Then Shigayemon, one of the servants of Danzayemon, the chief of the Etas, who had been engaged for the purpose, was just about to thrust his spear, when O Man, Sogoro’s wife, raising her voice, said—­

“Remember, my husband, that from the first you had made up your mind to this fate.  What though our bodies be disgracefully exposed on these crosses?—­we have the promises of the gods before us; therefore, mourn not.  Let us fix our minds upon death:  we are drawing near to paradise, and shall soon be with the saints.  Be calm, my husband.  Let us cheerfully lay down our single lives for the good of many.  Man lives but for one generation; his name, for many.  A good name is more to be prized than life.”

So she spoke; and Sogoro on the cross, laughing gaily, answered—­

“Well said, wife!  What though we are punished for the many?  Our petition was successful, and there is nothing left to wish for.  Now I am happy, for I have attained my heart’s desire.  The changes and chances of life are manifold.  But if I had five hundred lives, and could five hundred times assume this shape of mine, I would die five hundred times to avenge this iniquity.  For myself I care not; but that my wife and children should be punished also is too much.  Pitiless and cruel!  Let my lord fence himself in with iron walls, yet shall my spirit burst through them and crush his bones, as a return for this deed.”

And as he spoke, his eyes became vermilion red, and flashed like the sun or the moon, and he looked like the demon Razetsu.[66]

[Footnote 66:  A Buddhist fiend.]

“Come,” shouted he, “make haste and pierce me with the spear.”

“Your wishes shall be obeyed,” said the Eta, Shigayemon, and thrust in a spear at his right side until it came out at his left shoulder, and the blood streamed out like a fountain.  Then he pierced the wife from the left side; and she, opening her eyes, said in a dying voice—­

“Farewell, all you who are present.  May harm keep far from you.  Farewell! farewell!” and as her voice waxed faint, the second spear was thrust in from her right side, and she breathed out her spirit.  Sogoro, the colour of his face not even changing, showed no sign of fear, but opening his eyes wide, said—­

“Listen, my masters! all you who have come to see this sight.  Recollect that I shall pay my thanks to my lord Kotsuke no Suke for this day’s work.  You shall see it for yourselves, so that it shall be talked of for generations to come.  As a sign, when I am dead, my head shall turn and face towards the castle.  When you see this, doubt not that my words shall come true.”

When he had spoken thus, the officer directing the execution gave a sign to the Eta, Shigayemon, and ordered him to finish the execution, so that Sogoro should speak no more.  So Shigayemon pierced him twelve or thirteen times, until he died.  And when he was dead, his head turned and faced the castle.  When the two councillors beheld this miracle, they came down from their raised platform, and knelt down before Sogoro’s dead body and said—­