JAPAN
|
Or o'er Akashi's dunes where rings The boom of evening billow—there In three brief years a mighty foe Broken and crushed. Of these leal deeds What guerdon now? Oh! Fate, what sins Of previous life are punished thus! The tide of fortune at its height Bears fullest freight of broken hopes. Such is the world's sad lesson! But To know makes not to be resigned. The soldier's spirit, straight and fair, As stringless bow of Azusa, Spurns the foul thought that calumny Its crooked way should win unchecked;[1] As mists born in the far-off south Make snow clouds in the northern sky. And in the drifts brave men are choked. Are there no gods to whom we pray? Oh! World of misery and spite! Oh! World of misery and spite! |
(The scene here returns to the barrier guard-house.)
Togashi. Ho, there!
Man-at-arms. At your service. Sir.
Togashi. The rough usage those pilgrim-friars received at our hands irks me. I would follow them and exchange a cup of regret. Go you ahead, and bid them wait.
Man-at-arms. I obey, Sir. (To the pilgrims whom he has followed.) Ho, Sirs! I am ordered to express regret for the rude treatment you received at the barrier, and to say that the Captain of the Guard is coming to offer you a cup of sake.
Benkei. Are we then to meet his honour again?
- ↑ See Appendix, note 17.
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