The Flutter of the Goldleaf; and Other Plays - LightNovelsOnl.com
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Then take her with you.
_Shun_
You know what this journey means.
_Ching_
Yes, you must go free. With such a weight you would be useless. I will take Wong Fe to her brothers.
_Shun_
I shall hold her forever!
_Ching_
You think joy can last so long? (_To_ MAKURO, _shrugging._) A boy yet!
_Shun_
In j.a.pan you have my young scholar, Onoto. All my knowledge I have given him. In his heart is my purpose, his eyes hold my vision.
_Makuro_
Onoto!
_Shun_
His years are younger, his flame will leap higher. I am only one who fails you. In every nation our numbers are growing. Do not fear for humanity. Our brothers are everywhere.
_Makuro_
You say Onoto?
_Shun_
He has the gift of the s.h.i.+ning word--the word that draws the heart as a full moon at sea draws the eye. I can turn my back on the world and rob it of nothing, for I have given it Onoto.
_Ching_
How long have you been chirping here like a cricket under a leaf, with no news from the roadside?
_Shun_
It is three weeks to-day since I brought Wong Fe to the door of my fathers.
_Ching_
Three weeks! On the very day of your joy Onoto was thrown into prison.
_Shun_
They would not dare!
_Makuro_
They did dare.
_Shun_
In prison--Onoto!
_Makuro_
No, he is not now in prison.
_Shun_
Free?
_Makuro_
The enmity of the powers was bitter. Everywhere he was sowing the seed of peace. In many a house the ancestral sword was broken at his bidding.
_Shun_
But he is free?
_Makuro_
Yesterday (_glances out at the stars_), at this hour, he was shot.
_Shun_ (_slowly comprehending_)
Then I have been twenty-four hours dead.
(_He steps uncertainly out to the little porch. They gaze at the floor, respecting his grief_. WONG FE _makes a motion to follow him._ CHING _stops her with a gesture, and she shrinks back._ YU TAI SHUN _re-enters._)
_Shun_
Your mercy, friends. (_Crosses left, to exit._)
_Ching_
You will go with us now?
_Shun_ (_turns and hurls the word_)
No!
