The Little Clay Cart Part 21

And again:

Whoever cast at me a pa.s.sing look, Or neared me, anxious, as they quickly ran, All such my laden soul for foes mistook; For sin it was wherein man's fear began. 2

Well, it was for Madanika's sake that I did the deed of sin.

I paid no heed to any one who talked with serving-men; The houses ruled by women-folk--these I avoided most; And when policemen seemed to have me almost in their ken, I stood stock-still and acted just exactly like a post.

A hundred such manoeuvres did I constantly essay, And by such means succeeded in turning night to day. 3

[_He walks about._]

_Vasantasena._ Girl, lay this picture on my sofa and come back at once with a fan.

_Madanika._ Yes, mistress. [_Exit with the picture._

_Sharvilaka._ This is Vasantasena's house. I will enter. [_He does so._]

P. 101.11]

I wonder where I can find Madanika. [_Enter Madanika with the fan. Sharvilaka discovers her._] Ah, it is Madanika.

Surpa.s.sing Madana[50] himself in charm, She seems the bride of Love, in human guise; Even while my heart the flames of pa.s.sion harm, She brings a sandal[51] coolness to my eyes. 4

Madanika!

_Madanika._ [_Discovers Sharvilaka._] Oh, oh, oh, Sharvilaka! I am so glad, Sharvilaka. Where have you been?

_Sharvilaka._ I will tell you. [_They gaze at each other pa.s.sionately._]

_Vasantasena._ How Madanika lingers! I wonder where she is. [_She looks through a bull's-eye window._] Why, there she stands, talking with a man. Her loving glance does not waver, and she gazes as if she would drink him in. I imagine he must be the man who wishes to make her free. Well, let her stay, let her stay. Never interrupt anybody's happiness. I will not call her.

_Madanika._ Tell me, Sharvilaka. [_Sharvilaka looks about him uneasily._]

What is it, Sharvilaka? You seem uneasy.

_Sharvilaka._ I will tell you a secret. Are we alone?

_Madanika._ Of course we are.

_Vasantasena._ What! a deep secret? I will not listen.

_Sharvilaka._ Tell me, Madanika. Will Vasantasena take a price for your freedom?

_Vasantasena._ The conversation has to do with me? Then I will hide behind this window and listen.

_Madanika._ I asked my mistress about it, Sharvilaka, and she said that if she could have _her_ way, she would free all her servants for nothing. But Sharvilaka, where did you find such a fortune that you can think of buying my freedom from my mistress?

_Sharvilaka._

A victim to my pauper plight, And your sweet love to win, For you, my timid maid, last night I did the deed of sin. 5

[60.16. S.

_Vasantasena._ His face is tranquil. It would be troubled, if he had sinned.

_Madanika._ Oh, Sharvilaka! For a mere nothing--for a woman--you have risked both things!

_Sharvilaka._ What things?

_Madanika._ Your life and your character.

_Sharvilaka._ My foolish girl, fortune favors the brave.

_Madanika._ Oh, Sharvilaka! Your character was without a stain.

You didn't do anything _very_ bad, did you, when for my sake you did the deed of sin?

_Sharv._

The gems that magnify a woman's charm, As flowers the creeping plant, I do not harm.

I do not rob the Brahman of his pelf, Nor seize the sacrificial gold myself.

I do not steal the baby from the nurse, Simply because I need to fill my purse.

Even as a thief, I strive with main and might For just distinction 'twixt the wrong and right. 6

And so you may tell Vasantasena this:

These ornaments were made for you to don, Or so it seems to me; But as you love me, never put them on Where other folks may see. 7

_Madanika._ But Sharvilaka, ornaments that n.o.body may see, and a courtezan--the two things do not hang together. Give me the jewels. I want to see them.

_Sharvilaka._ Here they are. [_He gives them to her with some uneasiness._]

_Madanika._ [_Examining the jewels._] It seems to me I have seen these before. Tell me. Where did you get them?

P. 104.15]

_Sharvilaka._ What does that matter to you, Madanika? Take them.

_Madanika._ [_Angrily._] If you can't trust me, why do you wish to buy my freedom?

_Sharvilaka._ Well, this morning I heard in the merchants' quarter that the merchant Charudatta--

[_Vasantasena and Madanika swoon._]

_Sharvilaka._ Madanika! Come to yourself! Why is it that now

Your figure seems to melt in limp despair, Your eyes are wildly rolling here and there?

That when I come, sweet girl, to make you free, You fall to trembling, not to pitying me? 8

_Madanika._ [_Coming to herself._] O you reckless man! When you did what you ought not to have done for my sake, you didn't kill anybody or hurt anybody in that house?