MRCCHAKATIKA THE LITTLE CLAY CART by Sudrakah -4

64 ACT THE FOURTH [64.ies.

Nevertheless, your suggestion is inconsistent with prudence. You

must discover some other plan.

Madanika. Yes, there is another plan.

Vasantasen^. I wonder what it will be.

Madanik^. Pretend to be a servant of that gentleman, and give

the jewels to my mistress.

Sharvilaka. And what then?

Madanikft. Then you are no thief, Charudatta has discharged his

obligation, and my mistress has her jewels.

Sharvilaka. But isn't this course too reckless?

Madanika. I tell you, give them to her. Any other course is too

reckless.

Vasantasena. Good, Madanika, good! Spoken like a free woman.

Sharvilaka. Risen at last is wisdom's light,

Because I followed after you;

When clouds obscure the moon by night,

'T is hard to find a guide so true. 21

Madanika. Then you must wait here a moment in Kama's shrine,

while I tell my mistress that you have come.

Sharvilaka. I will.

Madanikci. [Approaches Vasantasena.] Mistress, a Brahman has

come from Charudatta to see you.

Vasantasen^. But girl, how do you know that he comes from

Charudatta?

Madanika. Should I not know my own, mistress ?

Vasantasena. [Shaking her head and smiling. Aside.] Splendid !

[Aloud.] Bid him enter.

Madanikd,. Yes, mistress. [Approaching Sharvilaka.] Enter, Sharvilaka.

Sharvilaka. [Approaches. With some embarrassment.'] My greetings

to you.

P. no.8] MADANIKA AND SHARVILAKA 65

Vasantasena. I salute you, sir. Pray be seated.

Sharvilaka. The merchant sends this message: "My house is so

old that it is hard to keep this casket safe. Pray take it back."

[He gives it to Madanika, and sta?*ts to leave.]

Vasantasena. Sir, will you undertake a return commission of mine ?

Sharvilaka. [Aside.] Who will carry it? [Aloud.'] And this commission

is

Vasantasena. You will be good enough to accept Madanika.

Sharvilaka. Madam, I do not quite understand.

Vasantasena. But I do.

Sharvilaka. How so?

Vasantasena. Charudatta told me that I was to give Madanika to

the man who should return these jewels. You are therefore to

understand that he makes you a present of her.

Sharvilaka. [Aside.] Ah, she sees through me. [Aloud.] Good,

Charudatta, good!

On virtue only set your heart's desire;

The righteous poor attain to heights whereto

The wicked wealthy never may aspire. 22

And again:

On virtue let the human heart be set;

To virtue nothing serves as check or let.

The moon, attaining unattainable, is led

By virtue to her seat on Shiva's head. 23

Vasantasena. Is my driver there? [Enter a servant with a bullockcart.]

Servant. Mistress, the cart is ready.

Vasantasena. Madanika girl, you must show me a happy face.

You are free. Enter the bullock-cart. But do not forget me.

Madanikft. [ Weeping] My mistress drives me away. [Shefalls at

herfeet]

Vasantasena. You are now the one to whom honor should be

66 ACT THE FOURTH [w.u s.

paid.

1 Go then, enter the cart. But do not forget me.

Sharvilaka. Heaven bless you ! and you, Madanika,

Turn upon her a happy face,

And hail with bended head the grace

That gives you now the name of wife,

As a veil to keep you safe through life. 24

[He enters the bullock-cart with Madanikft, 'and starts away.']

A voice behind the scenes. Men! Men! We have the following

orders from the chief of police: "A soothsayer has declared that

a young herdsman named Aryaka is to become king. Trusting to

this prophecy, and alarmed thereat, King Palaka has taken him

from his hamlet, and thrown him into strict confinement. Therefore

be watchful, and every man at his post."

Sharvilaka. [Listening.'] What! King Palaka has imprisoned my

good friend Aryaka? And here I am, a married man. Confound it!

But no,

Two things alone his friend, his wife

Deserve man's love below;

A hundred brides may forfeit life

Ere he should suffer so. 25

Good ! I will get out. [He does so.]

Madanika. [Folding her hands. Tearfully.'] My lord, if you must,

at least bring me first to your parents.

Sharvilaka. Yes, my love, I will. I had the same thought in mind.

[To the servant."] My good fellow, do you know the house of the

merchant Rebhila?

Servant. Certainly.

Sharvilaka. Bring my wife thither.

Servant. Yes, sir.

Madanikft. If you desire it, dear. But dear, you must be very

careful. [Exit.

1 That is to say, You are now a legal wife, while I am still a courtezan.

P. H3.6] MADANIKA AND SHARVILAKA 67

Sharvilaka. Now as for me,

I '11 rouse my kin, the kitchen cabinet,

Those high in fame by strength of good right arm,

And those who with the king's contempt have met,

And royal slaves, to save my friend from harm:

Like old Yaugandharayana

For the good king Udayana. 26

And again:

My friend has causeless been confined

By wicked foes of timid kind ;

I fly, I fly to free him soon,

Like the eclipse-oppressed moon. [Exit] 27

Maid. [Entering.] Mistress, I congratulate you. A Brahman has

come with a message from Charudatta.

Vasantasena. Ah, this is a joyful day. Show him every mark of

respect, girl, and have him conducted hither by one of the pages.

Maid. Yes, mistress. [Exit.

[Enter Maitreya with a page.]

Maitreya. Well ! Havana, the king of the demons, travels with his

chariot that they call the "Blossom." He earned it by his penances.

Now I am a Brahman, and though I never performed any penances,

I travel with another sort of a blossom a woman of the town.

