Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/10

Rh remained, and for a good while he did not consent. Just then he chanced to learn that Arako, Kahachi no Mŭmakahi no Obito had sent a messenger secretly to inform him minutely of the real intentions of the Oho-omi and Ohomuraji in sending to escort him. After a delay of two days and three nights, he at length set out. Then he exclaimed, admiringly:—"Well done, Mŭmakahi no Obito! Had it not been for the information given by thy messenger, I ran a great risk of being made a laughing-stock to the Empire. The proverbial saying, 'Be not a respecter of rank, but value the heart,' was doubtless meant for men like Arako." When he came to the throne, he treated Arako with special favour.

12th day. The Emperor arrived at the Palace of Kusuba.

2nd month, 4th day. The Ohomuraji, Ohotomo no Kanamura, went on his knees, and, with repeated obeisances, presented the Mirror, the Sword, and the Imperial Signet. The Emperor Wohodo declined them, saying:—"It is no light matter to be a father to the people and to rule the State. I, the unworthy one, am deficient in ability, and do not deserve to be thought fit for it. I pray thee, alter thy purpose, and select some wise person, for I, the unworthy one, do not dare to accept." Ohotomo no Ohomuraji, bowing down to the ground, persisted in his request. Then the Emperor Wohodo, facing the west, declined three times, and facing the south, declined twice. Ohotomo no Ohomuraji and the rest all said:—"In the humble judgment of thy servants, the Great Prince is excellently fitted to be a father to the people and to rule the State. On behalf of the ancestral temples and the temples of the Earth and of Grain, thy servants' judgment dares not be hasty. Availing ourselves of the general desire, we pray that thou wilt graciously be pleased to grant thy acceptance." The Emperor Wohodo said:—"Ye Oho-omi and Ohomuraji, and all ye high officials! Since you all urge me, the unworthy one, I, the unworthy one, do not presume to oppose you." So he accepted the Imperial Signet.

On this day he assumed the Imperial dignity. Ohotomo,