Part 5
_Vasantasena._ Madanika, the birds fly everywhither when the tree is shaken in which they have their nests. Go, girl, and give the gambling-master and the gambler this bracelet. And tell them that this gentleman sends it. [_She removes a bracelet from her arm, and gives it to Madanika._]
_Madanika._ [_Receiving the bracelet._] Yes, mistress. [_She goes out._]
P. 71.2]
_Mathura._ I am ruined! I am robbed!
_Madanika._ Inasmuch as these two are looking up to heaven, and sighing, and chattering, and fastening their eyes on the door, I conclude that they must be the gambling-master and the gambler. [_Approaching._] I salute you, sir.
_Mathura._ May happiness be yours.
_Madanika._ Sir, which of you is the gambling-master?
_Math._
O maiden, fair but something less than shy, With red lip wounded in love's ardent play, On whom is bent that sweet, coquettish eye? For whom that lisp that steals the heart away? 16
_I_ haven't got any money. You'll have to look somewhere else.
_Madanika._ You are certainly no gambler, if you talk that way. Is there any one who _owes_ you money?
_Mathura._ There is. He owes ten gold-pieces. What of him?
_Madanika._ In his behalf my mistress sends you this bracelet. No, no! He sends it himself.
_Mathura._ [_Seizing it joyfully._] Well, well, you may tell the noble youth that his account is squared. Let him come and seek delight again in gambling. [_Exeunt Mathura and the gambler._
* * * * *
_Madanika._ [_Returning to Vasantasena._] Mistress, the gambling-master and the gambler have gone away well-pleased.
_Vasantasena._ Go, sir, and comfort your kinsfolk.
_Shampooer._ Ah, madam, if it may be, these hands would gladly practise their art in your service.
_Vasantasena._ But sir, he for whose sake you mastered the art, who first received your service, he should have your service still.
_Shampooer._ [_Aside._] A very pretty way to decline my services. How shall I repay her kindness? [_Aloud._] Madam, thus dishonored as a gambler, I shall become a Buddhist monk. And so, madam, treasure these words in your memory: "He was a shampooer, a gambler, a Buddhist monk."
[40.1. S.
_Vasantasena._ Sir, you must not act too precipitately.
_Shampooer._ Madam, my mind is made up. [_He walks about._]
I gambled, and in gambling I did fall, Till every one beheld me with dismay. Now I shall show my honest face to all, And walk abroad upon the king's highway. 17
[_Tumultuous cries behind the scenes._]
_Shampooer._ [_Listening._] What is this? What is this? [_Addressing some one behind the scenes._] What did you say? "Post-breaker, Vasantasena's rogue elephant, is at liberty!" Hurrah! I must go and see the lady's best elephant. No, no! What have I to do with these things? I must hold to my resolution. [_Exit._
[_Then enter hastily Karnapuraka, highly delighted, wearing a gorgeous mantle._]
_Karnapuraka._ Where is she? Where is my mistress?
_Madanika._ Insolent! What can it be that so excites you? You do not see your mistress before your very eyes.
_Karnapuraka._ [_Perceiving Vasantasena._] Mistress, my service to you.
_Vasantasena._ Karnapuraka, your face is beaming. What is it?
_Karnapuraka._ [_Proudly._] Oh, mistress! You missed it! You didn't see Karnapuraka's heroism to-day!
_Vasantasena._ What, Karnapuraka, what?
_Karnapuraka._ Listen. Post-breaker, my mistress' rogue elephant, broke the stake he was tied to, killed his keeper, and ran into the street, making a terrible commotion. You should have heard the people shriek,
Take care of the babies, as quick as you can. And climb up a roof or a tree! The elephant rogue wants the blood of a man. Escape! Run away! Can't you see? 18
P. 74.14]
And:
How they lose their ankle-rings! Girdles, set with gems and things, Break away from fastenings!
As they stumble, trip, and blunder, See the bracelets snap asunder, Each a tangled, pearly wonder! 19
And that rogue of an elephant dives with his trunk and his feet and his tusks into the city of Ujjayini, as if it were a lotus-pond in full flower. At last he comes upon a Buddhist monk.[43] And while the man's staff and his water-jar and his begging-bowl fly every which way, he drizzles water over him and gets him between his tusks. The people see him and begin to shriek again, crying "Oh, oh, the monk is killed!"
_Vasantasena._ [_Anxiously._] Oh, what carelessness, what carelessness!
_Karnapuraka._ Don't be frightened. Just listen, mistress. Then, with a big piece of the broken chain dangling about him, he picked him up, picked up the monk between his tusks, and just then Karnapuraka saw him, _I_ saw him, no, no! the slave who grows fat on my mistress' rice-cakes saw him, stumbled with his left foot over a gambler's score, grabbed up an iron pole out of a shop, and challenged the mad elephant--
_Vasantasena._ Go on! Go on!
_Karnap._
I hit him--in a fit of passion, too-- He really looked like some great mountain peak. And from between those tusks of his I drew The sacred hermit meek. 20
_Vasantasena._ Splendid, splendid! But go on!
