Kitabı oku: «More Portmanteau Plays», sayfa 3
OBAA-SAN
When do you go?
AOYAGI
Obaa-San, my mother—something outside of me calls and I must obey.
OBAA-SAN
I understand.—It must be wonderful, my little daughter.
AOYAGI
Mother!—This is Riki.
OBAA-SAN
Riki!—See that you bring her happiness.
RIKI
I could not fail. I have searched for her always.
OBAA-SAN
We always search for someone—we humans.—Sometimes we find—sometimes we wait always.
AOYAGI
Riki, I must not go. Obaa-San is my mother—and I am all she has.
OBAA-SAN
Yes, Aoyagi, you are all I have and that is why I can let you go. Be happy—
AOYAGI
But you, my mother.
OBAA-SAN
For my sake, be happy. Some day I shall be Obaa-San no more—and what of you then? Go, my little darling, go with Riki.—Some day, you will return.
RIKI
We shall return some day, Obaa-San.
AOYAGI
Farewell.
[Very simply she steps into Obaa-San's outstretched arms and then, as though they had been forever empty, Obaa-San stands gazing into space with her arms outstretched. Aoyagi and Riki go out.
OBAA-SAN
Hai!—Hai!
[She lays her hand upon her heart and, looking into space, turns to the house. There is the empty tree—her empty heart! The Gaki comes in.
THE GAKI
Oi! Obaa-San!
[Obaa-San turns mechanically.
OBAA-SAN
Did you not find your way?
THE GAKI
I found my way.—But why this unhappiness in your eyes?
OBAA-SAN
I am very lonely. I have lived my lifelong dream of spring and butterflies a single instant—and it is gone.
[She turns to go.
THE GAKI
I feed! I feed!
[The voices of O-Sode and O-Katsu are heard calling Obaa-San.
Here are your friends again.
[O-Sode and O-Katsu come in.
O-SODE-SAN
Hai! Obaa-San, a little lady passed and told us you were lonely.
OBAA-SAN
I am lonely.—But I have always been lonely.
O-SODE-SAN
What has happened?
[The Gaki, hidden, has been triumphant. Suddenly he seems to shrivel as if drawn with rage.
OBAA-SAN
I waited, oh so long—you know.—I opened my arms.—My dream came true.—I sang my lullaby—to my child.—A lover came;—they have gone.
O-KATSU-SAN
She is a-wander in her mind.
OBAA-SAN
I opened my arms here—like this.—She stepped into them as though she had been there always—and now she has gone.—In one short moment I lived my mother-life.
O-SODE-SAN
It was magic! Come, Obaa-San, we'll make some prayers to burn.
O-KATSU-SAN
Some evil ghost.
OBAA-SAN
No! No! Some kindly spirit from the sky-dome came to me.—I have had one moment of happiness complete.—I dreamed and I have known. Now I shall dream again—a greater dream—a greater dream.
[The old women go into the house.
THE GAKI
What! I can not feed! My Lady of the Weeping Willow Tree is gone! Obaa-San has built a circle of happiness about her head. Hai! I shall die in this shape.—I must feed.—Perhaps she tries to trick me.—I shall listen.—Why does she not weep?—Why do they not wail?
[He starts for the house. As he nears it, the voice of Obaa-San is heard crooning the little lullaby:
See, baby, see
The ears of the wolf are long;
Sleep, baby, sleep,
Your father is brave and strong.
THE GAKI (defeated, seems beside himself. Suddenly he looks out and sees the mountain-peak) I'll find them in the bamboo glade. Perhaps I can make unhappiness there. Riki and Aoyagi!
The Curtains Close
ACT II
A Bamboo Glade on the Mountain-side.
[The Gaki comes in.
THE GAKI
This is the glade on the mountain side—the glade where Aoyagi and Riki think to find their happiness. Here must I feed or I shall die in this shape.—Hai!—They come.
[Riki and Aoyagi enter.
RIKI
… and so like every other prince who is a real prince, he charged to the top of the hill before his men; and they, following him, fell upon the enemy and victory was theirs.
AOYAGI
And then—?
RIKI
And then the Princess laid her hand upon her heart.
AOYAGI
Is that all?
RIKI
Is that all? What more need there be?
AOYAGI
Did they not wed and have great happiness?
RIKI
You can answer that.
