Part 12

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ How do you know that it was the body of a woman?

_Viraka._ That I perceived from the traces of hair and arms and hands and feet.

_Judge._ Alas for the difficulties which are caused by the actions of men!

The more one may apply his skill, The harder is the matter still; Plain are indeed the law's demands, Yet judgment insecurely stands As some poor cow on shifting sands. 25

_Charudatta._ [_Aside._]

As bees, when flowers begin to blow, Gather to sip the honey, so When man is marked by adverse fate, Misfortunes enter every gate. 26

_Judge._ Noble Charudatta, speak truth!

_Charudatta._

A mean and jealous creature, passion-blind, Sets all his soul, some fatal means to find To slay the man he envies; shall his lies By evil nature prompted, win the prize? No! he is unregarded by the wise. 27

And more than this:

The creeper's beauty would I never blight, Nor pluck its flowers; should I not be afraid To seize her hair so lovely-long, and bright As wings of bees, and slay a weeping maid? 28

[149.15. S.

_Sansthanaka._ Hello, magishtrates! How can you inveshtigate the cashe with such partiality? Why, even now you let thish shcoundrel Charudatta shtay on his sheat.

_Judge._ My good beadle, so be it [_The beadle follows Sansthanaka's suggestion._]

_Charudatta._ Consider, magistrates, consider what you are doing! [_He leaves his seat, and sits on the floor._]

_Sansthanaka._ [_Dancing about gleefully. Aside._] Fine! The shin that I did falls on another man's head. Sho I 'll sit where Charudatta was. [_He does so._] Look at me, Charudatta, and confessh that you murdered her.

_Charudatta._ Magistrates!

A mean and jealous creature, passion-blind, Sets all his soul, some fatal means to find To slay the man he envies; shall his lies, By evil nature prompted, win the prize? No! he is unregarded by the wise. (27)

[_Sighing. Aside._]

My friend Maitreya! Oh, this cruel blow! My wife, thou issue of a spotless strain! My Rohasena! Here am I, laid low By sternest fate; and thou, thou dost not know That all thy childish games are played in vain. Thou playest, heedless of another's pain! 29

But Maitreya I sent to Vasantasena, that he might bring me tidings of her, and might restore the jewels which she gave my child, to buy him a toy cart. Why then does he linger?

* * * * *

[_Enter Maitreya with the gems._]

P. 246.19]

_Maitreya._ Charudatta bade me go to Vasantasena, to return her jewels, and he said to me: "Maitreya, Vasantasena adorned my dear Rohasena with her own jewels, and sent him thus to his mother. It was fitting that she should give him the jewels, but not that we should receive them. Therefore restore them to her." So now I will go to Vasantasena's house. [_He walks about and looks around, then speaks to a person behind the scenes._] Ah, it is Master Rebhila. Oh, Master Rebhila, why do you seem so exceedingly troubled? [_He listens._] What! do you mean to say that my dear friend Charudatta has been summoned to court? That can hardly be an insignificant matter. [_He reflects._] I will go to Vasantasena's house later, but now I will go to the court-room. [_He walks about and looks around._] Here is the court-room. I will go in at once. [_He enters._] May happiness be the lot of the magistrates. Where is my friend?

_Judge._ Here.

_Maitreya._ My friend, I wish you happiness.

_Charudatta._ It will be mine.

_Maitreya._ And peace.

_Charudatta._ That too will be mine.

_Maitreya._ My friend, why do you seem so exceedingly troubled? And why were you summoned?

_Charudatta._ My friend,

A scoundrel I, who bear the blame, Nor seek in heaven to be blest; A maid--or goddess--'t is the same-- But _he_ will say the rest. 30

_Maitreya._ What? what?

_Charudatta._ [_Whispers._] That is it.

_Maitreya._ Who says that?

_Charudatta._ [_Indicating Sansthanaka._] This poor fellow is the instrument that fate uses to accuse me.

[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

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ Do these jewels belong to Charudatta?

