Tales of Old Japan - Maybe You Like It

"We may congratulate ourselves on our success. We have handed in
our petition to the Gorôjiu, and now we may set our minds at rest; before
many days have passed, we shall hear good news from the rulers. To
Master Sôgorô is due great praise for his exertions."
Sôgorô, stepping forward, answered, "Although we have presented
our memorial to the Gorôjiu, the matter will not be so quickly decided; it
is therefore useless that so many of us should remain here: let eleven
men stay with me, and let the rest return home to their several villages. If
we who remain are accused of conspiracy and beheaded, let the others
agree to reclaim and bury our corpses. As for the expenses which we
shall incur until our suit is concluded, let that be according to our original
covenant. For the sake of the hundred and thirty-six villages we will
lay down our lives, if needs must, and submit to the disgrace of having
our heads exposed as those of common malefactors."
Then they had a parting feast together, and, after a sad leave-taking,
the main body of the elders went home to their own country; while the
others, wending their way to their quarters waited patiently to be
summoned to the Supreme Court. On the 2d day of the 12th month,
Sôgorô, having received a summons from the residence of the Gorôjiu
Kuzé Yamato no Kami, proceeded to obey it, and was ushered to the
porch of the house, where two councillors, named Aijima Gidaiyu and
Yamaji Yôri, met him, and said—
"Some days since you had the audacity to thrust a memorial into the
litter of our lord Yamato no Kami. By an extraordinary exercise of clemency,
he is willing to pardon this heinous offence; but should you ever
again endeavour to force your petitions; upon him, you will be held
guilty of riotous conduct;" and with this they gave back the memorial.
"I humbly admit the justice of his lordship's censure. But oh! my lords,
this is no hasty nor ill-considered action. Year after year, affliction upon
affliction has been heaped upon us, until at last the people are without
even the necessaries of life; and we, seeing no end to the evil, have
humbly presented this petition. I pray your lordships of your great
mercy to consider our case" and deign to receive our memorial. Vouchsafe
to take some measures that the people may live, and our gratitude
for your great kindness will know no bounds."
"Your request is a just one," replied the two councillors after hearing
what he said; "but your memorial cannot be received: so you must even
take it back."
With this they gave back the document, and wrote down the names of
Sôgorô and six of the elders who had accompanied him. There was no
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