AOYAGI
I? I never heard the story before.
RIKI
One may always end a story—just right.
AOYAGI
Not a weeping willow tree?
RIKI
Even a weeping willow tree!
AOYAGI
How?
RIKI
I'll show you.—Stand right here.—So! I stand here.—Now look at me.
AOYAGI
I am looking.
RIKI
Place your hand upon your heart.
AOYAGI
Ay.
RIKI
Now I am the Prince. With sword in hand I come to you. From Kyushu to Koban I've fought my way to you;—through forest, marsh and mountain path I've striven for you. Now I am here.—Look at me.
AOYAGI
Ah!
[With a cry of delight she rushes to his arms.
RIKI
And did they wed?
AOYAGI
Ah, love beyond love.
RIKI
And did they have great happiness?
AOYAGI
Ah!
[She nestles close to him.
RIKI
My little princess! I did not come to you sword in hand; I did not fight my way from Kyushu to Koban. But I strove for you through forest, marsh and mountain pass.—Within me throbbed a mighty song that I could not sing. I saw almost all the world, it seems, and once I heard a voice that seemed to call to me alone. It was at the ferry of Ishiyama. I followed the sound—and there she stood all aglow in the morning sunlight. But when I saw, the song still throbbed within my heart and I could not sing to her.—Someone else called to me—"Hai! Hai! Hai!"
AOYAGI
And what of her—the vision at the ferry of Ishiyama?
RIKI
For all I know she may still be standing there in the morning sunlight all aglow.—I have found you!
AOYAGI
And was she—fair?
RIKI
Ay—how can I say? Now all the world is fair because I see only you in earth and sky and everything.
AOYAGI
She was aglow in the morning sun.
RIKI
How can I say? I heard her voice;—a song was in my heart—a song for you.—I saw her—the song staid locked in my heart for you.
AOYAGI
Riki—Riki—
RIKI
A dream that's true.
AOYAGI
I do not understand it all.—Obaa-San—you—this happiness.—I have known happiness, but not like this.—When I was in the weeping willow tree—sometimes I was happy and sometimes I was hurt.—Oh, Riki, Riki, this glade is like the weeping willow tree! Whenever the soft air sways the leaves, I feel the same sweet joy as when the little breezes played amongst my branches. The rain—oh, the gentle little rain that cooled me in the hot summer—the drops that danced from leaf to leaf and felt like smiles upon my face. Tears! The rain is not like tears, Riki.
RIKI
The dew is tears, perhaps.
AOYAGI
The dew! It came to me like a cool veil that the morning sun would lift and little breezes bear away. Then sometimes—the voice, the loneliness of Obaa-San.
RIKI
Look where her home lies. Far down there beyond that stream, see—there is Kyushu.
AOYAGI
Oh, Riki, my Riki, my august lord, why, why can I stay here in happiness with you when I know that Obaa-San is miserable and alone?
RIKI
I can not say? I only know that we are here—you and I—and we are happy. Two make a world, Aoyagi. Why? How? I do not know.
AOYAGI
Can we not send a message to Obaa-San?
RIKI
Yes. I shall go down the mountain to the road and tell some passer-by.
AOYAGI
And I?
RIKI
Sit here and rest—and watch the silver stream at Kyushu.
AOYAGI
I shall wait—I shall wait.
RIKI
Sayonara.
AOYAGI
Sayonara.—Sayonara, my august lord.
[Riki goes out. Aoyagi, left alone, feels the air in the old way. She sways slightly in the breeze, then flutters toward the steps.
Oh, Kyushu! The silver stream at Kyushu!
[She evidently sees the place where Obaa-San lives. Her eyes dim a bit and slowly she hums the old lullaby:
See, baby, see,
The ears of the wolf are long;
Sleep, baby, sleep,
Thy father is brave and strong.
Poor Obaa-San!
[The Gaki appears.
THE GAKI
I have lost my way.
[Aoyagi turns quickly, questioning him almost fearfully with her eyes. There is something of the Aoyagi of the time when The Gaki bade her leave Obaa-San.
AOYAGI
Whither are you bound?
THE GAKI
I am a stranger bound for Kyushu.
AOYAGI
There is Kyushu. (She indicates the silver stream)
THE GAKI
I am told there is a ferry on the way to Kyushu.
AOYAGI
Yes,—at Ishiyama.
