And again:

In streams as pure as thoughts to good men given, But merciless as darts that Arjun hurls, And black as Baladeva's cloak, the heaven Seems to pour out all Indra's hoarded pearls. 45

See, my beloved, see!

The heaven is painted with the blackest dye, And fanned by cool and fragrant evening airs; Red lightning, glad in union, clasps the sky With voluntary arms, and shows on high The love that maiden heart to lover bears. 46

[Vasantasena betrays her passion, and throws her arms about Charudatta. Charudatta feels her touch, and embraces her.]

Charudatta.

More grimly yet, O thunder, boom; For by thy grace and power My love-distracted limbs now bloom Like the kadamba flower. Her dear touch all my being thrills, And love my inmost spirit fills. 47

Maitreya. Confound you, storm! You are no gentleman, to frighten the lady with the lightning.

[91.20. S.

Charudatta.

Do not rebuke the storm, my friend. Let ceaseless rain a hundred years endure, The lightning quiver, and the thunder peal; For what I deemed impossible is sure: Her dear-loved arms about my neck I feel. 48

And oh, my friend,

He only knows what riches are, Whose love comes to him from afar, Whose arms that dearest form enfold, While yet with rain 't is wet and cold. 49

Vasantasena, my beloved,

The masonry is shaken; and so old The awning, that 't will not much longer hold. Heavy with water is the painted wall, From which dissolving bits of mortar fall. 50

[He looks up.] The rainbow! See, my beloved, see!

See how they yawn, the cloudy jaws of heaven, As by a tongue, by forked lightning riven; And to the sky great Indra's fiery bow In lieu of high-uplifted arms is given. 51

Come, let us seek a shelter. [He rises and walks about.]

On palm-trees shrill, On thickets still, On boulders dashing, On waters splashing, Like a lute that, smitten, sings, The rainy music rings. 52

[Exeunt omnes.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 60: In Indian love poetry, the rainy season is the time when lovers most ardently long to be united.]

[Footnote 61: In allusion to Vishnu's name, Krishna, "black."]

[Footnote 62: A gesture of respect.]

[Footnote 63: The goddess of wealth and beauty, usually represented with a lotus.]

[Footnote 64: Kama's (Cupid's) arrows are flowers.]

[Footnote 65: Throughout this scene, Vasantasena's verses are in Sanskrit. Compare note 1 on page 73.]

[Footnote 66: The cry of the heron resembles the Sanskrit word for "rain." Indian love-poetry often paints the sorrow, even unto death, of her whose beloved does not return before the rainy season.]

[Footnote 67: The elephant of Indra. Indra is the god of the thunderstorm.]



ACT THE SIXTH

THE SWAPPING OF THE BULLOCK-CARTS

[Enter a maid.]

Maid.

Isn't my mistress awake yet? Well, I must go in and wake her. [She walks about. Vasantasena appears, dressed, but still asleep. The maid discovers her.] It is time to get up, mistress. The morning is here.

Vasantasena. [Awakening.] What! is the night over? is it morning?

Maid. For us it is morning. But for my mistress it appears to be night still.

Vasantasena. But girl, where is your gambler?

Maid. Mistress, after giving Vardhamanaka his orders, Charudatta went to the old garden Pushpakaranda.

Vasantasena. What orders?

Maid. To have the bullock-cart ready before daylight; for, he said, Vasantasena was to come—

Vasantasena. Where, girl?

Maid. Where Charudatta is.

Vasantasena. [Embraces the maid.] I did not have a good look at him in the evening. But to-day I shall see him face to face. Tell me, girl. Have I found my way into the inner court?

Maid. You have found your way not only into the inner court, but into the heart of every one who lives here.

Vasantasena. Tell me, are Charudatta's servants vexed?

Maid. They will be.

Vasantasena. When?

Maid. When my mistress goes away.

Vasantasena. But not so much as I shall be. [Persuasively.] Here, girl, take this pearl necklace. You must go and give it to my lady sister, his good wife. And give her this message: "Worthy Charudatta's virtues have won me, made me his slave, and therefore your slave also. And so I hope that these pearls may adorn your neck."

[94.3. S.

Maid. But mistress, Charudatta will be angry with you.

Vasantasena. Go. He will not be angry.

Maid. [Takes the necklace.] Yes, mistress. [She goes out, then returns.] Mistress, his lady wife says that her lord made you a present of it, and it would not be right for her to accept it. And further, that you are to know that her lord and husband is her most excellent adornment.

[Enter Radanika, with Charudatta's little son.]

Radanika. Come, dear, let's play with your little cart.

Rohasena. [Peevishly.] I don't like this little clay cart, Radanika. Give me my gold cart.

Radanika. [Sighing wearily.] How should we have anything to do with gold now, my child? When your papa is rich again, then you shall have a gold cart to play with. But I'll amuse him by taking him to see Vasantasena. [She approaches Vasantasena.] Mistress, my service to you.

Vasantasena. I am glad to see you, Radanika. But whose little boy is this? He wears no ornaments, yet his dear little face makes my heart happy.

Radanika. This is Charudatta's son, Rohasena.

Vasantasena. [Stretches out her arms.] Come, my boy, and put your little arms around me. [She takes him on her lap.] He looks just like his father.

Radanika. More than looks like him, he is like him. At least I think so. His father is perfectly devoted to him.

Vasantasena. But what is he crying about?

Radanika. He used to play with a gold cart that belongs to the son of a neighbor. But that was taken away, and when he asked for it, I made him this little clay cart. But when I gave it to him, he said "I don't like this little clay cart, Radanika. Give me my gold cart."

P. 158.10]

Vasantasena. Oh, dear! To think that this little fellow has to suffer because others are wealthy. Ah, mighty Fate! the destinies of men, uncertain as the water-drops which fall upon a lotus-leaf, seem to thee but playthings! [Tearfully.] Don't cry, my child. You shall have a gold cart to play with.

Rohasena. Who is she, Radanika?

Vasantasena. A slave of your father's, won by his virtues.

Radanika. My child, the lady is your mother.

Rohasena. That's a lie, Radanika. If the lady is my mother, why does she wear those pretty ornaments?

Vasantasena. My child, your innocent lips can say terrible things. [She removes her ornaments. Weeping.] Now I am your mother. You shall take these ornaments and have a gold cart made for you.

Rohasena. Go away! I won't take them. You're crying.

Vasantasena. [Wiping away her tears.] I'll not cry, dear. There! go and play. [She fills the clay cart with her jewels.] There, dear, you must have a little gold cart made for you.

[Exit Radanika, with Rohasena.

[Enter Vardhamanaka, driving a bullock-cart.]

Vardhamanaka. Radanika, Radanika! Tell mistress Vasantasena that the covered cart is standing ready at the side-door.

Radanika. [Entering.] Mistress, Vardhamanaka is here, and he says that the cart is waiting at the side-door.

Vasantasena. He must wait a minute, girl, while I get ready.

Rad. Wait a minute, Vardhamanaka, while she gets ready. [Exit.

Vardhamanaka. Hello, I've forgotten the cushion. I must go and get it. But the nose-rope makes the bullocks skittish. I suppose I had better take the cart along with me. [Exit.

[96.14. S.

Vasantasena. Bring me my things, girl. I must make myself ready. [She does so.]

* * * * *

[Enter, driving a bullock-cart, Sthavaraka, servant to Sansthanaka.]

Sthavaraka. Sansthanaka, the king's brother-in-law, said to me "Take a bullock-cart, Sthavaraka, and come as quick as you can to the old garden Pushpakaranda." Well, I'm on my way there. Get up, bullocks, get up! [He drives about and looks around.] Why, the road is blocked with villagers' carts. What am I to do now? [Haughtily.] Get out of my way, you! Get out of my way! [He listens.] What's that? you want to know whose cart this is? This cart belongs to Sansthanaka, the king's brother-in-law. So get out of my way—and this minute, too! [He looks about.] Why, here's a man going in the other direction as fast as he can. He is trying to hide like a runaway gambler, and he looks at me as if I were the gambling-master. I wonder who he is. But then, what business is it of mine? I must get there as soon as I can. Get out of my way, you villagers, get out of my way! What's that? you want me to wait a minute and put a shoulder to your wheel? Confound you! A brave man like me, that serves Sansthanaka, the king's brother-in-law, put a shoulder to your wheel? After all, the poor fellow is quite alone. I'll do it. I'll stop my cart at the side-door to Charudatta's orchard. [He does so.] I'm coming! [Exit.

Maid. Mistress, I think I hear the sound of wheels. The cart must be here.

Vasantasena. Come, girl. My heart grows impatient. Go with me to the side-door.

Maid. Follow me, mistress.

Vasantasena. [Walks about.] You have earned a rest, girl.

Maid. Thank you, mistress. [Exit.

Vasantasena. [Feels her right eye twitch[68] as she enters the cart.] Why should my right eye twitch now? But the sight of Charudatta will smooth away the bad omen. [Enter Sthavaraka.]

P. 169.8]

Sthavaraka. I've cleared the carts out of the way, and now I'll go ahead. [He mounts and drives away. To himself.] The cart has grown heavy. But I suppose it only seems so, because I got tired helping them with that wheel. Well, I'll go along. Get up, bullocks, get up!

A voice behind the scenes. Police! Police! Every man at his post! The young herdsman has just broken jail, killed the jailer, broken his fetters, escaped, and run away. Catch him! Catch him!

[Enter, in excited haste, Aryaka, an iron chain on one foot. Covering his face, he walks about.]

Sthavaraka. [To himself.] There is great excitement in the city. I must get out of the way as fast as I possibly can. [Exit.

Aryaka.

I leave behind me that accursed sea Of human woe and human misery, The prison of the king. Like elephants that break their chains and flee, I drag a fettered foot most painfully In flight and wandering. 1

King Palaka was frightened by a prophecy, took me from the hamlet where I lived, fettered me, and thrust me into a solitary cell, there to await my death. But with the help of my good friend Sharvilaka I escaped. [He sheds tears.]

If such my fate, no sin is mine at least, That he should cage me like a savage beast. A man may fight with kings, though not with fate— And yet, can helpless men contend with great? 2

Whither shall I go with my wretchedness? [He looks about.] Here is the house of some good man who hasn't locked the side-door.

The house is old, the door without a lock, The hinges all awry. Some man, no doubt, who feels misfortune's shock As cruelly as I. 3

[96.18. S.

I will enter here and wait.

A voice behind the scenes. Get up, bullocks, get up!

Aryaka. [Listening.] Ah, a bullock-cart is coming this way.

If this should prove to be a picnic rig, Its occupants not peevishly inclined; Some noble lady's waiting carriage trig; Or rich man's coach, that leaves the town behind— And if it empty be, fate proving kind, 'T would seem a godsend to my anxious mind. 4

[Enter Vardhamanaka with the bullock-cart.]

Vardhamanaka. There, I've got the cushion. Radanika, tell mistress Vasantasena that the cart is ready and waiting for her to get in and drive to the old garden Pushpakaranda.

Aryaka. [Listening.] This is a courtezan's cart, going out of the city. Good, I'll climb in. [He approaches cautiously.]

Vardhamanaka. [Hears him coming.] Ah, the tinkling of ankle-rings! The lady is here. Mistress, the nose-rope makes the bullocks skittish. You had better climb in behind. [Aryaka does so.] The ankle-rings tinkle only when the feet are moving, and the sound has ceased. Besides, the cart has grown heavy. I am sure the lady must have climbed in by this time. I'll go ahead. Get up, bullocks, get up! [He drives about. Enter Viraka.]

Viraka. Come, come! Jaya, Jayamana, Chandanaka, Mangala, Phullabhadra, and the rest of you!

