Page:Nihongi by Aston.djvu/155

124 same time their mallet-headed swords, and simultanously slew the enemy, so that there were no eaters left. The Imperial army were greatly delighted; they looked up to Heaven and laughed. Therefore he made a song, saying:—

The practice according to which at the present time the Kume sing this and then laugh loud, had this origin.

Again he sang, saying:—

All these songs were sung in accordance with the secret behest of the Emperor. He had not presumed to compose them of his own motion.

Then the Emperor said:—"It is the part of a good general when victorious to avoid arrogance. The chief brigands have now been destroyed, but there are ten bands of villains of a similar stamp, who are disputatious. Their disposition cannot