THE GAKI
At—Ishiyama.
AOYAGI
Why do you speak so?
THE GAKI
I merely echoed your own words.
AOYAGI
I did not say them so terribly.
THE GAKI
What is in your heart came into your voice, perhaps.
AOYAGI
There is the way to Kyushu.
THE GAKI
Down that path?
AOYAGI
Yes. Did you not meet Riki?
THE GAKI
Riki?
AOYAGI
Yes, my august lord.
THE GAKI
I passed no one—except—a tall woman who was climbing slowly and singing a wonderful song—which I had heard once near the ferry at Ishiyama.
AOYAGI
But Riki just left me here. You must have passed him on the way.
THE GAKI
The by-paths are many and the trysting places are secret—like this.
AOYAGI
Riki would take no by-path. My august lord needs no trysting place save this.
THE GAKI
I do not know. I saw no Riki.
AOYAGI
My lord needs no trysting place. I am here. He knows I am here—waiting.
[The Gaki looks at her.
THE GAKI
Riki?
AOYAGI
He knows I am waiting—
THE GAKI
Riki?—Oh, yes the name—I heard it—once—at the ferry at Ishiyama. He has been there.
AOYAGI
Yes.
THE GAKI
A poet?
AOYAGI
Yes.
THE GAKI
He writes wonderful love-songs—they say.
AOYAGI
They?
THE GAKI
Yes,—the people at Ishiyama. I heard one.—It goes—let me see:
"Butterfly, butterfly, alight upon the willow tree—"
AOYAGI
He did not speak that at Ishiyama. He made that for me.
THE GAKI
I heard it, strange to say, at Ishiyama. Perhaps they brought it from—where did you say?
AOYAGI
He made that for me only yesterday.
THE GAKI
And I heard it—yesterday—at Ishiyama. There the wonderful woman was singing. (She looks at him) The one I passed just now.
AOYAGI
That is a mistake.—You are wrong.—I know my—Ah! what is it here—that hurts me, tears me, seems to choke me! Riki!—I am all in all to him—he told me that.—He can not make poems for another.
THE GAKI
I should not have told anything.—Forgive me.—I did not know.—To speak truth is deep in my heart.—I have no gracious subtleties.—I am sorry—
AOYAGI
In the valley there is a mist. I can no longer see the silver stream at Kyushu.—Who are you?—I am afraid!—Riki—Riki—
[There is no answer.
THE GAKI
He does not seem to hear.—I shall go to meet him. He went this way, you say?
AOYAGI
Yes.—There is a mist in the valley and I can not see the silver stream at Kyushu—
[She does not see The Gaki who goes in the direction opposite to the one Aoyagi has indicated.
Oh, the little day—the little day—of love beyond love.—Riki—my mother, Obaa-San.—Yesterday the mountain-top gleamed like the topmost heaven in the spring sunlight. Today—the valley dies in mist and the mountain-top is lost in the sky.
RIKI (coming in singing)
Hai! Hai! Hai!
RIKI
Aoyagi!
AOYAGI
I must go back to Obaa-San, my mother.
RIKI
What has happened, Aoyagi?
AOYAGI
We came up the mountain path side by side, Riki. Without question I gave myself to you.
RIKI
Aoyagi!
AOYAGI
I gave my love—my love beyond love. I believed.
RIKI
Why not believe?
AOYAGI
Your first words were—"You are she!" I did not question. And now—
RIKI
Oh, my little love, was I gone too long?
AOYAGI
My love knows no time, Riki.—You were gone—how can I say?—ages.
RIKI
It was ages, too, to me, Aoyagi.
AOYAGI (softening)
I watched the silver stream at Kyushu—and I waited.
RIKI
What, are those tears?
AOYAGI
Nothing, Riki—but I feel so far away—from Obaa-San.
RIKI
She can bridge the distance with her heart. A mother can always bridge all distance with her heart.
AOYAGI
Hai!
RIKI
Our happiness is all she wants.
AOYAGI
Our happiness—(bitterly)
RIKI (He goes to her. She moves away)
Why—
AOYAGI
The silver fishes—
RIKI
What has happened, Aoyagi?
AOYAGI
Did you send the message to Obaa-San?
RIKI
Yes.
AOYAGI
Did you go down the path?
RIKI
Yes.
