Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/125

Rh knows no bounds! How can I help trying to take vengeance on him? I am determined either to kill Rammaru or myself. Don't stop me, my lord!"

Mitsuhidé looked him full in the face.

"You are mistaken, Shiōden," he said. "Rammaru beat me at my lord's order, so the blame is not his. As you know well, Lord Nobunaga is short-tempered and capricious. It is his custom either to shower favours on his retainers, or beat them, as his caprice chooses. Remember that a retainer has no reason to resent any command of his lord, even if he demand his life. Let that thought calm you, Shiōden."

The hot-tempered warrior had no reply to make to these words. He set his teeth and clenched his fists and remained silent. Suddenly a messenger from Lord Nobunaga arrived. Mitsuhidé and Shiōden met him reverentially at the entrance and begged him to be seated.

"Hashiba Hidéyoshi," he said, "proceeded some time ago to the Central Provinces, and has been engaged in the subjugation of the Mōri family. Therefore his Excellency Lord Nobunaga commands that you, Mitsuhidé, shall hasten