SCENE II. The Garden
Enter HARUKI right.
HARUKI
Many precious beings, concealed by glorious nature. The apple of the divines eye which I may in my fair indulgence partake, the wonders of his fruit. Such beauty as the eye beholds, yet wields its mighty potency, to cure the harshest ill that mans does oft contract. And in such a marvelous arrangement such as these, the royal gardens decked like the gold I forge, into something beautiful to see.
Enter KYO, HARUKI'S friend
(to KYO) Ah, you brought what is required?
KYO
Aye, with much expense I did.
HARUKI
I told you to tell him of kings request which he gave to me from his noble conscious.
KYO
You did as much, but he has the hottest temper. Hotter than his smelting pots.
HARUKI
Explain your journey thusly.
KYO
You said unto me to obtain the jugs and ask the man who we call our master. I told him of your request and his highness' intentions, but when he heard my simple make, he went to laughing, he did. I told him, and in earnest passion, the dire nature of his interceding, and when his humor had then dissolved, he took to whipping my poor back.
HARUKI
Scoundrel! Does he know the seal on which he strikes his blows? What master denies the king, and forfeits his country, with lack of duty done? I hope his conscious permitted, with guilt from his misdeed, causes him to fall asleep upon his waking hour and in his gold be smelted!
KYO
You speak in haste on that man we call as much our master. He is but a mortal man and gives into indulgence. I tell you verily, sir, remove the sand in thine own eye before you from your brother pluck from his.
HARUKI
The scholar has rebukes aplenty! Tell me great professor, where you heard this blighted moral?
KYO
In a book, I read it once, a holy text a lay-man said, from some men in came in boats therein, and with heavy hearts forlorn, sailed from distant oceans.
HARUKI
The fool knows not of what he speaks!
KYO
It sounded pretty right to me.
HARUKI
Then mind the condition of thine own soul and go about your business then, but not before the wine you withhold from me, is given to my hands.
KYO
I'll have you know I stole this wine. So if you with this object caught, rebukes you'll have a plenty too.
HARUKI
Go knave! I tell thee once more before you feel my boot!
KYO
Will you tarry and be back by twelve?
HARUKI
If the fates allow. Save for me some morsels spare, my hunger aches me much.
KYO
As you like it master! I take my leave of thee.
Exit KYO
HARUKI
Too smart he is for smithing gold, for likes of that ill-tempered brute. Many prospects has he yet, if man did ever have em'. And what of I? Doomed I am to life of gentle obscurity behind the veil of time and placement, which mortal hands may not attest upon. To die on that day, perhaps far hence, unrecognized, unrewarded, unremembered. And in a the coming years apart my soulless body rest in ground so fair, who will speak my name in honor? Oh! If only crown upon brow did rest, what countless benefits my country do and bring glory to their name! But let us to my goodly task take to and for my lord now serve and leave these thoughts behind me.
Sounds within
Hark! Methinks that at this very hour my ears do hear a person coming! It carries fast on gentle breeze and lends me prior knowledge of its soon arriving. Hide I shall in distant bush until my eyes will discern whether he be friend or foe and in due time reveal myself!
HARUKI kneels on stage as if hiding, Enter palace GARDENER
GARDENER
What ho? I could of swore upon my very eye, that from my humble cabin, I heard two men conversing. I went for my billhook, latched firmly in place upon my garden wrack, and armed myself readily and no one is here. Oh ay, the weight of times grandeur doth much to weaken my leisure. Much advanced in years I am, but lo I be not weary.
HARUKI stands upright
HARUKI
Hail friend and honor to you! I come on appointment from the King.
GARDENER
Be that you who in my gardens disturbed? I heard voices plenty making a great disorder.
HARUKI
Aye, friend, I was in your garden hence, but not the sound produced. I heard it sound of malicious and contented words that I thought upon my soul that prowlers stormed the night, what hideous beasts!
GARDENER
Could have fooled my ancient years. For am I not mistaken in perception proper, that you are bearing many jugs of alcohol in your virgin hands.
HARUKI
But be I drunk or ill-contented?
GARDENER
You speak in manner quite at ease yet with great point your word don't slur. If drunkenness was as sober drunk then I'd believe that thou be drunk.
HARUKI
Indeed old man, I have no doubt. But drunkenness is not as sober drunk as drunk is when it's sober.
GARDENER
Stop this nonsense, and address the matter plainly.
HARUKI
Very well. I heard them speak of breaking tools and other acts of mischief. They sounded ill-bred in their replies to one another.
GARDENER
Prowlers in the night's dark air? I tell thee that my billhook may yet come to bear it's purpose first intended. With many a skillful blow, I can with earnest keenness soon dispatch em'.
HARUKI
I have no doubt, my aged friend, what mighty feats thy arms will do to those who'd sully nightly peace. But if you be not in thine passion hotly made, will you lend me your gentle aid. For, as I can plainly gather, you would know a thing or two of gardening.
GARDENER
I should hope your eyes are keener in your youth than mine. A thing or two in gardening? In my many years I have come to love the land as fondly, as any crystal maiden that graces bars and taverns. Aye, and every thing I devoted to precious memory and bore it as firmly my bill-arm here. So know I a thing or two of gardening.
HARUKI
Then have you roots of Sage and Eucalyptus?
GARDENER
Aye, I have some roots of sage within my pocket here to chew the bit as I do like, to cure breathe as foul as plague, but Eucalyptus have I not, though Saint John's Wort would do as plenty if that's the sought affliction.
HARUKI
If you say it's so then I shall not object. And of freshest strawberry leaves, have you those?
GARDENER
Many here aplenty. Underneath the slighted hedge lies the freshest kind of fruit that ever form did make. Take the leaves within in thine hand and store them away tightly, and rush them to the king post haste for they spoil in the hourly round.
HARUKI
I shall sir, and I thank thee. May God smile upon thine efforts noble in those kidnappers dispatch. Let them feel your hot contingent like a thousand burning knives that cut with hottest steel. Thus I depart from thee, adieu, adieu, adieu.
Bows, Exit HARUKI
GARDENER
Something fouler still than night's brisk air, shall find the king in solemn stare. The boy not knoweth that the Wort of John, will quick deliver all those mortal sons, who chews upon it's poisoned barb, that bears the witches killing garb. So adieu fair scythe of death, if e'er can fortune in it vest, the King in his fair hour hence, will meet your savory recompense. Anon!
Exit GARDENER