So calm, when the herdsman, slipping his tether, Breaks jail and the heart of the king together? 5

Here! You stand at the east gate of the main street, you at the west, you at the south, you at the north. I'll climb up the broken wall here with Chandanaka and take a look. Come on, Chandanaka, come on! This way! [Enter Chandanaka, in excitement.]

P. 166.5]

Chandanaka. Come, come! Viraka, Vishalya, Bhimangada, Dandakala, Dandashura, and the rest of you!

Come quick, my reliables! Work! Now begin! Lest the old king go out, and a new king come in. 6 Search gardens, and dives, and the town, and the street, The market, the hamlet, wherever you meet 7 With what looks suspicious. Now, Viraka, say, Who saved the young herdsman that just broke away? 8 Who was born when the sun in his eighth mansion stood, Or the moon in her fourth, or when Jupiter could Be seen in his sixth, or when Saturn was resting In his ninth, in her sixth house when Venus was nesting, Or Mars in his fifth?[69] Who will dare to be giving The herdsman protection, while I am still living? 9, 10

Viraka. Chandanaka, you mercenary!

I swear on your heart, he's been long out of prison, For the herdsman escaped ere the sun was half risen. 11

Vardhamanaka. Get up, bullocks, get up!

Chandanaka. [Discovers him.] Look, man, look!

A covered cart is moving in the middle of the road; Investigate it, whose it is, and where it takes its load! 12

Viraka. [Discovers him.] Here, driver, stop your cart! Whose cart is this? who is in it? where is it going?

Vardhamanaka. This is Charudatta's cart. Mistress Vasantasena is in it. I am taking her to the old garden Pushpakaranda to meet Charudatta.

Viraka. [Approaches Chandanaka.] The driver says it is Charudatta's cart; that Vasantasena is in it; that he is taking her to the old garden Pushpakaranda.

Chandanaka. Then let it pass.

Viraka. Without inspection?

[101.3. S.

Chandanaka. Certainly.

Viraka. On whose authority?

Chandanaka. On Charudatta's.

Viraka. Who is Charudatta, or who is Vasantasena, that the cart should pass without inspection?

Chandanaka. Don't you know Charudatta, man? nor Vasantasena? If you don't know Charudatta, nor Vasantasena, then you don't know the moon in heaven, nor the moonlight.

Who does n't know this moon of goodness, virtue's lotus-flower, This gem of four broad seas, this savior in man's luckless hour? 13 These two are wholly worshipful, our city's ornaments, Vasantasena, Charudatta, sea of excellence. 14

Viraka. Well, well, Chandanaka! Charudatta? Vasantasena?

I know them perfectly, as well as I know anything; But I do not know my father when I 'm serving of my king. 15

Aryaka. [To himself.] In a former existence the one must have been my enemy, the other my kinsman. For see!

Their business is the same; their ways Unlike, and their desire: Like flames that gladden wedding days, And flames upon the pyre. 16

Chandanaka. You are a most careful captain whom the king trusts. I am holding the bullocks. Make your inspection.

Viraka. You too are a corporal whom the king trusts. Make the inspection yourself.

Chandanaka. If I make the inspection, that 's just the same as if you had made it?

Viraka. If you make the inspection, that 's just the same as if King Palaka had made it.

P. 171.5]

Chandanaka. Lift the pole, man! [Vardhamanaka does so.]

Aryaka. [To himself.] Are the policemen about to inspect me? And I have no sword, worse luck! But at least,

Bold Bhima's spirit I will show; My arm shall be my sword. Better a warrior's death than woe That cells and chains afford. 17

But the time to use force has not yet come. [Chandanaka enters the cart and looks about.] I seek your protection.

Chandanaka. [Speaking in Sanskrit.] He who seeks protection shall be safe.

Aryaka.

Whene'er he fight, that man will suffer hurts, Will be abandoned of his friends and kin, Becomes a mock forever, who deserts One seeking aid; 't is an unpardoned sin. 18

Chandanaka. What! the herdsman Aryaka? Like a bird that flees from a hawk, he has fallen into the hand of the fowler. [Reflecting.] He is no sinner, this man who seeks my protection and sits in Charudatta's cart. Besides, he is the friend of good Sharvilaka, who saved my life. On the other hand, there are the king's orders. What is a man to do in a case like this? Well, what must be, must be. I promised him my protection just now.

He who gives aid to frightened men, And joys his neighbor's ills to cure, If he must die, he dies; but then, His reputation is secure. 19

[He gets down uneasily.] I saw the gentleman—[correcting himself] I mean, the lady Vasantasena, and she says "Is it proper, is it gentlemanly, when I am going to visit Charudatta, to insult me on the highway?"

Viraka. Chandanaka, I have my suspicions.

Chandanaka. Suspicions? How so?

[103.2. S.

Vir. You gurgled in your craven throat; it seems a trifle shady. You said "I saw the gentleman," and then "I saw the lady." 20

That's why I'm not satisfied.

Chandanaka. What's the matter with you, man? We southerners don't speak plain. We know a thousand dialects of the barbarians—the Khashas, the Khattis, the Kadas, the Kadatthobilas, the Karnatas, the Karnas, the Pravaranas, the Dravidas, the Cholas, the Chinas, the Barbaras, the Kheras, the Khanas, the Mukhas, the Madhughatas, and all the rest of 'em, and it all depends on the way we feel whether we say "he" or "she," "gentleman" or "lady."

Viraka. Can't I have a look, too? It's the king's orders. And the king trusts me.

Chandanaka. I suppose the king doesn't trust me!

Viraka. Is n't it His Majesty's command?

Chandanaka. [Aside] If people knew that the good herdsman escaped in Charudatta's cart, then the king would make Charudatta suffer for it. What's to be done? [Reflecting.] I'll stir up a quarrel the way they do down in the Carnatic. [Aloud.] Well, Viraka, I made one inspection myself—my name is Chandanaka—and you want to do it over again. Who are you?

Viraka. Confound it! Who are you, anyway?

Chandanaka. An honorable and highly respectable person, and you don't remember your own family.

Viraka. [Angrily.] Confound you! What is my family?

Chandanaka. Who speaks of such things?

Viraka. Speak!

Chandanaka. I think I'd better not.

I know your family, but I won't say; 'T would not be modest, such things to betray; What good's a rotten apple anyway? 21

Viraka. Speak, speak! [Chandanaka makes a significant gesture.] Confound you! What does that mean?

P. 175.1]

Chand.

A broken whetstone in one hand—a thing That looks like scissors in the other wing— To trim the scrubby beards that curl and cling, And you—why, you 're a captain of the king! 22

Viraka. Well, Chandanaka, you highly respectable person, you don't remember your own family either.

Chandanaka. Tell me. What is the family I belong to, I, Chandanaka, pure as the moon?

Viraka. Who speaks of such things?

Chandanaka. Speak, speak! [Viraka makes a significant gesture.] Confound you! What does that mean?

Viraka. Listen.

Your house is pure; your father is a drum, Your mother is a kettledrum, you scum! Your brother is a tambourine—tum, tum! And you—why, you 're a captain of the king! 23

Chandanaka. [Wrathfully.] I, Chandanaka, a tanner! You can look at the cart.

Viraka. You! driver! turn the cart around. I want to look in.

[Vardhamanaka does so. Viraka starts to climb in. Chandanaka seizes him violently by the hair, throws him down, and kicks him.]

Viraka. [Rising. Wrathfully.] Confound you! I was peaceably going about the king's business, when you seized me violently by the hair and kicked me. So listen! If I don't have you drawn and quartered in the middle of the court-room, my name's not Viraka.

Chandanaka. All right. Go to court or to a hall of justice. What do I care for a puppy like you?

Viraka. I will. [Exit.

Chandanaka. [Looks about him.] Go on, driver, go on! If anybody asks you, just say "The cart has been inspected by Chandanaka and Viraka." Mistress Vasantasena, let me give you a passport. [He hands Aryaka a sword.]

[105.11. S.

Aryaka. [Takes it. Joyfully to himself.]

A sword, a sword! My right eye twitches fast.[70] Now all is well, and I am safe at last. 24

Chandanaka. Madam,

As I have given you a passage free, So may I live within your memory. To utter this, no selfish thoughts could move; Ah no, I speak in plenitude of love. 25

Aryaka.

Chandanaka is rich in virtues pure; My friend is he—Fate willed it—true and tried. I 'll not forget Chandanaka, be sure, What time the oracle is justified. 26

Chand.

May Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Three in One, Protect thee, and the Moon, and blessed Sun; Slay all thy foes, as mighty Parvati Slew Shumbha and Nishumbha—fearfully. 27

[Exit Vardhamanaka, with the bullock-cart. Chandanaka looks toward the back of the stage.] Aha! As he goes away, my good friend Sharvilaka is following him. Well, I 've made an enemy of Viraka, the chief constable and the king's favorite; so I think I too had better be following him, with all my sons and brothers.

[Exit.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 68: A bad omen, in the case of a woman.]

[Footnote 69: Lalladiksita says that these horoscopes indicate respectively distress, colic, stupidity, poverty, sorrow, destruction.]

[Footnote 70: A good omen, in the case of a man.]



ACT THE SEVENTH

ARYAKA'S ESCAPE

[Enter Charudatta and Maitreya.]

Maitreya.

How beautiful the old garden Pushpakaranda is.

Charudatta. You are quite right, my friend. For see!

The trees, like merchants, show their wares; Each several tree his blossoms bears, While bees, like officers, are flitting, To take from each what toll is fitting. 1

Maitreya. This simple stone is very attractive. Pray be seated.

Charudatta. [Seats himself.] How Vardhamanaka lingers, my friend!

Maitreya. I told Vardhamanaka to bring Vasantasena and come as quickly as he could.

Charudatta. Why then does he linger?

Is he delayed by some slow-moving load? Has he returned with broken wheel or traces? Obstructions bid him seek another road? His bullocks, or himself, choose these slow paces? 2

[Enter Vardhamanaka with the bullock-cart, in which Aryaka lies hidden.]

Vardhamanaka. Get up, bullocks, get up!

Aryaka. [Aside.]

And still I fear the spies that serve the king; Escape is even yet a doubtful thing, While to my foot these cursed fetters cling.

Some good man 't is, within whose cart I lie, Like cuckoo chicks, whose heartless mothers fly, And crows must rear the fledglings, or they die. 3

I have come a long distance from the city. Shall I get out of the cart and seek a hiding-place in the grove? or shall I wait to see the owner of the cart? On second thoughts, I will not hide myself in the grove; for men say that the noble Charudatta is ever helpful to them that seek his protection. I will not go until I have seen him face to face.

[108.3. S.

'T will bring contentment to that good man's heart To see me rescued from misfortune's sea. This body, in its suffering, pain, and smart, Is saved through his sweet magnanimity. 4

Vardhamanaka. Here is the garden. I 'll drive in. [He does so.] Maitreya!

Maitreya. Good news, my friend. It is Vardhamanaka's voice. Vasantasena must have come.

Charudatta. Good news, indeed.

Maitreya. You son of a slave, what makes you so late?

Vardhamanaka. Don't get angry, good Maitreya. I remembered that I had forgotten the cushion, and I had to go back for it, and that is why I am late.

Charudatta. Turn the cart around, Vardhamanaka. Maitreya, my friend, help Vasantasena to get out.

Maitreya. Has she got fetters on her feet, so that she can't get out by herself? [He rises and lifts the curtain of the cart.] Why, this is n't mistress Vasantasena—this is Mister Vasantasena.

Charudatta. A truce to your jests, my friend. Love cannot wait. I will help her to get out myself. [He rises.]

Aryaka. [Discovers him.] Ah, the owner of the bullock-cart! He is attractive not only to the ears of men, but also to their eyes. Thank heaven! I am safe.

