JAPAN
The Three Cripples
A farce of the fifteenth century
(Enter Householder.)
Householder. I am a person of this neighbourhood. For reasons of my own I am going to support some infirm folks. I'll put up a placard. (Hasshi, hasshi; noise of nailing up placard.) That's excellent. [Exit.
(Enter Blindman.)
Blindman. I'm a gambler of this neighbourhood. I've had a terrible run of bad luck lately and lost all my money. Even my household furniture has gone. I don't see any way to get a living, but I hear that a placard has been put up promising that infirm folks shall be supported. I haven't any natural infirmity, but as people are wont to say that the scabbards have slipped off my eyes, my sight is so sharp, I'm going to make a radical change and be blind for a time. I've got myself up for the purpose. Now to hurry to the place. (En route.) Well! Well! It would have been better if I'd stopped when every one warned me; but I kept thinking, I'll get even this time, I'll win back this time, and so I've come to a pretty plight! Hulloa! Here's the place. Now to be a blindman. Within there! Within there! (calling at the gate.)
Householder. Somebody outside. Who's there?
Blindman. Beg pardon. I'm a blindman come on account of the placard posted up.
Householder. What do you say? A blindman come on account of the placard? I'll support you, by all means. Come in.
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