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THE GAKI
Do you not fear for her?
OBAA-SAN
Perhaps.--She will be here soon.--Riki has gone for her.
THE GAKI
She must know the way.
[_The voices of O-Sode and O-Katsu are heard._
This has been a restless night for age. (_He disappears. O-Sode-San and O-Katsu-San enter_)
OBAA-SAN
Good-morning, O-Sode-San. Good-morning, O-Katsu-San.--The lily hands of sleep have pa.s.sed you by.
O-KATSU-SAN
A strange unrest has seized upon me. I think--and think of my little one.
She is glorious in my heart, and words with wings seem to flash before my eyes like fireflies in the darkness.
O-SODE-SAN
I, too, have lived in words.
O-KATSU-SAN
Obaa-San, is it not wonderful to put a joy or pain in words?
OBAA-SAN
Ah, yes--if there is anyone to hear them. All my long, long years before Aoyagi came to me, my heart sang, and words freighted with my dreams and my love would come to me--here; and they would die because they found no ear attuned to them.--Tell me what you thought, O-Sode-San.
O-SODE-SAN
The moon in calm restlessness Shows the water gra.s.ses of the River of Heaven, Swaying in the cool spring air-- I know the time to meet my lover Is not too far away.
OBAA-SAN
Every one has a poem in his heart, I believe.--What was your poem, O-Katsu?
O-KATSU-SAN
Oh, messenger of the other world, My little one is young; She can not find her way-- Do you kindly take my little one Upon your warm, broad back Along the twilight path.
O-SODE-SAN
And you, Obaa-San,--was it words that kept sleep from your eyes?
OBAA-SAN
Ay, bitter dream-words. And for the bitterness I am paying dearly.--Over and over the words came to me:
Here lies my daughter's sleeping body On the mat beside me.
But her soul is far away Asleep in her lover's arms-- And I, her white-haired mother, Hold only an empty sh.e.l.l.
Oh, I am ashamed--ashamed.--And just now Riki came to me--and told me he could not find Aoyagi.
O-KATSU-SAN AND O-SODE-SAN
Hai!
O-SODE-SAN
Can we not search for her?
OBAA-SAN
I am waiting here.--She may find her way back.--I would not have her come to an empty house.--Come--let's go within--and dream that yours and yours and mine are on their way to us.
[_The old women go into the house. There is just a moment's silence--then_:
AOYAGI
Hai! Hai! Hai!
[_Aoyagi, utterly forlorn, enters. She looks at the house, turns and sees the mountains, covers her eyes, and drags herself wearily to the willow tree. She moans as though winter had fallen upon the world and were taunting her. The Gaki enters._
THE GAKI
So you have found your way--in life.
AOYAGI
Oh, let me go back to my tree!
THE GAKI
No, little Aoyagi--you would be happy then.
AOYAGI
Let me die!
THE GAKI