Charudatta. [Enters the bullock-cart and discovers Aryaka.] Who then is this?

As trunk of elephant his arms are long, His chest is full, his shoulders broad and strong, His great eyes restless-red;[71] Why should this man be thus enforced to fight— So noble he—with such ignoble plight, His foot to fetters wed? 5

P. 180.14]

Who are you, sir?

Aryaka. I am one who seeks your protection, Aryaka, by birth a herdsman.

Charudatta. Are you he whom King Palaka took from the hamlet where he lived and thrust into prison?

Aryaka. The same.

Charudatta.

'T is fate that brings you to my sight; May I be reft of heaven's light, Ere I desert you in your hapless plight. 6

[Aryaka manifests his joy.]

Charudatta. Vardhamanaka, remove the fetters from his foot.

Vardhamanaka. Yes, sir. [He does so.] Master, the fetters are removed.

Aryaka. But you have bound me with yet stronger fetters of love.

Maitreya. Now you may put on the fetters yourself. He is free anyway. And it 's time for us to be going.

Charudatta. Peace! For shame!

Aryaka. Charudatta, my friend, I entered your cart somewhat unceremoniously. I beg your pardon.

Charudatta. I feel honored that you should use no ceremony with me.

Aryaka. If you permit it, I now desire to go.

Charudatta. Go in peace.

Aryaka. Thank you. I will alight from the cart.

Charudatta. No, my friend. The fetters have but this moment been removed, and you will find walking difficult. In this spot where men seek pleasure, a bullock-cart will excite no suspicion. Continue your journey then in the cart.

[110.4. S.

Aryaka. I thank you, sir.

Charud. Seek now thy kinsmen. Happiness be thine!

Aryaka. Ah, I have found thee, blessed kinsman mine!

Charud. Remember me, when thou hast cause to speak.

Aryaka. Thy name, and not mine own, my words shall seek.

Charud. May the immortal gods protect thy ways!

Aryaka. Thou didst protect me, in most perilous days.

Charud. Nay, it was fate that sweet protection lent.

Aryaka. But thou wast chosen as fate's instrument. 7

Charudatta. King Palaka is aroused, and protection will prove difficult. You must depart at once.

Aryaka. Until we meet again, farewell. [Exit.

Charud.

From royal wrath I now have much to fear; It were unwise for me to linger here. Then throw the fetters in the well; for spies Serve to their king as keen, far-seeing eyes. 8

[His left eye twitches.] Maitreya, my friend, I long to see Vasantasena. For now, because

I have not seen whom I love best, My left eye twitches; and my breast Is causeless-anxious and distressed. 9

Come, let us go. [He walks about.] See! a Buddhist monk approaches, and the sight bodes ill. [Reflecting.] Let him enter by that path, while we depart by this. [Exit.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 71: Lalladiksita says that these are signs of royalty.]



ACT THE EIGHTH

THE STRANGLING OF VASANTASENA

[Enter a monk, with a wet garment in his hand.]

Monk.

Ye ignorant, lay by a store of virtue! Restrain the belly; watch eternally, Heeding the beat of contemplation's[72] drum, For else the senses—fearful thieves they be— Will steal away all virtue's hoarded sum. 1

And further: I have seen that all things are transitory, so that now I am become the abode of virtues alone.

Who slays the Five Men,[73] and the Female Bane,[74] By whom protection to the Town[75] is given, By whom the Outcaste[76] impotent is slain, He cannot fail to enter into heaven. 2

Though head be shorn and face be shorn, The heart unshorn, why should man shave him? But he whose inmost heart is shorn Needs not the shaven head to save him. 3

I have dyed this robe of mine yellow. And now I will go into the garden of the king's brother-in-law, wash it in the pond, and go away as soon as I can. [He walks about and washes the robe.]

A voice behind the scenes. Shtop, you confounded monk, shtop!

Monk. [Discovers the speaker. Fearfully. ] Heaven help me! Here is the king's brother-in-law, Sansthanaka. Just because one monk committed an offense, now, wherever he sees a monk, whether it is the same one or not, he bores a hole in his nose and drives him around like a bullock. Where shall a defenseless man find a defender? But after all, the blessed Lord Buddha is my defender.

[119.90. S.

[Enter the courtier, carrying a sword, and Sansthanaka.]

Sansthanaka. Shtop, you confounded monk, shtop! I'll pound your head like a red radish[77] at a drinking party. [He strikes him.]

Courtier. You jackass, you should not strike a monk who wears the yellow robes of renunciation. Why heed him? Look rather upon this garden, which offers itself to pleasure.

To creatures else forlorn, the forest trees Do works of mercy, granting joy and ease; Like a sinner's heart, the park unguarded lies, Like some new-founded realm, an easy prize. 4

Monk. Heaven bless you! Be merciful, servant of the Blessed One!

Sansthanaka. Did you hear that, shir? He's inshulting me.

Courtier. What does he say?

Sansthanaka. Shays I'm a shervant. What do you take me for? a barber?

Courtier. A servant of the Blessed One he calls you, and this is praise.

Sansthanaka. Praise me shome more, monk!

Monk. You are virtuous! You are a brick!

Sansthanaka. Shee? He shays I'm virtuous. He shays I'm a brick. What do you think I am? a materialistic philosopher? or a watering-trough? or a pot-maker?[78]

Courtier. You jackass, he praises you when he says that you are virtuous, that you are a brick.

Sansthanaka. Well, shir, what did he come here for?

Monk. To wash this robe.

Sansthanaka. Confound the monk! My shishter's husband gave me the finesht garden there is, the garden Pushpakaranda. Dogs and jackals drink the water in thish pond. Now I'm an arishtocrat. I'm a man, and I don't even take a bath. And here you bring your shtinking clothes, all shtained with shtale bean-porridge, and wash 'em! I think one good shtroke will finish you.

P. 187.7]

Courtier. You jackass, I am sure he has not long been a monk.

Sansthanaka. How can you tell, shir?

Courtier. It doesn't take much to tell that, See!

His hair is newly shorn; the brow still white; The rough cloak has not yet the shoulder scarred; He wears it awkwardly; it clings not tight; And here above, the fit is sadly marred. 5

Monk. True, servant of the Blessed One. I have been a monk but a short time.

Sansthanaka. Then why haven't you been one all your life? [He beats him.]

Monk. Buddha be praised!

Courtier. Stop beating the poor fellow. Leave him alone. Let him go.

Sansthanaka. Jusht wait a minute, while I take counshel.

Courtier. With whom?

Sansthanaka. With my own heart.

Courtier. Poor fellow! Why didn't he escape?

Sansthanaka. Blesshed little heart, my little shon and mashter, shall the monk go, or shall the monk shtay? [To himself.] Neither go, nor shtay. [Aloud.] Well, shir, I took counshel with my heart, and my heart shays—

Courtier. Says what?

Sansthanaka. He shall neither go, nor shtay. He shall neither breathe up, nor breathe down. He shall fall down right here and die, before you can shay "boo."

Monk. Buddha be praised! I throw myself upon your protection.

Courtier. Let him go.

[114.24. S.

Sansthanaka. Well, on one condition.

Courtier. And what is that?

Sansthanaka. He musht shling mud in, without making the water dirty. Or better yet, he musht make the water into a ball, and shling it into the mud.

Courtier. What incredible folly!

The patient earth is burdened by So many a fool, so many a drone, Whose thoughts and deeds are all awry— These trees of flesh, these forms of stone. 6

[The monk makes faces at Sansthanaka.]

Sansthanaka. What does he mean?

Courtier. He praises you.

Sansthanaka. Praise me shome more! Praise me again! [The monk does so, then exit.]

Courtier. See how beautiful the garden is, you jackass.

See yonder trees, adorned with fruit and flowers, O'er which the clinging creepers interlace; The watchmen guard them with the royal powers; They seem like men whom loving wives embrace. 7

Sansthanaka. A good deshcription, shir.

The ground is mottled with a lot of flowers; The blosshom freight bends down the lofty trees; And, hanging from the leafy tree-top bowers, The monkeys bob, like breadfruit in the breeze. 8

Courtier. Will you be seated on this stone bench, you jackass?

Sansthanaka. I am sheated. [They seat themselves.] Do you know, shir, I remember that Vasantasena even yet. She is like an inshult. I can't get her out of my mind.

Courtier. [Aside.] He remembers her even after such a repulse. For indeed,

The mean man, whom a woman spurns, But loves the more; The wise man's passion gentler burns, Or passes o'er. 9

P. 190.16]

Sansthanaka. Shome time has passhed, shir, shince I told my shervant Sthavaraka to take the bullock-cart and come as quick as he could. And even yet he is not here. I 've been hungry a long time, and at noon a man can't go a-foot. For shee!

The shun is in the middle of the shky, And hard to look at as an angry ape; Like Gandhari, whose hundred shons did die, The earth is hard dishtresshed and can't eshcape. 10

Courtier. True.

The cattle all—their cuds let fall— Lie drowsing in the shade; In heated pool their lips to cool, Deer throng the woodland glade; A prey to heat, the city street Makes wanderers afraid; The cart must shun the midday sun, And thus has been delayed. 11

Sansthanaka. Yesshir,

Fasht to my head the heated shun-beam clings; Birds, flying creatures, alsho winged things Resht in the branches of the trees, while men, People, and pershons shigh and shigh again; At home they tarry, in their houses shtay, To bear the heat and burden of the day. 12

Well, shir, that shervant is n't here yet. I 'm going to shing shomething to passh the time. [He sings.] There, shir, did you hear what I shang?

Courtier. What shall I say? Ah, how melodious!

[116.23. S.

Sansthanaka. Why should n't it be malodorous?

Of nut-grass and cumin I make up a pickle, Of devil's-dung, ginger, and orris, and treacle; That's the mixture of perfumes I eagerly eat; Why should n't my voice be remarkably shweet? 13

Well, shir, I 'm jusht going to shing again, [He does so.] There, shir, did you hear what I shang?

Courtier. What shall I say? Ah, how melodious!

Sansthanaka. Why should n't it be malodorous?

Of the flesh of the cuckoo I make up a chowder, With devil's-dung added, and black pepper powder; With oil and with butter I shprinkle the meat: Why should n't my voice be remarkably shweet? 14

But shir, the shervant is n't here yet.

Courtier. Be easy in your mind. He will be here presently.

[Enter Vasantasena in the bullock-cart, and Sthavaraka.]

Sthavaraka. I 'm frightened. It is already noon. I hope Sansthanaka, the king's brother-in-law, will not be angry. I must drive faster. Get up, bullocks, get up!

Vasantasena. Alas! That is not Vardhamanaka's voice. What does it mean? I wonder if Charudatta was afraid that the bullocks might become weary, and so sent another man with another cart. My right eye twitches. My heart is all a-tremble. There is no one in sight. Everything seems to dance before my eyes.

Sansthanaka. [Hearing the sound of wheels.] The cart is here, shir.

Courtier. How do you know?

Sansthanaka. Can't you shee? It shqueaks like an old hog.

Courtier. [Perceives the cart.] Quite true. It is here.

Sansthanaka. Sthavaraka, my little shon, my shlave, are you here?

Sthavaraka. Yes, sir.

Sansthanaka. Is the cart here?

P. 194.9]

Sthavaraka. Yes, sir.

Sansthanaka. Are the bullocks here?

Sthavaraka. Yes, sir.

Sansthanaka. And are you here?

Sthavaraka. [Laughing.] Yes, master, I am here too.

Sansthanaka. Then drive the cart in.

Sthavaraka. By which road?

Sansthanaka. Right here, where the wall is tumbling down.