Maid. Sir, will you inspect our gateway.

Maitreya. [Gazes admiringly.] It has just been sprinkled and

cleaned and received a coat of green. The threshold of it is pretty

as a picture with the offerings of all sorts of fragrant flowers. It

stretches up its head as if it wanted to peep into the sky. It is

adorned with strings of jasmine garlands that hang down and toss

about like the trunk of the heavenly elephant. It shines with its

high ivory portal. It is lovely with any number of holiday banners

that gleam red as great rubies and wave their coquettish fingers as

68 ACT THE FOURTH [us.

they flutter in the breeze and seem to invite me to enter. Both

sides are decorated with holiday water-jars of crystal, which are

charming with their bright-green mango twigs, and are set at the

foot of the pillars that sustain the portal. The doors are of gold,

thickly set with diamonds as hard to pierce as a giant's breast.

It actually wearies a poor devil's envy. Yes, Vasantasena's housedoor

is a beautiful thing. Really, it forcibly challenges the attention

of a man who does n't care about such things.

Maid. Come, sir, and enter the first court.

Maitreya. [Enters and looks about.'] Well! Here in the first court

are rows of balconies brilliant as the moon, or as sea-shells, or as

lotus-stalks; whitened by handfuls of powder strewn over them;

gleaming with golden stairways inlaid with all sorts of gems : they

seem to gaze down on Ujjayini with their round faces, the crystal

windows, from which strings of pearls are dangling. The porter sits

there and snoozes as comfortably as a professor. The crows which

they tempt with rice-gruel and curdled milk will not eat the

offering, because they can't distinguish it from the mortar. Show

me the way, madam.

Maid. Come, sir, and enter the second court.

Maitreya. [Enters and looks about.] Well! Here in the second

court the cart-bullocks are tied. They grow fat on mouthfuls of

grass and pulse-stalks which are brought them, right and left, by

everybody. Their horns are smeared with oil. And here is another,

a buffalo, snorting like a gentleman insulted. And here is a ram1

having his neck rubbed, like a prize-fighter after the fight. And

here are others, horses having their manes put in shape. And here

in a stall is another, a monkey, tied fast like a thief. [He looks in

another direction.] And here is an elephant, taking from his drivers

a cake of rice and drippings and oil. Show me the way, madam.

Maid. Come, sir, and enter the third court.

Maitreya. [Enters and looks about.'} Well ! Here in the third court

1 "Rams in India are commonly trained to fight.'* WILSON.

P. H7.4] MADANIKA AND SHARVILAKA 69

are these seats, prepared for young gentlemen to sit on. A halfread

book is lying on the gaming-table. And the table itself has

its own dice, made out of gems. And here, again, are courtezans

and old hangers-on at court, past masters in the war and peace of

love, wandering about and holding in their fingers pictures painted

in many colors. Show me the way, madam.

Maid. Come, sir, and enter the fourth court.

Maitreya. [Enters and looks about.] Well! Here in the fourth

court the drums that maiden fingers beat are booming like the

thunder ; the cymbals are falling, as the stars fall from heaven when

their merit is exhausted;1 the pipe is discoursing music as sweet

as the humming of bees. And here, again, is a lute that somebody

is holding on his lap like a girl who is excited by jealousy and

love, and he is stroking it with his fingers. And here, again, are

courtezan girls that sing as charmingly as honey-drunken bees,

and they are made to dance and recite a drama with love in it.

And water-coolers are hanging in the windows so as to catch the

breeze. Show me the way, madam.

Maid. Come, sir, and enter the fifth court.

Maitreya. [Enters and looks about.] Well! Here in the fifth court

the overpowering smell of asafetida and oil is attractive enough

to make a poor devil's mouth water. The kitchen is kept hot all

the time, and the gusts of steam, laden with all sorts of good

smells, seem like sighs issuing from its mouth-like doors. The

smell of the preparation of all kinds of foods and sauces makes me

smack my lips. And here, again, is a butcher's boy washing a mess

of chitterlings as if it were an old loin-cloth. The cook is preparing

every kind of food. Sweetmeats are being constructed, cakes

are being baked. [To himself.] I wonder if I am to get a chance to

wash my feet and an invitation to eat what I can hold. [He looks

in another direction.] There are courtezans and bastard pages,

1 Virtuous souls after death may become stars ; but when their stellar happiness equals the

sum of their acquired merit, they fall to earth again.

70 ACT THE FOURTH [70.13 s.

adorned with any number of jewels, just like Gandharvas l and

Apsarases.

2

Really, this house is heaven. Tell me, who are you

bastards anyway?

Pages. Why, we are bastard pages

Petted in a stranger's court,

Fed on stranger's food,

Stranger's money makes us sport

Not so very good.

Stranger women gave us birth,

Stranger men begot;

Baby elephants in mirth,

We 're a bastard lot. 28

Maitreya. Show me the way, madam.

Maid. Come, sir, and enter the sixth court.

Maitreya. [Enters and looks about] Well! Here in the sixth

court they are working in gold and jewels. The arches set with

sapphires look as if they were the home of the rainbow. The jewelers

are testing the lapis lazuli, the pearls, the corals, the topazes,

the sapphires, the cat's-eyes, the rubies, the emeralds, and all the

other kinds of gems. Rubies are being set in gold. Golden ornaments

are being fashioned. Pearls are being strung on a red cord.

Pieces of lapis lazuli are being cleverly polished. Shells are being

pierced. Corals are being ground. Wet bundles of saffron are being

dried. Musk is being moistened. Sandalwood is being ground

to make sandal-water. Perfumes are being compounded. Betelleaves

and camphor are being given to courtezans and their lovers.

