Okuni and Gohei
25
- Tomo.—No, no. I do not wish to die, for although I have to live the life of a miserable outcast, life is very dear to me still. If you decide to kill me, I must die like a dog at your hands, for I cannot defend myself, … but … I don’t wish to die yet.
- Tomo.—Remember, Gohei, that you were not so specially favoured by Iori. You only served him for two or three years, but after his death you proposed to escort your lady, and have travelled far with her in order that in the end you might avenge your master. No one will ever say that you have not been a loyal retainer, and your name will go down to posterity with admiration and honour. But if I were such a skilled fencer as you, I also would be as brave as you, and would even be willing to do much more for such a great and beautiful lady as your mistress Okuni. It must be a very happy thing for you to travel the world with such a spendid woman, and it is also true that you feel the thrill of adventure and courage to meet with your enemy, and to be able to kill him easily to gain the love and praise of your lady. Is it not true what I say, Gohei? Further, if you succeed in your wish, by avenging your good master, you will return home, and will be admired by the lord of your clan, and will even be knighted for your brave deed. Even more than that, you may be the heir to Iori, and may in the end marry your lady Okuni. Such is the advantage of being loyal. It
