The Little Clay Cart Part 56

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_Charudatta._ [_In amazement._]

Who saves me from the uplifted weapon's scorn, When in Death's jaws I struggled all forlorn, A streaming cloud above the rainless corn? 38

[_He gazes at her._]

Is this Vasantasena's counterfeit?

Or she herself, from heaven above descended?

Or do I but in madness see my sweet?

Or has her precious life not yet been ended? 39

Or again:

Did she return from heaven, That I might rescued be?

Was her form to another given?

Is this that other she? 40

_Vasantasena._ [_Rises tearfully and falls at his feet._] O n.o.ble Charudatta, I am indeed the wretch for whose sake you are fallen upon this unworthy plight.

_Voices behind the scenes._ A miracle, a miracle! Vasantasena lives.

[_The bystanders repeat the words._]

_Charudatta._ [_Listens, then rises suddenly, embraces Vasantasena, and closes his eyes. In a voice trembling with emotion._] My love!

You _are_ Vasantasena!

_Vasantasena._ That same unhappy woman.

_Charudatta._ [_Gazes upon her. Joyfully._] Can it be? Vasantasena herself? [_In utter happiness._]

Her bosom bathed in streaming tears, When in Death's power I fell, Whence is she come to slay my fears, Like heavenly magic's spell? 41

Vasantasena! Oh, my beloved!

Unto my body, whence the life was fleeting, And all for thee, thou knewest life to give.

Oh, magic wonderful in lovers' meeting!

What power besides could make the dead man live? 42

[172.17. S.

But see, my beloved!

My blood-red garment seems a bridegroom's cloak, Death's garland seems to me a bridal wreath; My love is near.

And marriage music seems the fatal stroke Of drums that heralded my instant death; For she is here. 43

_Vasantasena._ You with your utter kindliness, what can it be that you have done?

_Charudatta._ My beloved, he said that I had killed you.

For ancient hatred's sake, my mighty foe, h.e.l.l's victim now, had almost laid me low. 44

_Vasantasena._ [_Stopping her ears._] Heaven avert the omen! It was he, the king's brother-in-law, who killed me.

_Charudatta._ [_Perceiving the monk._] But who is this?

_Vasantasena._ When that unworthy wretch had killed me, this worthy man brought me back to life.

_Charudatta._ Who are you, unselfish friend?

_Monk._ You do not remember me, sir. I am that shampooer, who once was happy to rub your feet. When I fell into the hands of certain gamblers, this sister in Buddha, upon hearing that I had been your servant, bought my freedom with her jewels. Thereupon I grew tired of the gambler's life, and became a Buddhist monk. Now this lady made a mistake in her bullock-cart, and so came to the old garden Pushpakaranda. But when that unworthy wretch learned that she would not love him, he murdered her by strangling. And I found her there.

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_Loud voices behind the scenes._

Unending victory to s.h.i.+va be, Who Daksha's offering foiled; And victory may Karttikeya see, Who Krauncha smote and spoiled;

And victory to Aryaka the king-- His mighty foe he kills-- Far over all the earth's expansive ring, That earth her joyous flag abroad may fling, The snowy banner of Kailasa's hills. 45

[_Enter hurriedly Sharvilaka._]

_Sharv._

Yes, Palaka, the royal wretch, I slew, Anointing Aryaka good king and true; And now, like sacrificial flowers, I wed The king's commandment to my bended head, To give sad Charudatta life anew. 46

The foe whose powers and friends had fled, he slew, Consoled and comforted his subjects true; And earth's broad sovereignty has gladly wed His power, and bent to him her lowly head, Who toward his foe plays Indra's part anew. 47

[_He looks before him._] Ah! There he will be found, where the people are thus gathered together. Oh, that this deed of King Aryaka might be crowned with the rescued life of n.o.ble Charudatta!

[_He quickens his steps._] Make way, you rascals! [_He discovers Charudatta. Joyfully._] Is Charudatta yet living, and Vasantasena?

Truly, our sovereign's wishes are fulfilled.

Now, thanks to heaven, from sorrow's sh.o.r.eless sea I see him saved by her he loved, set free By that sweet bark, that knew her course to steer With virtue's tackle and with goodness' gear.

He seems the moon, whose light s.h.i.+nes clear at last, When all the sad eclipse is overpast. 48

Yet how shall I approach him, who have so grievously sinned against him? But no! Honesty is always honorable. [_He approaches and folds his hands. Aloud._] O n.o.ble Charudatta!

_Charudatta._ Who are you, sir?

[174.13. S.

_Sharvilaka._

I forced your house in manner base, And stole the gems there left behind; But though this sin oppress my mind, I throw myself upon your grace. 49

_Charudatta._ Not so, my friend. Thereby you showed your faith in me. [_He embraces him._]

_Sharvilaka._ And one thing more: