Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/124

74 with anger rushed silently out of the house. Misao bade him stop.

"Where are you going?" she asked. "What are you going to do, Shiōden?"

"An ancient sage says, 'When one's master is insulted, one fights to the death.' I will break into the castle, even if I lose my life, and take the head of Rammaru, who has insulted my lord. Do not stop me!"

With these words Shiōden again prepared to run out. Misao caught him by the sleeve.

"Your anger is right," she said. "But if you act rashly, you may bring trouble on your lord and disgrace on our house. Think again, before you act hastily."

Shiōden refused to listen, and shaking her off began to start.

"Stay!" said Mitsuhidé reproachfully. "You take too much upon yourself. I gave you no instructions to make such an uproar."

"Why do you stop me, my lord?" said Shiōden excitedly. "Even if you had committed some fault, it would be an impardonable wrong for you, a daimio, governing the two provinces of Tamba and Ōmi, to be beaten. My hatred of Rammaru