Page:Occult Japan - Lovell.djvu/286

264 time Umashi-uchi-no-sukune, the younger brother of Take-no-uchi-no-sukune, wishing to rid himself of his brother, laid charge against him before the Emperor, saying: 'It has come to our ears, O Emperor, that Take-no-uchi-no-sukune is desirous of possessing Japan, and goeth about secretly to stir up the people of Kyūshiū against the Emperor. Then, when he shall have estranged the land of Kyūshiū and called in the Three States (Korea), he purposeth to seize upon Japan.' Hearing these words, the Emperor sent a messenger to Take-no-uchi-no-sukune, to put him to death. Then Take-no-uchi-no-sukune made answer to the messenger, saying: 'I am not double-minded, but true to the Emperor whom I serve. What is, then, the crime of which I am accused, And if guiltless, why should I suffer death?'

"Now there was living in Iki a certain man named Atae-no-maneko. This man greatly resembled Take-no-uchi-no-sukune. And being troubled in spirit that Take-no-uchi-no-sukune should be put to death without just cause, he said unto him: 'All Japan knoweth thee to be a true man and a faithful