Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/248

186 take her with him as his wife. He tried to make her mount his horse. But Tamaori turned a deaf ear to all his professions of love. The impudent lover, however, still more fervently urged his suit, and attempted to take her by force. The girl was filled with despair and anger, and drawing her sword, she cut at him. He caught her wrist.

"Come, girl!" he threatened. "Answer me promptly. Will you be my wife or not. If you refuse, I shall take your life."

"May you be for ever cursed," said she. "You may kill me if you choose. Oh! Why doesn't some stronger warrior come and kill this beast?"

"This is more than I can stand," said Suyéshigé, whose patience was now exhausted. "I would rather kill this hussy than let her remain 'a flower in another's possession.'"

With these words he drew a dagger, and stabbed her in the breast. She immediately uttered an agonized groan, and fell back senseless. A moment later war-shouts were heard a little way off. Seized with sudden fear, he leaped on his horse and fled away.

The Tairas had been defeated in the previous night's engagement. They had been driven by