Sthavaraka. Oh, master, the bullocks will be killed. The cart will go to pieces. And I, your servant, shall be killed.

Sansthanaka. I'm the king's brother-in-law, man. If the bullocks are killed, I 'll buy shome more. If the cart goes to pieces, I 'll have another one made. If you are killed, there will be another driver.

Sthavaraka. Everything will be replaced—except me.

Sansthanaka. Let the whole thing go to pieces. Drive in over the wall.

Sthavaraka. Then break, cart, break with your driver. There will be another cart. I must go and present myself to my master. [He drives in.] What! not broken? Master, here is your cart.

Sansthanaka. The bullocks not shplit in two? and the ropes not killed? and you too not killed?

Sthavaraka. No, sir.

Sansthanaka. Come, shir. Let's look at the cart. You are my teacher, shir, my very besht teacher. You are a man I reshpect, my intimate friend, a man I delight to honor. Do you enter the cart firsht.

Courtier. Very well. [He starts to do so.]

Sansthanaka. Not much! Shtop! Is thish your father's cart, that you should enter it firsht? I own thish cart. I 'll enter it firsht.

Courtier. I only did what you said.

[119.8. S.

Sansthanaka. Even if I do shay sho, you ought to be polite enough to shay "After you, mashter."

Courtier. After you, then.

Sansthanaka. Now I 'll enter. Sthavaraka, my little shon, my shlave, turn the cart around.

Sthavaraka. [Does so.] Enter, master.

Sansthanaka. [Enters and looks about, then hastily gets out in terror, and falls on the courtier's neck.] Oh, oh, oh! You're a dead man! There's a witch, or a thief, that's sitting and living in my bullock-cart. If it's a witch, we 'll both be robbed. If it's a thief, we 'll both be eaten alive.

Courtier. Don't be frightened. How could a witch travel in a bullock-cart? I hope that the heat of the midday sun has not blinded you, so that you became the victim of an hallucination when you saw the shadow of Sthavaraka with the smock on it.

Sansthanaka. Sthavaraka, my little shon, my shlave, are you alive?

Sthavaraka. Yes, sir.

Sansthanaka. But shir, there's a woman sitting and living in the bullock-cart. Look and shee!

Courtier. A woman?

Then let us bow our heads at once and go, Like steers whose eyes the falling raindrops daze; In public spots my dignity I show; On high-born dames I hesitate to gaze. 15

Vasantasena. [In amazement. Aside.] Oh, oh! It is that thorn in my eye, the king's brother-in-law. Alas! the danger is great. Poor woman! My coming hither proves as fruitless as the sowing of a handful of seeds on salty soil. What shall I do now?

Sansthanaka. Thish old shervant is afraid and he won't look into the cart. Will you look into the cart, shir?

Courtier. I see no harm in that. Yes, I will do it.

P. 198.12]

Sansthanaka. Are those things jackals that I shee flying into the air, and are those things crows that walk on all fours? While the witch is chewing him with her eyes, and looking at him with her teeth, I 'll make my eshcape.

Courtier. [Perceives Vasantasena. Sadly to himself.] Is it possible? The gazelle follows the tiger. Alas!

Her mate is lovely as the autumn moon, Who waits for her upon the sandy dune; And yet the swan will leave him? and will go To dance attendance on a common crow? 16

[Aside to Vasantasena.] Ah, Vasantasena! This is neither right, nor worthy of you.

Your pride rejected him before, Yet now for gold, and for your mother's will

Vasantasena. No! [She shakes her head.]

Courtier. Your nature knows your pride no more; You honor him, a common woman still. 17

Did I not tell[79] you to "serve the man you love, and him you hate"?

Vasantasena. I made a mistake in the cart, and thus I came hither. I throw myself upon your protection.

Courtier. Do not fear. Come, I must deceive him. [He returns to Sansthanaka.] Jackass, there is indeed a witch who makes her home in the cart.

Sansthanaka. But shir, if a witch is living there, why are n't you robbed? And if it 's a thief, why are n't you eaten alive?

Courtier. Why try to determine that? But if we should go back on foot through the gardens until we came to the city, to Ujjayini, what harm would that do?

Sansthanaka. And if we did, what then?

[121.7. S.

Courtier. Then we should have some exercise, and should avoid tiring the bullocks.

Sansthanaka. All right. Sthavaraka, my shlave, drive on. But no! Shtop, shtop! I go on foot before gods and Brahmans? Not much! I 'll go in my cart, sho that people shall shee me a long way off, and shay "There he goes, our mashter, the king's brother-in-law."

Courtier. [Aside.] It is hard to convert poison into medicine. So be it, then. [Aloud.] Jackass, this is Vasantasena, come to visit you.

Vasantasena. Heaven forbid!

Sansthanaka. [Gleefully.] Oh, oh! To visit me, an arishtocrat, a man, a regular Vasudeva?

Courtier. Yes.

Sansthanaka. This is an unheard-of piece of luck. That other time I made her angry, sho now I 'll fall at her feet and beg her pardon.

Courtier. Capital!

Sansthanaka. I 'll fall at her feet myshelf. [He approaches Vasantasena.] Little mother, mamma dear, lishten to my prayer.

I fold my hands and fall before thy feet— Thine eyes are large, thy teeth are clean and neat, Thy finger-nails are ten—forgive thy shlave What, love-tormented, he offended, shweet. 18

Vasantasena. [Angrily.] Leave me! Your words are an insult! [She spurns him with her foot.]

Sansthanaka. [Wrathfully.]

Thish head that mother and that mamma kissed, That never bent to worship god, I wist, Upon thish head she dared to plant her feet, Like jackals on the carrion they meet. 19

Sthavaraka, you shlave, where did you pick her up?

Sthavaraka. Master, the highway was blocked by villagers' wagons. So I stopped my cart near Charudatta's orchard, and got out. And while I was helping a villager with his wagon, I suppose she mistook this cart for another, and climbed in.

P. 201.14]

Sansthanaka. Oho! she mishtook my cart for another? and did n't come to shee me? Get out of my cart, get out! You 're going to visit your poor merchant's shon, are you? Those are my bullocks you 're driving. Get out, get out, you shlave! Get out, get out!

Vasantasena. Truly, you honor me when you say that I came to see Charudatta. Now what must be, must be.

Sansthanaka.

These hands of mine, ten-finger-naily, These hands sho lotush-leafy, Are itching-anxious, girl, to dally With you; and in a jiffy I 'll drag Your Shweetness by the hair From the cart wherein you ride, As did Jatayu Bali's fair, The monkey Bali's bride. 20

Courtier.

So virtuous ladies may not be Insulted thus despitefully; Nor garden creepers may not be Robbed of their leaves so cruelly. 21

Stand up, man. I will help her to alight. Come, Vasantasena! [Vasantasena alights and stands apart.]

Sansthanaka. [Aside.] The flame of wrath was kindled when she despised my proposition, and now it blazes up because she kicked me. Sho now I 'll murder her. Good! Thish way. [Aloud.] Well, shir, what do you want?

A cloak with fringes hanging down and all, Tied with a hundred shtrings? or good ragout, To make you shmack your greedy lips and call "Chuhoo, chuhoo, chukku, chuhoo, chuhooo"? 22

Courtier. Well?

Sansthanaka. Do me a favor.

[123.11. S.

Courtier. Certainly. Anything, unless it be a sin.

Sansthanaka. There's not a shmell of a shin in it, shir. Not a perfume!

Courtier. Speak, then.

Sansthanaka. Murder Vasantasena.

Courtier. [Stopping his ears.]

A tender lady, gem of this our city, A courtezan whose love was stainless ever— If I should kill her, sinless, without pity. What boat would bear me on the gloomy river? 23

Sansthanaka. I'll give you a boat. And beshides, in thish deserted garden, who'll shee you murdering her?

Courtier.

The regions ten,[80] the forest gods, the sky, The wind, the moon, the sun whose rays are light, Virtue, my conscience—these I cannot fly, Nor earth, that witnesses to wrong and right. 24

Sansthanaka. Well then, put your cloak over her and murder her.

Courtier. You fool! You scoundrel!

Sansthanaka. The old hog is afraid of a shin. Never mind. I'll pershuade Sthavaraka, my shlave. Sthavaraka, my little shon, my shlave, I'll give you golden bracelets.

Sthavaraka. And I'll wear them.

Sansthanaka. I'll have a golden sheat made for you.

Sthavaraka. And I'll sit on it.

Sansthanaka. I'll give you all my leavings.

Sthavaraka. And I'll eat them.

Sansthanaka. I'll make you the chief of all my shervants.

Sthavaraka. Master, I'll be the chief.

Sansthanaka. You only have to attend to what I shay.

Sthavaraka. Master, I will do anything, unless it be a sin.

P. 205.12]

Sansthanaka. There's not a shmell of a shin in it.

Sthavaraka. Then speak, master.

Sansthanaka. Murder Vasantasena.

Sthavaraka. Oh, master, be merciful! Unworthy as I am, I brought this worthy lady hither, because she mistook this bullock-cart for another.

Sansthanaka. You shlave, ain't I your mashter?

Sthavaraka. Master of my body, not of my character. Be merciful, master, be merciful! I am afraid.

Sansthanaka. You're my shlave. Who are you afraid of?

Sthavaraka. Of the other world, master.

Sansthanaka. Who is thish "other world"?

Sthavaraka. Master, it is a rewarder of righteousness and sin.

Sansthanaka. What is the reward of righteoushness?

Sthavaraka. To be like my master, with plenty of golden ornaments.

Sansthanaka. What is the reward of shin?

Sthavaraka. To be like me, eating another man's bread. That is why I will do no sin.

Sansthanaka. Sho you won't murder her? [He beats him with all his might.]

Sthavaraka. You may beat me, master. You may kill me, master. I will do no sin.

A luckless, lifelong slave am I, A slave I live, a slave I die; But further woe I will not buy, I will not, will not sin. 25

Vasantasena. Sir, I throw myself upon your protection.

Courtier. Pardon him, jackass! Well done, Sthavaraka!

Does this poor, miserable slave Seek virtue's meed beyond the grave? And is his lord indifferent? Then why are not such creatures sent To instant hell, whose sinful store Grows great, who know not virtue more? 26

[125.14. S.

And again:

Ah, cruel, cruel is our fate, And enters through the straitest gate; Since he is slave, and you are lord, Since he does not enjoy your hoard, Since you do not obey his word. 27

Sansthanaka. [Aside.] The old jackal is afraid of a shin, and the "lifelong shlave" is afraid of the other world. Who am I afraid of, I, the king's brother-in-law, an arishtocrat, a man? [Aloud.] Well, shervant, you "lifelong shlave," you can go. Go to your room and resht and keep out of my way.

Sthavaraka. Yes, master. [To Vasantasena.] Madam, I have no further power. [Exit.

Sansthanaka. [Girds up his loins.] Wait a minute, Vasantasena, wait a minute. I want to murder you.

Courtier. You will kill her before my eyes? [He seizes him by the throat.]

Sansthanaka. [Falls to the ground.] Shir, you 're murdering your mashter. [He loses consciousness, but recovers.]

I always fed him fat with meat, And gave him butter too, to eat; Now for the friend in need I search; Why does he leave me in the lurch? 28

[After reflection.] Good! I have an idea. The old jackal gave her a hint by shaking his head at her. Sho I 'll shend him away, and then I 'll murder Vasantasena. That's the idea. [Aloud.] Shir, I was born in a noble family as great as a wine-glass. How could I do that shin I shpoke about? I jusht shaid it to make her love me.

P. 209.3]

Courtier. Why should you boast of this your noble birth?

