The Little Clay Cart Part 20

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Maitreya, take the necklace and go to Vasantasena. Tell her in my name that we have gambled away the golden casket, forgetting that it was not our own, that we trust she will accept this necklace in its place.

_Maitreya._ But you must not give away this necklace, the pride of the four seas, for that cheap thing 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. 29

Friend, I conjure you by this gesture, not to return until you have delivered it into her hands. Vardhamanaka, do you speedily

Fill up the opening with the selfsame bricks; Thus will I thwart the process of the law, For the blemish of so great a scandal sticks. 30

And, friend Maitreya, you must show your pride by not speaking too despondently.

_Maitreya._ How can a poor man help speaking despondently?

_Charudatta._ Poor I am not, my friend. For I have a wife

Whose love outlasts my wealthy day; In thee a friend through good and ill; And truth that naught could take away: Ah, this the poor man lacketh still. (28)

Go then, and after performing rites of purification, I will offer my morning prayer. [_Exeunt omnes._

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 44: This refers to Charudatta's generosity, which continues after his wealth has vanished.]

[Footnote 45: The following scene satirises the Hindu love of system and cla.s.sification.]

[Footnote 46: The patron saint of thieves.]

[Footnote 47: An epithet of Skanda.]

[Footnote 48: The sacrificial cord, which pa.s.ses over the left shoulder and under the right arm, is worn constantly by members of the three upper castes.]

[Footnote 49: Sacred creatures.]

ACT THE FOURTH

MADANIKA AND SHARVILAKA

[_Enter a maid._]

_Maid._

I am entrusted with a message for my mistress by her mother.

Here is my mistress. She is gazing at a picture and is talking with Madanika. I will go to her. [_She walks about. Then enter Vasantasena as described, and Madanika._]

_Vasantasena._ Madanika girl, is this portrait really like Charudatta?

_Madanika._ Very like.

_Vasantasena._ How do you know?

_Madanika._ Because my mistress' eyes are fastened so lovingly upon it.

_Vasantasena._ Madanika girl, do you say this because courtezan courtesy demands it?

_Madanika._ But mistress, is the courtesy of a girl who lives in a courtezan's house, necessarily false?

_Vasantasena._ Girl, courtezans meet so many kinds of men that they do learn a false courtesy.

_Madanika._ But when the eyes of my mistress find such delight in a thing, and her heart too, what need is there to ask the reason?

_Vasantasena._ But I should not like to have my friends laugh at me.

_Madanika._ You need not be afraid. Women understand women.

_Maid._ [_Approaching._] Mistress, your mother sends word that a covered cart is waiting at the side-door, and that you are to take a drive.

_Vasantasena._ Tell me, is it Charudatta who invites me?

_Maid._ Mistress, the man who sent ornaments worth ten thousand gold-pieces with the cart--

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_Vasantasena._ Is who?

_Maid._ Is the king's brother-in-law, Sansthanaka.

_Vasantasena._ [_Indignantly._] Go! and never come again on such an errand.

_Maid._ Do not be angry, mistress. I was only sent with the message.

_Vasantasena._ But it is the message which makes me angry.

_Maid._ But what shall I tell your mother?

_Vasantasena._ Tell my mother never to send me another such message, unless she wishes to kill me.

_Maid._ As you will. [_Exit._] [_< p="">

_Sharv._

Blame for my sin I laid upon the night; I conquered sleep and watchmen of the king; But darkness wanes, and in the sun's clear light My light is like the moon's--a faded thing. 1