Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/101

Rh said that it was a heinous crime for a nobleman of high rank to murder an innocent maiden, merely in order to lay the offence on another man. He also said that he would report the matter to the Emperor, after which the criminal's punishment would be decided. The scoundrel was promptly delivered to the police, who took him away to prison.

Then the Prime Minister ordered the "poetry meeting" to be continued. Many poets, in rapid succession, offered their verses to the Dragon-god, but there was no response.

All present were downcast with regret and disappointment, and had almost given up hope when Lady Komadu walked gracefully forward, and offered her poem with modest words. The Poet Laureate had scarcely finished reading it aloud, when black clouds suddenly covered the sky, and rain poured in torrents, reviving all the withered vegetation. The Prime Minister was filled with intense joy. He praised the poetess with enthusiasm, and declared that she should receive a munificent reward from the Emperor. Then the meeting was closed, and he hastened to the Imperial Palace to report the matter to the Mikado.