AOYAGI
Did you pass a stranger on the way?
RIKI
No.
AOYAGI
A stranger just came by.—He came up the mountain path.
RIKI
I crossed the stream.
AOYAGI (She takes a deep breath)
You crossed the stream.
RIKI
Aoyagi—little sweetheart—I cannot understand.—What do you mean?
AOYAGI
Oh, Riki, Riki, I am so alone. Tell me what—why—why—
RIKI
Aoyagi, was I gone too long? Has some demon come to you?
AOYAGI
No demon came. You were gone too long.
RIKI
I went down the path and crossed the stream to take a shorter way. I met a stranger—
AOYAGI
Singing?
RIKI
Yes—I think she was singing.
AOYAGI
She was singing.
RIKI
What do you mean, Aoyagi?
AOYAGI
Who was she?
RIKI
I do not know.—She said she would pass Ishiyama.
AOYAGI
Where did you see her?
RIKI
Beyond the stream—in a little glade.
AOYAGI
Did she sing your song?
RIKI
My song? No.
AOYAGI
Did she know your songs?
RIKI
Aoyagi! What do you want to know?
AOYAGI
Did she know your song to me—"Butterfly, butterfly, alight upon the willow tree"?
RIKI
Perhaps.—I made that to you years ago—when you were a dream in my heart.
AOYAGI
At Ishiyama?
RIKI
Perhaps.
AOYAGI
Hai!—Obaa-San, my mother!—Oh, my heart—my heart—
RIKI
Aoyagi—what have I done? Let me comfort you!
[He goes to her.
AOYAGI
You leave me nothing in all the world.
RIKI
I give you all my world.
AOYAGI
Hai! Hai! Hai!
RIKI
Let me go and call the lady bound for Ishiyama.
AOYAGI
Riki!—ah!
RIKI
Little Aoyagi—my love—she will be tender with you.—And when your tears are gone, she'll bear your message on to Obaa-San.
[He goes to her, but she draws away. For a moment he is uncertain what to do;—then—he speaks.
I'll bring her back to you.
AOYAGI
Riki!—No!—We came up the mountain-path together—side by side.—We—but now, Riki, we go two ways.—I to Obaa-San—you to—
RIKI
What do you mean?
AOYAGI
Go sing your songs at Ishiyama! Go make your poems to the butterfly.—I—
RIKI
I have made songs only for you.
AOYAGI
But the songs for me are on every tongue.
RIKI
Ay—I am proud of that.
AOYAGI
The lady at the ferry at Ishiyama—
RIKI
She learned the song to you!
AOYAGI
Ah!
[Aoyagi rushes upon him and before she realizes what she is doing, she strikes him. He stands petrified a moment, then faces her very calmly.
RIKI
I shall find the stranger-woman and send her to you.—I can no longer help you.
AOYAGI
You can no longer help.—Oh—life—oh, love—this too short day—
RIKI
I shall stay near at hand until you return to Obaa-San.
AOYAGI
I shall find the path alone.
RIKI
I'll send the stranger-woman to you.
[Riki goes out.
AOYAGI
Hai! Hai! Hai! I watched the sunrise only yesterday and I trembled with the wonder of the dew-cooled dawn. Life seemed all peace and—today—I have known a mother's love and my mother.—I have known a lover's touch—love beyond love.—I am waking from a dream. The Gaki said I'd waken—I'd be as free as one in life. Oh, what is this thing they call life? No happiness complete—a vision of a mountain top—a climbing to the goal—a bamboo glade—oh, the mist at Kyushu.—When I go back to Obaa-San—I shall love her so—but oh, the memory of Riki—the mountain gleaming in the sun—
[She starts sadly from the path. The Gaki enters.
THE GAKI
Lady, I am here again. It seemed to me that I must return to you. Something seemed to call. (Aoyagi almost collapses) I feed! I feed!
AOYAGI
I can not go!
THE GAKI
You seem to suffer.
AOYAGI
Oh—I have lost my way in life—
THE GAKI
Lost your way in life? Let me help you.
AOYAGI
I have stood on the mountain side and I have seen the green valleys far below.
THE GAKI
Talk to me—as you would to yourself.—I hear but I shall not speak what I hear.
AOYAGI
Riki—no, I can not speak even to myself. Deep in me there is a hurt.—I can not tell—
THE GAKI
A woman gives all;—the man forgets.
