Part 47 (1/2)

[_He looks in another direction._] But see! a snake!

His eye is fixed upon me; and his back Flashes like antimony's l.u.s.trous black; His long tongue quivers; four white fangs appear; His belly swells and coils. He slumbered here, This prince of serpents, till I crossed his path, And now he darts upon me in his wrath. 12

[143.21. S.

And more than this:

I slip, although the ground has felt no rain; My left eye, and my left arm throb again; Another bird is screaming overhead; All bodes a cruel death, and hope is fled. 13

Surely, the G.o.ds will grant that all may yet be well.

_Beadle._ Follow me, sir. Here is the court-room. Pray enter.

_Charudatta._ [_Enters and looks about._] How wonderfully splendid is the court-room. For it seems an ocean,

Whose waters are the king's advisers, deep In thought; as waves and sh.e.l.ls it seems to keep The attorneys; and as sharks and crocodiles It has its spies that stand in waiting files; Its elephants and horses[83] represent The cruel ocean-fish on murder bent; As if with herons of the sea, it s.h.i.+nes With screaming pettifoggers' numerous lines; While in the guise of serpents, scribes are creeping Upon its statecraft-trodden sh.o.r.e: the court The likeness of an ocean still is keeping, To which all harmful-cruel beasts resort. 14

Come! [_As he enters, he strikes his head against the door. Reflectively._]

Alas! This also?

My left eye throbs; a raven cries; A serpent coils athwart my path.

My safety now with heaven lies. 15

But I must enter. [_He does so._]

P. 238.16]

_Judge._ This is Charudatta.

A countenance like his, with clear-cut nose, Whose great, wide-opened eye frank candor shows, Is not the home of wantonness; With elephants, with horses, and with kine, The outer form is inner habit's sign; With men no less. 16

_Charudatta._ My greetings to the officers of justice. Officials, I salute you.

_Judge._ [_Betraying his agitation._] You are very welcome, sir. My good beadle, give the gentleman a seat.

_Beadle._ [_Brings a seat._] Here is a seat. Pray be seated, sir.

[_Charudatta seats himself._]

_Sansthanaka._ [_Angrily._] You're here, are you, you woman-murderer?

Well! Thish is a fine trial, thish is a jusht trial, where they give a sheat to thish woman-murderer. [_Haughtily._] But it's all right. They can give it to him.

_Judge._ Charudatta, have you any attachment, or affection, or friends.h.i.+p, with this lady's daughter?

_Charudatta._ What lady?

_Judge._ This lady. [_He indicates Vasantasena's mother._]

_Charudatta._ [_Rising._] Madam, I salute you.