432 I The Puppet and Kabuki Theaters
shunkan, yasuyori, and NARiTSUNEi We won't go! We won't go! We won't go! (The four huddle together, bent low, their heads near one another in the "shell" pattern.)
chanter:
They set their resolute wills against Senoo and Tanzaemon.
tanzaemon (Approaching Senoo): Lord Senoo, don't you see that this sort of action on your part will constitute an impediment to the prayers offered in the name of the imperial infant? Although you won't permit the girl aboard the boat, perhaps a stay here of one or two days will soften your heart, and you will allow everyone to embark. Since this will be an act of charity on your part, it will undoubtedly have a strong effect on the prayers for the emperor's baby.
senoo (In disgust): Aaach! That would be an act of insubordination on the part of an official! I am not happy about the fact that Lord Noto altered our official document of passage so that the number two would be a three, but by whose permission can we further alter it to a four? Until we hand over the exiles to Lord Kiyomori, they are my responsibility. I don't give a damn if they say they won't board! Yai, yai, yai, yai!
He walks to the group and strikes Shunkan lightly on the shoulder with his fan. Shunkan falls forward, and the "shell" breaks to the right, in a line. Senoo stands over Shunkan.
Shunkan, I'll bet you didn't know that Lord Kiyomori had your wife, Azumaya, killed for refusing his advances, did you? shunkan: Wha . . .?
senoo (Posing menacingly): Her head was chopped clean off!
shunkan: What are you saying? My wife, Azumaya —I . . .
senoo (Violently): And there's even more to learn! The hated priest Shunkan will be beheaded in the capital like a common criminal. (Strikes Shunkan sharply on the back of the neck with his fan) Take these three prisoners and put them in the bottom of the ship. Tie them so they can't move! That's an order!
Everyone rises. The large group of boatmen go off to the left, above the boat.
chanter:
The four retainers roughly thrust Chidori aside. The pardoned exiles are brusquely led aboard the ship.
The retainers attempt to lead the exiles to the boat and force Chidori to remain behind.
tanzaemon: Although I feel great pity for you, young lady, your presence on the boat will simply cause too many problems when we reach the checkpoint for inspection. After we return to the capital, Lord Naritsune will petition for you' person, and I am sure a boat will be sent to bring you back. But for now, you simply must be patient.
SHUNKAN ON
senoo: See here, Tanzaemon. We are officials entrusted with the simple task of bringing back these exiles. Even if we should see the suffering and misery of others, we must act as if we were blind and ignorant! tanzaemon: That is simply too cruel a way to be.
senoo: I know neither compassion nor sympathy. Entrusted with an important mission, I may not permit my private feelings to occupy my time. Fast now, make it fast!
chanter:
Pressed to embark, the kindly Tanzaemon resignedly boards the boat.
Chidori breaks loose from her guard and falls at Senoo s side, taking his hand, pleading. He jabs her sharply in the side with his elbow, laughs cruelly, and boards the boat.
Kudoki   Chidori, who now has the stage to herself, moves in a rhythmic dance mime to the chant and the shamisen music. She straggles slowly to her feet and then falls in a heap before the hut. She rises and falls several times during the following passage, weeping and wiping her tears with her sleeve.
Left: alone, a pitiful figure, on the beach
the friendless Chidori, bewailing her lot,
slowly lifts her tear-stained face.
chidori: A samurai is said to know the meaning of compassion. chanter:
It is a lie! It is a falsehood! chidori:
There are no devils on Devil Island.
chanter:
The devils all are in the capital.
From the very day we first exchanged vows chidori:
wishing a letter of pardon from Kyoto chanter:
I worshiped the sun and the moon
C/iidori makes a praying gesture.
and fervently prayed to the dragon god, not because I wanted chidori:
to return with my husband to the capital to live a life of splendor, but because I wanted to sleep with him there at least one night. cHanter:
That would have been my sole delight.
ch'dori (Wiping her tears): You evil devil! You fiend! Will one girl make your
SHUNKAN ON DEVIL ISLAND
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