Page:Anthology of Japanese Literature.pdf/296

“Tomorrow,” he said, “we shall fight our last fight.
Tonight is all that is left us.”
We sang songs together, and danced.
Priest: Yes, I remember; we in our siege-camp
Heard the sound of music
Echoing from your tents that night;
There was the music of a flute…
Atsumori: The bamboo flute! I wore it when I died.
Priest: We heard the singing…
Atsumori: Songs and ballads…
Priest: Many voices
Atsumori: Singing to one measure.

First comes the royal boat.
Chorus: The whole clan has put its boats to sea.
He^[1] will not be left behind;
He runs to the shore.
But the royal boat and the soldiers’ boats
Have sailed far away.
Atsumori: What can he do?
He spurs his horse into the waves.
He is full of perplexity.
And then
Chorus: He looks behind him and sees
That Kumagai pursues him;
He cannot escape.
Then Atsumori turns his horse
Knee-deep in the lashing waves,
And draws his sword.
Twice, three times he strikes; then, still saddled,
In close fight they twine; roll headlong together
Among the surf of the shore.
So Atsumori fell and was slain, but now the Wheel of Fate
Has turned and brought him back.