Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 3.djvu/66

Rh. Hold! Hold! Let not haste misdirect you. Why is our baggage-bearer seized?

. I propose to detain him.

. For what reason?

. He is said to resemble a certain man. Stop him there!

. A man resemble a man! What then? That is not strange. Whom does he resemble?

. He is said to resemble Yoshitsune. I shall detain him for examination.

. Incredible! Wretched coolie with your likeness to Yoshitsune! A life-time's not long enough to be angry with you. We have to reach Noto before sunset, and you with your light load lag behind exciting people's suspicions! You rascal! I'll teach you a lesson. (Raises his pilgrim s iron staff and beats unmercifully.) No one would trouble himself whether such a fellow passed or did not pass had you not sneaked along like a thief.

Chorus. Why lay thy hand to sword and sabre for the sake of a common baggage-bearer? Whence this perturbation? Is it terror? As the eleven pilgrims, their trenchant blades half-drawn, stride for-ward like one man, their aspect might affright even a demon!

. It was a mistake. Pass then; pass. ( passes rapidly.)

. Now that we have left that barrier behind, let us halt here a moment. Draw near all of you. What am I to say? In this extremity I have been guilty of a monstrous act. When my lord's fortune is at this low ebb that Benkei should have struck him—the thought overwhelms me with shame!

. You imagine that I resent it, Benkei! I tell you it was an inspiration. It was not the act of an ordinary mortal. I am persuaded that Heaven is