AOYAGI
But to Riki—he knows—I brought him my full belief—my all-in-all.
THE GAKI
Your perfect faith.
AOYAGI
Ay, my perfect faith.—He spoke to me and then I bowed to my august lord.—I followed him without question.—And he forgets so soon.
THE GAKI
Are you sure he has forgotten?
AOYAGI
You know—you saw the lady from Ishiyama.
THE GAKI
True.—I saw her.
AOYAGI
You did not meet him on the path.
THE GAKI
True.—I did not meet him on the path.
AOYAGI
He crossed the stream.
THE GAKI
Perhaps to shorten the way.
AOYAGI
He met her in a little glade.—Hai!
THE GAKI
What shall you do?
AOYAGI
I'll go my way. I'll return to Obaa-San.
THE GAKI
I'll guide you down the mountain side.—Come, we'll take the shorter way—the by-paths—across the stream—through the little glade—
AOYAGI (She looks about once more at the scene of her happiness)
Hai!
THE GAKI
Come!
AOYAGI
No, let us go down the path.—I want to see my footprints—side by side with his.
THE GAKI
Perhaps they're being crushed under the feet of the lady from Ishiyama!
[Aoyagi starts a moment as though to fly along the path before the lady comes.—She sways slowly—and then falls in a pitiful little heap.—The Gaki takes her in his arms and, utterly triumphant, starts up the mountain-side.
We'll go up—up—sweet Aoyagi, to the snow peak—gleaming in the sun.—You'll find the mountain-top—not lost in the sky.—Your perfect faith!—Oh, you silly human—oh, futile love—climb, Aoyagi—climb without love.—But first we'll make footprints for the lover's eyes.—Blindness will lead him to the mists at Kyushu.—Jealousy will lead you to the lonely stars.
[He holds Aoyagi so that her feet touch the ground—toward the downward path. Then with a wild laugh, he turns toward the mountain top. As the laughter dies, the voice of Riki is heard calling
Aoyagi! Aoyagi!… Oi!
[The laugh of The Gaki is heard once more very far away—as he ascends the mountain with his burden.
RIKI
Aoyagi!—Aoyagi!
[Riki comes running in. Presently he sees the footprints.
Oi!—Aoyagi!
[He runs down the path.
Aoyagi!—Aoyagi!
[Far, very far away The Gaki's laugh is heard.
RIKI
Aoyagi!—Aoyagi!
[Night has fallen slowly.
Aoyagi!—Aoyagi!
The Curtains Close
ACT III
Before the House of Obaa-San
[It is moonlight. As the curtain opens, Obaa-San is heard singing the lullaby; from the distance the voice of Riki calls.
RIKI
Aoyagi!—Aoyagi!—Aoyagi!—Aoyagi! Oi!
[Obaa-San appears in the doorway.
Aoyagi!
OBAA-SAN (She goes toward the voice)
Oi!
[Riki enters.
RIKI
Obaa-San! Where is Aoyagi?
OBAA-SAN
Where is Aoyagi?
RIKI
Is she not here?
OBAA-SAN
She is not here. Where—Riki!
RIKI
I left her in the bamboo glade—and when I returned she was gone. Her footprints pointed toward the path—and then were lost.
OBAA-SAN
Why did you leave her?
RIKI
I left her because she—I left her.
OBAA-SAN
I do not know, Riki, what has come to pass—but this I know—I am waiting for her.—I am waiting for her. Go seek for her—and bring her back to me.
RIKI
I shall search for her.—Obaa-San, she—
OBAA-SAN
I care not what she did. I am waiting here for her.
[Riki looks at Obaa-San a moment and then understands.
RIKI
Aoyagi!
[He goes out. Obaa-San turns to the empty house—the empty willow tree.
OBAA-SAN
She will come back to me.
[She goes into the house. The Gaki enters.
THE GAKI
Foolish Riki! He searches in the valley. Mad Aoyagi! Alone with the lonely stars!—Oh, wondrous misery that makes itself.
[He sees Obaa-San. She enters from the house.
Good-morning, Obaa-San, my friend.
OBAA-SAN
Good-morning, traveller.
THE GAKI
Why do you rise before the dawn?
OBAA-SAN
I could not rest.—Why are you not at Kyushu?
