We'll go up--up--sweet Aoyagi, to the snow peak--gleaming in the sun.--You'll find the mountain-top--not lost in the sky.--Your perfect faith!--Oh, you silly human--oh, futile love--climb, Aoyagi--climb without love.--But first we'll make footprints for the lover's eyes.--Blindness will lead him to the mists at Kyushu.--Jealousy will lead you to the lonely stars. [_He holds Aoyagi so that her feet touch the ground--toward the downward path. Then with a wild laugh, he turns toward the mountain top. As the laughter dies, the voice of Riki is heard calling_ Aoyagi! Aoyagi!... Oi! [_The laugh of The Gaki is heard once more very far away--as he ascends the mountain with his burden._ RIKI Aoyagi!--Aoyagi! [_Riki comes running in. Presently he sees the footprints._ Oi!--Aoyagi! [_He runs down the path._ Aoyagi!--Aoyagi! [_Far, very far away The Gaki's laugh is heard._ RIKI Aoyagi!--Aoyagi! [_Night has fallen slowly._ Aoyagi!--Aoyagi! _The Curtains Close._ ACT III _Before the House of Obaa-San_ [_It is moonlight. As the curtain opens, Obaa-San is heard singing the lullaby; from the distance the voice of Riki calls._ RIKI Aoyagi!--Aoyagi!--Aoyagi!--Aoyagi! Oi! [_Obaa-San appears in the doorway._ Aoyagi! OBAA-SAN (_She goes toward the voice_) Oi! [_Riki enters._ RIKI Obaa-San! Where is Aoyagi? OBAA-SAN Where is Aoyagi? RIKI Is she not here? OBAA-SAN She is not here. Where--Riki! RIKI I left her in the bamboo glade--and when I returned she was gone. Her footprints pointed toward the path--and then were lost. OBAA-SAN Why did you leave her? RIKI I left her because she--I left her. OBAA-SAN I do not know, Riki, what has come to pass--but this I know--I am waiting for her.--I am waiting for her. Go seek for her--and bring her back to me. RIKI I shall search for her.--Obaa-San, she-- OBAA-SAN I care not what she did. I am waiting here for her. [_Riki looks at Obaa-San a moment and then understands._ RIKI Aoyagi! [_He goes out. Obaa-San turns to the empty house--the empty willow tree._ OBAA-SAN She will come back to me. [_She goes into the house. The Gaki enters._ THE GAKI Foolish Riki! He searches in the valley. Mad Aoyagi! Alone with the lonely stars!--Oh, wondrous misery that makes itself. [_He sees Obaa-San. She enters from the house._ Good-morning, Obaa-San, my friend. OBAA-SAN Good-morning, traveller. THE GAKI Why do you rise before the dawn? OBAA-SAN I could not rest.--Why are you not at Kyushu? THE GAKI There is a mist at Kyushu--and I feared to lose my way. OBAA-SAN Did you pass a little lady--Aoyagi, by name--alone-- THE GAKI It seems--I met a little lady.--She was not happy.--That one? OBAA-SAN Where? THE GAKI I am a stranger here--I cannot say. Over there--or over there. OBAA-SAN She will come to me, perhaps. THE GAKI Do you know her? OBAA-SAN She is my daughter,--Aoyagi. THE GAKI Do you not fear for her? OBAA-SAN