Coquettish glances are being exchanged. Laughter is going on.

Wine is being drunk incessantly with sounds of glee. Here are

men-servants, here are maid-servants, and here are men who forget

child and wife and money. When the courtezans, who have

drunk the wine from the liquor-jars, give them the mitten, they

drink. Show me the way, madam.

1 The choristers of heaven. 2 The nymphs of heaven.

P. 191.5] MADANIKA AND SHARVILAKA 71

Maid. Come, sir, and enter the seventh court.

Maitreya. [Enters and looks about.] Well! Here in the seventh

court the mated doves are sitting comfortably in their snug dovecotes,

billing and cooing and nothing else, and perfectly happy.

And there is a parrot in a cage, chanting like a Brahman with a

bellyful of curdled milk and rice. And here, again, is a talking

thrush, chattering like a housemaid who spreads herself because

somebody noticed her. A cuckoo, her throat still happy from tasting

all sorts of fruit-syrups, is cooing like a procuress. Rows of

cages are hanging from pegs. Quails are being egged on to fight.

Partridges are being made to talk. Caged pigeons are being provoked.

A tame peacock that looks as if he was adorned with all

sorts of gems is dancing happily about, and as he flaps his wings,

he seems to be fanning the roof which is distressed by the rays

of the sun. [He looks in another direction.] Here are pairs of flamingos

like moonbeams rolled into a ball, that wander about after

pretty girls, as if they wanted to learn how to walk gracefully.

And here, again, are tame cranes, walking around like ancient

eunuchs. Well, well ! This courtezan keeps a regular menagerie of

birds. Really, the courtezan's house seems to me like Indra's heaven.

Show me the way, madam.

Maid. Come, sir, and enter the eighth court.

Maitreya. [Enters and looks about.'] Madam, who is this in the

silk cloak, adorned with such astonishingly tautologous ornaments,

who wanders about, stumbling and stretching his limbs ?

Maid. Sir, this is my mistress' brother.

Maitreya. What sort of ascetic exercises does a man have to perform,

in order to be born as Vasantasena/s brother ? But no,

He may be shiny, may be greasy,

And perfumed may he be.

And yet I warn you to go easy;

He 's a graveyard champak-tree. 29

72 ACT THE FOURTH [rws.

[He looks in another direction.] But madam, who is that in the

expansive garment, sitting on the throne? She has shoes on her

greasy feet.

Maid. Sir, that is my mistress' mother.

Maitreya. Lord ! What an extensive belly the dirty old witch has

got ! I suppose they could n't put that superb portal on the house

till after they had brought the idol in?

Maid. Rascal ! You must not make fun of our mother so. She is

pining away under a quartan ague.

Maitreya. [Bursts out laughing.'] O thou blessdd quartan ague!

Look thou upon a Brahman, even upon me, with this thy favor 1

Maid. Rascal! May death strike you.

Maitreya. [Bursts out laughing.'] Why, wench, a pot-belly like

that is better dead.

Drinking brandy, rum, and wine,

Mother fell extremely ill.

If mother now should peak and pine,

A jackal-pack would have its fill. 30

Well, I have seen Vasantasena's palace with its many incidents

and its eight courts, and really, it seems as if I had seen the triple

heaven in a nut-shell. I have n't the eloquence to praise it. Is this

the house of a courtezan, or a piece of Kubera's l palace? Where 's

your mistress?

Maid. She is here in the orchard. Enter, sir.

Maitreya. [Enters and looks about.] Well! What a beautiful orchard!

There are any number of trees planted here, and they are

covered with the most wonderful flowers. Silken swings are hung

under the thick-set trees, just big enough for a girl to sit in. The

golden jasmine, the shephalika, the white jasmine, the jessamine,

the navamallika, the amaranth, the spring creeper, and all the other

flowers have fallen of themselves, and really, it makes Indra's hea-

1 The god of wealth.

P. 126.7] MADANIKA AND SHARVILAKA 73

ven look dingy. [He looks in another direction.] And the pond here

looks like the morning twilight, for the lilies and red lotuses are

as splendid as the rising sun. And again:

The ashoka-tree, whose twigs so merry

And crimson flowers have just appeared,

Seems like a battling mercenary,

With clotting crimson gore besmeared. 31

Good! Now where's your mistress?

Maid. If you would stop star-gazing, sir, you would see her.

Maitreya. [Perceives Vasantasenft and approaches.] Heaven bless

you!

Vasantasenft. [Speaking in Sanskrit.1

} Ah, Maitreya! [Rising.} You

are very welcome. Here is a seat. Pray be seated.

Maitreya. When you are seated, madam, [They both seat themselves.}

J^asantasena. Is the merchant's son well?

Maitreya. Well, madam.

Vasantasenft. Tell me, good Maitreya,

Do friends, like birds, yet seek a shelter free

Beneath the modest boughs of this fair tree,

Whose leaves are virtues, confidence its root,

Its blossoms honor, good its precious fruit? 32

Maitreya. [Aside.} A good description by a naughty woman.

[Aloud.} They do, indeed.

Vasantasenft. Tell me, what is the purpose of your coming?

Maitreya. Listen, madam. The excellent Charudatta folds his

hands 2 and requests

FasantasenSt. [Folding her hands.} And commands

Maitreya. He says he imagined that that golden casket was his

own and gambled it away. And nobody knows where the gambling-

1 This shows the excellence of Vasantasena's education. Women, as an almost invariable rule,

speak Prakrit. 2 A gesture of respectful entreaty.

74 ACT THE FOURTH [74.93.

master has gone, for he is employed in the king's business.

