Page:Anthology of Japanese Literature.pdf/277

Rh (Describing his actions.) So saying, he is overcome with the memory of his past sins and for a time is unable to restrain the starting tears. Then, penitent, he descends to the foot of the mountain … to the foot of the mountain, penitent …


 * (The Monk goes toward the Chorus, indicating he has returned to the foot of the mountain. He turns and faces the Bridge. The curtain is swept back and a voice is heard from the blackness of the Mirror Room beyond the curtain. It is the Ghost of the Dead Hunter who speaks, calling out as though he has been running after the Monk.)

Hallo-o! Hallo-o! Wait, O worthy monk, for I must speak with you.

What is it you want with me?


 * (The Hunter enters. He is seen now in his mortal form, wearing the mas of a pleasant old man and a white wig. He wears a plain, tea-colored outer kimono of rough weave over garments of solid brown and light green. He moves slowly down the Bridge as he speaks.)

If you are going down to Michinoku, pray take a message there. I am one who was a hunter of Soto no Hama and who died in the past year’s autumn. I beseech you to visit the home of my wife and child and to tell them to offer up for me the cloak of straw and the sedge-hat which are there.

This is a strange request that I hear. To carry the message is a simple thing, but if I address her thus without any proof, like the falling of sudden rain from an empty sky, is it likely that she will believe?

Indeed, you are right. Without some certain sign or token, it would surely be of no avail.


 * (The Hunter has been advancing along the Bridge; he pauses now at the First Pine and bows his head dejectedly. Then an idea comes to him and he raises his head.)