pursued by the girl.

The second farce was shorter than the first, and was called _The Theft
of the Sword_. A certain gentleman calls his servant Tarôkaja, and
tells him that he is going out for a little diversion. Bidding
Tarôkaja follow him, he sets out. On their way they meet another
gentleman, carrying a handsome sword in his hand, and going to worship
at the Kitano shrine at Kiôto. Tarôkaja points out the beauty of the
sword to his master, and says what a fine thing it would be if they
could manage to obtain possession of it. Tarôkaja borrows his master's
sword, and goes up to the stranger, whose attention is taken up by
looking at the wares set out for sale in a shop. Tarôkaja lays his
hand on the guard of the stranger's sword; and the latter, drawing it,
turns round, and tries to cut the thief down. Tarôkaja takes to his
heels, praying hard that his life may be spared. The stranger takes
away the sword which Tarôkaja has borrowed from his master, and goes
on his way to the shrine, carrying the two swords. Tarôkaja draws a
long breath of relief when he sees that his life is not forfeited; but
what account is he to give of his master's sword which he has lost.
There is no help for it, he must go back and make a clean breast of
it. His master is very angry; and the two, after consulting together,
await the stranger's return from the shrine. The latter makes his
appearance and announces that he is going home. Tarôkaja's master
falls upon the stranger from behind, and pinions him, ordering
Tarôkaja to fetch a rope and bind him. The knave brings the cord; but,
while he is getting it ready, the stranger knocks him over with his
sword. His master calls out to him to get up quickly and bind the
gentleman from behind, and not from before. Tarôkaja runs behind the
struggling pair, but is so clumsy that he slips the noose over his
master's head by mistake, and drags him down. The stranger, seeing