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._)