Maid. Mistress, I congratulate you. The gentleman has turned

gambler.

Vasantasena. [Aside.'] It was stolen by a thief, and he is so proud

that he says he gambled it away. I love him for that.

Maitreya. He requests that you will therefore be good enough to

accept in its place this necklace of pearls.

Vasantasena. [Aside.] Shall I show him the jewels? [Reflecting.']

No, not yet.

Maitreya. Why don't you take this necklace ?

Vasantasena. {Lauglis and looks at herfriend.'} Why should I not

take the necklace, Maitreya? [She takes it and lays it away. Aside. ~]

How is it possible that drops of honey fall from the mango-tree,

even after its blossoms are gone? [Aloud.] Sir, pray tell the worthy

gambler Charudatta in my name that I shall pay him a visit this

evening.

Maitreya. [Aside.] What else does she expect to get out of a visit

to our house? [Aloud.] Madam, I will tell him [aside] to have

nothing more to do with this courtezan. [Exit.

Vasantasena. Take these jewels, girl. Let us go and bring cheer

to Charudatta.

Maid. But mistress, see ! An untimely storm is gathering.

Vasant. The clouds may come, the rain may fall forever,

The night may blacken in the sky above;

For this I care not, nor I will not waver;

My heart is journeying to him I love. 33

Take the necklace, girl, and come quickly. [Exeunt omnes.

ACT THE FIFTH

THE STORM

[The love-lorn Ch&rudatta appears, seated.]

Ch&rudatta. [Looks up.]

AN untimely storm 1 is gathering. For see!

-* * The peacocks gaze and lift their fans on high ;

The swans forget their purpose to depart ;

The untimely storm afflicts the blackened sky,

And the wistful lover's heart. 1

And again :

The wet bull's belly wears no deeper dye ;

In flashing lightning's golden mantle clad,

While cranes, his buglers, make the heaven glad,

The cloud, a second Vishnu,2 mounts the sky. 2

And yet again:

As dark as Vishnu's form, with circling cranes

To trumpet him, instead of bugle strains,

And garmented in lightning's silken robe,

Approaches now the harbinger of rains. 8

When lightning's lamp is lit, the silver river

Impetuous falls from out the cloudy womb ;

Like severed lace from heaven-cloaking gloom,

It gleams an instant, then is gone forever. 4

Like shoaling fishes, or like dolphins shy,

Or like to swans, toward heaven's vault that fly,

Like paired flamingos, male and mate together,

Like mighty pinnacles that tower on high,

1 In Indian love-poetry, the rainy season is the time when lovers most ardently long to be

united. a In allusion to Vishnu's name, Krishna, "black."

76 ACT THE FIFTH [T6.20S.

In thousand forms the tumbling clouds embrace,

Though torn by winds, they gather, interlace,

And paint the ample canvas of the sky. 5

The sky is black as Dhritarashtra's face;

Proud as the champion of Kuru's race,

The haughty peacock shrills his joy abroad ;

The cuckoo, in Yudhishthira's sad case,

Is forced to wander if he would not die;

The swans must leave their forest-homes and fly,

Like Pandu's sons, to seek an unknown place. 6

[Reflecting.] It is long since Maitreya went to visit Vasantasena.

And even yet he does not come. [Enter Maitreya.']

Maitreya. Confound the courtezan's avarice and her incivility 1 To

think of her making so short a story of it! Over and over she

repeats something about the affection she feels, and then without

more ado she pockets the necklace. She is rich enough so that

she might at least have said :

" Good Maitreya, rest a little. You

must not go until you have had a cup' to drink." Confound the

courtezan! I hope 111 never set eyes on her again. [Wearily.']

The proverb is right.

" It is hard to find a lotus-plant without a

root, a merchant who never cheats, a goldsmith who never steals,

a village-gathering without a fight, and a courtezan without avarice."

Well, I '11 find my friend and persuade him to have nothing

more to do with this courtezan. [He walks about until he discovers

Charudatta.] Ah, my good friend is sitting in the orchard. 1 11

go to him. [Approaching.'] Heaven bless you! May happiness be

yours.

Charudatta. [Looking up.] Ah, my friend Maitreya has returned.

You are very welcome, my friend. Pray be seated.

Maitreya. Thank you.

Charudatta. Tell me of your errand, my friend.

Maitreya. My errand went all wrong.

P. 132.8] THE STORM 77

Charudatta. What! did she not accept the necklace?

Maitreya. How could we expect such a piece of luck? She put

her lotus-tender hands to her brow,1 and took it.

Charudatta. Then why do you say "went wrong"?

Maitreya. Why not, when we lost a necklace that was the pride

of the four seas for a cheap golden casket, that was stolen before

we had a bite or a drink out of it ?

Charudatta. Not so, my friend.

She showed her trust in leaving us her treasure ;

The price of confidence has no less measure. 7

Maitreya. Now look here ! I have a second grievance. She tipped

her friend the wink, covered her face with the hem of her dress,

and laughed at me. And so, Brahman though I am, I hereby fall

on my face before you and beg you not to have anything more

to do with this courtezan. That sort of society does any amount

of damage. A courtezan is like a pebble in your shoe. It hurts

before you get rid of it. And one thing more, my friend. A courtezan,

an elephant, a scribe, a mendicant friar, a swindler, and an

ass where these dwell, not even rogues are born.

Charudatta. Oh, my friend, a truce to all your detraction! My

poverty of itself prevents me. For consider :

The horse would gladly hasten here and there,

But his legs fail him, for his breath departs.

