ENTER _SAKARA L., with ITO._
SAKARA. Hear, O little Ito, the wise woman sees excellencies! (_Child
bows._) At house of honorable mother, Sakara heard clever proverbs, saw
play-acting. I love wise little boys, therefore would give happiness,
O Ito! (_Child bows._) This is the chrysanthemum garden of august
Princess; here are beautiful blossoms for the flower-viewing. Say,
little Ito, would you have worthy coins to spend? (_Child bows three
times._) Sit here, recite true proverbs. (_Sits L. C., ITO C._)
ITO (_quickly_). Many words, little sense. For woman to rule is as for
a hen to crow in the morning!
SAKARA. Stay, Ito. Would you, O wise little man, have new playing
cards? A toy that water will work? I saw excellent one of a man beating
rice husks. Would have it for your own? (_ITO shakes head, bowing._)
Some shrill-voiced grasshoppers in bamboo cages?
ITO (_bowing_). August Lady is too kind to little Ito.
SAKARA. What shall it be, then? Think in your mind. Act the doctor for
me, O wise little Ito, then you shall say.
ITO (_bowing_). Allow most unworthy to feel honorable pulse of august
patient. (_Takes hand, bowing._) There is fever! Allow highly ignorant
to gaze on venerated tongue. (_Examines, kneeling._) Honorable medicine
must be prepared, if august one will condescend to take.
SAKARA. Truly, O wise little Ito, it is good play-acting. Would play
new honorable game for me? Tell me what heart desires.
ITO. Thanks for honorable kindness. Books are my desire.
SAKARA. Books? That is wise, O little Ito. Honorable books shall be
procured. New play-acting done, money shall obtain them. Listen, O
little Ito. There are thorns on every rose-tree. Even Sakara has
heart-tormenting troubles; little wise Ito may help. Would have me for
friend? (_ITO bows._) In the morning I will wait for Ito at the gate
yonder, but I shall not accompany wise, clever play-actor. A lady in
scarlet kimono will walk here, and augustly speak, calling to Ito. So,
after honorable courtesies, he will draw near, when she touches him,
for this lady loves treasure-flowers. Ito will play-act thus: (_SAKARA
stands C., clasps hands tragically._) O Amairu, mercy, mercy! I see
not. I am blind--blind! (_Staggers, clasps hands over eyes._) Is it
difficult play-acting, O Ito? See, I touch now. When you have called
play-acting words, run as if you followed swift-flying kite. Show me, O
wise little Ito.
ITO (_imitating carefully_). O Amairu, mercy, mercy! I am blind--blind!
(_Moving R., then coming back._) Will honorable lady like new
play-acting?
SAKARA. Greatly, O clever little Ito. Books, honorable books, shall be
many if quick-flying feet carry you away and you do not stay to hear
honorable praise, but run quickly to me; if feet run after thee speed
the quicker. Ito, the flying-footed, sounds well.
ITO (_doubtfully_). It is new play-acting.
SAKARA. Truly, one cannot always play-act doctoring or funerals. Show
me again, O little Ito.
ITO (_imitating as before_). O Amairu, mercy! I am blind--blind! (_Runs
L., then returns._)
SAKARA (_caressingly_). Good, wise little Ito, ’tis excellent
play-acting. Make it not common for all children; keep it for me and
thee. I shall speak warm words to excellent father. A good son makes
a happy father. All good is for those Sakara loves, O pleasure-giving
little man! Honorable mother waits. Take honorable leave-taking. The
sentries (_child bows three times_) will allow you to pass; you came
with me, O wise little Ito. Sayonara! (ITO EXITS L.) The night is
warm, the garden fair and peaceful. (_Goes up stage C., and looks off
R._) The entertainment for hated foreigner passes; here I tarry. The
Princess may walk here, if honorable light-giving moon shines. I would
alarm her again, or in deep darkness steal her charm-bag. What could
then protect? (_Ascends summer-house steps, peers in._) Sakara, the
wise woman, wisest in all Japan, will fight for and protect ancient
excellencies of the kingdom. I plan to make the most exalted Emperor,
Son of Heaven, lose his love for Princess Kiku, child of honorable
Prince Yamen.
Can she, foolish one, be truly of sacred royal blood? Could a Princess
of Japan love hated foreigners? (_Clenches hand._) Barbarian devils!
It pleases her to have them at august Court, and old men growing too
old obey the children. The ministers of State laugh at fears of Sakara
(_raises both arms_), who fights for Japan.
