Part 11 (2/2)

P. 59.14]

_Madanika._ But mistress, do the b.u.t.terflies visit the mango-tree when its blossoms have fallen?

_Vasantasena._ That is just why we call _that_ sort of a girl a b.u.t.terfly.

_Madanika._ Well, mistress, if you love him, why don't you go and visit him at once?

_Vasantasena._ Girl, if I should visit him at once, then, because he can't make any return--no, I don't mean that, but it would be hard to see him.

_Madanika._ Is that the reason why you left your jewels with him?

_Vasantasena._ You have guessed it.

_A voice[40] behind the scenes_. Oh, sir, a shampooer owes me ten gold-pieces, and he got away from us. Hold him, hold him! [_To the fleeing shampooer._] Stop, stop! I see you from here. [_Enter hurriedly a frightened shampooer._]

_Shampooer._ Oh, confound this gambling business!

Freed from its tether, the ace-- I might better say ”a.s.s”--how it kicks me!

And the cast of the dice called the ”spear”

Proves true to its name; for it sticks me. 1

The keeper's whole attention Was busy with the score; So it took no great invention To vanish through the door.

But I cannot stand forever In the unprotected street.

Is there no one to deliver?

I would fall before his feet. 2

While the keeper and the gambler are looking somewhere else for me, I'll just walk backwards into this empty temple and turn G.o.ddess. [_He makes all sorts of gestures, takes his place, and waits._]

[_Enter Mathura and the gambler._]

[30.1. S.

_Mathura._ Oh, sir, a shampooer owes me ten gold-pieces, and he got away from us. Hold him, hold him! Stop, stop! I see you from here.

_Gambler._

You may run to h.e.l.l, if they'll take you in; With Indra, the G.o.d, you may stay: For there's never a G.o.d can save your skin.

While Mathura wants his pay. 3

_Mathura._

Oh, whither flee you, nimble rambler.

You that cheat an honest gambler?

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