Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/159

Rh daimio, if he serves his master and parents faithfully, and duly fulfils the duties of benevolence and justice; of loyalty and filial piety. The baseness of your heart has caused all this misery, Mitsuhidé. There are various weapons with which to kill a samurai, and yet I am killed with a bamboo spear, which is generally used only for butchering wild boars! The punishment of Heaven, for your having assassinated your lord, is now visited on your mother."

With these words she seized the end of the spear and with great courage thrust it deeper into her wound.

"Oh, think of it, my dear husband!" said Misao, choked with tears. "Why did you not listen to my earnest remonstrances against your evil plan? Had you done so, this misfortune would not have happened to us! I know you did it unwittingly, but think of the horror of having killed your mother with your own hand! Before our mother dies, I beseech you to express sorrow for your deed!"

The true and faithful wife clasped her hands, and urged this entreaty with bitter tears.

"Your reproaches are too bold!" roared