The Tale of Genji Part 45

NAKAMITSU.--How shall I dare address my lord? I have brought hither his lordship Bijiyau.

MITSUNAKA.--Well, Bijiyau! my only reason for sending thee up to the monastery was to help thy learning; and I would fain begin, by hearing thee read aloud from the Scriptures.

And with these words, and bidding him read on, He lays on ebon desk before his son The sacred text, in golden letters writ.

BIJIYAU.--But how may he who never bent his wit To make the pencil trace Asaka's[163] line Spell out one letter of the book divine?

In vain, in vain his sire's behest he hears:-- Nought may he do but choke with idle tears.

MITSUNAKA.--Ah! surely 'tis that, being my child, he respecteth the Scriptures too deeply, and chooseth not to read them except for purposes of devotion. What of verse-making, then?

BIJIYAU.--I cannot make any.

MITSUNAKA.--And music? [_Bijiyau makes no answer._

MITSUNAKA.--What! no reply? Hast lost thy tongue, young fool?

CHORUS.--Whom, then, to profit wentest thou to school?

And can it be that e'en a father's word, Like snow that falling melts, is scarcely heard, But 'tis unheeded? Ah! 'twill drive me wild To point thee out to strangers as my child!

No sooner said, than out the scabbard flies His trusty sword, and with fierce flashing eyes Forward he darts; but rushing in between, Good Nakamitsu checks the b.l.o.o.d.y scene-- Firm, though respectful, stays his master's arm, And saves the lad from perilous alarm.

NAKAMITSU.--Good my lord, deign to be merciful this once!

MITSUNAKA.--Why stayed'st thou my hand? Haste thou now and slay Bijiyau with this my sword.

NAKAMITSU.--Your commands shall be obeyed. [_He retires into another apartment._] What is this horror unutterable? 'Tis no mere pa.s.sing fit of anger. What shall I do?--Ah! I have it! I have it! I will take upon myself to contrive some plan for his escape. Kauzhiyu, Kauzhiyu, art thou there?

KAUZHIYU.--Behold me at thy service.

NAKAMITSU.--Where is my lord Bijiyau?

KAUZHIYU.--All my prayers have been unavailing to make him leave this spot.

NAKAMITSU.--But why will he not seek refuge somewhere? Here am I come from my lord, his father, as a messenger of death! [_Bijiyau shows himself._

BIJIYAU.--That I am alive here at this moment is thy doing. But through the lattice I heard my father's words to thee just now.

Little imports it an' I die or live, But 'tis for thee I cannot choose but grieve If thou do vex thy lord: to avert his ire Strike off my head, and show it to my sire!

NAKAMITSU.--My lord, deign to be calm! I will take upon myself to contrive some plan for your escape.--What! say you a messenger hath come? My heart sinks within me.--What! another messenger?

[_These are messengers from Mitsunaka to ask whether his orders be not yet carried into execution_.

NAKAMITSU.--Alas! each joy, each grief we see unfurl'd Rewards some action in a former world.

KAUZHIYU.--In ages past thou sinned;

BIJIYAU.--And to-day

CHORUS.--Comes retribution! think not then to say 'Tis others' fault, nor foolishly upbraid The lot thyself for thine own self hast made.

Say not the world's askew! with idle prate Of never-ending grief the hour grows late.

Strike off my head! with many a tear he cries, And might, in sooth, draw tears from any eyes.[164]

NAKAMITSU.--Ah! young my lord, were I but of like age with thee, how readily would I not redeem thy life at the cost of mine own! Alas!

that so easy a sacrifice should not be possible!

KAUZHIYU.--Father, I would make bold to speak a word unto thee.

NAKAMITSU.--What may it be?

KAUZHIYU.--'Tis, father, that the words thou hast just spoken have found a lodgment in mine ears. Thy charge, truly, is Mitsunaka; but Mitsunaka's son is mine. This, if any, is a great occasion, and my years point to me as of right the chief actor in it. Be quick! be quick! strike off my head, and show it to Mitsunaka[165] as the head of my lord Bijiyau!

NAKAMITSU.--Thou'st spoken truly, Nakamitsu cries, And the long sword from out his scabbard flies, What time he strides behind his boy.

BIJIYAU.--But no!

The youthful lord on such stupendous woe May never gaze unmov'd; with bitter wail The father's sleeve he clasps. Nought may 't avail, He weeping cries, e'en should the deed be done, For I will slay myself if falls thy son.

KAUZHIYU.--But 'tis the rule--a rule of good renown-- That for his lord a warrior must lay down His lesser life.

BIJIYAU.-- But e'en if lesser, yet He, too, is human; neither shouldst forget What shame will e'er be mine if I survive

NAKAMITSU.--Alas! alas! and 'tis for death they strive!

KAUZHIYU.--Me deign to hear.

BIJIYAU.--No! mine the truer word!

NAKAMITSU.--Ah! this my child!

KAUZHIYU.--And there behold thy lord!

NAKAMITSU.--Betwixt the two see Nakamitsu stand:--

CHORUS.--His own brave life, an' 'twere his lord's command, Were freely giv'n; but now, in sore dismay, E'en his fierce courage fades and droops away.

BIJIYAU.--Why heed a life my sire himself holds cheap?

Nought may thy pity do but sink more deep My soul in wretchedness.

KAUZHIYU.--Mistake me not!

Think not 'tis pity moves me; but a blot The martial honor of our house will stain, If, when I might have bled, my lord be slain.

CHORUS.--On either side 'tis infancy that pleads.

NAKAMITSU.--And yet how well they've learnt where duty leads!

CHORUS.--Dear is thy lord!

NAKAMITSU.--And mine own child how dear!

CHORUS.--But Nakamitsu knows full well that ne'er, To save the child his craven heart ador'd, Warrior yet dar'd lay hands upon his lord.

He to the left, the trembling father cries, Was sure my boy, nor lifts his tear-stain'd eyes:-- A flash, a moment, the fell sabre gleams, And sends his infant to the land of dreams.[166]