So men's vain wishes wander everywhere,

Then, weary grown, return into their hearts. 8

Then too, my friend:

If wealth is thine, the maid is thine,

For maids are won by gold ;

[Aside. And not by virtue cold. Aloud.]

But wealth is now no longer mine,

And her I may not hold. 9

1 A gesture of respect.

78 ACT THE FIFTH

Maitreya. [Looks down. Aside.] From the way he looks up and

sighs, I conclude that my effort to distract him has simply increased

his longing. The proverb is right. "You can't reason with

a lover." [Aloud.] Well, she told me to tell you that she would

have to come here this evening. I suppose she is n't satisfied with

the necklace and is coming to look for something else.

Charudatta. Let her come, my friend. She shall not depart unsatisfied.

[Enter Kumbhilaka]

Kumbhllaka. Listen, good people.

The more it rains in sheets,

The more my skin gets wet;

The more the cold wind beats,

The more I shake and fret. 10

[He bursts out laughing.]

I make the sweet flute speak from seven holes,

I make the loud lute speak on seven strings ;

In singing, I essay the donkey's roles :

No god can match my music when he sings. 11

My mistress Vasantasena said to me "Kumbhllaka, go and tell

Charudatta that I am coming." So here I am, on my way to Charudatta's

house. [He walks about, and, as he enters, discovers Charudatta.]

Here is Charudatta in the orchard. And here is that

wretched jackanapes, too. Well, I'll go up to them. What! the

orchard-gate is shut? Good! I'll give this jackanapes a hint. [He

throws lumps of mud.]

Maitreya. Well ! Who is this pelting me with mud, as if I were

an apple-tree inside of a fence?

Charudatta. Doubtless the pigeons that play on the roof of the

garden-house.

Maitreya. Wait a minute, you confounded pigeon! With this

stick I '11 bring you down from the roof to the ground, like an

over-ripe mango. [He raises his stick and starts to run]

P. 136.8] THE STORM 79

Ch&rudatta. [Holding1 him back by the sacred cord.] Sit down, my

friend. What do you mean ? Leave the poor pigeon alone with his

mate.

Kumbhllaka. What ! he sees the pigeon and doesn't see me ? Good!

I '11 hit him again with another lump of mud. [He does so.]

Maitreya. [Looks about him.~] What! Kumbhllaka? I'll be with you

in a minute. [He approaches and opens the gate.] Well, Kumbhllaka,

come in. I 'm glad to see you.

Kumbhllaka. [Enters.] I salute you, sir.

Maitreya. Where do you come from, man, in this rain and darkness?

Kumbhllafca. You see, she's here.

Maitreya. Who's she? Who's here?

Kumbhllafca. She. See? She.

Maitreya. Look here, you son of a slave ! What makes you sigh

like a half-starved old beggar in a famine, with your "shesheshe"?

Kumbhllafca. And what makes you hoot like an owl with your

"whowhowho"?

Maitreya. All right. Tell me.

Kumbkilaka. [Aside.] Suppose I say it this way. [Aloud.] I'll give

you a riddle, man.

Maitreya. And I'll give you the answer with my foot on your

bald spot.

Kumbhllaka. Not till you've guessed it. In what season do the

mango-trees blossom?

Maitreya. In summer, you jackass.

Kumbhllaka. [Laughing.] Wrong!

Maitreya. [Aside.] What shall I say now? [Reflecting.] Good! I'll

go and ask Charudatta. [Aloud.] Just wait a moment. [Approaching

Charudatta.] My friend, I just wanted to ask you in what

season the mango-trees blossom.

80 ACT THE FIFTH [si.ss.

Charudatta. You fool, in spring, in vasanta.

Maitreya. [Returns to Kumbhllaka.] You fool, in spring, in vasanta.

Kumbhllaka. Now 1 11 give you another. Who guards thriving

villages ?

Maitreya. Why, the guard.

Kumbhllaka. [Laughing.] Wrong!

Maitreya. Well, I 'm stuck. [Reflecting.'] Good! I '11 ask Charudatta

again. [He returns and puts the question to Charudatta.]

Charudatta. The army, my friend, the send,.

Maitreya. [Comes back to Kumbhllaka.] The army, you jackass, the

sena.

Kumbhllaka. Now put the two together and say 'em fast.

Maitreya. Sena-vasanta.

Kumbhllaka. Say it turned around.

Maitreya. [Turns around.] Sena-vasanta.

Kumbhllaka. You fool ! you jackanapes ! Turn the parts of the thing

around!

Maitreya. [Turns hisfeet around.] Sena-vasanta.

Kumbhllaka. You fool ! Turn the parts of the word around !

Maitreya. [After reflection] Vasanta-sena,

Kumbhllaka. She 's here.

Maitreya. Then I must tell Charudatta. {Approaching] Well,

Charudatta, your creditor is here.

Charudatta. How should a creditor come into my family?

Maitreya. Not in the family perhaps, but at the door. Vasantasena

is here.

Charudatta. Why do you deceive me, my friend?

Maitreya. If you can't trust me, then ask Kumbhllaka here.

Kumbhllaka, you jackass, come here.

P. 140.4] THE STORM 81

Kumbhilaka. [Approaching.] I salute you, sir.

Chftrudatta. You are welcome, my good fellow. Tell me, is Vasantasena

really here?

Kumbhilaka. Yes, she 's here. Vasantasena is here.

Charudatta. [Joyfully.] My good fellow, 1 have never let the

bearer of welcome news go unrewarded. Take this as your recompense.

[He gives him his mantle.]

Kumbhilaka. [Takes it and bows. Gleefully>.] I '11 tell my mistress.

[Exit.

Maitreya. Do you see why she comes in a storm like this?

