The Little Clay Cart Part 9

_Maitreya._ Laugh we shall.

_Sansthanaka._ When?

_Maitreya._ When Charudatta is happy once more.

_Sansthanaka._ You manikin, give poor little Charudatta thish mess.h.a.ge from me. "Thish wench with golden ornaments and golden jewels, thish female shtage-manager looking after the rehearsal of a new play, thish Vasantasena--she has been in love with you ever s.h.i.+nce she went into the park where Kama's temple shtands. And when we tried to conciliate her by force, she went into your houshe. Now if you shend her away yourshelf and hand her over to me, if you reshtore her at once, without any lawshuit in court, then I'll be friends with you forever. But if you don't reshtore her, there will be a fight to the death." Remember:

Shmear a pumpkin-shtalk with cow-dung; Keep your vegetables dried; Cook your rice in winter evenings; And be sure your meat is fried.

Then let 'em shtand, and they will not Bothershomely shmell and rot. 51

[21.17. S.

Tell it to him prettily, tell it to him craftily. Tell it to him sho that I can hear it as I roosht in the dove-cote on the top of my own palace. If you shay it different, I'll chew your head like an apple caught in the crack of a door.

_Maitreya._ Very well. I shall tell him.

_Sansthanaka._ [_Aside._] Tell me, shervant. Is mashter really gone?

_Servant._ Yes, sir.

_Sansthanaka._ Then we will go as quickly as we can.

_Servant._ Then take your sword, master.

_Sansthanaka._ You can keep it.

_Servant._ Here it is, master. Take your sword, master.

_Sansthanaka._ [_Taking it by the wrong end._]

My shword, red as a radish shkin, Ne'er finds the time to molder; Shee how it shleeps its sheath within!

I put it on my shoulder.

While curs and b.i.t.c.hes yelp at me, I roam, Like a hunted jackal, home. 52

[_Sansthanaka and the servant walk about, then exeunt._

_Maitreya._ Mistress Radanika, you must not tell good Charudatta of this outrage. I am sure you would only add to the poor man's sorrows.

_Radanika._ Good Maitreya, you know Radanika. Her lips are sealed.

_Maitreya._ So be it.

_Charudatta._ [_To Vasantasena._] Radanika, Rohasena likes the fresh air, but he will be cold in the evening chill. Pray bring him into the house, and cover him with this mantle. [_He gives her the mantle._]

P. 49.19]

_Vasantasena._ [_To herself._] See! He thinks I am his servant. [_She takes the mantle and perceives its perfume. Ardently to herself._] Oh, beautiful! The mantle is fragrant with jasmine. His youthful days are not wholly indifferent to the pleasures of the world. [_She wraps it about her, without letting Charudatta see._]

_Charudatta._ Come, Radanika, take Rohasena and enter the heart of the house.

_Vasantasena._ [_To herself._] Ah me unhappy, that have little part or lot in your heart!

_Charudatta._ Come, Radanika, will you not even answer? Alas!

When man once sees that miserable day, When fate almighty sweeps his wealth away, Then ancient friends.h.i.+ps will no longer hold, Then all his former bosom-friends grow cold. 53

_Maitreya._ [_Drawing near to Radanika._] Sir, here is Radanika.

_Charudatta._ Here is Radanika? Who then is this--

This unknown lady, by my robe Thus clinging, desecrated,

_Vasantasena._ [_To herself._] Say rather "consecrated."

_Charudatta._ Until she seems the crescent moon.

With clouds of autumn[38] mated? 54

But no! I may not gaze upon another's wife.

_Maitreya._ Oh, you need not fear that you are looking at another man's wife. This is Vasantasena, who has been in love with you ever since she saw you in the garden where Kama's temple stands.

_Charudatta._ What! this is Vasantasena? [_Aside._]

My love for whom--my fortune spent-- My wretched self in twain has rent.

Like coward's anger, inward bent. 55

[23. 19. S.

_Maitreya._ My friend, that brother-in-law of the king says--

_Charudatta._ Well?

_Maitreya._ "This wench with golden ornaments and golden jewels, this female stage-manager looking after the rehearsal of a new play, this Vasantasena--she has been in love with you ever since she went into the park where Kama's temple stands. And when we tried to conciliate her by force, she went into your house."

_Vasantasena._ [_To herself._] "Tried to conciliate me by force"--truly, I am honored by these words.

_Maitreya._ "Now if you send her away yourself and hand her over to me, if you restore her at once, without any lawsuit in court, then I'll be friends with you forever. Otherwise, there will be a fight to the death."

_Charudatta._ [_Contemptuously._] He is a fool. [_To himself._] How is this maiden worthy of the wors.h.i.+p that we pay a G.o.ddess! For now

Although I bade her enter, yet she seeks To spare my poverty, nor enters here; Though men are known to her, yet all she speaks Contains no word to wound a modest ear. 56

[_Aloud._] Mistress Vasantasena, I have unwittingly made myself guilty of an offense; for I greeted as a servant one whom I did not recognize. I bend my neck to ask your pardon.

_Vasantasena._ It is I who have offended by this unseemly intrusion.

I bow my head to seek your forgiveness.