_Charudatta._ Never!

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ To whom then?

[153.12. S.

_Charudatta._ To this lady's daughter.

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ How did she lose them?

_Charudatta._ She lost them. Yes, so much is true.

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ Charudatta, speak the truth in this matter. For you must remember,

Truth brings well-being in its train; Through speaking truth, no evils rise; Truth, precious syllable!--Refrain From hiding truth in lies. 35

_Charudatta._ The jewels, the jewels! I do not know. But I do know that they were taken from my house.

_Sansthanaka._ Firsht you take her into the garden and murder her. And now you hide it by tricky trickinessh.

_Judge._ Noble Charudatta, speak the truth!

Merciless lashes wait to smite This moment on thy tender flesh; And we--we can but think it right. 36

_Charudatta._

Of sinless sires I boast my birth, And sin in me was never found; Yet if suspicion taints my worth, What boots it though my heart be sound? 37

[_Aside._] And yet I know not what to do with life, so I be robbed of Vasantasena. [_Aloud._] Ah, why waste words?

A scoundrel I, who bear the blame, Nor think of earth, nor heaven blest; That sweetest maid, in passion's flame-- But _he_ will say the rest. 38

_Sansthanaka._ Killed her! Come, you shay it too. "I killed her."

_Charudatta._ You have said it.

_Sansthanaka._ Lishten, my mashters, lishten! He murdered her! No one but him! Doubt is over. Let punishment be inflicted on the body of thish poor Charudatta.

P. 253.1]

_Judge._ Beadle, we must do as the king's brother-in-law says. Guardsmen, lay hold on this Charudatta. [_The guardsmen do so._]

_Mother._ Be merciful, good gentlemen, be merciful! [_She repeats what she had said before, beginning_ "When the golden casket:" _page 143._] If my daughter is killed, she is killed. Let him live for me--bless him! And besides, a lawsuit is a matter between plaintiff and defendant. I am the real plaintiff. So let him go free!

_Sansthanaka._ You shlave, get out of the way! What have you got to shay about him?

_Judge._ Go, madam. Guardsmen, conduct her forth.

_Mother._ Oh, my child, my son! [_Exit weeping._

_Sansthanaka._ [_Aside._] I 've done shomething worthy of myshelf. Now I 'll go. [_Exit._

_Judge._ Noble Charudatta, the decision lies with us, but the rest depends on the king. And yet, beadle, let King Palaka be reminded of this:

The Brahman who has sinned, our laws declare, May not be slain, but banished from the realm, And with his wealth entire abroad may fare. 39

_Beadle._ Yes, Your Honor. [_He goes out, then reenters in tears._] Oh, sirs, I was with the king. And King Palaka says: "Inasmuch as he killed Vasantasena for such a trifle, these same jewels shall be hung about his neck, the drum shall be beaten, he shall be conducted to the southern burying-ground, and there impaled." And whoever else shall commit such a crime, shall be punished with the like dreadful doom.

_Charudatta._ Oh, how wanton is this act of King Palaka! Nevertheless,

Although his counsellors may plunge a king Into injustice' dangers great, Yet he will reap the woe and suffering; And 't is a righteous fate. 40

[155.10. S.

And more than this:

They who pervert the king's true bent, The white crow's part who play, Have slain their thousands innocent, And slay, and slay, and slay. 41

My friend Maitreya, go, greet the mother of my son in my name for the last time. And keep my son Rohasena free from harm.

_Maitreya._ When the root is cut away, how can the tree be saved?

_Charudatta._ No, not so.

When man departs to worlds above, In living son yet liveth he; Bestow on Rohasena love No less than that thou gavest me. 42

_Maitreya._ Oh, my friend! I will prove myself your friend by continuing the life that you leave unfinished.

_Charudatta._ And let me see Rohasena for a single moment.

_Maitreya._ I will. It is but fitting.

