Page:Anthology of Japanese Literature.pdf/296

292 :::“Tomorrow,” he said, “we shall fight our last fight.
 * Tonight is all that is left us.”
 * We sang songs together, and danced.

Yes, I remember; we in our siege-camp
 * Heard the sound of music
 * Echoing from your tents that night;
 * There was the music of a flute…

The bamboo flute! I wore it when I died. We heard the singing… Songs and ballads… Many voices Singing to one measure.


 * (Atsumori dances.)

The whole clan has put its boats to sea.
 * He will not be left behind;
 * He runs to the shore.
 * But the royal boat and the soldiers’ boats
 * Have sailed far away.

What can he do?
 * He spurs his horse into the waves.
 * He is full of perplexity.
 * And then

He looks behind him and sees
 * That Kumagai pursues him;
 * He cannot escape.
 * Then Atsumori turns his horse
 * Knee-deep in the lashing waves,
 * And draws his sword.
 * Twice, three times he strikes; then, still saddled,
 * In close fight they twine; roll headlong together
 * Among the surf of the shore.
 * So Atsumori fell and was slain, but now the Wheel of Fate
 * Has turned and brought him back.