KAUZHIYU.--Mistake me not! Think not 'tis pity moves me; but a blot The martial honor of our house will stain, If, when I might have bled, my lord be slain. CHORUS.--On either side 'tis infancy that pleads. NAKAMITSU.--And yet how well they've learnt where duty leads! CHORUS.--Dear is thy lord! NAKAMITSU.--And mine own child how dear! CHORUS.--But Nakamitsu knows full well that ne'er, To save the child his craven heart ador'd, Warrior yet dar'd lay hands upon his lord. He to the left, the trembling father cries, Was sure my boy, nor lifts his tear-stain'd eyes:-- A flash, a moment, the fell sabre gleams, And sends his infant to the land of dreams.[166] NAKAMITSU.--Oh, horror unutterable! to think that I should have slain mine own innocent child! But I must go and inform my lord. [_He goes to Mitsunaka's apartment._ How shall I dare to address my lord? I have slain my lord Bijiyau according to your commands. MITSUNAKA.--So thou hast killed the fellow? I trow his last moments were those of a coward. Is it not true? NAKAMITSU.--Not so, my lord. As I stood there aghast, holding in my hand the sword your lordship gave me, your son called out, "Why doth Nakamitsu thus delay?" and those were the last words he was pleased to utter. MITSUNAKA.--As thou well knowest, Bijiyau was mine only child. Go and call thy son Kauzhiyu, and I will adopt him as mine heir. NAKAMITSU.--Kauzhiyu, my lord, in despair at being separated from young my lord, hath cut off his locks,[167] and vanished none knows whither. I, too, thy gracious license would obtain. Hence to depart, and in some holy fane To join the priesthood. MITSUNAKA.--Harsh was my decree, Yet can I think what thy heart's grief must be That as its own my recreant child receiv'd, And now of both its children is bereav'd. But 'tis a rule of universal sway That a retainer ever must obey. CHORUS.--Thus would my lord, with many a suasion fond, Have rais'd poor Nakamitsu from despond. Nor eke himself, with heart all stony hard, Might, as a father, ev'ry pang discard:-- Behold him now, oh! lamentable sight! O'er his own son perform the fun'ral rite. PART II Scene I.--Mitsunaka's Palace _Some time is supposed to have elapsed, and Weshin, abbot of the monastery on Mount Hiyei, comes down from that retreat to Mitsunaka's palace in the capital, bringing with him Bijiyau, who had been persuaded by Nakamitsu to take refuge with the holy man._ WESHIN.--I am the priest Weshin, and am hastening on my way to my lord Mitsunaka's palace, whither certain motives guide me. [_They arrive at the gate and he cries out_:] I would fain crave admittance. NAKAMITSU.--Who is it that asks to be admitted? Ah! 'tis his reverence, Weshin. WESHIN.--Alas, for poor Kauzhiyu!