THE GAKI
There is a mist at Kyushu—and I feared to lose my way.
OBAA-SAN
Did you pass a little lady—Aoyagi, by name—alone—
THE GAKI
It seems—I met a little lady.—She was not happy.—That one?
OBAA-SAN
Where?
THE GAKI
I am a stranger here—I cannot say. Over there—or over there.
OBAA-SAN
She will come to me, perhaps.
THE GAKI
Do you know her?
OBAA-SAN
She is my daughter,—Aoyagi.
THE GAKI
Do you not fear for her?
OBAA-SAN
Perhaps.—She will be here soon.—Riki has gone for her.
THE GAKI
She must know the way.
[The voices of O-Sode and O-Katsu are heard.
This has been a restless night for age. (He disappears. O-Sode-San and O-Katsu-San enter)
OBAA-SAN
Good-morning, O-Sode-San. Good-morning, O-Katsu-San.—The lily hands of sleep have passed you by.
O-KATSU-SAN
A strange unrest has seized upon me. I think—and think of my little one. She is glorious in my heart, and words with wings seem to flash before my eyes like fireflies in the darkness.
O-SODE-SAN
I, too, have lived in words.
O-KATSU-SAN
Obaa-San, is it not wonderful to put a joy or pain in words?
OBAA-SAN
Ah, yes—if there is anyone to hear them. All my long, long years before Aoyagi came to me, my heart sang, and words freighted with my dreams and my love would come to me—here; and they would die because they found no ear attuned to them.—Tell me what you thought, O-Sode-San.
O-SODE-SAN
The moon in calm restlessness
Shows the water grasses of the River of Heaven,
Swaying in the cool spring air—
I know the time to meet my lover
Is not too far away.
OBAA-SAN
Every one has a poem in his heart, I believe.—What was your poem, O-Katsu?
O-KATSU-SAN
Oh, messenger of the other world,
My little one is young;
She can not find her way—
Do you kindly take my little one
Upon your warm, broad back
Along the twilight path.
O-SODE-SAN
And you, Obaa-San,—was it words that kept sleep from your eyes?
OBAA-SAN
Ay, bitter dream-words. And for the bitterness I am paying dearly.—Over and over the words came to me:
Here lies my daughter's sleeping body
On the mat beside me.
But her soul is far away
Asleep in her lover's arms—
And I, her white-haired mother,
Hold only an empty shell.
Oh, I am ashamed—ashamed.—And just now Riki came to me—and told me he could not find Aoyagi.
O-KATSU-SAN AND O-SODE-SAN
Hai!
O-SODE-SAN
Can we not search for her?
OBAA-SAN
I am waiting here.—She may find her way back.—I would not have her come to an empty house.—Come—let's go within—and dream that yours and yours and mine are on their way to us.
[The old women go into the house. There is just a moment's silence—then:
AOYAGI
Hai! Hai! Hai!
[Aoyagi, utterly forlorn, enters. She looks at the house, turns and sees the mountains, covers her eyes, and drags herself wearily to the willow tree. She moans as though winter had fallen upon the world and were taunting her. The Gaki enters.
THE GAKI
So you have found your way—in life.
AOYAGI
Oh, let me go back to my tree!
THE GAKI
No, little Aoyagi—you would be happy then.
AOYAGI
Let me die!
THE GAKI
One can not die.
AOYAGI
Hai!
THE GAKI
Where have you been?
AOYAGI
So far—so far!—I am weary.—When I awoke, I was on the mountain-top—alone.
THE GAKI
Were there no stars?
AOYAGI
Oh—the stars, the lonely, lonely stars! I tried to touch them—they seemed so near.—I found the path—the glade—our footprints—strange people—I am here. Let me back! Let me back!
THE GAKI
And what of Riki?
AOYAGI
He does not care.
THE GAKI
And what of Obaa-San?
AOYAGI
What can I give to Obaa-San now—but misery? Am I never to be free?
THE GAKI
What would you do if you were free—climb to the mountain top to see the lonely stars?
AOYAGI
Hai!—Riki!—Obaa-San!
[Obaa-San enters. The Gaki disappears.
OBAA-SAN
Was my name spoken in the dawn?
AOYAGI
Mother!
[With a cry of joy, Obaa-San enfolds Aoyagi in her arms.
OBAA-SAN
Nadeshiko! My little girl!
