table, which is covered with Japanese books, etc., a box in front of
her, two or three small tables (really low, square stools), some rugs
on the floor, sword hanging from roof C., R. 1 E. and L. 1 E. The room
is made with plain screens. ITO stands R., down stage._
SAKARA. See, little Ito, there are books for excellent play-acting.
(_ITO bows._) Are they not joy to eager eyes? See, here are coins,
honorable coins. Place safely in girdle, O little Ito! (_Child bows
again before taking money._) No words, O grave and wise?
ITO. The police with ropes in pockets go from dwelling to dwelling
asking for blind boys.
SAKARA (_scornfully_). _Afraid of the police?_ See, here is sacred
charm; place also in girdle, O little Ito. (_Child examines and bows._)
Fear nothing, the gods protect. (_Draws child beside her._) I see there
are words in thy throat.
ITO. Honorable lady in the garden was beautiful as a flower. (_Looks
up._) Why did she not love excellent play-acting, and I the best
play-actor among children in many honorable dwellings?
SAKARA. Who said, O little Ito, venerated Lady did not like?
ITO. The police. I fear not till lanterns are lit, and night-devils and
evil spirits walk. I called out in honorable sleep; the kind mother
heard. (_Places book under arm._) If police put a rope round me I will
say it was play-acting of Sakara, the wise lady.
SAKARA. Truly, the dog bites the hand that caresses it!
ITO. Honorable meaning I do not understand. Play-acting of doctor or
funeral exalted lady would have liked.
SAKARA. Fear not, O little Ito; all good comes to the friends of
Sakara! Keep close mouth (_child starts_) _lest_.... Here hangs
honorable sword, fear nothing, O little Ito (_child draws nearer_), the
words on excellent blade, “There’s naught ’twixt heaven and earth a man
need fear who carries this single blade!” Soon, O little Ito, manhood
will come, strong, powerful manhood, and Sakara will fasten this sword
herself to girdle of wise Ito.
ITO. August lady is most honorably kind to little Ito; those in prison
may not wear worthy swords! Will excellent charm keep away night-devils?
SAKARA. None can come. Have no fear, O Ito, and remember the words of
Sakara--the mouth is the door of mischief. Keep close lips; excellent
happiness will then come. Take honorable leave-taking, O wise Ito. I
hear footsteps.
ITO (_bowing deeply, taking SAKARA’s hand to his forehead_). I thank
thee, O most exalted and wise, for books and money. Honored words my
foolish mind will keep, but I fear greatly night-devils. [EXIT L.
SAKARA. It is the foot of O Mimosa San!
ENTER _MIMOSA R., carrying presents. Bows in doorway._
MIMOSA. O most exalted Sakara, I come with honorable presents in humble
hands. Deign to accept, O most powerful. Tell me of noble health
since last I worshipped thy eyebrow. (_SAKARA sits motionless. MIMOSA
bowing._) I regret humble and unworthy feet should soil venerated
chamber, and that one so poor, so foolishly weak, should cross
excellent threshold! (_Stands motionless._)
MIMOSA (_hesitates, then bows, speaking louder_). I come, O great and
wise, after exalted custom of noble land with presents in humble hands,
pleasant words on foolish tongue.
SAKARA (_bows once_). It has been said, O Mimosa San, that the mouth
is the door of mischief. I have deep thoughts. I return honorable
greeting. Deign to sit.
MIMOSA (_bowing_). Condescend to accept humble offering to great wisdom!
SAKARA. _Wisdom_--you love the folly of the Palace! He who touches
vermilion becomes red. It is only the gravely thoughtful who pray the
aid of Sakara.
MIMOSA. Am I, then, a wolf in sheep’s clothing, that you receive
honorable greeting and poor unworthy presents with little excellent
courtesy? I will leave offerings at exalted feet, and take away the
burden of letting venerated eyes rest upon Mimosa! (_Aside._) O Shinto,
grant wisdom; to show eagerness is loss!
SAKARA. Nay, O Mimosa San, rest on humble floor; they shall lay
honorable tea before you. What can the ignorance of Sakara do? Forgive
seeming discourtesy. (_Bows._) I twanged my bow on the box here,
talking to spirits of the most exalted dead (_MIMOSA shrinks_) as to
the evil coming to beautiful, beloved Japan.
MIMOSA. Will there be trembling of the catfish? Will honorable
dwellings fall?
SAKARA (_scornfully_). Earthquake? or swift-moving fire? The humble
servants of the great ones. That is nothing.
MIMOSA (_rising_). My excellent brother travels to the Shrine of
Ise--could he bring thee charms? and let honorable prayers avert evil
days?
SAKARA (_rising_). O Mimosa San, there is no escape from the nets of
Heaven.
MIMOSA (_tremblingly moves toward R._). Honorable leave-taking! Will
most gracious favor chrysanthemum-viewing at the Palace with exalted
presence?
SAKARA. My feet turn not again to the Palace; the absent get farther
off every day!... Honorable minds (_scornfully_) will soon forget
Sakara, who will sit (_seats herself C., draws bow along box_) and
commune with the spirits who protect Japan--exalted, powerful gods!
MIMOSA (_advancing_). I came with honorable presents in my hand----
SAKARA. Hai--you would give honey to eat!
