Next, five councillors of fame,
Wearing swords and frocks,
Watched, by royal ordinance;
Yet—at "hour of Ox"
All a-slumber! Haru plagued the same!
Isahaya Buzen spake:
"Maho-tsukai is here!
'Tis some hellish witchcraft works,
Else, with one so dear,
All our eyelids heavy what could make?"
"Is there none to break the spell?
Must our Princess die?
With my fingers and my thumbs
Held I wide each eye;
Suddenly, like one a-drunk, I fell!"
Spake the Chief Priest, Raitan:
"Nightly, while I pray,
Burning incense-sticks, and beating
Buddha's drum,—till day,
Standing near the shrine I see a man,