_Judge._ My good beadle, remove this man. [_The beadle does so._] Who is there? Let the headsmen receive their orders. [_The guardsmen loose their hold on Charudatta, and all of them go out._]

_Beadle._ Come with me, sir.

_Charudatta._ [_Mournfully repeats the verse, page 146, beginning_ "My friend Maitreya!" _Then, as if speaking to one not present._]

If you had proved my conduct by the fire, By water, poison, scales, and thus had known That I deserved that saws should bite my bone, My Brahman's frame, more could I not desire. You trust a foeman, slay me thus? 'T is well. With sons, and sons' sons, now you plunge to hell! 43

I come! I come! [_Exeunt omnes._

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 83: Elephants were employed as executioners; and, according to Lalladiksita, the horses served the same purpose.]

[Footnote 84: This refers to the fallen jewels.]

ACT THE TENTH

THE END

[_Enter Charudatta, accompanied by two headsmen._]

_Headsmen._

Then think no longer of the pain; In just a second you 'll be slain. We understand the fashions new To fetter you and kill you too. In chopping heads we never fail, Nor when the victim we impale. 1

Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way! This is the noble Charudatta.

The oleander on his brow, In headsmen's hands you see him now; Like a lamp whose oil runs nearly dry, His light fades gently, ere it die. 2

_Charudatta._ [_Gloomily._]

My body wet by tear-drops falling, falling; My limbs polluted by the clinging mud; Flowers from the graveyard torn, my wreath appalling; For ghastly sacrifice hoarse ravens calling, And for the fragrant incense of my blood. 3

_Headsmen._ Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way!

Why gaze upon the good man so? The ax of death soon lays him low. Yet good men once sought shelter free, Like birds, upon this kindly tree. 4

Come, Charudatta, come!

_Charudatta._ Incalculable are the ways of human destiny, that I am come to such a plight!

Red marks of hands in sandal paste O'er all my body have been placed; The man, with meal and powder strewn, Is now to beast of offering grown. 5

[157.19. S.

[_He gazes intently before him._] Alas for human differences! [_Mournfully._]

For when they see the fate that I must brave, With tears for death's poor victim freely given, The citizens cry "shame," yet cannot save,-- Can only pray that I attain to heaven. 6

_Headsmen._ Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way! Why do you gaze upon him?

God Indra moving through the sky,[85] The calving cow, the falling star, The good man when he needs must die,-- These four behold not from afar. 7

_Goha._ Look, Ahinta! Look, man!

While he, of citizens the best, Goes to his death at fate's behest, Does heaven thus weep that he must die? Does lightning paint the cloudless sky? 8

_Ahinta._ Goha, man,

The heaven weeps not that he must die, Nor lightning paints the cloudless sky; Yet streams are falling constantly From many a woman's clouded eye. 9

And again:

While this poor victim to his death is led, No man nor woman here but sorely weeps; And so the dust, by countless tear-drops fed, Thus peacefully upon the highway sleeps. 10

_Charudatta._ [_Gazes intently. Mournfully._]

These women, in their palaces who stay, From half-shut windows peering, thus lament, "Alas for Charudatta! Woe the day!" And pity-streaming eyes on me are bent. 11

P. 258.12]

_Headsmen._ Come, Charudatta, come! Here is the place of proclamation. Beat the drum and proclaim the sentence.

Listen, good people, listen! This is the noble Charudatta, son of Sagaradatta, and grandson of the merchant Vinayadatta. This malefactor enticed the courtezan Vasantasena into the deserted old garden Pushpakaranda, and for a mere trifle murdered her by strangling. He was taken with the booty, and confessed his guilt. Therefore are we under orders from King Palaka to execute him. And if any other commit such a crime, accursed in this world and the next, him too King Palaka condemns to the like punishment.

_Charudatta._ [_Despondently. Aside._]

By hundred sacrifices purified, My radiant name Was once proclaimed by countless altars' side, And knew no blame. Now comes my hour of death, and evil men Of baser fame In public spots proclaim it once again, But linked with shame. 12

[_He looks up and stops his ears._]

Vasantasena! Oh, my beloved! From thy dear lips, that vied with coral's red, Betraying teeth more bright than moonbeams fair, My soul with heaven's nectar once was fed. How can I, helpless, taste that poison dread, To drink shame's poisoned cup how can I bear? 13

_Headsmen._ Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way!