MIMOSA (_drawing nearer, though avoiding box_). Nay, the small fox
may borrow strength and wisdom from the powerful tiger. I came to sit
humbly at thy feet----
SAKARA (_twanging bow, laughs_). Would foolish fox enter the tiger’s
den? (_MIMOSA shrinks._) After the swallowing, scalding is forgotten.
(_Turns to MIMOSA, who struggles to appear brave._) What think you, O
Mimosa San, of poor, unworthy dwelling of the wise woman? Ignorantly
speaking of bringing charms to one who makes charms--charms of long
life, happiness, love, lasting beauty!
MIMOSA. I rob you, O Sakara, of honorable time. I----
SAKARA (_beckons MIMOSA C._). Stay, O Mimosa, foolish Mimosa. You came
to learn wisdom sitting at the foot of Sakara. Condescend to remain.
O Mimosa San, if you would be wise, honorably exalted, all good shall
come from the doing of one little thing----
MIMOSA. Deign to name the very little thing, O most honorable?
SAKARA. A very little thing! Condescend to sit, O Mimosa. First with
honorable kindness answer, have your eyes seen excellent venerated
lotus-flower in the mud?
MIMOSA (_with astonishment_). Never, O Sakara; the sacred flower?
SAKARA (_speaking impressively_). Do my bidding and you shall never be
trampled like a dead, forgotten flower. Neither shall you grow old,
and love will never leave you! Death by drowning, or long, pain-giving
illness shall not be yours. At a venerated age you shall fall asleep
in the embracing arms of the gods. I know, O Mimosa San, that the most
worshipful Toko has fastened the sprig of lime to thy father’s door
and woos thee; the gods, the all-powerful, shall smile upon him also.
(_Rises slowly._) The terrible destroying earthquake, the swift-moving
fire shall never touch you! Your joys shall last like the pine trees.
You shall remain beautiful as the cherry blossom and as spotless.
(_Stands with folded arms looking at MIMOSA._)
MIMOSA. What can I all unworthy do to gain exalted happiness?
SAKARA (_walking forward, keeping face from MIMOSA_). It is a very
little thing, O Mimosa. You have come with courteous words to Sakara.
Thy heart is not all folly, for the magnet can attract iron, but not
stone. Do as I bid, beloved Japan shall venerate thee. Be honorable
friend of wise, powerful Sakara, and you shall be protected by exalted
gods, and the name of O Mimosa San shall _live_ when all else perishes.
(_Crosses R._)
MIMOSA (_follows, bowing_). Tell me, venerated will. Great is the good
you promise, O powerful Sakara, when I do thy bidding. (_Kneels._) Hear
one humble little prayer.
SAKARA (_turning, seizes MIMOSA’s hands_). Bring for one little day the
charm of life from the Princess Kiku’s girdle.
MIMOSA. I to bring the charm of life from august Princess’s girdle?
SAKARA (_drops MIMOSA’s hand, speaking quietly_). Deign to see it is a
very little thing.
MIMOSA. Verily, you hide the sword with a smile. What would you with
venerated charm? Nay (_SAKARA prepares to speak_), nay, purse lips now,
for you have spoken loud. (_Lowering voice._) Hold the powerful charm,
and exalted lady’s life is yours.
SAKARA (_placidly_). Fallen blossom does not return to the twig. All
powerful Son of Heaven will forget her foolish fancies, and in beloved
Japan all will excellently remain as it did in the days of honorable
fathers--and--Mimosa----
MIMOSA (_kneeling_). Condescend to kill me, and spare her!
SAKARA. Never!
MIMOSA. Then the gods will shield, O most wicked! (_SAKARA listens with
amazement._) Mimosa will walk barefoot to every shrine. She will not
do your bidding. (_SAKARA folds arms._) Nay, I fear not. Prophets know
nothing of themselves. Is there no one who would work you evil? no god
whom you have angered?
SAKARA (_raising hand_). Peace, O most foolish. I am Sakara the wise.
In my own house evil words? (_Stands over MIMOSA._) Would the evil
curse light on you, too? Thy mistress sent thee with tears and humble
prayers. (_Contemptuously._) As well cut a stick after the fight.
Listen, O Mimosa! I, Sakara, speak these words. The curse of her
fathers, the fathers of Japan, rests upon her. Those she loves (_MIMOSA
throws out arms_) shall wither, those she touches shall fail--when she
wishes good evil shall come! I, Sakara----
MIMOSA (_passionately_). She shall not hear evil words. I shall not
repeat.
SAKARA (_contemptuously_). Hearken, O very foolish little one--while
you speak here her eyes _read_ the words--the curse I have spoken.
(_MIMOSA cries out._) The all-powerful spirits commanded their willing
servant Sakara to honorably write. Fear-giving words _were_ written,
carried by excellently swift messenger! _Thou_, (_pointing_), _thou_
shalt see her fade and die--_thou_, thyself.
MIMOSA. See, I hold between me and thee my girdle of charms. I fear
thee not. The gods will judge.
SAKARA (_scornfully_). Judge for _thee_?
MIMOSA. I will not buy happiness at the cost of another’s. Nay (_SAKARA
steps toward her_) thou shalt not touch me or my charms! I am Mimosa,
the swift-footed. (_Springs back to door R._) Remember, O most wise,
wicked one (_stands with outstretched hand_), he who curses must look
out for two graves!
CURTAIN.