Rashomon, and Other Stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa

THE MARTYR

Even if one liveth to be three hundred years of age in excess of pleasure, it is but as a dream compared witheverlasting pleasure. Ñ Guide do Pecador.

He who walketh the path of goodness shall enjoy the mysterious sweetness which pervadeth the doctrine.

Ñ Imitatione Christi.

ONE CHRISTMAS night some years ago a young Japanese boy was found exhausted and starving at theentrance to the Church of Santa Lucia in Nagasaki. He was taken in and cared for by the Jesuit brothers whowere coming into the church. He was given the name Lorenzo, and was thereafter brought up in the churchunder the wing of the Jesuit missionaries.

When the brothers asked him about his birth and parents, he never revealed his history, but gave such evasiveanswers as, "My home is paradise," and "My father is the Father of all." His disarming smile dispelled furtherquestioning as to his past. It was, however, evident from the blue rosary on his wrist that his family had notbeen heathens. Perhaps that was the reason why the kindly fathers and brothers took Lorenzo to their heart.

The elders were so struck by this young boy's piety that they came to think of him in time as the incarnation ofa cherub, and to love him dearly, though they knew nothing of his past. Moreover, the perfection and purity ofhis face and form, and his sweet feminine voice made him the darling of everyone.

Of all the brothers, Simeon in particular loved him as if he were his own brother, and in entering and leavingthe church they were seen hand in hand. Simeon, born in a military family, once served a certain feudal lord.He was a towering giant with Herculean strength and had more than once defended the Fathers against beingstoned by heathens. His harmonious friendship with Lorenzo might have been compared to a fierce eagletaking loving care of a dove or a blooming vine twining around a cedar on Mt. Lebanon.

Meanwhile three years flew by, and the time came for Lorenzo to celebrate his coming to manhood. Aboutthis time the rumor spread that Lorenzo and the daughter of an umbrella−maker who lived not far from theChurch of Santa Lucia were becoming intimate. Since the umbrellamaker was also a believer in the teachingsof the Lord, it was customary for him to come to church with his daughter. Even during the time of prayersthis girl never took her eyes from Lorenzo. Still more, in entering and leaving the church she was sure to turnher beautiful and loving eyes toward him. This naturally attracted the notice of the congregation, and somesaid that she had intentionally stepped on his foot, while others said that they had been seen exchanging loveletters.

Since the gossip about the boy and girl had gotten quite out of hand, the Father Superior of the church decidedit was time to question his young charge. One day he called Lorenzo to his side. "Lorenzo," he asked gently,stroking his long gray hair, "I have heard unsavory rumors about you and the umbrella−maker's daughter. Butsurely they can't be true, can they?" Lorenzo, shaking his head sadly, only repeated in a tearful voice, "No,they're not true. They are quite unfounded." After the boy's many tearful denials, the Father, considering hisage and constant piety, was finally convinced that Lorenzo was speaking the truth, and dismissed him with aword about good behavior.

Yes, the Father's suspicion was dispelled. But the rumors persisted among the people of Santa Lucia. Thisscandal particularly worried Lorenzo's dear friend Simeon. At first he was too ashamed to make a searchinginquiry into such a licentious affair, and he was unable not only to ask Lorenzo but even to look him in theeye.

However, once he happened to pick up in the back garden of Santa Lucia a love letter from the girl addressedto Lorenzo. Thrusting it into Lorenzo's face, and threatening and coaxing, Simeon questioned him in manyways. But Lorenzo, his handsome face blushing, merely said, "I hear the girl has given her heart to me, but Ionly received letters from her, and I have never even talked with her." Simeon, who felt the weight of thetown's opinion, pressed further questions on his brother. Lorenzo, gazing at the other with his sad, reproachfullook, said, "Do I look like a liar even to you?" and left the room like a swallow leaving his nest. At thesePart I 20words, Simeon felt a great shame come over him for having been suspicious of his brother and was leaving,with his head bowed, when suddenly the boy Lorenzo rushed in, threw his arms around Simeon's neck, andpanted out in a whisper, "I was wrong. Forgive me." Before Simeon could answer a word, he rushed out theway he had come, hurrying as if to conceal his tearstained face. Simeon did not know whether Lorenzo feltguilty for his intimacy with the girl or for his rude behavior.