More Portmanteau Plays Part 19

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 Is.h.i.+yama.

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.