'T is character that makes the man of worth; But thorns and weeds grow rank in fertile earth. 29

Sansthanaka. She 's ashamed to confessh her love when you 're here. Please go. My shervant Sthavaraka has gone too after getting a beating. He may be running away. Catch him, shir, and come back with him.

Courtier. [Aside.]

Vasantasena is too proud to own. While I am near, her love for one so crude; So now I leave her here with him alone; Love's confidences long for solitude. 30

[Aloud.] Very well. I go.

Vasantasena. [Seizing the hem of his garment.] Did I not throw myself upon your protection?

Courtier. Do not fear, Vasantasena. Jackass, Vasantasena is a pledge, committed to your hand.

Sansthanaka. All right. Jusht let her be committed to my hand. It 's a pledge that I 'll execute.

Courtier. Are you honest?

Sansthanaka. Honesht.

Courtier. [Takes a few steps.] No! If I go, the wretch might kill her. I will conceal myself for a moment, and see what he intends to do. [He stands apart.]

Sansthanaka. Good! I 'll murder her. But no! Perhaps thish tricky trickshter, thish Brahman, thish old jackal, has gone and hidden himshelf; he might raise a howl like the jackal he is. I 'll jusht do thish to deceive him. [He gathers flowers and adorns himself.] Vasantasena, my love, my love! Come!

Courtier. Yes, he has turned lover. Good! I am content. I will go. [Exit.

[127.12. S.

Sansthanaka.

I 'll give you gold, I 'll call you shweet; My turbaned head adores your feet. Why not love me, my clean-toothed girl? Why worship such a pauper churl? 31

Vasantasena. How can you ask? [She bows her head and recites the following verses.]

O base and vile! O wretch! What more? Why tempt me now with gold and power? The honey-loving bees adore The pure and stainless lotus flower. 32

Though poverty may strike a good man low, Peculiar honor waits upon his woe; And 't is the glory of a courtezan To set her love upon an honest man. 33

And I, who have loved the mango-tree, I cannot cling to the locust-tree.

Sansthanaka. Wench, you make that poor little Charudatta into a mango-tree, and me you call a locusht-tree, not even an acacia! That 's the way you abuse me, and even yet you remember Charudatta.

Vasantasena. Why should I not remember him who dwells in my heart?

Sansthanaka. Thish very minute I 'm going to shtrangle "him who dwells in your heart," and you too. Shtand shtill, you poor-merchant-man's lover!

Vasantasena. Oh speak, oh speak again these words that do me honor!

Sansthanaka. Jusht let poor Charudatta—the shon of a shlave—reshcue you now!

Vasantasena. He would rescue me, if he saw me.

Sansthanaka.

Is he the king of gods? the royal ape? Shon of a nymph? or wears a demon's shape? The kingly deity of wind and rain? The offshpring of the Pandu-princes' bane? A prophet? or a vulture known afar? A shtatesman? or a beetle? or a shtar? 34

P. 212.11]

But even if he was, he could n't reshcue you.

As Sita in the Bharata Was killed by good old Chanakya, Sho I intend to throttle thee, As did Jatayu Draupadi. 35

[He raises his arm to strike her.]

Vasantasena. Mother! where are you? Oh, Charudatta! my heart's longing is unfulfilled, and now I die! I will scream for help. No! It would bring shame on Vasantasena, should she scream for help. Heaven bless Charudatta!

Sansthanaka. Does the wench shpeak that rashcal's name even yet? [He seizes her by the throat.] Remember him, wench, remember him!

Vasantasena. Heaven bless Charudatta!

Sansthanaka. Die, wench! [He strangles her. Vasantasena loses consciousness, and falls motionless.]

Sansthanaka. [Gleefully.]

Thish bashketful of shin, thish wench, Thish foul abode of impudence— She came to love, she shtayed to blench, For Death's embrace took every sense. But why boasht I of valorous arms and shtout? She shimply died because her breath gave out. Like Sita in the Bharata, she lies. Ah, mother mine! how prettily she dies. 36

[129.4. S.

She would not love me, though I loved the wench; I shaw the empty garden, set the shnare, And frightened her, and made the poor girl blench. My brother! Oh, my father! Thish is where You misshed the shight of heroism shtout; Your brother and your shon here blosshomed out Into a man; like Mother Draupadi, You were not there, my bravery to shee. 37

Good! The old jackal will be here in a minute. I 'll shtep ashide and wait. [He does so.] [Enter the courtier, with Sthavaraka.]

Courtier. I have persuaded the servant Sthavaraka to come back, and now I will look for the jackass. [He walks about and looks around him.] But see! A tree has fallen by the roadside, and killed a woman in its fall. O cruel! How couldst thou do this deed of shame? And when I see that a woman was slain by thy fatal fall, I too am felled to the earth. Truly, my heart's fear for Vasantasena was an evil omen. Oh, heaven grant that all may yet be well! [He approaches Sansthanaka.] Jackass, I have persuaded your servant Sthavaraka to return.

Sansthanaka. How do you do, shir? Sthavaraka, my little shon, my shlave, how do you do?

Sthavaraka. Well, thank you.

Courtier. Give me my pledge.

Sansthanaka. What pledge?

Courtier. Vasantasena.

Sansthanaka. She's gone.

Courtier. Where?

Sansthanaka. Right after you.

Courtier. [Doubtfully.] No, she did not go in that direction.

Sansthanaka. In what direction did you go?

Courtier. Toward the east.

Sansthanaka. Well, she went shouth.[81]

Courtier. So did I.

P. 216.2]

Sansthanaka. She went north.

Courtier. This is nonsense. My heart is not satisfied. Speak the truth.

Sansthanaka. I shwear by your head, shir, and my own feet. You may be easy in your heart. I murdered her.

Courtier. [Despairingly.] You really killed her?

Sansthanaka. If you don't believe my words, then shee the firsht heroic deed of Sansthanaka, the king's brother-in-law. [He points out the body.]

Courtier. Alas! Ah, woe is me! [He falls in a swoon.]

Sansthanaka. Hee, hee! The gentleman is calm enough now!

Sthavaraka. Oh, sir! Come to yourself! I am the first murderer, for I brought the bullock-cart hither without looking into it.

Courtier. [Comes to himself. Mournfully.] Alas, Vasantasena!

The stream of courtesy is dried away, And happiness to her own land doth flee, Sweet gem of gems, that knew love's gentle play, Love's mart and beauty's! Joy of men like me! Thy mirth-shored stream, that kind and healing river— Alas! is perished, lost, and gone forever! 38

[Tearfully.] Ah, woe is me!

What sin is yet to come, or woe, Now thou hast done this deed of hate? Like sin's foul self, hast thou laid low The sinless goddess of our state. 39

[Aside.] Ah! Perhaps the wretch means to lay this sin to my charge. I must go hence. [He walks about. Sansthanaka approaches and holds him back.] Scoundrel! Touch me not. I have done with you. I go.

Sansthanaka. Aha! Firsht you murder Vasantasena, then you abuse me, and now where will you run to? And sho a man like me has n't anybody to protect him.

[131.8. S.

Courtier. You are an accursed scoundrel!

Sansth.

I'll give you countless wealth, a piece of gold, A copper, and a cap, to have and hold. And sho the fame of thish great deed shall be A common property, and shan't touch me. 40

Courtier. A curse upon you! Yours, and yours only, be the deed.

Sthavaraka. Heaven avert the omen! [Sansthanaka bursts out laughing.]

Courtier.

Be enmity between us! Cease your mirth! Damned be a friendship that so shames my worth! Never may I set eyes on one so low! I fling you off, an unstrung, broken bow. 41

Sansthanaka. Don't be angry. Come, let's go and play in the pond.

Courtier.

Unstained my life, and yet it seems to me Your friendship stains, and mocks my sinlessness, You woman-murderer! How could I be A friend to one whom women ever see With eyes half-closed in apprehension's stress? 42

[Mournfully.] Vasantasena,

When thou, sweet maid, art born again, Be not a courtezan reborn, But in a house which sinless men, And virtuous, and good, adorn. 43

Sansthanaka. Firsht you murder Vasantasena in my old garden Pushpakaranda, and now where will you run to? Come, defend yourshelf in court before my shishter's husband! [He holds him back.]

Courtier. Enough, you accursed scoundrel! [He draws his sword.]

Sansthanaka. [Recoiling in terror.] Shcared, are you? Go along, then.

Courtier. [Aside.] It would be folly to remain here. Well, I will go and join myself to Sharvilaka, Chandanaka, and the rest. [Exit.

P. 219.5]

Sansthanaka. Go to hell. Well, my little shon Sthavaraka, what kind of a thing is thish that I 've done?

Sthavaraka. Master, you have committed a terrible crime.

Sansthanaka. Shlave! What do you mean by talking about a crime? Well, I 'll do it thish way. [He takes various ornaments from his person.] Take these gems. I give 'em to you. Whenever I want to wear them, I 'll take them back again, but the resht of the time they are yours.

Sthavaraka. They should be worn only by my master. What have I to do with such things?

Sansthanaka. Go along! Take these bullocks, and wait in the tower of my palace until I come.

Sthavaraka. Yes, master. [Exit.

Sansthanaka. The gentleman has made himshelf invisible. He wanted to save himshelf. And the shlave I 'll put in irons in the palace tower, and keep him there. And sho the shecret will be shafe. I 'll go along, but firsht I 'll take a look at her. Is she dead, or shall I murder her again? [He looks at Vasantasena.] Dead as a doornail! Good! I 'll cover her with thish cloak. No, it has my name on it. Shome honesht man might recognize it. Well, here are shome dry leaves that the wind has blown into a heap. I 'll cover her with them. [He does so, then pauses to reflect.] Good! I 'll do it thish way. I 'll go to court at once, and there I 'll lodge a complaint. I 'll shay that the merchant Charudatta enticed Vasantasena into my old garden Pushpakaranda, and killed her for her money.

Yesh, Charudatta musht be shlaughtered now, And I 'll invent the plan, forgetting pity; The shacrificing of a sinless cow Is cruel in the kindesht-hearted city. 44

Now I 'm ready to go. [He starts to go away, but perceives something that frightens him.] Goodnessh gracioush me! Wherever I go, thish damned monk comes with his yellow robes. I bored a hole in his nose once and drove him around, and he hates me. Perhaps he'll shee me, and will tell people that I murdered her. How shall I eshcape? [He looks about.] Aha! I 'll jump over the wall where it is half fallen down, and eshcape that way.

[133.8. S.

I run, I run, I go, In heaven, on earth below, In hell, and in Ceylon, Hanumat's peaks upon— Like Indra's self, I go. [Exit.] 45

[Enter hurriedly the Buddhist monk, ex-shampooer.]

Monk. I 've washed these rags of mine. Shall I let them dry on a branch? no, the monkeys would steal them. On the ground? the dust would make them dirty again. Well then, where shall I spread them out to dry? [He looks about.] Ah, here is a pile of dry leaves which the wind has blown into a heap. I 'll spread them out on that. [He does so.] Buddha be praised! [He sits down.] Now I will repeat a hymn of the faith.

Who slays the Five Men, and the Female Bane, By whom protection to the Town is given, By whom the Outcaste impotent is slain, He cannot fail to enter into heaven. (2)

After all, what have I to do with heaven, before I have paid my debt to Vasantasena, my sister in Buddha? She bought my freedom for ten gold-pieces from the gamblers, and since that day I regard myself as her property. [He looks about.] What was that? a sigh that arose from the leaves? It cannot be.

The heated breezes heat the leaves, The wetted garment wets the leaves, And so, I guess, the scattered leaves Curl up like any other leaves. 46

[Vasantasena begins to recover consciousness, and stretches out her hand.]

