Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/164

110, when he was on the point of starting for the battle-field, he said with a smile, 'Dear mother, I expect to distinguish myself in my first battle today. I shall be praised for it by father and grandmother.' His bright smile as he spoke still lingers in my vision. I can't forget it."

Hatsugiku wept bitterly. "Is there any one in all the wide world more unhappy than I?" she sobbed. "Only this morning I was married to him, and now we are parted for ever! We have bidden each other a sad farewell, and have never placed our pillows side by side even once. What sin have I committed that Heaven should punish me thus? My only wish is that I should accompany my husband to the Meido. Oh, let me die with him!"

The girl took the hand of the dead warrior, and looked tenderly at his pale face. At this touching sight, Misao and Satsuki burst again into loud weeping.

The filial love and paternal affection of the brave Mitsuhidé were now stirred to their depths. He could restrain his grief no longer, but burst into floods of tears. At that moment a confused noise of battle cries, neighing horses, and the whiz of