This treasure-house, with pearls of virtue stored, This bridge for good men o'er misfortune's river, This gem now robbed of all its golden hoard, Departs our town to-day, departs forever. 14

[159.15. S.

And again:

Whom fortune favors, find That all the world is kind; Whose happy days are ended, Are rarely thus befriended. 15

_Charudatta._ [_Looks about him._]

Their faces with their garments' hem now hiding, They stand afar, whom once I counted friends: Even foes have smiles for men with Fortune biding: But friends prove faithless when good fortune ends. 16

_Headsmen._ They are out of the way. The street is cleared. Lead on the condemned criminal.

_Charudatta._ [_Sighing._]

My friend Maitreya! Oh, this cruel blow! My wife, thou issue of a spotless strain! My Rohasena! Here am I, laid low By sternest fate; and thou, thou dost not know That all thy childish games are played in vain. Thou playest, heedless of another's pain! (ix. 29)

* * * * *

_Voices behind the scenes._ My father! Oh, my friend!

_Charudatta._ [_Listens. Mournfully._] You are a leader in your own caste. I would beg a favor at your hands.

_Headsmen._ From _our_ hands you would receive a favor?

_Charudatta._ Heaven forbid! Yet a headsman is neither so wanton nor so cruel as King Palaka. That I may be happy in the other world, I ask to see the face of my son.

_Headsmen._ So be it.

_A voice behind the scenes._ My father! oh, my father! [_Charudatta hears the words, and mournfully repeats his request._]

_Headsmen._ Citizens, make way a moment. Let the noble Charudatta look upon the face of his son. [_Turning to the back of the stage._] This way, sir! Come on, little boy!

P. 261.15]

[_Enter Maitreya, with Rohasena._]

_Maitreya._ Make haste, my boy, make haste! Your father is being led to his death.

_Rohasena._ My father! oh, my father!

_Maitreya._ Oh, my friend! Where must I behold you now?

_Charudatta._ [_Perceives his son and his friend._] Alas, my son! Alas, Maitreya! [_Mournfully._] Ah, woe is me!

Long, too long, shall I thirst in vain Through all my sojourn dread; This vessel[86] small will not contain The water for the dead. 17

What may I give my son? [_He looks at himself, and perceives the sacrificial cord._] Ah, this at least is mine.

The precious cord that Brahmans hold Is unadorned with pearls and gold; Yet, girt therewith, they sacrifice To gods above and fathers[87] old. 18

[_He gives Rohasena the cord._]

_Goha._ Come, Charudatta! Come, man!

_Ahinta._ Man, do you name the noble Charudatta's name, and forget the title? Remember:

In happy hours, in death, by night, by day, Roving as free as a yet unbroken colt, Fate wanders on her unrestricted way. 19

And again:

Life will depart his body soon; Shall our reproaches bow his head? Although eclipse may seize the moon, We worship while it seems but dead. 20

_Rohasena._ Oh, headsmen, where are you leading my father?

[161.10. S.

_Charudatta._ My darling,

About my neck I needs must wear The oleander-wreath; Upon my shoulder I must bear The stake, and in my heart the care Of near-approaching death. I go to-day to meet a dastard's ending, A victim, at the fatal altar bending. 21

_Goha._ My boy,

Not we the headsmen are, Though born of headsman race; Thy father's life who mar, These, these are headsmen base. 22

_Rohasena._ Then why do you murder my father?

_Goha._ Bless you, 't is the king's orders must bear the blame, not we.

_Rohasena._ Kill me, and let father go free.

_Goha._ Bless you, may you live long for saying that!

