The Little Clay Cart Part 14

[35.20. S.

_Darduraka._ [_Aside._] I have made an enemy of the influential gambling-master Mathura. I had better not stay here. Besides, my good friend Sharvilaka told me that a young herdsman named Aryaka has been designated by a soothsayer as our future king.

Now everybody in my condition is running after him. I think I will join myself to him. [_Exit._

_Shampooer._ [_Trembles as he walks away and looks about him._] Here is a house where somebody has left the side-door open. I will go in. [_He enters and perceives Vasantasena._] Madam, I throw myself upon your protection.

_Vasantasena._ He who throws himself upon my protection shall be safe. Close the door, girl. [_The maid does so._]

_Vasantasena._ What do you fear?

_Shampooer._ A creditor, madam.

_Vasantasena._ You may open the door now, girl.

_Shampooer._ [_To himself._] Ah! Her reasons for not fearing a creditor are in proportion to her innocence. The proverb is right:

The man who knows his strength and bears a load Proportioned to that strength, not more nor less, Is safe from stumbling and from sore distress, Although he wander on a dreary road. 14

That means me.

_Mathura._ [_Wiping his eyes. To the gambler._] Pay, pay!

_Gambler._ While we were quarreling with Darduraka, sir, the man escaped.

_Mathura._ I broke that shampooer's nose for him with my fist Come on! Let's trace him by the blood. [_They do so._]

_Gambler._ He went into Vasantasena's house, sir.

_Mathura._ Then that is the end of the gold-pieces.

_Gambler._ Let's go to court and lodge a complaint.

P. 67.1]

_Mathura._ The swindler would leave the house and escape. No, we must besiege him and so capture him.

[_Vasantasena gives Madanika a sign._]

_Madanika._ Whence are you, sir? or who are you, sir? or whose son are you, sir? or what is your business, sir? or what are you afraid of?

_Shampooer._ Listen, madam. My birthplace is Pataliputra, madam.

I am the son of a householder. I practise the trade of a shampooer.

_Vasantasena._ It is a very dainty art, sir, which you have mastered.

_Shampooer._ Madam, as an art I mastered it. It has now become a mere trade.

_Madanika._ Your answers are most disconsolate, sir. Pray continue.

_Shampooer._ Yes, madam. When I was at home, I used to hear travelers tell tales, and I wanted to see new countries, and so I came here. And when I had come here to Ujjayini, I became the servant of a n.o.ble gentleman. Such a handsome, courteous gentleman! When he gave money away, he did not boast; when he was injured, he forgot it. To cut a long story short: he was so courteous that he regarded his own person as the possession of others, and had compa.s.sion on all who sought his protection.

_Madanika._ Who may it be that adorns Ujjayini with the virtues which he has stolen from the object of my mistress' desires?

_Vasantasena._ Good, girl, good! I had the same thought in mind.

_Madanika._ But to continue, sir--

_Shampooer._ Madam, he was so compa.s.sionate and so generous that now--

_Vasantasena._ His riches have vanished?

_Shampooer._ I didn't say it. How did you guess it, madam?

_Vasantasena._ What was there to guess? Virtue and money seldom keep company. In the pools from which men cannot drink there is so much the more water.

_Madanika._ But sir, what is his name?

[37.23. S.

_Shampooer._ Madam, who does not know the name of this moon of the whole world? He lives in the merchants' quarter. He whose name is worthy of all honor is named Charudatta.

_Vasantasena._ [_Joyfully rising from her seat._] Sir, this house is your own. Give him a seat, girl, and take this fan. The gentleman is weary. [_Madanika does as she is bid._]

_Shampooer._ [_Aside._] What! so much honor because I mentioned Charudatta's name? Heaven bless you, Charudatta! You are the only man in the world who really lives. All others merely breathe.

[_He falls at Vasantasena's feet._] Enough, madam, enough. Pray be seated, madam.

_Vasantasena._ [_Seating herself._] Where is he who is so richly your creditor, sir?

_Shamp._

The good man's wealth consists in kindly deeds; All other wealth is vain and quickly flies.

The man who honors not his neighbor's needs, Does that man know what honor signifies? 15

_Vasantasena._ But to continue--

_Shampooer._ So I became a servant in his employ. And when his wealth was reduced to his virtue, I began to live by gambling. But fate was cruel, and I lost ten gold-pieces.

_Mathura._ I am ruined! I am robbed!

_Shampooer._ There are the gambling-master and the gambler, looking for me. You have heard my story, madam. The rest is your affair.

_Vasantasena._ Madanika, the birds fly everywhither when the tree is shaken in which they have their nests. Go, girl, and give the gambling-master and the gambler this bracelet. And tell them that this gentleman sends it. [_She removes a bracelet from her arm, and gives it to Madanika._]

_Madanika._ [_Receiving the bracelet._] Yes, mistress. [_She goes out._]

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