Part 13 (1/2)

I am looking.

RIKI

Place your hand upon your heart.

AOYAGI

Ay.

RIKI

Now I am the Prince. With sword in hand I come to you. From Kyushu to Koban I've fought my way to you;--through forest, marsh and mountain path I've striven for you. Now I am here.--Look at me.

AOYAGI

Ah!

[_With a cry of delight she rushes to his arms._

RIKI

And did they wed?

AOYAGI

Ah, love beyond love.

RIKI

And did they have great happiness?

AOYAGI

Ah!

[_She nestles close to him._

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE LADY OF THE WEEPING WILLOW TREE

ACT III.]

RIKI

My little princess! I did not come to you sword in hand; I did not fight my way from Kyushu to Koban. But I strove for you through forest, marsh and mountain pa.s.s.--Within me throbbed a mighty song that I could not sing. I saw almost all the world, it seems, and once I heard a voice that seemed to call to me alone. It was at the ferry of Is.h.i.+yama. I followed the sound--and there she stood all aglow in the morning sunlight. But when I saw, the song still throbbed within my heart and I could not sing to her.--Someone else called to me--”Hai! Hai! Hai!”

AOYAGI

And what of her--the vision at the ferry of Is.h.i.+yama?

RIKI