And her blindness is without
doubt a grace from the excelling Pity, for could she see her own
exceeding ugliness she must weep for shame. But she sees not. Her
sight is inward, and she is well content."
"Where does she dwell?"
"Supreme Majesty, far from here - where in the heart of the woods
the river breaks through the rocks."
"Venerable One, why have you told me this? I asked for a royal
maiden wise and beautiful, calm as the dawn, and you have told me
of a wood-cutter's drudge, blind and ugly."
And now Semimaru did not answer, but the tones of the biwa grew
louder and clearer, and they rang like a song of triumph, and the
Emperor could hear these words in the voice of the strings.
"She is beautiful as the night, crowned with moon and stars for
him who has eyes to see. Princess Splendour was dim beside her;
Prince Fireshine, gloom! Her Shining Majesty was but a darkened
glory before this maid. All beauty shines within her hidden
eyes."
And having uttered this the music became wordless once more, but
it still flowed on more and more softly like a river that flows
into the far distance.
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