_Karnapuraka._ Then, mistress, all Ujjayini tipped over to one side, like a ship loaded unevenly, and you could hear nothing but "Hurrah, hurrah for Karnapuraka!" Then, mistress, a man touched the places where he ought to have ornaments, and, finding that he hadn't any, looked up, heaved a long sigh, and threw this mantle over me.
[41.19. S.
_Vasantasena._ Find out, Karnapuraka, whether the mantle is perfumed with jasmine or not.
_Karnapuraka._ Mistress, the elephant perfume is so strong that I can't tell for sure.
_Vasantasena._ Then look at the name.
_Karnapuraka._ Here is the name. You may read it, mistress. [_He hands her the mantle._]
_Vasantasena._ [_Reads._] Charudatta. [_She seizes the mantle eagerly and wraps it about her._]
_Madanika._ The mantle is very becoming to her, Karnapuraka.
_Karnapuraka._ Oh, yes, the mantle is becoming enough.
_Vasantasena._ Here is your reward, Karnapuraka. [_She gives him a gem._]
_Karnapuraka._ [_Taking it and bowing low._] Now the mantle is most wonderfully becoming.
_Vasantasena._ Karnapuraka, where is Charudatta now?
_Karnapuraka._ He started to go home along this very street.
_Vasantasena._ Come, girl! Let us go to the upper balcony and see Charudatta. [_Exeunt omnes._
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 39: Perhaps masseur would be more accurate.]
[Footnote 40: That of Mathura, the keeper of the gambling house.]
[Footnote 41: A humorously exaggerated reference to Indian ascetic practices.]
[Footnote 42: See note on page 33.]
[Footnote 43: The shampooer, whose transformation is astonishingly sudden.]
ACT THE THIRD
THE HOLE IN THE WALL
[_Enter Charudatta's servant, Vardhamanaka._]
_Vardh._
A master, kindly and benevolent, His servants love, however poor he be. The purse-proud, with a will on harshness bent, Pays service in the coin of cruelty. 1
And again:
A bullock greedy for a feast of corn You never can prevent; A wife who wants her lord to wear a horn You never can prevent; A man who loves to gamble night and morn You never can prevent; And blemishes[44] that with a man are born You never can prevent. 2
It is some time since Charudatta went to the concert. It is past midnight, and still he does not come. I think I will go into the outer hall and take a nap. [_He does so._]
* * * * *
[_Enter Charudatta and Maitreya._]
_Charudatta._ How beautifully Rebhila sang! The lute is indeed a pearl, a pearl not of the ocean.
Gently the anxious lover's heart befriending, Consoling when true lovers may not meet, To love-lorn souls the dearest comforts sending, It adds to sweetest love its more of sweet. 3
_Maitreya._ Well then, let's go into the house.
_Charudatta._ But how wonderfully Master Rebhila sang!
[44.1. S
_Maitreya._ There are just two things that always make me laugh. One is a woman talking Sanskrit, and the other is a man who tries to sing soft and low. Now when a woman talks Sanskrit, she is like a heifer with a new rope through her nose; all you hear is "soo, soo, soo." And when a man tries to sing soft and low, he reminds me of an old priest muttering texts, while the flowers in his chaplet dry up. No, I don't like it!
_Charudatta._ My friend, Master Rebhila sang most wonderfully this evening. And still you are not satisfied.
The notes of love, peace, sweetness, could I trace, The note that thrills, the note of passion too, The note of woman's loveliness and grace-- Ah, my poor words add nothing, nothing new! But as the notes in sweetest cadence rang, I thought it was my hidden love who sang. 4
The melody of song, the stricken strings In undertone that half-unconscious clings, More clearly sounding when the passions rise, But ever sweeter as the music dies. Words that strong passion fain would say again, Yet checks their second utterance--in vain; For music sweet as this lives on, until I walk as hearing sweetest music still. 5
_Maitreya._ But see, my friend! The very dogs are sound asleep in the shops that look out on the market. Let us go home. [_He looks before him._] Look, look! The blessed moon seems to give place to darkness, as she descends from her palace in heaven.
_Charudatta._ True.
The moon gives place to darkness as she dips Behind the western mountain; and the tips Of her uplifted horns alone appear, Like two sharp-pointed tusks uplifted clear, Where bathes an elephant in waters cool, Who shows naught else above the jungle pool. 6
P. 89.1]
_Maitreya._ Well, here is our house. Vardhamanaka, Vardhamanaka, open the door!
_Vardhamanaka._ I hear Maitreya's voice. Charudatta has returned. I must open the door for him. [_He does so._] Master, I salute you. Maitreya, I salute you too. The couch is ready. Pray be seated. [_Charudatta and Maitreya enter and seat themselves._]
_Maitreya._ Vardhamanaka, call Radanika to wash our feet.
_Charudatta._ [_Compassionately._] She sleeps. Do not wake her.
_Vardhamanaka._ I will bring the water, Maitreya, and you may wash Charudatta's feet.
_Maitreya._ [_Angrily._] Look, man. He acts like the son of a slave that he is, for he is bringing water. But he makes me wash your feet, and I am a Brahman.
