Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/98

48 acted as judge and reciter. All those who had won a certain amount of fame as versemakers: court nobles, high officials, samurai, and ladies attended the meeting.

The haughty poet Kuronushi was the first to offer his poem. The judge read it aloud with great respect. It was a commonplace composition, both in words and sentiments; but Tsurayuld made a complimentary remark about it. Kuronushi looked around triumphantly at all the poets. "I don't wish to sound conceited, friends," he said, "but I am bound to say that I consider my poem a perfect one. I am sure that in virtue of it rain will presently fall. Pray look at the sky! It is already darkening! Clouds are gathering! Have you ordered your servants to bring some protection against the rain, friends?"

At Kuronushi's impudent words, all present looked at one another with bitter smiles. At this moment Arihira's retainer, Sadakagé, who was present, suddenly walked up to Kuronushi, and all were astonished to hear him say brusquely:

"Excuse me, sir, but are you quite sure that that poem is your own composition? I fancy it is an ancient one, isn't it, sir?"