What will the august Emperor say to hear that the touch of his favorite
makes a child, a little boy, blind? (_Crosses to L._) Truly they will
send the police through the city, but the wise woman is cleverer than
they. I HATE HER! My spells must work, shall work, if I steal her
charm-bag. Here I wait and hide. (_Looks round stage, mounts steps,
descends, goes towards L._) They will walk under honorable gaze of
the moon. (_Starts, listening to song in the distance, “In the Land,”
then prostrates herself, calling_:) O Shinto, all-powerful! O Benten,
all-merciful--Nichoren, Amairu, aid me! They come! (_Hides among
flowers L._)
ENTER _YUKI and MIMOSA R._
YUKI (_coming down L. C._). O Mimosa San, the light of honorable
moon falls upon the garden, sentries watch at the gates, and exalted
Princess thinks if she rests here in summer-house honorable sleep will
dwell upon her eyelids. She dreads the hour of the Ox, and fearful
darkness in the Palace. Here among fragrant flowers will be venerated
peace.
MIMOSA (C.). The samisen must sing her to land of health-giving sleep.
O Yuki, we can watch that no evil comes. O Totmai and O Haru can rest
in the Palace. See, they come.
ENTER _TOTMAI and HARU L., running. All bow._
TOTMAI. O Mimosa San, how pretty and sweet you look! Did you enjoy much
honorable pleasure?
HARU. How slow to speak! (_Moves up stage._)
TOTMAI. Was Morita there? Looked he for Totmai? What was honorable
meal? Did any wear very rich kimonos?
MIMOSA (_laughing_). Many are questions, O Totmai! (_YUKI and HARU talk
aside, up stage, L. C._) Honorable Morita was there. I had no excellent
speech with him.
TOTMAI. O vexing little one, make us laugh quick, about the barbarian
Englishman!
[_All sit in centre of stage clustering round MIMOSA, who is in C.
with HARU on the R. and YUKI and TOTMAI on her L._
HARU. Tell us, O Mimosa San, and you, O Yuki, of the doings of this
strange man.
TOTMAI. What were the garments of the foreigner, and, O Mimosa
(_laughing_), what was his speech? Did he say jolly little things?
HARU (_imitating as before_). O--I--say----
TOTMAI. Did he like honorable food?
YUKI. When he was talking to the exalted Princess he looked much like a
huge black crow speaking to a beautiful heron.
MIMOSA (_laughing_). His coat was black.
TOTMAI _and_ HARU. Black!
MIMOSA. There was a white piece in front. Honorable tailor had had
little stuff. It was strangely short in front and long behind. Over the
white he wore one pretty thing, a band of blue ribbon with something
jewelled and shining. Long stockings came up to his knees.
TOTMAI. Black for a festival!
MIMOSA _and_ YUKI. Black as a crow.
MIMOSA. O Yuki, how hard to keep honorable laughter from our faces!
YUKI. Truly, O Mimosa, when we saw him with the excellent flower!
(_Laugh._)
TOTMAI. Tell us, O Yuki San. We would laugh, too.
HARU. With honorable kindness, tell us quick.
YUKI. The august Princess took excellent chrysanthemum standing alone
in large vase----
MIMOSA. O Yuki, speak first of the bow! (_Laughs behind fan._)
YUKI. O Mimosa, how laughter-making! See, O Totmai and O Haru.
(_Imitates the bow of an Englishman._)
TOTMAI _and_ HARU. To venerated Princess?
YUKI. Just like this. (_Bows again, others copy._) Like a policeman
when he has roped his prisoner and said, “After you.” Then the exalted
lady gave him with gracious courtesy a great white chrysanthemum. What
do honorable minds _think he did with it_?
TOTMAI. Ate it!
HARU. Let excellent flower fall!
YUKI (_shakes head, laughing_). O Mimosa, how can they ever guess?
MIMOSA. He took excellent blossom like this, pulled at his strange
black coat (_imitates_); in it there _must_ have been a hole, for after
he had bowed again----
ALL (_imitating_). The bow of a barbarian Englishman----
MIMOSA. _He put it in his coat!_ (_Laughs._)
TOTMAI. In his coat? Was it large honorable flower?
YUKI. Excellently large, just like this. (_Touches flower._)
TOTMAI (_eagerly_). Oh, tell us more, tell us more!
MIMOSA. We sat on foreign chairs. All honorable guests showed exalted
courtesy. The Englishman looked O so big, and once or twice I know he
wished he was eating their dreadful raw beef!
TOTMAI. Oh, that I had been there! O Yuki, did the geisha dance new
dance?
