Part 49 (2/2)

[131.12. S.

_Maitreya._ [_Aside to Charudatta._] Why don't you simply say that she went home?

_Charudatta._ Though I say it, it is not believed, so unfortunate is my condition.

_Maitreya._ But gentlemen! He adorned the city of Ujjayini with mansions, cloisters, parks, temples, pools, and fountains, and he should be mad enough to commit such a crime--and for a mere trifle? [_Wrathfully._] You offspring of a loose wench, you brother-in-law of the king, Sansthanaka, you libertine, you slanderer, you buffoon, you gilded monkey, say it before me! This friend of mine does n't even draw a flowering jasmine creeper to himself, to gather the blossoms, for fear that a twig might perhaps be injured.

How should he commit a crime like this, which heaven and earth call accursed? Just wait, you son of a bawd! Wait till I split your head into a hundred pieces with this staff of mine, as crooked as your heart.

_Sansthanaka._ [_Angrily._] Lishten to that, gentlemen! I have a quarrel, or a lawshuit, with Charudatta. What right has a man with a pate that looks like a caret, to shplit my head into a hundred pieces? Not much! You confounded rashcal! [_Maitreya raises his staff and repeats his words. Sansthanaka rises angrily and strikes him. Maitreya strikes back. During the scuffle the jewels fall from Maitreya's girdle._]

_Sansthanaka._ [_Picks up the jewels and examines them. Excitedly._]

Look, gentlemen, look! These are the poor girl's jewels! [_Pointing to Charudatta._] For a trifle like thish he murdered her, and killed her too. [_The magistrates all bow their heads._]

_Charudatta._ [_Aside to Maitreya._]

'T is thus my fate would vent its gall, That at this moment they should fall, These gems--and with them, I. 31

_Maitreya._ But why don't you simply tell the truth?

P. 250.1]

_Charudatta._ My friend,

The king perceives with blinded eye, Nor on the truth that eye will bend; Though telling all, I cannot fly A wretched and inglorious end. 32

_Judge._ Alas! Alas!

With Mars strives Jupiter, and dies; Beside them both there seems to rise A comet-planet[84] in the skies. 33

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ [_Looking at the casket. To Vasantasena's mother._] Madam, pray examine this golden casket attentively, to see whether it be the same or not.

_Mother._ [_Examining the casket._] It is similar, but not the same.

_Sansthanaka._ Oh, you old bawd! You confessh it with your eyes, and deny it with your lips.

_Mother._ Away, you scoundrel!

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ Speak carefully. Is it the same or not?

_Mother._ Sir, the craftsman's skill captivates the eye. But it is not the same.

_Judge._ My good woman, do you know these jewels?

_Mother._ No, I said. No! I don't recognize them; but perhaps they were made by the same craftsman.

_Judge._ Gild-warden, see!

Gems often seem alike in many ways, When the artist's mind on form and beauty plays; For craftsmen imitate what they have seen, And skilful hands remake what once has been. 34

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