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98 HONDA THE SAMURAI.
After weaving hardness (armor) to his body, and
taking sharpness (sword) in his hands, '
having been
exposed to all weathers a thousand miles from
Kyoto,' and having encountered ten thousand mortal
perils, he returned to Kyoto to dwell in peace
and at home.
" At this time the ex-emperor was tormented with
horrible nightmares, and thinking that the weapons
of so invincible a warrior would drive them away,
he asked Yoshi-iy for one. The hero gave him a
black-lacquered war-bow. The emperor placed it
above his pillow in his sleeping chamber. After
that he had no more trouble and his sleep was as
calm as a child's. Wishing to reward his servant,
the emperor called Yoshi-iy6 into his presence and
inquired of him :
" '
Is not this the very bow which you carried in
'
your campaigns in the north ?
" Yoshi-iy6 bowed his head and meekly said, * Your
servant does not remember.'
"Then the emperor felt his breath nearly taken
away, and he sighed deeply
in admiration of such
modesty.
"Thus lived Yoshi-iye*, first in battle, modest in
victory, quick to learn, and slow to boast, the admiration
of all military men, and the bravest of the
brave warriors who fought under the white banners.
When the eastern savages arose in swarms and plundered
the people, he put down the rebels, restored
the Mikado's power, until, to
the end of the island,
all submitted to the imperial glory. Like his father