Charudatta. I do not quite understand, my friend.

Maitreya. I know. She has an idea that the pearl necklace is

cheap, and the golden casket expensive. She isn't satisfied, and

she has come to look for something more.

Charudatta. [Aside.] She shall not depart unsatisfied.

[Then enter the love-lorn Vasantasena^ in a splendid garment, jit

for a woman who goes to meet her lover, a maid with an umbrella,

and the courtier.'}

Courtier. [Referring to Vasantasena.]

Lakshmi 1 without the lotus-flower is she,

Loveliest arrow of god Kama's bow,2

The sweetest blossom on love's magic tree.

See how she moves, so gracefully and slow!

In passion's hour she still loves modesty;

In her, good wives their dearest sorrow know.

When passion's drama shall enacted be,

When on love's stage appears the passing show,

A host of wanderers shall bend them low,

Glad to be slaves in such captivity. 12

1 The goddess of wealth and beauty, usually represented with a lotus.

8 Kama's (Cupid's) arrows are flowers.

82 ACT THE FIFTH [82.24 s.

See, Vasantasena, see!

The clouds hang drooping to the mountain peaks,

Like a maiden's heart, that distant lover seeks:

The peacocks startle, when the thunder booms,

And fan the heaven with all their jeweled plumes. 13

And again:

Mud-stained, and pelted by the streaming rain,

To drink the falling drops the frogs are fain ;

Full-throated peacocks love's shrill passion show,

And nlpa flowers like brilliant candles glow;

Unfaithful clouds obscure the hostage moon,

Like knaves, unworthy of so dear a boon;

Like some poor maid of better breeding bare,

The impatient lightning rests not anywhere. 14

Vasantasena.1

Sir, what you say is most true. For

The night, an angry rival, bars my way;

Her thunders fain would check and hinder me:

"Fond fool! with him I love thou shalt not stay,

'T is I, 't is I, he loves," she seems to say,

"Nor from my swelling bosom shall he flee." 15

Courtier. Yes, yes. That is right. Scold the night.

Vasantasena. And yet, sir, why scold one who is so ignorant of

woman's nature? For you must remember:

The clouds may rain, may thunder ne'er so bold,

May flash the lightning from the sky above;

That woman little recks of heat or cold,

Who journeys to her love. 16

Courtier. But see, Vasantasena! Another cloud,

Sped by the fickle fury of the air

A flood of arrows in his rushing streams,

His drum, the roaring thunder's mighty blare,

His banner, living lightning's awful gleams

1 Throughout this scene, Vasantasena's verses are in Sanskrit. Compare note 1 on page 73.

P. i4fl.9] THE STORM 83

Rages within the sky, and shows him bold

'Mid beams that to the moon allegiance owe,

Like a hero-king within the hostile hold

Of his unwarlike foe. 17

Vasantasena. True, true. And more than this:

As dark as elephants, these clouds alone

Fall like a cruel dart

With streaks of lightning and with white birds strewn

To wound my wretched heart.

But, oh, why should the heron, bird of doom,

With that perfidious sound l

Of "Rain! Rain! Rain!" grim summons to the tomb

For her who spends her lonely hours in gloom

Strew salt upon the wound? 18

Courtier. Very true, Vasantasena. And yet again:

It seems as if the sky would take the guise

Of some fierce elephant to service bred ;

The lightning like a waving streamer flies,

And white cranes serve to deck his mighty head. 19

Vasantasena. But look, sir, look !

Clouds, black as wet tamala-leaves, the ball

Of heaven hide from our sight ;

Rain-smitten homes of ants decay and fall

Like beasts that arrows smite ;

Like golden lamps within a lordly hall

Wander the lightnings bright;

As when men steal the wife of some base thrall,

Clouds rob the moon of light. 20

Courtier. See, Vasantasena, see!

Clouds, harnessed in the lightning's gleams,

Like charging elephants dash by ;

1 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.

84 ACT THE FIFTH [84.14 &

At Indra's bidding, pour their streams.

Until with silver cords it seems

That earth is linked with sky. 21

And look yonder!

As herds of buffaloes the clouds are black ;

The winds deny them ease;

They fly on lightning wings and little lack

Of seeming troubled seas.

Smitten with falling drops, the fragrant sod,

Upon whose bosom greenest grasses nod,

Seems pierced with pearls, each pearl an arrowy rod. 22

F'asantasena. And here is yet another cloud.

The peacock's shrill-voiced cry

Implores it to draw nigh;

And ardent cranes on high

Embrace it lovingly.

The wistful swans espy

The lotus-sweeter sky;

The darkest colors lie

On heaven clingingly. 23

Courtier. True. For see!

A thousand lotuses that bloom by night,

A thousand blooming when the day is bright,

Nor close nor ope their eyes to heaven's sight;

There is no night nor day.

The face of heaven, thus shrouded in the night,

Is only for a single instant bright,

When momentary lightning gives us sight;

Else is it dark alway.

Now sleeps the world as still as in the night

Within the house of rain where naught is bright,

P. 143.20] THE STORM 85

Where hosts of swollen clouds seem to our sight

One covering veil of gray. 24

Vasantasena. True. And see!

The stars are lost like mercies given

To men of evil heart;

Like lonely-parted wives, the heaven

Sees all her charms depart.

And, molten in the cruel heat

Of Indra's bolt, it seems

As if the sky fell at our feet

In liquid, flowing streams. 25

And yet again :

The clouds first darkly rise, then darkly fall,

Send forth their floods of rain, and thunder all ;

Assuming postures strange and manifold,

Like men but newly blest with wealth untold. 26

Courtier. True.

