be another Princess Splendor for all I know; anyhow, the Princess Splendor who lives here is dangerously ill and can not possibly come out.”
To this the kingly leader did not deign to reply, but ordered the flying-chariot to be made ready and the gauze umbrella, which they had brought with them, to be spread over it, and then calling to the princess said, “Come, come how can you remain so long in this dirty place.”
At these words the outer doors, which had been so securely fastened, flew open and the inner panels slid aside of their own accord, and the princess, who was held so tightly, came forth, for her mother's arms dropped powerless, and she could only look and weep.
The princess turned to Taketori who |
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seemed completely dazed and asked if he would not bid her good-bye. “How can I bid you good-bye, for what is to become of me after you go? Oh! do not leave me behind, take me with you!” he sobbed.
As Taketori was so overcome with grief that he could not recollect anything, the princess said she would write a letter which he could read after she was gone. In the letter she said, if she were an earthly maiden, it would be her greatest pleasure to watch over and tenderly care for him till he passed away. But now, as that could not be, she would leave her dress with him as a memento, and if, when the moon was full, he would gaze on it and think of her and read her letter, she would be watching him from the moon and he might think the soft moon- |