AOYAGI
Where is Riki?
OBAA-SAN
He has gone to search for you.
AOYAGI
Was he alone?
OBAA-SAN
Alone?
AOYAGI
Yes. Was there no woman with him—a lady from Ishiyama?
OBAA-SAN
A lady from—
AOYAGI
Yes—tall—fair—singing—
OBAA-SAN
He was alone. A lady from Ishiyama—(Aoyagi shudders with dread) brought me a message in the early night—
AOYAGI
It was she—young?
OBAA-SAN
No—old.
AOYAGI
Had she seen Riki?
OBAA-SAN
Yes. On the mountain-side—
AOYAGI
The stranger said she was young and fair.
OBAA-SAN
Perhaps the stranger did not see with honest eyes.
AOYAGI
He would not lie.
OBAA-SAN
Sometimes the eyes and the ears lie.
AOYAGI
Ah!
OBAA-SAN
And if she had been young and fair?
AOYAGI
Riki met her in a glade.
OBAA-SAN
Did you see them meet?
AOYAGI
No—she was singing.
OBAA-SAN
A happy song, perhaps.
AOYAGI
She sang the song he made to me.
OBAA-SAN
How do you know?
AOYAGI
Riki said she knew his song to me.
OBAA-SAN
Ah, that is beautiful, that she should love his song to you.
AOYAGI
He—
OBAA-SAN
My little darling, I do not know what really happened; but this I know, you did not speak fairly to Riki or Riki did not speak fairly to you. Almost every unhappiness comes because we speak too much of our pride and speak too little of our hearts.
AOYAGI
I asked him if he saw her.
OBAA-SAN
Why?
AOYAGI
A stranger told me—
OBAA-SAN
Was it the stranger you believed before Riki could defend himself?
AOYAGI
But, mother, I gave my all in all to Riki. He does not care.
OBAA-SAN
Do you know?
AOYAGI
I asked Riki if they met?
OBAA-SAN
Did he tell you?
AOYAGI
He seemed to be proud to tell.
OBAA-SAN
Then he was unashamed to tell—
AOYAGI
I asked him questions.
OBAA-SAN
But did you ask him the great question in your heart?
AOYAGI
Oh—
OBAA-SAN
Did you say, "Riki, my love, you are in all my heart. Am I in all yours?"
AOYAGI
He told me that.
OBAA-SAN
And did you believe?
AOYAGI
Above all the world!
OBAA-SAN
Then why doubt him later?
AOYAGI
The lady from Ishiyama passed by.
OBAA-SAN
My child, a lady bound for Ishiyama passed by! Had she been singing all the love-songs of all the worlds; had she been fairer than the lotus-flower, why should you have doubted Riki?
AOYAGI
A stranger—
OBAA-SAN
A stranger!—a stranger!—Oh, why—why—why do the eyes of love grow blind because a stranger speaks? You, Aoyagi, did not see the lady bound for Ishiyama. You did not hear her song—and yet upon the ears and eyes of a stranger you would shatter your love.—I saw the lady.—She was singing.—She was not fair.—If she had been—Oh, my little child—Riki is Riki, your august lord, the lord of your life. When he comes back, go to him and speak from your heart.
AOYAGI
What shall I say?
OBAA-SAN
I need not tell your heart.—It is only your head that can not learn to speak unprompted.—Do you love Riki?
AOYAGI
Ay—so dearly!
[The voice of Riki is heard.
RIKI
Aoyagi!
AOYAGI
He is coming!
[Obaa-San, unnoticed, goes into the house. Riki enters.
RIKI
Aoyagi!
[When he sees she is safe, he drops suddenly. She goes to him.
AOYAGI
Riki, my august lord, listen to my heart.—Forget my anger.—Tell me once again that you love me.—I'll believe.
RIKI
You know—I have always loved you.—When you were a song in my heart, I loved you so! And now—
AOYAGI
Oh, Riki, can we ever forget the blow I struck?
RIKI
That was yesterday—see, this is today: the dawn has spread across the sky. What shall we do? Look back upon the bitterness of yesterday, or try to see the fears of tomorrow, or live in the gladness of today?
AOYAGI
The Gaki of Kokoru is here at the tree. He will not let us live in happiness. He let me go with you because he meant to feed upon the misery of poor Obaa-San.