MIMOSA. The flower dance was pretty; she had no fan, just a spray of
cherry blossoms. Show them, O Yuki, clever dancer.
YUKI. It is late. O Totmai and O Haru, know not august wish of beloved,
venerated Princess to sleep in the summer-house?
TOTMAI _and_ HARU. Sleep in the summer-house?
MIMOSA. She dreads fearful dreams. O Yuki and I sleep at her feet. O
Yuki will of honorable kindness show beautiful dance, then O Totmai of
little quick feet will with excellent kindness run quickly to fetch
bed-coverings with Haru. The Princess would not have foolish, eager
talk at the Palace.
TOTMAI. O Haru and I fly like the birds! I should fear night-devils
sleeping in the summer-house.
[_YUKI dances C., MIMOSA and HARU withdrawing R. and TOTMAI L. during
dance. After dance YUKI bows, others applaud, saying: “Honorable
thanks.”_
TOTMAI. Great is excellent kindness.
MIMOSA. Will you run swiftly, O little Totmai?
TOTMAI (_taking HARU’s hand_). We fly! [EXEUNT R.
MIMOSA. O Yuki, have you ever sought honorable sleep in a garden
before? See, we will bind this rope of rice straw round the
summer-house. (_Goes up steps._) Then the all-powerful, gracious Shinto
will keep away night-devils.
YUKI (R. C.). I feel no fear, O Mimosa.
MIMOSA (_descending steps_). Honorable moon will condescend to shine.
We shall dream excellent dreams.
ENTER _TOTMAI and HARU R._
TOTMAI and HARU. We have been truly as swift as birds. Shall we spread
the beds here in the summer-house? (_Ascends steps._)
MIMOSA. The Princess!
ENTER _PRINCESS R._
PRINCESS. You have made all ready for me, O kind maidens? (_All bow._)
I dare not dream as I did last night. To dream of serpents--what
misfortune--trouble-bringing!
TOTMAI (_bowing_). It is said, O august Lady, inquire seven times
before you believe a report. Once to dream, deign to believe, is
nothing.
YUKI. Shall I bid samisen speak, O Princess?
[_PRINCESS nods consent and sits on steps. TOTMAI and HARU up stage
C., MIMOSA L., YUKI R. C._
YUKI.
_Air: “Chinee Soje Man,” last sixteen measures, “San Toy,” Act II._
Rising swiftly great god of Night
Called loudly to ling’ring Day,
My rule begins, I come, I come,
Tossing deep shadows grim and gray.
Calling loudly, great god of Night,
Bringeth strong winds from caverns deep,
Ruleth sternly all Sea and Sky,
Setteth bright stars their watch to keep.
Watching, watching, great god of Night
Leaveth his seal on ev’ry eye,
Closeth flowers with finger strong,
Lest they may see him passing by.
Hearken, hearken, great god of Night,
Calleth deep to the silver Moon,
Setteth her track in sombre sky,
Climbs she stately, nor shines too soon.
PRINCESS. Honorable thanks. Sweet is the song. You shall sing it to the
great Englishman, O tuneful Yuki; it will remind him of the birds in
his own land. I like to hear him speak. I think excellent sleep comes
to me now. See, I go to rest. (ENTERS _summer-house. TOTMAI and HARU
EXIT R._)
MIMOSA. Rest, well beloved, exalted Lady! Excellent charms are safe?
PRINCESS. In my girdle and my sleeve. Surely, the all-powerful ones
will protect Kiku when she journeys into the land of Sleep?
MIMOSA. Deign to fear nothing--no evil will come. O Yuki San and Mimosa
sleep at worshipful feet when we have bound this rope of rice straw
round the summer-house. Sleep, O dear lady.
[_Soft music, stage darkens. SAKARA creeps forward to C._
SAKARA. They sleep--have I not heard enough? (_Looks round at
summer-house._) Have I not heard bitter truths? She thinks and speaks
of the evil barbarian--it is she who persuades august Son of Heaven
to set aside honorable customs of exalted land. They sit on foreign
chairs. Oh, evil be to them! Can I steal her charms? A sudden call
when soul journeys in land of Sleep, we know it means danger. Shall I
call loudly here? O foolish Sakara, sentries have ears, though they
cannot see in the dark! With clever craft I will steal her charm-bag.
She is then at my mercy. (_Laughs._) The mercy of Sakara! (_Goes to
summer-house and creeps back._) Dare I cut venerated rope of rice
straw? Will all-powerful Shinto forgive? With excellent care I will
creep under. (_Creeps up steps._)
PRINCESS. O fear-bringing--I dream--I dream! The terrible creeping
Serpent. [_SAKARA drops down._
MIMOSA. It is nothing, O dear Princess. Seek honorable sleep again. The
gods protect! [SAKARA creeps back L.