P. 222.12]

Monk. Ah, there appears a woman's hand, adorned with beautiful gems. What! a second hand? [He examines it with the greatest care.] It seems to me, I recognize this hand. Yes, there is no doubt about it. Surely, this is the hand that saved me. But I must see for myself. [He uncovers the body, looks at it, and recognizes it.] It is my sister in Buddha. [Vasantasena pants for water.] Ah, she seeks water, and the pond is far away. What shall I do? An idea! I will hold this robe over her and let it drip upon her. [He does so. Vasantasena recovers consciousness, and raises herself. The monk fans her with his garment.]

Vasantasena. Who are you, sir?

Monk. Has my sister in Buddha forgotten him whose freedom she bought for ten gold-pieces?

Vasantasena. I seem to remember, but not just as you say. It were better that I had slept never to waken.

Monk. What happened here, sister in Buddha?

Vasantasena. [Despairingly.] Nothing but what is fitting—for a courtezan.

Monk. Sister in Buddha, support yourself by this creeper[82] that clings to the tree, and rise to your feet [He bends down the creeper. Vasantasena takes it in her hand, and rises.]

Monk. In yonder monastery dwells one who is my sister in the faith. There shall my sister in Buddha be restored before she returns home. You must walk very slowly, sister. [He walks about and looks around him.] Make way, good people, make way! This is a young lady, and I am a monk, yet my conduct is above reproach.

The man whose hands, whose lips are free from greed, Who curbs his senses, he is man indeed. He little recks, if kingdoms fall or stand; For heaven is in the hollow of his hand. 47

[Exeunt.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 72: An allusion to the practice by which the Buddhists induced a state of religious ecstasy.]

[Footnote 73: The five senses.]

[Footnote 74: Ignorance.]

[Footnote 75: The body.]

[Footnote 76: The conceit of individuality.]

[Footnote 77: Used as an appetiser.]

[Footnote 78: The elaborate puns of this passage can hardly be reproduced in a translation.]

[Footnote 79: See page 13.]

[Footnote 80: The four cardinal points, the four intermediate points, the zenith, and the nadir.]

[Footnote 81: The region of Yama, god of death.]

[Footnote 82: A monk may not touch a woman.]



ACT THE NINTH

THE TRIAL

[Enter a beadle.]

Beadle.

The magistrates said to me "Come, beadle, go to the court-room, and make ready the seats." So now I am on my way to set the court-room in order. [He walks about and looks around him.] Here is the court-room, I will enter. [He enters, sweeps, and puts a seat in its place.] There! I have tidied up the court-room and put the seats in readiness, and now I will go and tell the magistrates. [He walks about and looks around him.] But see! Here comes that arrant knave, the king's brother-in-law. I will go away without attracting his attention. [He stands apart. Enter Sansthanaka, in gorgeous raiment.]

Sansth.

I bathed where water runs and flows and purls; I shat within a garden, park, and grove With women, and with females, and with girls, Whose lovely limbs with grace angelic move. 1

My hair is shometimes done up tight, you shee; In locks, or curls, it hangs my forehead o'er; Shometimes 't is matted, shometimes hanging free; And then again, I wear a pompadour. I am a wonder, I'm a wondrous thing. And the husband of my shishter is the king. 2

And beshides, I 've found a big hole, like a worm that has crawled into the knot of a lotush-root, and is looking for a hole to creep out at. Now who was I going to accuse of thish wicked deed? [He recalls something.] Oh, yesh! I remember. I was going to accuse poor Charudatta of thish wicked deed. Beshides, he's poor. They 'll believe anything about him. Good! I 'll go to the court-room and lodge a public complaint against Charudatta, how he shtrangled Vasantasena and murdered her. Sho now I 'm on my way to the court-room. [He walks about and looks around him.] Here is the court-room. I 'll go in. [He enters and looks about.] Well, here are the sheats, all arranged. While I 'm waiting for the magishtrates, I 'll jusht sit down a minute on the grass. [He does so.]

P. 226.10]

Beadle. [Walks about in another direction, and looks before him.] Here come the magistrates. I will go to them. [He does so.]

[Enter the judge, accompanied by a gild-warden, a clerk, and others.]

Judge. Gild-warden and clerk!

Gild-warden and Clerk. We await your bidding.

Judge. A trial depends to such an extent upon others that the task of the magistrates—the reading of another's thoughts—is most difficult.

Men often speak of deeds that no man saw, Matters beyond the province of the law; Passion so rules the parties that their lies, Hide their offenses from judicial eyes; This side and that exaggerate a thing, Until at last it implicates the king; To sum it up: false blame is easy won, A true judge little praised, or praised by none. 3

And again:

Men often point to sins that no man saw, And in their anger scorn the patient law; In court-rooms even the righteous with their lies Hide their offenses from judicial eyes; And those who did the deed are lost to view, Who sinned with plaintiff and defendant too; To sum it up: false blame is easy won, A true judge little praised, or praised by none. 4

For the judge must be

Learned, and skilled in tracing fraud's sly path, And eloquent, insensible to wrath; To friend, foe, kinsman showing equal grace, Reserving judgment till he know the case; Untouched by avarice, in virtue sound. The weak he must defend, the knave confound; An open door to truth, his heart must cling To others' interests, yet shun each thing That might awake the anger of the king. 5

[137.94. S.

Gild-warden and Clerk. And do men speak of defects in your virtue? If so, then they speak of darkness in the moonlight.

Judge. My good beadle, conduct me to the court-room.

Beadle. Follow me, Your Honor. [They walk about.] Here is the court-room. May the magistrates be pleased to enter. [All enter.]

Judge. My good beadle, do you go outside and learn who desires to present a case.

Beadle. Yes, sir. [He goes out.] Gentlemen, the magistrates ask if there is any here who desires to present a case.

Sansthanaka. [Gleefully.] The magishtrates are here. [He struts about.] I desire to present a cashe, I, an arishtocrat, a man, a Vasudeva, the royal brother-in-law, the brother-in-law of the king.

Beadle. [In alarm.] Goodness! The king's brother-in-law is the first who desires to present a case. Well! Wait a moment, sir. I will inform the magistrates at once. [He approaches the magistrates.] Gentlemen, here is the king's brother-in-law who has come to court, desiring to present a case.

Judge. What! the king's brother-in-law is the first who desires to present a case? Like an eclipse at sunrise, this betokens the ruin of some great man. Beadle, the court will doubtless be very busy to-day. Go forth, my good man, and say "Leave us for to-day. Your suit cannot be considered."

Beadle. Yes, Your Honor. [He goes out, and approaches Sansthanaka.] Sir, the magistrates send word that you are to leave them for to-day; that your suit cannot be considered.

P. 229.13]

Sansthanaka. [Wrathfully.] Confound it! Why can't my shuit be conshidered? If it is n't conshidered, then I 'll tell my brother-in-law, King Palaka, my shishter's husband, and I 'll tell my shishter and my mother too, and I 'll have thish judge removed, and another judge appointed. [He starts to go away.]

Beadle. Oh, sir! Brother-in-law of the king! Wait a moment. I will inform the magistrates at once. [He returns to the Judge.] The brother-in-law of the king is angry, and says—[He repeats Sansthanaka's words.]

Judge. This fool might do anything. My good man, tell him to come hither, that his suit will be considered.

Beadle. [Approaching Sansthanaka.] Sir, the magistrates send word that you are to come in, that your suit will be considered. Pray enter, sir.

Sansthanaka. Firsht they shay it won't be conshidered, then they shay it will be conshidered. The magishtrates are shcared. Whatever I shay, I 'll make 'em believe it. Good! I 'll enter. [He enters and approaches the magistrates.] I am feeling very well, thank you. Whether you feel well or not—that depends on me.

Judge. [Aside.] Well, well! We seem to have a highly cultivated plaintiff. [Aloud.] Pray be seated.

Sansthanaka. Well! Thish floor belongs to me. I 'll sit down wherever I like. [To the gild-warden.] I'll sit here. [To the beadle.] Why should n't I sit here? [He lays his hand on the Judge's head.] I 'll sit here. [He sits down on the floor.]

Judge. You desire to present a case?

Sansthanaka. Of courshe.

Judge. Then state the case.

Sansthanaka. I 'll whishper it. I was born in the great family of a man as glorioush as a wine-glass.

My father's father of the king—in law; The king, he is my daddy's son-in-law; And I am brother to the king—in law; And the husband of my shishter is the king. 6

[140.1. S.

Judge. All this we know.

Why should you boast of this your noble birth? 'T is character that makes the man of worth; But thorns and weeds grow rank in fertile earth. 7

State your case.

Sansthanaka. I will, but even if I was guilty, he wouldn't do anything to me. Well, my shishter's husband liked me, and gave me the besht garden there is, the old garden Pushpakaranda, to play in and look after. And there I go every day to look at it, to keep it dry, to keep it clean, to keep it blosshoming, to keep it trimmed. But fate decreed that I shaw—or rather, I didn't shee—the proshtrate body of a woman.

Judge. Do you know who the unfortunate woman was?

Sansthanaka. Hello, magishtrates! Why shouldn't I know? A woman like that! the pearl of the city! adorned with a hundred golden ornaments! Shomebody's unworthy shon enticed her into the old garden Pushpakaranda when it was empty, and for a mere trifle—for her money!—shtrangled Vasantasena and killed her. But I didn't—[He breaks off, and puts his hand over his mouth.]

Judge. What carelessness on the part of the city police! Gild-warden and clerk, write down the words "I didn't," as the first article in the case.

Clerk. Yes, sir. [He does so.] Sir, it is written.

Sansthanaka. [Aside.] Goodnessh! Now I've ruined myshelf, like a man that shwallows a cake of rice and milk in a hurry. Well, I'll get out of it thish way. [Aloud.] Well, well, magishtrates! I was jusht remarking that I didn't shee it happen. What are you making thish hullabaloo about? [He wipes out the written words with his foot.]

P. 233.3]

Judge. How do you know that she was strangled—and for her money?

Sansthanaka. Hello! Why shouldn't I think sho, when her neck was shwollen and bare, and the places where you wear jewels did n't have any gold on them?

Gild-warden and Clerk. That seems plausible.

Sansthanaka. [Aside.] Thank heaven! I breathe again. Hooray!

Gild-warden and Clerk. Upon whom does the conduct of this case depend?

Judge. The case has a twofold aspect.

Gild-warden and Clerk. How so?

Judge. We have to consider the allegations, then the facts. Now the investigation of the allegations depends upon plaintiff and defendant. But the investigation of the facts must be carried out by the wisdom of the judge.

Gild-warden and Clerk. Then the conduct of the case depends upon the presence of Vasantasena's mother?

Judge. Precisely. My good beadle, summon Vasantasena's mother, without, however, giving her cause for anxiety.

Beadle. Yes, Your Honor. [He goes out, and returns with the mother of the courtezan.] Follow me, madam.

Mother. My daughter went to the house of a friend to enjoy her youth. But now comes this gentleman—long life to him!—and says "Come! The judge summons you." I find myself quite bewildered. My heart is palpitating. Sir, will you conduct me to the court-room?

Beadle. Follow me, madam. [They walk about.] Here is the court-room. Pray enter, madam. [They enter.]

Mother. [Approaching.] Happiness be yours, most worthy gentlemen.

Judge. My good woman, you are very welcome. Pray be seated.

[141.24. S.

Mother. Thank you. [She seats herself.]

Sansthanaka. [Abusively.] You 're here, are you, you old bawd?

Judge. Tell me. Are you Vasantasena's mother?

Mother. I am.

Judge. Whither has Vasantasena gone at this moment?

Mother. To the house of a friend.

Judge. What is the name of her friend?

Mother. [Aside.] Dear me! Really, this is very embarrassing. [Aloud.] Any one else might ask me this, but not a judge.

