TOTMAI (_laughing_). “By Jove--jolly-little-things!” O laughter-making! Come, O Haru San, there are yet honorable chrysanthemums to gather.
MIMOSA (_drawing YUKI to C._). O Yuki, the exalted Princess is not smiling. She has dreamed strangely, and of _serpents_. She cannot forget cruel words spoken by the all-wise Sakara. In vain I tell Her Highness the gods sit on the brow of just--and they, the most powerful ones, protect the innocent!
YUKI. Truth, indeed--honorable truth--he who curses must look out for two graves. Trouble not for the venerated Princess. O dear one, we are as grave as foxes; we shall have honorable laughter to-night!
MIMOSA. O Yuki San, of honorable courtesy forgive, I cannot laugh. See, I have sewn yet other charms in my girdle. Last night I, too, was unfortunate and dreamed evil dreams. Great is my folly, I fear the curses of wise Sakara.
YUKI. O Mimosa, go not forth to meet trouble. Yonder I see swift-flying butterfly, chase it with honorable laughter (_turns and runs up stage._) The Princess!
ENTER _TOTMAI and HARU L. PRINCESS ENTERS R. Girls bow to the ground._
MIMOSA (R.). August lady, do you walk for benefit of exalted health?
PRINCESS (_taking flowers from YUKI, who is up stage C., then coming half way down stage to L. C._). The honorable chrysanthemums are all gathered. The Englishman, in his cold land, will not have seen such beautiful blossoms. O fair and rare! I will rest here. (TOTMAI and HARU arrange cushions L. C.) Sit here, O maidens. I would tell fearful trouble-bringing dream. (_MIMOSA and YUKI sit R. of PRINCESS, slightly up stage. HARU and TOTMAI L., down stage._) I dreamed I walked in this stately garden, among honorable blossoms dear to the heart of Kiku, their namesake. Sad tears fell down my cheeks. I wiped them away with the sleeves of honorable kimono. The dearly beloved flowers drooped at my coming, the most glorious exalted Moon hid her light, the birds and the dragonflies flew away, for evil Serpent followed me! I awoke with a cry. What can it mean, O wise Yuki?
YUKI (_bowing_). O dear lady, be comforted. In evil times the hero appears; a brave man would slay the serpent, as Yorissima slew the dragon.
PRINCESS. What is honorable thought, O Totmai, of small feet?