SAKARA. Shall I hide among beautiful blossoms and wait for fear-giving
hour of the Ox? Nay, honorable Moon rises yonder--away, Sakara, wait
for the morning--no eyes must see thee now or then. [EXIT L.
[_Moonlight, MOONBEAM FAIRIES appear. They sing and dance between each
verse._
_Air: “Samee Gamee,” “San Toy,” Act I._
Glimm’ring moonbeams through azure sky,
Drifting earthwards from worlds on high;
Bringing sweet dreams to tired eyes,
Changing to smiles all weary sighs!
Glimm’ring moonbeams from azure sky,
Drifting earthwards where mortals lie;
Swaying bright wands of silver hue,
Strength’ning sad hearts to efforts new.
Glimm’ring moonbeams in early dawn,
Fading swiftly with light of morn;
Leaving earth’s sons till night again
Hushes to rest all toil and pain!
[_FAIRIES disappear, daylight deepens._
NOTE.--_Here may be introduced the “March of the Chinese Lanterns,” a
very effective series of evolutions. Illustrated description of the
march can be furnished by the Publishers, Dick & Fitzgerald, 18 Ann
Street, New York, on receipt of 15 cents._
ENTER _TOTMAI and HARU R._ ENTER _ITO L. and stays among flowers._
TOTMAI (_ascending steps_). Have the gods sent excellent sleep, O most
gracious lady?
PRINCESS (_slowly descends_). In truth, at first it seemed to me the
fearful serpent came near, and then I was in fairy land. Such sweet,
excellent dream! My heart is bright and gay this morning. I see yonder
a little child. Whose can he be that sentries permit to pass? Do you
know, O Mimosa San?
MIMOSA. He smells at beautiful flowers.
PRINCESS (_coming down C., the others behind her_). Little
treasure-flower! I will give blossom or two--bring him hither, O
Totmai. O Haru, he will like gay colors. Here, O little man, shall I
give excellent flowers? (_ITO bows three times._) Come, take them,
giving worthy name. (_ITO advances, bowing; as the PRINCESS touches
him he starts and cries: “O Amairu, mercy! mercy! I am blind! blind!”
Repeats twice, then rushes L. All remain motionless with fear._)
PRINCESS (_flinging up arms and turning and staggering up stage_). The
curse--the awful curse has fallen! My touch brings evil--oh, horrible
evil to a little child! Nay, none shall come near me, I command. Let me
die alone. [EXIT R.
YUKI. O Totmai and O Haru, run speedily to the Palace; bid them
question the sentries, we will then to the shrines to pray. O Mimosa,
weep not so bitterly.
[EXEUNT _TOTMAI and HARU R._
MIMOSA. Trouble has crossed the threshold--the gods permit the evil
spells of Sakara. She, the wise woman, is jealous; she belongs to the
Imperial house, and thinks exalted thoughts of the noble Society for
the Preservation of Ancient Excellencies. There was anger in her heart
when she heard of the festival for the Englishman. Listen, O Yuki! Let
us take presents in our hands and with humble courtesies visit Sakara.
YUKI. Visit her! As well walk into the fire with a bundle of bamboos.
All will soon be well. The Englishman will sail away, and we----
MIMOSA. O Yuki, we shall see the Princess lying dead, with her kimono’s
sleeve flung across her face, like the helpless broken wing of a fallen
bird.
YUKI. Nay, O Mimosa, if you visit Sakara she will say, before argument,
proof; but if she hates the august Princess you may as well try to bale
the ocean with your hand as change her. Leave all honorably alone, lest
worse come. Poke a canebrake and a snake will slip forth. Come, come to
the Palace. [EXIT R.
MIMOSA. Yuki thinks the exalted Princess will happily forget. I know
that her heart is breaking; when our hearts break we laughter-loving
die. I remember well the fear-bringing words of Sakara. Those who speak
and laugh with barbarian devils bring curses on themselves and those
they love. Have a care, O Kiku, lest you droop like one of the noble
chrysanthemums they named you from. To her honorable dwelling I will
go with pleasant, courteous words, and presents in my hand. There is
no standing without stooping. She will hear if I speak humbly. To the
shrines of the great all-powerful ones I will creep, and they, the
merciful, the strong, will hear the humble prayers of Mimosa. (_Starts
to go off L. as curtain falls._)
CURTAIN.