Judge. Pray do not be embarrassed. The conduct of the case puts the question.

Gild-warden and Clerk. The conduct of the case puts the question. You incur no fault. Speak.

Mother. What! the conduct of the case? If that is so, then listen, worthy gentlemen. There lives in the merchants' quarter the grandson of the merchant Vinayadatta, the son of Sagaradatta, a man whose name is a good omen in itself—that name is Charudatta. In his house my daughter enjoys her youth.

Sansthanaka. Did you hear that? Write those words down. My contention is with Charudatta.

Gild-warden and Clerk. It is no sin for Charudatta to be her friend.

Judge. The conduct of this case demands the presence of Charudatta.

Gild-warden and Clerk. Exactly.

Judge. Dhanadatta, write as the first article in the case "Vasantasena went to the house of Charudatta." But must we summon the worthy Charudatta also? No, the conduct of the case summons him. Go, my good beadle, summon Charudatta,—but gently, without haste, without giving him cause for anxiety, respectfully, as it were incidentally,—with the words "The judge wishes to see you."

P. 236.11]

Beadle. Yes, Your Honor. [He goes out, then returns with Charudatta.] Follow me, sir.

Charudatta. [Thoughtfully.]

My character and kin are known Unto the king who rules our state; And in this summons there is shown A doubt begotten of my wretched fate. 8

[Reflectively. Aside.]

Ah! Were there those, the man to recognize Who met me on the road, from bondage freed? Or did the king, who sees through cunning spies, Learn that my cart was lent him in his need? Why should I else be forced to tread the street, Like one accused of crime, my judge to meet? 9

But why consider thus? I must go to the court-room. My good beadle, conduct me to the court.

Beadle. Follow me, sir. [They walk about.]

Charudatta. [Apprehensively.] And what means this?

Hear how the gloomy raven hoarsely croaks; The slaves of justice summon me again; My left eye twitches; these repeated strokes Of threatened evil frighten me and pain. 10

Beadle. Follow me, sir, gently and without haste.

Charudatta. [Walks about and looks before him.]

Upon the withered tree, a crow Turns to the sun; His left eye falls on me. Ah, woe! My doubt is done. 11

[He looks in another direction.] But see! a snake!

His eye is fixed upon me; and his back Flashes like antimony's lustrous black; His long tongue quivers; four white fangs appear; His belly swells and coils. He slumbered here, This prince of serpents, till I crossed his path, And now he darts upon me in his wrath. 12

[143.21. S.

And more than this:

I slip, although the ground has felt no rain; My left eye, and my left arm throb again; Another bird is screaming overhead; All bodes a cruel death, and hope is fled. 13

Surely, the gods will grant that all may yet be well.

Beadle. Follow me, sir. Here is the court-room. Pray enter.

Charudatta. [Enters and looks about.] How wonderfully splendid is the court-room. For it seems an ocean,

Whose waters are the king's advisers, deep In thought; as waves and shells it seems to keep The attorneys; and as sharks and crocodiles It has its spies that stand in waiting files; Its elephants and horses[83] represent The cruel ocean-fish on murder bent; As if with herons of the sea, it shines With screaming pettifoggers' numerous lines; While in the guise of serpents, scribes are creeping Upon its statecraft-trodden shore: the court The likeness of an ocean still is keeping, To which all harmful-cruel beasts resort. 14

Come! [As he enters, he strikes his head against the door. Reflectively.] Alas! This also?

My left eye throbs; a raven cries; A serpent coils athwart my path. My safety now with heaven lies. 15

But I must enter. [He does so.]

P. 238.16]

Judge. This is Charudatta.

A countenance like his, with clear-cut nose, Whose great, wide-opened eye frank candor shows, Is not the home of wantonness; With elephants, with horses, and with kine, The outer form is inner habit's sign; With men no less. 16

Charudatta. My greetings to the officers of justice. Officials, I salute you.

Judge. [Betraying his agitation.] You are very welcome, sir. My good beadle, give the gentleman a seat.

Beadle. [Brings a seat.] Here is a seat. Pray be seated, sir. [Charudatta seats himself.]

Sansthanaka. [Angrily.] You're here, are you, you woman-murderer? Well! Thish is a fine trial, thish is a jusht trial, where they give a sheat to thish woman-murderer. [Haughtily.] But it's all right. They can give it to him.

Judge. Charudatta, have you any attachment, or affection, or friendship, with this lady's daughter?

Charudatta. What lady?

Judge. This lady. [He indicates Vasantasena's mother.]

Charudatta. [Rising.] Madam, I salute you.

Mother. Long life to you, my son! [Aside.] So this is Charudatta. My daughter's youth is in good hands.

Judge. Sir, is the courtezan your friend? [Charudatta betrays his embarrassment.]

Sansthanaka.

He tries to hide the deed he did; He lies, from shame or fear; He murdered her, of her got rid For gold, and thinks the deed is hid; Not sho his mashter here. 17

[145.18. S.

Gild-warden and Clerk. Speak, Charudatta. Do not be ashamed. This is a lawsuit.

Charudatta. [In embarrassment.] Officials, how can I testify that a courtezan is my friend? But at worst, it is youth that bears the blame, not character.

Judge.

The case is hard; then banish shame, Though it oppress your heart; Speak truth with fortitude, and aim To set deceit apart. 18

Do not be embarrassed. The conduct of the case puts the question.

Charudatta. Officer, with whom have I a lawsuit?

Sansthanaka. [Arrogantly.] With me!

Charudatta. A lawsuit with you is unendurable!

Sansthanaka. Well, well, woman-murderer! You murder a woman like Vasantasena who used to wear a hundred gems, and now you try deceitful deceivings to hide it!

Charudatta. You are a fool.

Judge. Enough of him, good Charudatta. Speak the truth. Is the courtezan your friend?

Charudatta. She is.

Judge. Sir, where is Vasantasena?

Charudatta. She has gone home.

Gild-warden and Clerk. How did she go? When did she go? Who accompanied her?

Charudatta. [Aside.] Shall I say that she went unobserved?

Gild-warden and Clerk. Speak, sir.

Charudatta. She went home. What more shall I say?

Sansthanaka. She was enticed into my old garden Pushpakaranda, and was shtrangled for her money. Now will you shay that she went home?

Charudatta. Man, you are crazy.

The very clouds of heaven wet not you; Your lips are like the blue-jay's wing-tip worn, Yes, full as fickle with their speech untrue, And like the winter lotus lustre-lorn. 19

P. 241.19]

Judge. [Aside.]

Take the Himalayan hills within your hand, And swim from ocean strand to ocean strand, And hold within your grasp the fleeting wind: Then may you think that Charudatta sinned. 20

[Aloud.] This is the noble Charudatta. How could he commit this crime? [He repeats the verse "A countenance like his:" page 141.]

Sansthanaka. Why thish partiality in a lawshuit?

Judge. Away, you fool!

Illiterate, you gloss the Sacred Law, And still your tongue uninjured find? The midday sun with steadfast eye you saw, And are not straightway stricken blind? You thrust your hand into the blazing fire, And draw it forth, unscathed and sound? Drag Charudatta's virtue in the mire, Nor sink beneath this yawning ground? 21

How could the noble Charudatta commit a crime?

Of all the riches of the mighty sea Only the swelling waters now are left, Because, without consideration, he— For others' good—himself of all has reft. And should this high-souled man, this store-house where All gems of virtue gather and unite, For lucre's sake, so foul a trespass dare That in it even his foe could not delight? 22

Mother. You scoundrel! When the golden casket that was left with him as a pledge was stolen by thieves at night, he gave in place of it a pearl necklace that was the pride of the four seas. And he should now, for a mere trifle—for her money!—do this sin? Oh, my child, come back to me, my daughter! [She weeps.]

[147.16. S.

Judge. Noble Charudatta, did she go on foot, or in a bullock-cart?

Charudatta. I did not see her when she went. Therefore I do not know whether she went on foot, or in a bullock-cart.

* * * * *

[Enter Viraka, in anger.]

Viraka.

My anger was so prodded to the quick, By that dishonoring, insulting kick, And so I brooded, till at last the night Unwilling yielded to the dawning light. 23

So now I will go to the court-room. [He enters.] May happiness be the lot of these honorable gentlemen.

Judge. Ah, it is Viraka, the captain of the guard. Viraka, what is the purpose of your coming?

Viraka. Well! I was looking for Aryaka, in all the excitement about his escape from prison. I had my suspicions about a covered bullock-cart that was coming, and wanted to look in. "You 've made one inspection, man, I must make another," said I, and then I was kicked by the highly respectable Chandanaka. You have heard the matter, gentlemen. The rest is your affair.

Judge. My good man, do you know to whom the bullock-cart belonged?

Viraka. To this gentleman here, Charudatta. And the driver said that Vasantasena was in it, and was on her way to have a good time in the old garden Pushpakaranda.

Sansthanaka. Lishten to that, too!

Judge.

This moon, alas, though spotless-bright, Is now eclipsed, and robbed of light; The bank is fallen; the waves appear Befouled, that once were bright and clear. 24

P. 244.8]

Viraka, we will investigate your case here later. Mount the horse that stands before the court-room door, go to the garden Pushpakaranda, and see whether a woman has perished there or not.

Viraka. Yes, sir. [He goes out, then returns.] I have been there. And I saw the body of a woman, torn by wild beasts.

Gild-warden and Clerk. How do you know that it was the body of a woman?

Viraka. That I perceived from the traces of hair and arms and hands and feet.

Judge. Alas for the difficulties which are caused by the actions of men!

The more one may apply his skill, The harder is the matter still; Plain are indeed the law's demands, Yet judgment insecurely stands As some poor cow on shifting sands. 25

Charudatta. [Aside.]

As bees, when flowers begin to blow, Gather to sip the honey, so When man is marked by adverse fate, Misfortunes enter every gate. 26

Judge. Noble Charudatta, speak truth!

Charudatta.

A mean and jealous creature, passion-blind, Sets all his soul, some fatal means to find To slay the man he envies; shall his lies By evil nature prompted, win the prize? No! he is unregarded by the wise. 27

And more than this:

The creeper's beauty would I never blight, Nor pluck its flowers; should I not be afraid To seize her hair so lovely-long, and bright As wings of bees, and slay a weeping maid? 28

[149.15. S.

Sansthanaka. Hello, magishtrates! How can you inveshtigate the cashe with such partiality? Why, even now you let thish shcoundrel Charudatta shtay on his sheat.

Judge. My good beadle, so be it [The beadle follows Sansthanaka's suggestion.]

Charudatta. Consider, magistrates, consider what you are doing! [He leaves his seat, and sits on the floor.]

Sansthanaka. [Dancing about gleefully. Aside.] Fine! The shin that I did falls on another man's head. Sho I 'll sit where Charudatta was. [He does so.] Look at me, Charudatta, and confessh that you murdered her.

Charudatta. Magistrates!

A mean and jealous creature, passion-blind, Sets all his soul, some fatal means to find To slay the man he envies; shall his lies, By evil nature prompted, win the prize? No! he is unregarded by the wise. (27)

[Sighing. Aside.]

My friend Maitreya! Oh, this cruel blow! My wife, thou issue of a spotless strain! My Rohasena! Here am I, laid low By sternest fate; and thou, thou dost not know That all thy childish games are played in vain. Thou playest, heedless of another's pain! 29

But Maitreya I sent to Vasantasena, that he might bring me tidings of her, and might restore the jewels which she gave my child, to buy him a toy cart. Why then does he linger?

* * * * *

[Enter Maitreya with the gems.]

