Part 32 (2/2)

P. 158.10]

_Vasantasena._ Oh, dear! To think that this little fellow has to suffer because others are wealthy. Ah, mighty Fate! the destinies of men, uncertain as the water-drops which fall upon a lotus-leaf, seem to thee but playthings! [_Tearfully._] Don't cry, my child. You shall have a gold cart to play with.

_Rohasena._ Who is she, Radanika?

_Vasantasena._ A slave of your father's, won by his virtues.

_Radanika._ My child, the lady is your mother.

_Rohasena._ That's a lie, Radanika. If the lady is my mother, why does she wear those pretty ornaments?

_Vasantasena._ My child, your innocent lips can say terrible things.

[_She removes her ornaments. Weeping._] Now I am your mother.

You shall take these ornaments and have a gold cart made for you.

_Rohasena._ Go away! I won't take them. You're crying.

_Vasantasena._ [_Wiping away her tears._] I'll not cry, dear. There!

go and play. [_She fills the clay cart with her jewels._] There, dear, you must have a little gold cart made for you.

[_Exit Radanika, with Rohasena._

[_Enter Vardhamanaka, driving a bullock-cart._]

_Vardhamanaka._ Radanika, Radanika! Tell mistress Vasantasena that the covered cart is standing ready at the side-door.

_Radanika._ [_Entering._] Mistress, Vardhamanaka is here, and he says that the cart is waiting at the side-door.

_Vasantasena._ He must wait a minute, girl, while I get ready.

_Rad._ Wait a minute, Vardhamanaka, while she gets ready. [_Exit._

_Vardhamanaka._ h.e.l.lo, I've forgotten the cus.h.i.+on. I must go and get it. But the nose-rope makes the bullocks skittish. I suppose I had better take the cart along with me. [_Exit._

[96.14. S.

_Vasantasena._ Bring me my things, girl. I must make myself ready.

[_She does so._]

[_Enter, driving a bullock-cart, Sthavaraka, servant to Sansthanaka._]

_Sthavaraka._ Sansthanaka, the king's brother-in-law, said to me ”Take a bullock-cart, Sthavaraka, and come as quick as you can to the old garden Pushpakaranda.” Well, I'm on my way there.

Get up, bullocks, get up! [_He drives about and looks around._]

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