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charm. She wore a light dress of clear purple, not very costly; her figure was slight and delicate; the tones of her voice soft and insinuating. If she were only a little more cultivated, thought he, but, in any case, he was determined to carry her off. 55 A popular superstition in China and Japan believes foxes to have mysterious powers over men. 72 Evening Glory Now is the time, said he, let us go together, the place is not very far off. Why so soon? she replied, gently. As her implied consent to his proposal was thus given without much thought, he, on his part, became bolder. He summoned her maid, Ukon, and ordered the carriage to be got ready. Dawn now fairly broke; the cocks had ceased to crow, and the voice of an aged man was heard repeating his orisons, probably during his fast. His days will not be many, thought Genji, what is he praying for? And while so thinking, the aged mortal muttered, Nam Tôrai no Dôshi (Oh! the Divine guide of the future). Do listen to that prayer, said Genji, turning to the girl, it shows our life is not limited to this world, and he hummed: Let us together, bind our soul With vows that Woobasok56 has given, That when this world from sight shall roll Unparted we shall wake in heaven. And added, By Mirok,57 let us bind ourselves in love forever. The girl, doubtful of the future, thus replied in a melancholy tone: When in my present lonely lot, I feel my past has not been free From sins which I remember not, I dread more, what to come, may be. In the meantime a passing cloud had suddenly covered the sky, and made its face quite gray. Availing himself of this obscurity, Genji hurried her away and led her to the carriage, where Ukon also accompanied her. They drove to an isolated mansion on the Rokjiô embankment, which was at no great distance, and called out the steward who looked after it. The grounds were in great solitude, and over them lay a thick mist. The curtains of the carriage were not drawn close, so that the sleeves of their 56 Upasaka a sect of the followers of Buddhism who are laymen though they observe the rules of clerical life. 57 Maitreya, a Boddhisattva destined to reappear as a Buddha after the lapse of an incalculable series of years. 73 Tale of Genji dresses were almost moistened. I have never experienced this sort of trouble before, said Genji; how painful are the sufferings of love. Oh! were the ancients, tell me pray, Thus led away, by love s keen smart, I ne er such morning s misty ray Have felt before with beating heart Have you ever? The lady shyly averted her face and answered: I, like the wandering moon, may roam, Who knows not if her mountain love Be true or false, without a home, The mist below, the clouds above. The steward presently came out and the carriage was driven inside the gates, and was brought close to the entrance, while the rooms were hurriedly prepared for their reception. They alighted just as the mist was clearing away. This steward was in the habit of going to the mansion of Sadaijin, and was well acquainted with Genji. Oh! he exclaimed, as they entered. Without proper attendants! And approaching near to Genji said, Shall I call in some more servants? Genji replied at once and impressively, I purposely chose a place where many people should not intrude. Don t trouble yourself, and be discreet. Rice broth was served up for their breakfast, but no regular meal had been prepared. The sun was now high in the heavens. Genji got up and opened the window. The gardens had been uncared for, and had run wild. The forest surrounding the mansion was dense and old, and the shrubberies were ravaged and torn by the autumn gales, and the bosom of the lake was hidden by rank weeds. The main part of the house had been for a long time uninhabited, except the servants quarter, where there were only a few people living. 74 Evening Glory How fearful the place looks; but let no demon molest us, thought Genji, and endeavored to direct the girl s attention by fond and caressing conversation. And now he began, little by little, to throw off the mask, and told her who he was, and then began humming: The flower that bloomed in evening s dew, Was the bright guide that led to you. She looked at him askance replying: The dew that on the Yûgao lay, Was a false guide and led astray. Thus a faint allusion was made to the circumstances which were the cause of their acquaintance, and it became known that the verse and the fan had been sent by her attendant mistaking Genji for her mistress s former lover. In the course of a few hours the girl became more at her ease, and later on in the afternoon Koremitz came and presented some fruits. The latter, however, stayed with them only a short time. The mansion gradually became very quiet, and the evening rapidly approached. The inner room was somewhat dark and gloomy. Yûgao was nervous; she was too nervous to remain there alone, and Genji therefore drew back the curtains to let the twilight in, staying there with her. Here the lovers remained, enjoying each other s sight and company, yet the more the evening advanced, the more timid and restless she became, so he quickly closed the casement, and she drew by degrees closer and closer to his side. At these moments he also became distracted and thoughtful. How the Emperor would be asking after him, and know not where he might be! What would the lady, the jealous lady, in the neighboring mansion think or [ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ] |
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