P. 246.19]

Maitreya. Charudatta bade me go to Vasantasena, to return her jewels, and he said to me: "Maitreya, Vasantasena adorned my dear Rohasena with her own jewels, and sent him thus to his mother. It was fitting that she should give him the jewels, but not that we should receive them. Therefore restore them to her." So now I will go to Vasantasena's house. [He walks about and looks around, then speaks to a person behind the scenes.] Ah, it is Master Rebhila. Oh, Master Rebhila, why do you seem so exceedingly troubled? [He listens.] What! do you mean to say that my dear friend Charudatta has been summoned to court? That can hardly be an insignificant matter. [He reflects.] I will go to Vasantasena's house later, but now I will go to the court-room. [He walks about and looks around.] Here is the court-room. I will go in at once. [He enters.] May happiness be the lot of the magistrates. Where is my friend?

Judge. Here.

Maitreya. My friend, I wish you happiness.

Charudatta. It will be mine.

Maitreya. And peace.

Charudatta. That too will be mine.

Maitreya. My friend, why do you seem so exceedingly troubled? And why were you summoned?

Charudatta. My friend,

A scoundrel I, who bear the blame, Nor seek in heaven to be blest; A maid—or goddess—'t is the same— But he will say the rest. 30

Maitreya. What? what?

Charudatta. [Whispers.] That is it.

Maitreya. Who says that?

Charudatta. [Indicating Sansthanaka.] This poor fellow is the instrument that fate uses to accuse me.

[131.12. S.

Maitreya. [Aside to Charudatta.] Why don't you simply say that she went home?

Charudatta. Though I say it, it is not believed, so unfortunate is my condition.

Maitreya. But gentlemen! He adorned the city of Ujjayini with mansions, cloisters, parks, temples, pools, and fountains, and he should be mad enough to commit such a crime—and for a mere trifle? [Wrathfully.] You offspring of a loose wench, you brother-in-law of the king, Sansthanaka, you libertine, you slanderer, you buffoon, you gilded monkey, say it before me! This friend of mine does n't even draw a flowering jasmine creeper to himself, to gather the blossoms, for fear that a twig might perhaps be injured. How should he commit a crime like this, which heaven and earth call accursed? Just wait, you son of a bawd! Wait till I split your head into a hundred pieces with this staff of mine, as crooked as your heart.

Sansthanaka. [Angrily.] Lishten to that, gentlemen! I have a quarrel, or a lawshuit, with Charudatta. What right has a man with a pate that looks like a caret, to shplit my head into a hundred pieces? Not much! You confounded rashcal! [Maitreya raises his staff and repeats his words. Sansthanaka rises angrily and strikes him. Maitreya strikes back. During the scuffle the jewels fall from Maitreya's girdle.]

Sansthanaka. [Picks up the jewels and examines them. Excitedly.] Look, gentlemen, look! These are the poor girl's jewels! [Pointing to Charudatta.] For a trifle like thish he murdered her, and killed her too. [The magistrates all bow their heads.]

Charudatta. [Aside to Maitreya.]

'T is thus my fate would vent its gall, That at this moment they should fall, These gems—and with them, I. 31

Maitreya. But why don't you simply tell the truth?

P. 250.1]

Charudatta. My friend,

The king perceives with blinded eye, Nor on the truth that eye will bend; Though telling all, I cannot fly A wretched and inglorious end. 32

Judge. Alas! Alas!

With Mars strives Jupiter, and dies; Beside them both there seems to rise A comet-planet[84] in the skies. 33

Gild-warden and Clerk. [Looking at the casket. To Vasantasena's mother.] Madam, pray examine this golden casket attentively, to see whether it be the same or not.

Mother. [Examining the casket.] It is similar, but not the same.

Sansthanaka. Oh, you old bawd! You confessh it with your eyes, and deny it with your lips.

Mother. Away, you scoundrel!

Gild-warden and Clerk. Speak carefully. Is it the same or not?

Mother. Sir, the craftsman's skill captivates the eye. But it is not the same.

Judge. My good woman, do you know these jewels?

Mother. No, I said. No! I don't recognize them; but perhaps they were made by the same craftsman.

Judge. Gild-warden, see!

Gems often seem alike in many ways, When the artist's mind on form and beauty plays; For craftsmen imitate what they have seen, And skilful hands remake what once has been. 34

Gild-warden and Clerk. Do these jewels belong to Charudatta?

Charudatta. Never!

Gild-warden and Clerk. To whom then?

[153.12. S.

Charudatta. To this lady's daughter.

Gild-warden and Clerk. How did she lose them?

Charudatta. She lost them. Yes, so much is true.

Gild-warden and Clerk. Charudatta, speak the truth in this matter. For you must remember,

Truth brings well-being in its train; Through speaking truth, no evils rise; Truth, precious syllable!—Refrain From hiding truth in lies. 35

Charudatta. The jewels, the jewels! I do not know. But I do know that they were taken from my house.

Sansthanaka. Firsht you take her into the garden and murder her. And now you hide it by tricky trickinessh.

Judge. Noble Charudatta, speak the truth!

Merciless lashes wait to smite This moment on thy tender flesh; And we—we can but think it right. 36

Charudatta.

Of sinless sires I boast my birth, And sin in me was never found; Yet if suspicion taints my worth, What boots it though my heart be sound? 37

[Aside.] And yet I know not what to do with life, so I be robbed of Vasantasena. [Aloud.] Ah, why waste words?

A scoundrel I, who bear the blame, Nor think of earth, nor heaven blest; That sweetest maid, in passion's flame— But he will say the rest. 38

Sansthanaka. Killed her! Come, you shay it too. "I killed her."

Charudatta. You have said it.

Sansthanaka. Lishten, my mashters, lishten! He murdered her! No one but him! Doubt is over. Let punishment be inflicted on the body of thish poor Charudatta.

P. 253.1]

Judge. Beadle, we must do as the king's brother-in-law says. Guardsmen, lay hold on this Charudatta. [The guardsmen do so.]

Mother. Be merciful, good gentlemen, be merciful! [She repeats what she had said before, beginning "When the golden casket:" page 143.] If my daughter is killed, she is killed. Let him live for me—bless him! And besides, a lawsuit is a matter between plaintiff and defendant. I am the real plaintiff. So let him go free!

Sansthanaka. You shlave, get out of the way! What have you got to shay about him?

Judge. Go, madam. Guardsmen, conduct her forth.

Mother. Oh, my child, my son! [Exit weeping.

Sansthanaka. [Aside.] I 've done shomething worthy of myshelf. Now I 'll go. [Exit.

Judge. Noble Charudatta, the decision lies with us, but the rest depends on the king. And yet, beadle, let King Palaka be reminded of this:

The Brahman who has sinned, our laws declare, May not be slain, but banished from the realm, And with his wealth entire abroad may fare. 39

Beadle. Yes, Your Honor. [He goes out, then reenters in tears.] Oh, sirs, I was with the king. And King Palaka says: "Inasmuch as he killed Vasantasena for such a trifle, these same jewels shall be hung about his neck, the drum shall be beaten, he shall be conducted to the southern burying-ground, and there impaled." And whoever else shall commit such a crime, shall be punished with the like dreadful doom.

Charudatta. Oh, how wanton is this act of King Palaka! Nevertheless,

Although his counsellors may plunge a king Into injustice' dangers great, Yet he will reap the woe and suffering; And 't is a righteous fate. 40

[155.10. S.

And more than this:

They who pervert the king's true bent, The white crow's part who play, Have slain their thousands innocent, And slay, and slay, and slay. 41

My friend Maitreya, go, greet the mother of my son in my name for the last time. And keep my son Rohasena free from harm.

Maitreya. When the root is cut away, how can the tree be saved?

Charudatta. No, not so.

When man departs to worlds above, In living son yet liveth he; Bestow on Rohasena love No less than that thou gavest me. 42

Maitreya. Oh, my friend! I will prove myself your friend by continuing the life that you leave unfinished.

Charudatta. And let me see Rohasena for a single moment.

Maitreya. I will. It is but fitting.

Judge. My good beadle, remove this man. [The beadle does so.] Who is there? Let the headsmen receive their orders. [The guardsmen loose their hold on Charudatta, and all of them go out.]

Beadle. Come with me, sir.

Charudatta. [Mournfully repeats the verse, page 146, beginning "My friend Maitreya!" Then, as if speaking to one not present.]

If you had proved my conduct by the fire, By water, poison, scales, and thus had known That I deserved that saws should bite my bone, My Brahman's frame, more could I not desire. You trust a foeman, slay me thus? 'T is well. With sons, and sons' sons, now you plunge to hell! 43

I come! I come! [Exeunt omnes.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 83: Elephants were employed as executioners; and, according to Lalladiksita, the horses served the same purpose.]

[Footnote 84: This refers to the fallen jewels.]



ACT THE TENTH

THE END

[Enter Charudatta, accompanied by two headsmen.]

Headsmen.

Then think no longer of the pain; In just a second you 'll be slain. We understand the fashions new To fetter you and kill you too. In chopping heads we never fail, Nor when the victim we impale. 1

Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way! This is the noble Charudatta.

The oleander on his brow, In headsmen's hands you see him now; Like a lamp whose oil runs nearly dry, His light fades gently, ere it die. 2

Charudatta. [Gloomily.]

My body wet by tear-drops falling, falling; My limbs polluted by the clinging mud; Flowers from the graveyard torn, my wreath appalling; For ghastly sacrifice hoarse ravens calling, And for the fragrant incense of my blood. 3

Headsmen. Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way!

Why gaze upon the good man so? The ax of death soon lays him low. Yet good men once sought shelter free, Like birds, upon this kindly tree. 4

Come, Charudatta, come!

Charudatta. Incalculable are the ways of human destiny, that I am come to such a plight!

Red marks of hands in sandal paste O'er all my body have been placed; The man, with meal and powder strewn, Is now to beast of offering grown. 5

[157.19. S.

[He gazes intently before him.] Alas for human differences! [Mournfully.]

For when they see the fate that I must brave, With tears for death's poor victim freely given, The citizens cry "shame," yet cannot save,— Can only pray that I attain to heaven. 6

Headsmen. Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way! Why do you gaze upon him?

God Indra moving through the sky,[85] The calving cow, the falling star, The good man when he needs must die,— These four behold not from afar. 7

Goha. Look, Ahinta! Look, man!

While he, of citizens the best, Goes to his death at fate's behest, Does heaven thus weep that he must die? Does lightning paint the cloudless sky? 8

Ahinta. Goha, man,

The heaven weeps not that he must die, Nor lightning paints the cloudless sky; Yet streams are falling constantly From many a woman's clouded eye. 9

And again:

While this poor victim to his death is led, No man nor woman here but sorely weeps; And so the dust, by countless tear-drops fed, Thus peacefully upon the highway sleeps. 10

Charudatta. [Gazes intently. Mournfully.]

These women, in their palaces who stay, From half-shut windows peering, thus lament, "Alas for Charudatta! Woe the day!" And pity-streaming eyes on me are bent. 11

P. 258.12]

Headsmen. Come, Charudatta, come! Here is the place of proclamation. Beat the drum and proclaim the sentence.

Listen, good people, listen! This is the noble Charudatta, son of Sagaradatta, and grandson of the merchant Vinayadatta. This malefactor enticed the courtezan Vasantasena into the deserted old garden Pushpakaranda, and for a mere trifle murdered her by strangling. He was taken with the booty, and confessed his guilt. Therefore are we under orders from King Palaka to execute him. And if any other commit such a crime, accursed in this world and the next, him too King Palaka condemns to the like punishment.

Charudatta. [Despondently. Aside.]

By hundred sacrifices purified, My radiant name Was once proclaimed by countless altars' side, And knew no blame. Now comes my hour of death, and evil men Of baser fame In public spots proclaim it once again, But linked with shame. 12