Run, Melos! (1) (2) (2)

by Osamu Dazai

I decided to leave. I have an important errand. Even without me, you now have a kind husband, so you will surely not be lonely. What your brother dislikes most is doubting people and lying. You know that too, don't you? You must not keep any secrets from your husband. This is all I wanted to tell you. Your brother will surely be a great man, so I want you to be proud of that.

The bride nodded dreamily. Melos patted the groom's shoulder and said,

"We're both unprepared. I only have my sister and sheep at my house. I have nothing, but I'll give you everything. And be proud to be Melos's brother."

The groom rubbed his hands, looking shy. Melos laughed, bowed to the villagers, and left the banquet. Then he entered the sheep shed and fell into a deep, death-like sleep.

He woke up at dawn the next day. Melos sprang up and said anxiously, "Damn, did I oversleep? No, it's still alright. If I leave immediately, I'll make it in time for the appointment." Today, he would definitely show that king that human sincerity exists. And he would climb onto the cross, laughing. Melos calmly began to get ready. The rain seemed to have lightened a little. Once ready, Melos swung his arms wide and ran like an arrow through the rain.

"I will be killed tonight. I run to be killed. I run to save my substitute friend. I run to break the king's treachery. I must run. And I will be killed. Protect your honor from a young age. Farewell, homeland." Young Melos was in pain. He almost stopped many times, but he kept running, scolding himself loudly with "Hey, hey!" By the time he left the village, crossed the fields, went through the forest, and arrived at the neighboring village, the rain had stopped, the sun was high in the sky, and it was starting to get hot. Melos wiped the sweat from his forehead with his fist and thought to himself, "I'll be fine once I get here. I have no lingering attachment to my homeland anymore. My sisters will surely make good couples. I shouldn't have any worries now. I just need to go straight to the king's castle." There was no need to rush so much. He decided to walk slowly, regaining his usual carefree attitude, and began to sing his favorite little song in a good voice.

He ambled along for two or three ri, and when he had covered about half of the total distance, a sudden disaster struck. Melos's feet stopped abruptly. Looking at the river ahead, he saw that yesterday's heavy rain had caused the mountain's headwaters to overflow, and the muddy torrent had gathered downstream, furiously destroying the bridge. The raging current was roaring and tossing the bridge girders away. He stood there dumbfounded. He looked around and called out at the top of his lungs, but all the ferry boats had been swept away without a trace, and there was no sign of the ferryman. The current swelled even more, becoming like a sea. Melos crouched on the riverbank, weeping like a man, and raised his hands to Zeus, pleading, "Oh, please calm this raging current! Time is ticking away. The sun is already at its zenith. If it sets..."