The Little Clay Cart Part 22

_Sharvilaka._ Madanika, Sharvilaka does not strike a terrified man or a man asleep. I did not kill anybody nor hurt anybody.

_Madanika._ Really?

_Sharvilaka._ Really.

_Vasantasena._ [_Recovering consciousness._] Ah, I breathe again.

_Madanika._ Thank heaven!

_Sharvilaka._ [_Jealously._] What does this "Thank heaven" mean, Madanika?

I sinned for you, when love had made me pine, Although my house was good since time began; Love took my virtue, but my pride is mine.

_You_ call me friend and love another man? 9

[_Meaningly._]

A n.o.ble youth is like a goodly tree; His wealth, the fruit so fair; The courtezan is like a bird; for she Pecks him and leaves him bare. 10

Love is a fire, whose flame is l.u.s.t, Whose fuel is gallantry, Wherein our youth and riches must Thus sacrificed be. 11

[62.16. S.

_Vasantasena._ [_With a smile._] His excitement is a little out of place.

_Sharvilaka._ Yes!

Those men are fools, it seems to me, Who trust to women or to gold; For gold and girls, 'tis plain to see.

Are false as virgin snakes and cold. 12

Love not a woman; if you ever do, She mocks at you, and plays the gay deceiver: Yet if she loves you, you may love her too; But if she doesn't, leave her. 13

Too true it is that

A courtezan will laugh and cry for gold; She trusts you not, but waits your trustful hour.

If virtue and a name are yours, then hold!

Avoid her as you would a graveyard flower. 14

And again:

As fickle as the billows of the sea, Glowing no longer than the evening sky, A woman takes your gold, then leaves you free; You're worthless, like cosmetics, when you're dry. 15

Yes, women are indeed fickle.

One man perhaps may hold her heart in trust, She lures another with coquettish eyes, Sports with another in unseemly l.u.s.t, Another yet her body satisfies. 16

As some one has well said:

On mountain-tops no lotuses are grown; The horse's yoke no a.s.s will ever bear; Rice never springs from seeds of barley sown; A courtezan is not an honest fair. 17

Accursed Charudatta, you shall not live! [_He takes a few steps._]

P. 107.11]

_Madanika._ [_Seizing the hem of his garment._] O you foolish man!

Your anger is so ridiculous.

_Sharvilaka._ Ridiculous? how so?

_Madanika._ Because these jewels belong to my mistress.

_Sharvilaka._ And what then?

_Madanika._ And she left them with that gentleman.

_Sharvilaka._ What for?

_Madanika._ [_Whispers._] That's why.

_Sharvilaka._ [_Sheepishly._] Confound it!

The sun was hot one summer day; I sought the shadow, there to stay: Poor fool! the kindly branch to pay, I stole its sheltering leaves away. 18

_Vasantasena._ How sorry he seems. Surely, he did this thing in ignorance.

_Sharvilaka._ What is to be done now, Madanika?

_Madanika._ Your own wit should tell you that.

_Sharvilaka._ No. For you must remember,

Nature herself gives women wit; Men learn from books a little bit. 19

_Madanika._ Sharvilaka, if you will take my advice, restore the jewels to that righteous man.

_Sharvilaka._ But Madanika, what if he should prosecute me?

_Madanika._ No cruel heat comes from the moon.

_Vasantasena._ Good, Madanika, good!

_Sharvilaka._ Madanika,

For what I did, I feel no grief nor fear: Why tell me of this good man's virtues high?

Shame for my baseness touches me more near; What can this king do to such rogues as I? 20

Nevertheless, your suggestion is inconsistent with prudence. You must discover some other plan.

[64.16. S.