Page:Anthology of Japanese Literature.pdf/306

302  Yai, yai! Are my satellites around? Ha! Here we are. If any sinners come along, drive them into Hell. We certainly will.


 * (Emma moves around the stage by the Chorus, finally taking his place at the end of the other row of Demons. The Demons all sit. Kiyoyori enters from the Bridge. He wears a plain kimono and a white cloak. He does not wear a mask, but he has a band tied around his forehead. He carries a long pole in his hand. He stops at the First Pine.)

All men are sinners, and I am no more a sinner than the rest of them.

My name is Kiyoyori, a birdwatcher, who was well known in the terrestrial plane. But my life span, like all things in the vale of tears, came to its end, and I was caught by the wind of impermanence. Now I am on the way to the world of darkness.


 * (He moves along the Bridge onto the stage, singing.)


 * Without a tinge of remorse,
 * I forsake the world of impermanence,
 * And as I wander about with no guide,
 * I have already come to the Meeting of the Six Ways.

Indeed, this is already the Meeting of the Six Ways of Existence. After due consideration, I wish to go to Heaven.

Ha! Ho! I smell a man. Why, no wonder! Here comes a sinner. I will report to Emma.


 * (He stands and faces Emma.)

Oh, please. Sir! Here comes the first sinner.

Make haste and drive him into Hell.

Very well. Sir.

Come, you sinner! Hell is ever at hand, but one cannot say that about Heaven. Make haste.


 * (He and the other Demons attempt to beat Kiyoyori, who defends himself skilfully with his pole. He then sits in the center of the stage.)

Yai, yai! You are different from most of the sinners of the earth. What was your profession on the terrestrial plane?