The heaven is radiant with the lightning's glare;

Its laughter is the cry of myriad cranes;

Its voice, the bolts that whistle through the air;

Its dance, that bow whose arrows are the rains.

It staggers at the winds, and seems to smoke

With clouds, which form its black and snaky cloak. 27

Vasantdsenft. O shameless, shameless sky!

To thunder thus, while I

To him I love draw nigh.

Why do thy thunders frighten me and pain?

Why am I seized upon by hands of rain? 28

O Indra, mighty Indra !

Did I then give thee of my love before,

That now thy clouds like mighty lions roar?

Ah no ! Thou shouldst not send thy streaming rain,

To fill my journey to my love with pain. 29

86 ACT THE FIFTH [85.25 s.

Remember:

For Ahalya's sweet sake thou once didst lie;

Thou knowest lover's pain.

As thou didst suffer then, now suffer I ;

O cruel, cease thy rain. 30

And yet:

Thunder and rain and lighten hundredfold

Forth from thy sky above;

The woman canst thou not delay nor hold

Who journeys to her love. 31

Let thunders roar, for men were cruel ever;

But oh, thou maiden lightning ! didst thou never

Know pains that maidens know? 32

Courtier. But mistress, do not scold the lightning. She is your

friend,

This golden cord that trembles on the breast

Of great Airavata; 1 upon the crest

Of rocky hills this banner all ablaze;

This lamp in Indra's palace; but most blest

As telling where your most beloved stays. 33

Vasantasena. And here, sir, is his house.

Courtier. You know all the arts, and need no instruction now.

Yet love bids me prattle. When you enter here, you must not

show yourself too angry.

Where anger is, there love is not;

Or no ! except for anger hot,

There is no love.

Be angry! make him angry then!

Be kind! and make him kind again

The man you love. 84

So much for that. Who is there? Let Charudatta know, that

1 The elephant of Indra. Indra is the god of the thunderstorm.

P. i43.n] THE STORM 87

While clouds look beautiful, and in the hour

Fragrant with mpa and kadamba flower,

She comes to see her lover, very wet,

With dripping locks, but pleased and loving yet.

Though lightning and though thunder terrifies,

She comes to see you; 'tis for you she sighs.

The mud still soils the anklets on her feet,

But in a moment she will have them sweet. 35

Charudatta. [Listening.] My friend, pray discover what this means.

Maitreya. Yes, sir. [He approaches Vasantasenft. Respectful]V/.]

Heaven bless you !

Vasantasena. I salute you, sir. I am very glad to see you. [To the

courtier.] Sir, the maid with the umbrella is at your service.

Courtier. [Aside.] A very clever way to get rid of me. [Aloud.]

Thank you. And mistress Vasantasena,

Pride and tricks and lies and fraud

Are in your face;

False playground of the lustful god,

Such is your face ;

The wench's stock in trade, in fine,

Epitome of joys divine,

I mean, your face

For sale ! the price is courtesy.

I trust you '11 find a man to buy

Your face. [Exit.] 36

Vasantasena Good Maitreya, where is your gambler?

Maitreya. [Aside.] "Gambler"? Ah, she 's paying a compliment to

my friend. [Aloud.] Madam, here he is in the dry orchard.

Vasantasena. But sir, what do you call a dry orchard?

Maitreya. Madam, it 's a place where there 's nothing to eat or

drink. [Vasantasena smiles] Pray enter, madam.

. [Aside to her maid] What shall I say when I enter?

88 ACT THE FIFTH [ST.ITS.

Maid. " Gambler, what luck this evening?"

Fasantasenft. Shall I dare to say it?

Maid. When the time comes, it will say itself,

Maitreya. Enter, madam.

FasantasenS,. [Enters, approaches Charudatta, and strikes him with

theflowers which she holds.] Well, gambler, what luck this evening?

Charudatta. [Discovers her.] Ah, Vasantasena is here. [He rises

Joyfully.] Oh, my beloved,

My evenings pass in watching ever,

My nights from sighs are never free;

This evening cannot else than sever

In bringing you my grief and me. 37

You are very, very welcome. Here is a seat. Pray be seated.

Maitreya. Here is a seat. Be seated, madam. \Vasantasena sits,

then the others.]

Charudatta. But see, my friend,

The dripping flower that decks her ear, droops down,

And one sweet breast

Anointed is, like a prince who wears the crown,

With ointment blest. 38

My friend, Vasantasena's garments are wet. Let other, and most

beautiful, garments be brought.

Maitreya. Yes, sir.

Maid. Good Maitreya, do you stay here. I will wait upon my mistress.

[She does so.]

Maitreya. [Aside to Charudatta.] My friend, I 'd just like to ask

the lady a question.

Charudatta. Then do so.

Maitreya. [Aloud.] Madam, what made you come here, when it

is so stormy and dark that you can't see the moon ?

Maid. Mistress, the Brahman is very plain-spoken.

P. nan] THE STORM 89

Vasantasend,. You might better call him clever.

Maid. My mistress came to ask how much that pearl necklace is

worth.

Maitreya. [Aside to Charudatta.'] There! I told you so. She thinks

the pearl necklace is cheap, and the golden casket is expensive.

She is n't satisfied. She has come to look for something more.

Maid. For my mistress imagined that it was her own, and gambled

it away. And nobody knows where the gambling-master has gone,

for he is employed in the king's business.

Maitreya. Madam, you are simply repeating what somebody said

before.

Maid. While we are looking for him, pray take this golden casket.

[She displays the casket. Maitreya hesitates.] Sir, you examine

it very closely. Did you ever see it before?

