"
They retraced their steps through the wood; His Majesty radiant
as Prince Fireshine with the joy that filled his soul; the
Dainagon darkened as Prince Firefade with fear, believing that
the strange music of Semimaru had bewitched His Majesty, or that
the maiden herself might possibly have the power of the fox in
shape-changing and bewildering the senses.
Very sorrowful and careful was his heart for he loved his Master.
That night His Majesty dreamed that he stood before the kakemono
of the Amida Buddha, and that as he raised his eyes in adoration
to the Blessed Face, he beheld the images of Fugen and Fudo, rise
up and bow down before that One Who Is. Then, gliding in, before
these Holinesses stood a figure, and it was the wood-cutter's
daughter homely and blinded. She stretched her hands upward as
though invoking the supreme Buddha, and then turning to His
Majesty she smiled upon him, her eyes closed as in bliss
unutterable. And he said aloud.
"Would that I might see her eyes!" and so saying awoke in a great
stillness of snow and moonlight.
Having waked, he said within himself
"This marvel will I wed and she shall be my Empress were she
lower than the Eta, and whether her face be lovely or homely.
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