The Little Clay Cart Part 35

_Viraka._ Who speaks of such things?

_Chandanaka._ Speak, speak! [_Viraka makes a significant gesture._]

Confound you! What does that mean?

_Viraka._ Listen.

Your house is pure; your father is a drum, Your mother is a kettledrum, you sc.u.m!

Your brother is a tambourine--tum, tum!

And you--why, you 're a captain of the king! 23

_Chandanaka._ [_Wrathfully._] I, Chandanaka, a tanner! You can look at the cart.

_Viraka._ You! driver! turn the cart around. I want to look in.

[_Vardhamanaka does so. Viraka starts to climb in. Chandanaka seizes him violently by the hair, throws him down, and kicks him._]

_Viraka._ [_Rising. Wrathfully._] Confound you! I was peaceably going about the king's business, when you seized me violently by the hair and kicked me. So listen! If I don't have you drawn and quartered in the middle of the court-room, my name's not Viraka.

_Chandanaka._ All right. Go to court or to a hall of justice. What do I care for a puppy like you?

_Viraka._ I will. [_Exit._

_Chandanaka._ [_Looks about him._] Go on, driver, go on! If anybody asks you, just say "The cart has been inspected by Chandanaka and Viraka." Mistress Vasantasena, let me give you a pa.s.sport.

[_He hands Aryaka a sword._]

[105.11. S.

_Aryaka._ [_Takes it. Joyfully to himself._]

A sword, a sword! My right eye twitches fast.[70]

Now all is well, and I am safe at last. 24

_Chandanaka._ Madam,

As I have given you a pa.s.sage free, So may I live within your memory.

To utter this, no selfish thoughts could move; Ah no, I speak in plenitude of love. 25

_Aryaka._

Chandanaka is rich in virtues pure; My friend is he--Fate willed it--true and tried.

I 'll not forget Chandanaka, be sure, What time the oracle is justified. 26

_Chand._

May s.h.i.+va, Vishnu, Brahma, Three in One, Protect thee, and the Moon, and blessed Sun; Slay all thy foes, as mighty Parvati Slew Shumbha and Nishumbha--fearfully. 27

[_Exit Vardhamanaka, with the bullock-cart. Chandanaka looks toward the back of the stage._] Aha! As he goes away, my good friend Sharvilaka is following him. Well, I 've made an enemy of Viraka, the chief constable and the king's favorite; so I think I too had better be following him, with all my sons and brothers.

[_Exit._

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 68: A bad omen, in the case of a woman.]

[Footnote 69: Lalladik?ita says that these horoscopes indicate respectively distress, colic, stupidity, poverty, sorrow, destruction.]

[Footnote 70: A good omen, in the case of a man.]

ACT THE SEVENTH

ARYAKA'S ESCAPE

[_Enter Charudatta and Maitreya._]

_Maitreya._

How beautiful the old garden Pushpakaranda is.

_Charudatta._ You are quite right, my friend. For see!

The trees, like merchants, show their wares; Each several tree his blossoms bears, While bees, like officers, are flitting, To take from each what toll is fitting. 1

_Maitreya._ This simple stone is very attractive. Pray be seated.

_Charudatta._ [_Seats himself._] How Vardhamanaka lingers, my friend!

_Maitreya._ I told Vardhamanaka to bring Vasantasena and come as quickly as he could.

_Charudatta._ Why then does he linger?

Is he delayed by some slow-moving load?

Has he returned with broken wheel or traces?

Obstructions bid him seek another road?

His bullocks, or himself, choose these slow paces? 2

[_Enter Vardhamanaka with the bullock-cart, in which Aryaka lies hidden._]

_Vardhamanaka._ Get up, bullocks, get up!

_Aryaka._ [_Aside._]

And still I fear the spies that serve the king; Escape is even yet a doubtful thing, While to my foot these cursed fetters cling.

Some good man 't is, within whose cart I lie, Like cuckoo chicks, whose heartless mothers fly, And crows must rear the fledglings, or they die. 3