RIKI
I shall find the stranger-woman and send her to you.--I can no longer help you.
AOYAGI
You can no longer help.--Oh--life--oh, love--this too short day--
RIKI
I shall stay near at hand until you return to Obaa-San.
AOYAGI
I shall find the path alone.
RIKI
I'll send the stranger-woman to you.
[_Riki goes out._
AOYAGI
Hai! Hai! Hai! I watched the sunrise only yesterday and I trembled with the wonder of the dew-cooled dawn. Life seemed all peace and--today--I have known a mother's love and my mother.--I have known a lover's touch--love beyond love.--I am waking from a dream. The Gaki said I'd waken--I'd be as free as one in life. Oh, what is this thing they call life? No happiness complete--a vision of a mountain top--a climbing to the goal--a bamboo glade--oh, the mist at Kyushu.--When I go back to Obaa-San--I shall love her so--but oh, the memory of Riki--the mountain gleaming in the sun--
[_She starts sadly from the path. The Gaki enters._
THE GAKI
Lady, I am here again. It seemed to me that I must return to you. Something seemed to call. (_Aoyagi almost collapses_) I feed! I feed!
AOYAGI
I can not go!
THE GAKI
You seem to suffer.
AOYAGI
Oh--I have lost my way in life--
THE GAKI
Lost your way in life? Let me help you.
AOYAGI
I have stood on the mountain side and I have seen the green valleys far below.
THE GAKI
Talk to me--as you would to yourself.--I hear but I shall not speak what I hear.
AOYAGI
Riki--no, I can not speak even to myself. Deep in me there is a hurt.--I can not tell--
THE GAKI
A woman gives all;--the man forgets.
AOYAGI
But to Riki--he knows--I brought him my full belief--my all-in-all.
THE GAKI
Your perfect faith.
AOYAGI
Ay, my perfect faith.--He spoke to me and then I bowed to my august lord.--I followed him without question.--And he forgets so soon.
THE GAKI
Are you sure he has forgotten?
AOYAGI
You know--you saw the lady from Ishiyama.
THE GAKI
True.--I saw her.
AOYAGI
You did not meet him on the path.
THE GAKI
True.--I did not meet him on the path.
AOYAGI
He crossed the stream.