMITSU.--Alas! alas! and 'tis for death they strive! KAUZHIYU.--Me deign to hear. BIJIYAU.--No! mine the truer word! NAKAMITSU.--Ah! this my child! KAUZHIYU.--And there behold thy lord! NAKAMITSU.--Betwixt the two see Nakamitsu stand:-- CHORUS.--His own brave life, an' 'twere his lord's command, Were freely giv'n; but now, in sore dismay, E'en his fierce courage fades and droops away. BIJIYAU.--Why heed a life my sire himself holds cheap? Nought may thy pity do but sink more deep My soul in wretchedness.