RIKI
He has not come upon us yet. We are struggling against tomorrow. This is the dawning of today.
AOYAGI
Then shall we live—today.
[Obaa-San enters from the house.
OBAA-SAN
Come, Aoyagi; come, Riki. We have found happiness at our door. Within there is rice and tea. Come.
[They go into the house. The Gaki enters.
THE GAKI
There is love!—Now what shall I do for misery? Old Obaa-San remembers happiness. She has taught O-Katsu and O-Sode to remember happiness. The lovers are reunited;—now they understand.—And I—I, ah, I must die in this dread shape and stay in this hell through all the eternities unless I bring new misery to them. What can I do? (He turns to see the tree) Ah—I shall kill the tree—slowly—slowly—and I'll feed upon them all. Aoyagi is bound to the tree as one is bound to his body in a dream.—I'll kill the tree.
[He draws his short sword and smites the tree. There is a cry from the house and Aoyagi enters quickly, followed by Riki, Obaa-San, O-Katsu-San, and O-Sode-San. Aoyagi holds her heart.
RIKI
Aoyagi! (She droops in his arms. Obaa-San lays her hand upon her dear child's head. O-Katsu-San understands. The Gaki in triumph smiles again. Aoyagi cries out and shudders as she clings to Riki) Oh, whatever power gave strength to me and led me to my love, give me the chance to save my love.
AOYAGI
The tree!—The tree!
[The Gaki smites again.
RIKI
The Gaki of Kokoru! Ay, I know! I know! I fight a fear, Obaa-San. Hold Aoyagi fast—with all your love.—I shall find the Gaki of Kokoru! (The Gaki smites the tree again and again, and at each stroke Aoyagi fails more and more until she finally crumples in a heap among the three old women) All strength! All faith to me! Into my hands give the power to break the bitterest hell asunder! Into my eyes put light that I may see the cowardly fears that infest our way.—Gaki! Gaki! where are you?—I pass about you and in my heart I carry fearlessness and faith.—Upon your wickedness I hurl belief.—Ah, now, I see you.
THE GAKI
Let me go! Let me go!
RIKI
You shall bring misery into no more hearts!
THE GAKI
Ah, pity me! Let me go! I must feed or I shall die!
RIKI
You shall feed no more!
THE GAKI
Do not let me die in this sixth hell! Do not let me die! Once I was human—like you and you. I came into this hell because I was bitter in life.—I made misery for others.—I put mischief in their minds.—
RIKI (leaping upon him)
You shall make no more misery.
THE GAKI
Let me feed! Let me live! I can not die thus.
RIKI (throttling him)
Dread demon, the end has come!
THE GAKI
Please—please—hear me.
RIKI
Nay, you have made your last horror in our lives.
OBAA-SAN
Riki! Hear him—hear him.—We know not what we do, perhaps.
RIKI
Then speak.
THE GAKI
Let me go! Do you think it did not punish me to see your misery, to bring misery upon you? That is what these hells are. In life we can not always see what wretchedness we make; in the hells we see and know and understand, but we can not escape our evil until we've sucked the bitterness, the horror to the blackest end. Oh—five hells lie between me and human life. In each I may perchance forget the lesson learned before. Let me live! Let me live!—I can not fight your faith!—Let me live!
RIKI
What further harm will you do?
THE GAKI
I cannot help myself. I must live on you.—You are young—
[He tears himself from Riki and once more rushes to the tree. Aoyagi writhes a moment in agony. Riki leaps upon The Gaki, throttling him once more. The struggle is terrific.
RIKI
Die!
THE GAKI
Let me go! Let me live!—I promise anything—I—
RIKI
Too late!—You shall harm no more!
[With one supreme effort, The Gaki draws himself to his full height and seems about to crush Riki. He leaps upon the prostrate Aoyagi and flings her body high above his head. Riki starts for him.
THE GAKI
I shall live! I shall live!
RIKI
Aoyagi!
THE GAKI
Come not near me, Riki, or I shall crush her at your feet. I shall live!
[He laughs the hideous laugh of triumph which rang out on the mountain side yesterday.
OBAA-SAN
Give her back to us! Feed on me!
THE GAKI
In your heart there is only hope and beautiful memory. Old fool, I can not feed on you.—But now in my arms I hold the precious gift by which I shall pass from hell to hell.
