TOTMAI (_bowing_). All-powerful gods are good. From one excellently sweet as thou art no evil comes, O most worthily loved.
PRINCESS. My august uncle would know, O Mimosa, how long I tarry here with you for refreshment of sweet-smelling air full of the scent of fragrant flowers. Do you think the fair chrysanthemums at the Palace will fade without our loving care? O trouble-bringing--I forgot--they wither at my touch!
MIMOSA (_taking flowers from TOTMAI_). Deign to hold honorable blossoms in venerated hands----
PRINCESS (_moving away up stage on L._). Nay, I would not have dear ones die.
MIMOSA (_crossing, TOTMAI follows PRINCESS_). Condescend to listen to humble Mimosa--take them, O dear lady--deign to see I lay them against you.
PRINCESS (_hesitatingly_). They, the beautiful ones, die not now, but watch in an hour, before dark night comes--_they will be dead_!
MIMOSA (_cheerfully_). We will set honorable blooms in water (HARU and YUKI arrange in vases on stool at L.), we will watch; deign to believe they will not fade. The people in the village hold happy festival. They pray humbly for august presence.
PRINCESS. O Mimosa--_I_ go among them? _I?_ (_Moving down R._) I hear again the cry, the terrible cry of the little child! “O Amairu, mercy--mercy--I see not, I am blind--blind!”
TOTMAI (_coming up to her R. C._). O Princess, my honorable father often excellently said: “Live under your own hat. Do well. Deign not to think what worthy neighbors say!”
YUKI (L.). O Princess, the bird that flies upward does not ruffle water. The gods are good and merciful, excellent charms are safe. O lady, forget!
MIMOSA (C.). Condescend to return to the Palace.
PRINCESS. Are these wise words, O Yuki, “Return to the Palace?” O Mimosa, heart would break if my touch brought evil to the august Son of Heaven. I will not weep. O kind ones, I will write words to my exalted uncle. Would that _you_ returned to the gay Palace.
ALL (_bowing_). With you, O most excellently loved!
YUKI. If I had my way the whole trouble-bringing story should be laid before the august Emperor and truth threshed forth.
YUKI. The police, if I were Emperor, should bind Sakara!
TOTMAI (_back to first place_). It must speak honorable truth; let us adorn our hair better. Sit here, O Haru. I will arrange beautiful fans.