More Portmanteau Plays Part 26

AOYAGI

Oh, Riki, can we ever forget the blow I struck?

RIKI

That was yesterday--see, this is today: the dawn has spread across the sky.

What shall we do? Look back upon the bitterness of yesterday, or try to see the fears of tomorrow, or live in the gladness of today?

AOYAGI

The Gaki of Kokoru is here at the tree. He will not let us live in happiness. He let me go with you because he meant to feed upon the misery of poor Obaa-San.

RIKI

He has not come upon us yet. We are struggling against tomorrow. This is the dawning of today.

AOYAGI

Then shall we live--today.

[_Obaa-San enters from the house._

OBAA-SAN

Come, Aoyagi; come, Riki. We have found happiness at our door. Within there is rice and tea. Come.

[_They go into the house. The Gaki enters._

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE LADY OF THE WEEPING WILLOW TREE

ACT III.]

THE GAKI

There is love!--Now what shall I do for misery? Old Obaa-San remembers happiness. She has taught O-Katsu and O-Sode to remember happiness. The lovers are reunited;--now they understand.--And I--I, ah, I must die in this dread shape and stay in this h.e.l.l through all the eternities unless I bring new misery to them. What can I do? (_He turns to see the tree_) Ah--I shall kill the tree--slowly--slowly--and I'll feed upon them all. Aoyagi is bound to the tree as one is bound to his body in a dream.--I'll kill the tree.

[_He draws his short sword and smites the tree. There is a cry from the house and Aoyagi enters quickly, followed by Riki, Obaa-San, O-Katsu-San, and O-Sode-San. Aoyagi holds her heart._

RIKI

Aoyagi! (_She droops in his arms. Obaa-San lays her hand upon her dear child's head. O-Katsu-San understands. The Gaki in triumph smiles again.

Aoyagi cries out and shudders as she clings to Riki_) Oh, whatever power gave strength to me and led me to my love, give me the chance to save my love.

AOYAGI

The tree!--The tree!

[_The Gaki smites again._

RIKI

The Gaki of Kokoru! Ay, I know! I know! I fight a fear, Obaa-San. Hold Aoyagi fast--with all your love.--I shall find the Gaki of Kokoru! (_The Gaki smites the tree again and again, and at each stroke Aoyagi fails more and more until she finally crumples in a heap among the three old women_) All strength! All faith to me! Into my hands give the power to break the bitterest h.e.l.l asunder! Into my eyes put light that I may see the cowardly fears that infest our way.--Gaki! Gaki! where are you?--I pa.s.s about you and in my heart I carry fearlessness and faith.--Upon your wickedness I hurl belief.--Ah, now, I see you.

THE GAKI

Let me go! Let me go!

RIKI

You shall bring misery into no more hearts!

THE GAKI

Ah, pity me! Let me go! I must feed or I shall die!

RIKI

You shall feed no more!

THE GAKI

Do not let me die in this sixth h.e.l.l! Do not let me die! Once I was human--like you and you. I came into this h.e.l.l because I was bitter in life.--I made misery for others.--I put mischief in their minds.--

RIKI (_leaping upon him_)

You shall make no more misery.

THE GAKI

Let me feed! Let me live! I can not die thus.

RIKI (_throttling him_)

Dread demon, the end has come!

THE GAKI

Please--please--hear me.

RIKI

Nay, you have made your last horror in our lives.

OBAA-SAN

Riki! Hear him--hear him.--We know not what we do, perhaps.

RIKI