Kagekiyo stands and dances in time with Kuretake.
The sadness of this day yesterday a dream tomorrow an illusion today in
reality here on my lap the biwa I pluck and make sing whose child listens it
is my own good child oh how precious the preciousness of this day.
An evening breeze blows up as they sing and dance. The air fills with
falling petals. The sun begins to sink. Kagekiyo’s retainer enters the garden.
retainer: Sir—
Corning out into the garden, Kosasa, the old woman, prevents him from
speaking.
retainer: (To the old woman.) Tell his lordship that the troops have all
been ordered to gather this evening—we’re off to destroy the Genji of the
eastern lands. ... I came as fast as I could...
The old woman is surprised. She has the retainer leave. Looking at
Kuretake, who is still dancing with Kagekiyo, the old woman has a
premonition. It seems to her that something terrible will happen.
Murasaki becomes involved in the dance, dances innocently with
Kagekiyo.
Kagekiyo too feels vaguely uneasy. He dances all the more intensely
with Kuretake.
The old woman gazes at the dancers, absorbed in thought.
(Curtain.)
