"  It  is  dangerous  for  you  to  ride  alone  through  the
darkness  of  night.  For  pity's  sake  come  back!"

By  this  time,  day  had  begun  to  dawn.  Suye-
shige, who  had  succeeded  in  making  good  his
escape,  was  highly  delighted  to  meet  unexpectedly
at  this  spot,  the  beautiful  maiden  for  whom  he
had  longed  so  passionately.
He  alighted,  ran  up  to  her,  and  burst  forth  into
the  eloquence  of  ardent  love.  He  said  that  as  he
had  received  a  promise  from  her  father,  he  would


1 86  OLD  JAPANESE  DRAMAS

take  her  with  him  as  his  wife.  He  tried  to  make
her  mount  his  horse.  But  Tamaori  turned  a  deaf
ear  to  all  his  professions  of  love.  The  impudent
lover,  however,  still  more  fervently  urged  his  suit,
and  attempted  to  take  her  by  force.  The  girl
was  filled  with  despair  and  anger,  and  drawing
her  sword,  she  cut  at  him.  He  caught  her  wrist.
"Come,  girl!"  he  threatened.  "Answer me
promptly.  Will  you  be  my  wife  or  not.  If  you
refuse,  I  shall  take  your  life."

" May  you  be  for  ever  cursed,"  said  she.  "You
may  kill  me  if  you  choose.  Oh!  Why  doesn't
some  stronger  warrior  come  and  kill  this  beast?"

"This  is  more  than  I  can  stand,"  said  Suye-
shige,  whose  patience  was  now  exhausted.  "I
would  rather  kill  this  hussy  than  let  her  remain  '  a
flower  in  another's  possession. '

With  these  words  he  drew  a  dagger,  and  stabbed
her  in  the  breast.  She  immediately  uttered  an
agonized  groan,  and  fell  back  senseless.  A  mo-
ment later  war-shouts  were  heard  a  little  way  off.
Seized  with  sudden  fear,  he  leaped  on  his  horse
and  fled  away.
