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the ill-omened screech owl, and the place seemed more and more remote
from all human sympathy. Genji could only helplessly repeat,  How could
I have chosen such a retreat. While Ukon, quite dismayed, cried pitifully
at his side. To him it seemed even that this girl might become ill, might die!
The light of the lamp flickered and burnt dim. Each side of the walls
seemed to his alarmed sight to present numberless openings one after
another (where the demon might rush in), and the sound of mysterious
footsteps seemed approaching along the deserted passages behind them.
 Ah! were Koremitz but here, was the only thought of Genji; but it would
seem that Koremitz was from home, and the time Genji had to wait for him
seemed an age. At last the crowing cocks announced the coming day, and
gave him new courage.
He said to himself,  I must now admit this to be a punishment for all
my inconsiderateness. However secretly we strive to conceal our faults,
eventually they are discovered. First of all, what might not my father think!
and then the general public? And what a subject for scandal the story of my
escapades will become.
Koremitz now arrived, and all at once the courage with which Genji
had fought against calamity gave way, and he burst into tears, and then
slowly spoke.  Here a sad and singular event has happened; I cannot
explain to you why. For such sudden afflictions prayers, I believe, are the
only resource. For this reason I wished your brother to accompany you
here.
 He returned to his monastery only yesterday, replied Koremitz.
 But tell me what has happened; any unusual event to the girl?
 She is dead, returned Genji in a broken voice;  dead without any
apparent cause.
Koremitz, like the Prince, was but young. If he had had greater
experience he would have been more serviceable to Genji; indeed, they
both were equally perplexed to decide what were the best steps to be taken
under the trying circumstances of the case.
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Evening Glory
At last Koremitz said,  If the steward should learn this strange
misfortune it might be awkward; as to the man himself he might be relied
on, but his family, who probably would not be so discreet, might hear of
the matter. It would, therefore, be better to quit this place at once.
 But where can we find a spot where there are fewer observers than
here? replied Genji.
 That is true. Suppose the old lodgings of the deceased. No, there are
too many people there. I think a mountain convent would be better,
because there they are accustomed to receive the dead within their walls,
so that matters can be more easily concealed.
And after a little reflection, he continued,  There is a nun whom I
know living in a mountain convent in Higashi-Yama. Let us take the corpse
there. She was my father s nurse; she is living there in strict seclusion. That
is the best plan I can think of.
This proposal was decided on, and the carriage was summoned.
Presuming that Genji would not like to carry the dead body in his
arms, Koremitz covered it with a mantle, and lifted it into the carriage.
Over the features of the dead maiden a charming calmness was still spread,
unlike what usually happens, there being nothing repulsive. Her wavy hair
fell outside the mantle, and her small mouth, still parted, wore a faint
smile. The sight distressed both the eyes and heart of Genji. He fain would
have followed the body; but this Koremitz would not permit.
 Do take my horse and ride back to Nijiô at once, he said, and
ordered the horse for him. Then taking Ukon away in the same carriage
with the dead, he, girding up his dress, followed it on foot. It was by no
means a pleasant task for Koremitz, but he put up with it cheerfully.
Genji, sunk in apathy, now rode back to Nijiô; he was greatly
fatigued, and looked pale. The people of the mansion noticed his sad and
haggard appearance.
Genji said nothing, but hurried straight away to his own private
apartment.
 Why did I not go with her? he still vainly exclaimed.  What would
she think of me were she to return to life? And these thoughts affected
him so deeply that he became ill, his head ached, his pulse beat high, and
his body burned with fever. The sun rose high, but he did not leave his
couch. His domestics were all perplexed. Rice gruel was served up to him,
but he would not touch it. The news of his indisposition soon found its way
out of the mansion, and in no time a messenger arrived from the Imperial
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Tale of Genji
Palace to make inquiries. His brother-in-law also came, but Genji only
allowed Tô-no-Chiûjiô to enter his room, saying to him,  My aged nurse
has been ill since last May, and has been tonsured, and received
consecration; it was, perhaps, from this sacrifice that at one time she
became better, but lately she has had a relapse, and is again very bad. I was
advised to visit her, moreover, she was always most kind to me, and if she
had died without seeing me it would have pained her, so I went to see her.
At this time a servant of her house, who had been ill, died suddenly. Being
rendered  unclean by this event, I am passing the time privately. Besides,
since the morning, I have become ill, evidently the effects of cold. By the
bye, you must excuse me receiving you in this way.
 Well, sir, replied Tô-no-Chiûjiô,  I will represent these
circumstances to his Majesty. Your absence last night has given much
inquietude to the Emperor. He caused inquiries to be made for you [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]