Page:Eminent Authors of Contemporary Japan, volume 2.pdf/31

Rh * very unfortunate man.
 * Okuni.—No, it was my husband that was the unfortunate one. When you were in our castle you gave yourself airs, influenced by your family. More than that, you tried to bring shame upon me even in my husband’s home. Now you defend yourself by your weakness, and you pour forth all your sweet compliments to me, but I cannot, and will not, believe what you say. It is entirely your own fault that you are despised and disliked. It is your wicked deeds, that have made me hate you now!
 * Tomo.—Yes, madam, I admit that what you say is true. I was a wicked man, and unworthy of the name of a samurai. I have bean an idler, liar, and I have the weak mind of a girl. I am a good-for-nothing fellow. By these things, I have been disliked, not only by you, but by everyone. But I do not think that I am responsible for all these bad qualities. I was born into the world weak and cowardly, just as you were born to be a beautiful woman. From the very beginning I was bad, and it was in my very nature. Do you not feel that what I say is true, and is it not unreasonable to accuse me so cruelly when you know my inborn weakness?
 * Okuni.—Tell me why you were so jealous of my husband’s love for me.
 * Tomo.—How could I be otherwise? I was a young man like your husband then, and was I not your betrothed? But because of my weak nature you