_Charudatta._ [_Tearfully embracing his son._]

This treasure--love--this taste of heaven, To rich and poor alike is given; Than sandal better, or than balm, To soothe the heart and give it calm. 23

About my neck I needs must wear The oleander-wreath, Upon my shoulder I must bear The stake, and in my heart the care Of near-approaching death. I go to-day to meet a dastard's ending, A victim, at the fatal altar bending. (21)

[_He looks about. Aside._]

Their faces with their garments' hem now hiding, They stand afar, whom once I counted friends: Even foes have smiles (16)

P. 264.7]

_Maitreya._ My good men, let my dear friend Charudatta go free, and kill me instead.

_Charudatta._ Heaven forbid! [_He looks about. Aside._] Now I understand.

for men with Fortune biding; But friends prove faithless when good fortune ends. (16)

[_Aloud._]

These women, in their palaces who stay, From half-shut windows peering, thus lament, "Alas for Charudatta! Woe the day!" And pity-streaming eyes on me are bent. (11)

_Goha._ Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way!

Why gaze upon the good man so, When shame his living hope lays low? The cord was broken at the well, And down the golden pitcher fell. 24

_Charudatta._ [_Mournfully._]

From thy dear lips, that vied with coral's red, Betraying teeth more bright than moonbeams fair, My soul with heaven's nectar once was fed. How can I, helpless, taste that poison dread, To drink shame's poisoned cup how can I bear? (13)

_Ahinta._ Proclaim the sentence again, man. [_Goha does so._]

_Charud._

So lowly fallen! till shame my virtues blur, Till such an ending seem not loss, but gain! Yet o'er my heart there creeps a saddening pain, To hear them cry abroad "_You_ murdered _her_!" 25

[162.18. S.

[_Enter Sthavaraka, fettered, in the palace tower._]

_Sthavaraka._ [_After listening to the proclamation. In distress._] What! the innocent Charudatta is being put to death? And my master has thrown me into chains! Well, I must shout to them.--Listen, good gentlemen, listen! It was I, wretch that I am, who carried Vasantasena to the old garden Pushpakaranda, because she mistook my bullock-cart for another. And then my master, Sansthanaka, found that she would not love him, and it was he, not this gentleman, who murdered her by strangling.--But they are so far away that no one hears me. What shall I do? Shall I cast myself down? [_He reflects._] If I do, then the noble Charudatta will not be put to death. Yes, through this broken window I will throw myself down from the palace tower. Better that I should meet my end, than that the noble Charudatta should perish, this tree of life for noble youths. And if I die in such a cause, I have attained heaven. [_He throws himself down._] Wonderful! I did not meet my end, and my fetters are broken. So I will follow the sound of the headsmen's voices. [_He discovers the headsmen, and hastens forward._] Headsmen, headsmen, make way!

_Headsmen._ For whom shall we make way?

_Sthavaraka._ Listen, good gentlemen, listen! It was I, wretch that I am, who carried Vasantasena to the old garden Pushpakaranda, because she mistook my bullock-cart for another. And then my master, Sansthanaka, found that she would not love him, and it was he, not this gentleman, who murdered her by strangling.

_Charudatta._ Thank heaven!

But who thus gladdens this my latest morn, When in Time's snare I struggle all forlorn, A streaming cloud above the rainless corn? 26

Listen! do you hear what I say?

Death have I never feared, but blackened fame; My death were welcome, coming free from shame, As were a son, new-born to bear my name. 27

And again:

That small, weak fool, whom I have never hated, Stained me with sin wherewith himself was mated, An arrow, with most deadly poison baited. 28

_Headsmen._ Are you telling the truth, Sthavaraka?

P. 266.13]

_Sthavaraka._ I am. And to keep me from telling anybody, he cast me into chains, and imprisoned me in the tower of his palace.

* * * * *

[_Enter Sansthanaka._]

_Sansthanaka._ [_Gleefully._]

I ate a shour and bitter dish Of meat and herbs and shoup and fish; I tried at home my tongue to tickle With rice-cakes plain, and rice with treacle. 29