Maitreya. No, madam, but the skilful workmanship captivates

the eye.

Maid. Your eyes deceive you, sir. This is the golden casket.

Maitreya. [Joyfully.] Well, my friend, here is the golden casket,

the very one that thieves stole from our house.

Charudatta. My friend,

The artifice we tried before,

Her stolen treasure to restore,

Is practised now on us. But no,

I cannot think 't is really so. 39

Maitreya. But it is so. I swear it on my Brahmanhood.

Charudatta. This is welcome news.

Maitreya. [Aside to Charudatta.] I 'm going to ask where they

found it.

Charudatta. I see no harm in that.

Maitreya. [Whispers in the maid's ear.] There!

Maid. [Whispers in Maitreya's ear.] So there!

90 ACT THE FIFTH [89.19 s.

Chnrudatta. What is it? and why are we left out?

Maitreya. [Whispers in Charudattas ear.] So there!

Charudatta. My good girl, is this really the same golden casket?

Maid. Yes, sir, the very same.

Charudatta. My good girl, I have never let the bearer of welcome

news go unrewarded. Take this ring as your recompense. [He

looks at his finger, notices that the ring is gone, and betrays his

embarrassment.]

Vasantasena. [To herself.] I love you for that.

Charudatta. [Aside to Maitreya.] Alas,

When in this world a man has lost his all,

Why should he set his heart on longer life?

His angers and his favors fruitless fall,

His purposes and powers are all at strife. 40

Like wingless birds, dry pools, or withered trees,

Like fangless snakes the poor are like to these. 41

Like man-deserted houses, blasted trees,

Like empty wells the poor are like to these.

For them no pleasant hours serve happy ends;

They are forgotten of their sometime friends. 42

Maitreya. But you must not grieve thus beyond reason. [He

bursts out laughing. Aloud.] Madam, please give me back my

bath-clout.

Fasantasena. Charudatta, it was not right that you should show

your distrust of me by sending me this pearl necklace.

Charudatta. [ With an embarrassed smile.] But remember, Vasantasena,

Who will believe the truth?

Suspicion now is sure.

This world will show no ruth

To the inglorious poor. 48

P. 152.4] THE STORM 91

Maitreya. Tell me, girl, are you going to sleep here to-night?

Maid. [Laughing.] But good Maitreya, you show yourself most

remarkably plain-spoken now.

Maitreya. See, my friend, the rain enters again in great streams,

as if it wanted to drive people away when they are sitting comfortably

together.

Charudatta. You are quite right.

The falling waters pierce the cloud,

As lotus-shoots the soil;

And tears the face of heaven shroud,

Who weeps the moon's vain toil. 44

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

[Vasantasenft betrays her passion, and throws her arms about

Charudatta. Charudattafeels 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.

92 ACT THE FIFTH [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.

ACT THE SIXTH

THE SWAPPING OF THE BULLOCK-CARTS

Maid. ^Enter a maid.]

IS

N'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,

94 ACT THE SIXTH [94.3 s.

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."

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

Vasantasenft. Go. He will not be angry.

Maid. {Takes ilie 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 Radanikft, with Ch&rudattas 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 '11 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.

VasantasenS. 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

p. i58.io] SWAPPING THE BULLOCK-CARTS 95

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."

Vasantasenft. 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 ?

Vasantasenft. 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 ?

Vasantasenft. My child, your innocent lips can say terrible things.

[She removes her ornaments. IVeeping.] 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.

Vasantasenft. [Wiping away her tears] I '11 not cry, dear. There!

go and play. [She Jills the clay cart with her jeweh.] 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.

Vasantasen^. 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 ACT THE SIXTH [W.MS.

Vasantasenft. Bring me my things, girl. I must make myself ready.

[She does so.]

[Enter, driving a bullock-cart, Sth&varaka, servant to Sansthanaka]

Sth&varaka. 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 ofmy 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. 1 11 do it. I '11 stop my cart at the sidedoor

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.

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

Maid. Thank you, mistress. [Exit.

Tasantasena. [Feels her right eye twitch l as she enters the cart]

1 A bad omen, in the case of a woman.

p, 162.8] SWAPPING THE BULLOCK-CARTS 97

Why should my right eye twitch now? But the sight of Charudatta

will smooth away the bad omen. [Enter Sthavaj^aka]

Sth&varaka. I Ve cleared the carts out of the way, and now 1 11

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 '11 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 onefoot. Covering

his face, he walks about.1

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 1 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 has n't locked the side-door.

The house is old, the door without a lock,

The hinges all awry.

98 ACT THE SIXTH [98.iss.

Some man, no doubt, who feels misfortune's shock

As cruelly as I. 3

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 Vardham&naka 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 '11 climb in. [He approaches cautiously.]

Vardhamanaka. [Hears him coming.] Ah, the tinkling of anklerings!

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 '11 go ahead. Get up,

bullocks, get up ! [He drives about. Enter Vlraka.]

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 '11 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] SWAPPING THE BULLOCK-CARTS 9

Chandanaka. Come, come 1 Viraka, Vishalya, Bhlmangada, Dandakala,

Dandashura, and the rest of you !

Come quick, my reliables 1 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 ?

l Who will dare to be giving

The herdsman protection, while I am still living? 9, 10

Viraka. Chandanaka, you mercenary 1

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 ChandanakaJ] 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?

1 Lalladikshita says that these horoscopes indicate respectively distress, colic, stupidity, poverty,

sorrow, destruction.

Om Tat Sat

(Continued ..)

(My humble salutations to Brahmasri Sudrakah and  greatfulness to Sreeman William Ryder

 for the collection)