The Little Clay Cart Part 43

_Sansthanaka._ She's gone.

_Courtier._ Where?

_Sansthanaka._ Right after you.

_Courtier._ [_Doubtfully._] No, she did not go in that direction.

_Sansthanaka._ In what direction did you go?

_Courtier._ Toward the east.

_Sansthanaka._ Well, she went shouth.[81]

_Courtier._ So did I.

P. 216.2]

_Sansthanaka._ She went north.

_Courtier._ This is nonsense. My heart is not satisfied. Speak the truth.

_Sansthanaka._ I shwear by your head, s.h.i.+r, and my own feet. You may be easy in your heart. I murdered her.

_Courtier._ [_Despairingly._] You really killed her?

_Sansthanaka._ If you don't believe my words, then shee the firsht heroic deed of Sansthanaka, the king's brother-in-law. [_He points out the body._]

_Courtier._ Alas! Ah, woe is me! [_He falls in a swoon._]

_Sansthanaka._ Hee, hee! The gentleman is calm enough now!

_Sthavaraka._ Oh, sir! Come to yourself! I am the first murderer, for I brought the bullock-cart hither without looking into it.

_Courtier._ [_Comes to himself. Mournfully._] Alas, Vasantasena!

The stream of courtesy is dried away, And happiness to her own land doth flee, Sweet gem of gems, that knew love's gentle play, Love's mart and beauty's! Joy of men like me!

Thy mirth-sh.o.r.ed stream, that kind and healing river-- Alas! is perished, lost, and gone forever! 38

[_Tearfully._] Ah, woe is me!

What sin is yet to come, or woe, Now thou hast done this deed of hate?

Like sin's foul self, hast thou laid low The sinless G.o.ddess of our state. 39

[_Aside._] Ah! Perhaps the wretch means to lay this sin to my charge. I must go hence. [_He walks about. Sansthanaka approaches and holds him back._] Scoundrel! Touch me not. I have done with you. I go.

_Sansthanaka._ Aha! Firsht you murder Vasantasena, then you abuse me, and now where will you run to? And sho a man like me has n't anybody to protect him.

[131.8. S.

_Courtier._ You are an accursed scoundrel!

_Sansth._

I'll give you countless wealth, a piece of gold, A copper, and a cap, to have and hold.

And sho the fame of thish great deed shall be A common property, and shan't touch me. 40

_Courtier._ A curse upon you! Yours, and yours only, be the deed.

_Sthavaraka._ Heaven avert the omen! [_Sansthanaka bursts out laughing._]

_Courtier._

Be enmity between us! Cease your mirth!

d.a.m.ned be a friends.h.i.+p that so shames my worth!

Never may I set eyes on one so low!

I fling you off, an unstrung, broken bow. 41

_Sansthanaka._ Don't be angry. Come, let's go and play in the pond.

_Courtier._

Unstained my life, and yet it seems to me Your friends.h.i.+p stains, and mocks my sinlessness, You woman-murderer! How could I be A friend to one whom women ever see With eyes half-closed in apprehension's stress? 42

[_Mournfully._] Vasantasena,

When thou, sweet maid, art born again, Be not a courtezan reborn, But in a house which sinless men, And virtuous, and good, adorn. 43

_Sansthanaka._ Firsht you murder Vasantasena in my old garden Pushpakaranda, and now where will you run to? Come, defend yourshelf in court before my s.h.i.+shter's husband! [_He holds him back._]

_Courtier._ Enough, you accursed scoundrel! [_He draws his sword._]

_Sansthanaka._ [_Recoiling in terror._] Shcared, are you? Go along, then.

_Courtier._ [_Aside._] It would be folly to remain here. Well, I will go and join myself to Sharvilaka, Chandanaka, and the rest. [_Exit._

P. 219.5]

_Sansthanaka._ Go to h.e.l.l. Well, my little shon Sthavaraka, what kind of a thing is thish that I 've done?

_Sthavaraka._ Master, you have committed a terrible crime.

_Sansthanaka._ Shlave! What do you mean by talking about a crime?

Well, I 'll do it thish way. [_He takes various ornaments from his person._] Take these gems. I give 'em to you. Whenever I want to wear them, I 'll take them back again, but the resht of the time they are yours.

_Sthavaraka._ They should be worn only by my master. What have I to do with such things?

_Sansthanaka._ Go along! Take these bullocks, and wait in the tower of my palace until I come.

_Sthavaraka._ Yes, master. [_Exit._