Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/149

Rh nuptial cups. I hope that she will give me up and wed another warrior. Poor girl! She will grieve bitterly when she hears the news of my death!"

In the meantime, Hatsugiku had been listening in the adjoining room to this soliloquy which was overflowing with filial piety and love. She rushed in and burst into loud weeping. Jūjirō was astonished, and placed his hand over her mouth.

"Hush, Hatsugiku!" said he reproachfully. "Don't weep so loud. Did you overhear what I said?"

"Yes, I heard everything. How can it be kept a secret from a wife, that her husband is going to die in battle? I thought that you and I were to be husband and wife for two existences,—nay, even three; but alas! dear Jūjirō, how unkind of you to say that it is fortunate for us that we have not yet exchanged nuptial cups! What a pity it is you are going to die in battle, before we are married!"—the girl clung to him and wept—"I would not for all the world have you slain! I implore you to give up all idea of going to the battle-field, dear Jūjirō."

"You are a warrior's daughter. I intended from