Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/317

310 brother, resident at Yoshino, to mobilize the army of the East Country. Ihasuki, however, seeing the troops burst out, had run away back again.

After this the Emperor addressed the Imperial Prince Takechi, saying:—"At the Court of Afumi there are the Oho-omi of the Right and Left, and a body of shrewd Ministers, with whom to conclude counsel. Now We have no one to advise with except young children. What is to be done?" The Imperial Prince having bared his arms and grasped his sword, addressed the Emperor, saying:—"However numerous the Afumi Ministers may be, how shall they dare to oppose the Emperor's divine spirit? Though thou, the Emperor, art but one, thy servant Takechi, in reliance on the spiritual help of the Gods of Heaven and Earth, and requesting the Imperial orders, will put himself at the head of all the generals, and will inflict chastisement on them. Shall he meet with any resistance?" The Emperor commended him. He took him by the hand and stroked his back, saying:—"Be prudent, and not neglectful." He accordingly presented to him a saddle-horse, and delivered to him the entire conduct of military matters. The Imperial Prince straightway returned to Wasami. Upon this the Emperor established his temporary Palace at Nogami and took up his residence there. That night there was a violent storm of thunder, lightning and rain. The Emperor put up a prayer, saying:—"Ye Gods of Heaven and Earth, if ye will help Us, make the thunder and rain to cease." As soon as he had done speaking, the thunder and rain stopped.

28th day. The Emperor went to Wasami. He returned after having inspected the military arrangements.

29th day. The Emperor went to Wasami and issued his commands to the troops through the Imperial Prince Takechi. The Emperor then went back again to Nogami, and abode there.

On this day Wofukehi, Ohotomo no Muraji, had secret conference with Kumage, Sakanohe no Atahe, the officer in charge during absence. Addressing himself to one or two of the Aya no Atahe, he said:—"I shall pretend that I am the Imperial