this month, some one will come to take me back. Do not think that I wish to leave you and go to my former home!” she exclaimed, as the old wood-cutter unable to control himself burst into a violent flood of tears, crying, “Ah! what are you saying? When I found you among the bamboos you were no bigger than a rape-seed, and look! now you are as tall as I am. Do you think I will let anybody from the moon carry off my little fairy?”
Her attendants too, who had been brought up with her and knew her lovely disposition, could not bear the thought of parting from their gentle mistress. And they all wept together.
The Mikado hearing of this strange story, sent a messenger to Taketori to ask if the |
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report were true. Taketori told the reason of their sorrow and begged that the Mikado would, at the time of the full-moon, send a strong guard to keep the princess from being carried off.
The messenger reported to His Majesty what he had heard, and said that Taketori, who, he supposed, was only fifty years old, looked at least a hundred, he was so bowed down with anxiety and grief. The Mikado gave orders, that one of his skilful generals, together with the commanders of the six divisions of the army, should take two thousand soldiers and guard the house.
One thousand men were ranged upon the ramparts and one thousand on the roof of the house. The ladies also of the princess' apartments took their long spears and stood |
