Part 1 (2/2)

PRINCE. Tell me this cure. It is grudged, Sir Priest?

RUITEN. [_Bowing._] A cure for my lord could not be grudged.

PRINCE. Well spoken. Say on, Sir Buzen.

BUZEN. First I must beg clemency For thy hundred samurai For faithful they are to the bone, yet--

PRINCE. Yet? Why clemency? For what?

BUZEN. On guard, they slept.

PRINCE. Slept?

BUZEN. Aye. Soundly as though deep in saki.

PRINCE. And none roused?

BUZEN. They were as dead From shortly after the hour of ten Until dawning.

Awakening they knew they had slept Yet knew not when the poppy was thrown in their eyes.

Even as one man none knew And were deep amazed and full of shame.

Each night it was the same.

PRINCE. [_Angrily._] So, they slept.

While I, on my couch, Through the hours writhed-- Writhed and twisted-- Weakening ever-- Not sleep, yet dreaming-- Oh, horrible dreams.

RUITEN. Of what were these horrible dreams?

What was their substance?

PRINCE. [_Mystified at the memory._] There would come a soft stealing-- As of draperies hushed and lifted For silence in walking; Like soft, silken draperies Wrapped about stealthy limbs.

Then a shape clothed for sleep As women are clothed-- Sinuous and vague in movement, Then taking form slowly-- The form--a lie!--a lie! [_Covers his face and goes upstage._]

RUITEN. The form?

PRINCE. [_Turns._] O Toyo!

RUITEN.

BUZEN. [_Rubbing their hands._] Ah!

PRINCE. [_Comes down R._, RUITEN _and_ BUZEN _are together a little L._]

Came she to me-- Leaned o'er me-- Caressed me Yet soothed not.

Her lips to mine-- Her lips but not sweet.

Then here on my throat Would she place them And all my life seemed to smother-- Out of me flowed the life-blood In a deep stream Like a tide Forced by the G.o.ds, Against its will, To flow far away and yet farther.

BUZEN. So does a vampire Sucking her victim Draw from him His blood and his marrow.

PRINCE. Guard thy words!-- As my strength ebbed She drew back Red-lipped and smiling, Smiling and laughing Though her laughter was silent.

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