_Charudatta._ Good Maitreya, do you bring the water, and Vardhamanaka shall wash my feet.
_Vardhamanaka._ Yes, Maitreya. Do you bring the water. [_Maitreya does so. Vardhamanaka washes Charudatta's feet, then moves away._]
_Charudatta._ Let water be brought for the Brahman's feet.
_Maitreya._ What good does water do my feet? I shall have to roll in the dirt again, like a beaten ass.
_Vardhamanaka._ Maitreya, you are a Brahman.
_Maitreya._ Yes, like a slow-worm among all the other snakes, so am I a Brahman among all the other Brahmans.
_Vardhamanaka._ Maitreya, I will wash your feet after all. [_He does so._] Maitreya, this golden casket I was to keep by day, you by night. Take it. [_He gives it to Maitreya, then exit._
_Maitreya._ [_Receiving the casket._] The thing is here still. Isn't there a single thief in Ujjayini to steal the wretch that robs me of my sleep? Listen. I am going to take it into the inner court.
[46.1. S.
_Charud._
Such lax attention we can ill afford. If we are trusted by a courtezan, Then, Brahman, prove yourself an honest man, And guard it safely, till it be restored. 7
[_He nods, repeating the stanza_ "The melody of song, the stricken strings:" _page_ 44.]
_Maitreya._ Are you going to sleep?
_Charudatta._ Yes, so it seems.
For conquering sleep, descending on mine eyes, First smites the brow with unresisted blow; Unseen, elusive, like old age, she tries To gather strength by weakening her foe. 8
_Maitreya._ Then let's go to sleep. [_He does so._]
* * * * *
[_Enter Sharvilaka._[45]]
_Sharv._
I made an entrance for my body's round By force of art and arms, a path to deeds! I skinned my sides by crawling on the ground, Like a snake that sloughs the skin no longer sound: And now I go where my profession leads. 9
[_He gazes at the sky. Joyfully._] See! The blessed moon is setting. For well I know,
My trade would fain from watchmen's eyes be shrouded; Valiant, I force the dwelling of another. But see, the stars in deepest dark are clouded, And the night shields me like a careful mother. 10
I made a breach in the orchard wall and entered. And now I must force my way into the inner court as well.
Yes, let men call it vulgar, if they will, The trade that thrives while sleeps the sleepyhead; Yes, knavery, not bravery, call it still, To overreach confiding folk a-bed.
P. 86.9]
Far better blame and hissing, fairly won. Than the pay of genuflecting underlings; This antique path was trod by Drona's son, Who slew the sleeping, unsuspecting kings. 11
But where shall I make the breach?
Where is the spot which falling drops decayed? For each betraying sound is deadened there. No yawning breach should in the walls be made, So treatises on robbery declare. Where does the palace crumble? Where the place That niter-eaten bricks false soundness wear? Where shall I 'scape the sight of woman's face? Fulfilment of my wishes waits me there. 12
[_He feels the wall._] Here is a spot weakened by constant sun and sprinkling and eaten by saltpeter rot. And here is a pile of dirt thrown up by a mouse. Now heaven be praised! My venture prospers. This is the first sign of success for Skanda's[46] sons. Now first of all, how shall I make the breach? The blessed Bearer of the Golden Lance[47] has prescribed four varieties of breach, thus: if the bricks are baked, pull them out; if they are unbaked, cut them; if they are made of earth, wet them; if they are made of wood, split them. Here we have baked bricks; ergo, pull out the bricks.
Now what shall be the shape I give the breach? A "lotus," "cistern," "crescent moon," or "sun"? "Oblong," or "cross," or "bulging pot"? for each The treatises permit. Which one? which one? And where shall I display my sovereign skill, That in the morning men may wonder still? 13
In this wall of baked bricks, the "bulging pot" would be effective. I will make that.
[47.16. S.
At other walls that I have pierced by night, And at my less successful ventures too, The crowd of neighbors gazed by morning light, Assigning praise or blame, as was my due. 14
Praise to the boon-conferring god, to Skanda of immortal youth! Praise to him, the Bearer of the Golden Lance, the Brahman's god, the pious! Praise to him, the Child of the Sun! Praise to him, the teacher of magic, whose first pupil I am! For he found pleasure in me and gave me magic ointment,
With which so I anointed be, No watchman's eye my form shall see; And edged sword that falls on me From cruel wounds shall leave me free. 15
[_He anoints himself._] Alas, I have forgotten my measuring line. [_Reflecting._] Aha! This sacred cord[48] shall be my measuring line. Yes, the sacred cord is a great blessing to a Brahman, especially to one like me. For, you see,
With this he measures, ere he pierce a wall, And picks the lock, when jewels are at stake. It serves as key to bolted door and hall, As tourniquet for bite of worm and snake. 16
The measuring is done. I begin my task. [_He does so, then takes a look._] My breach lacks but a single brick. Alas, I am bitten by a snake. [_He binds his finger with the sacred cord, and manifests the workings of poison._] I have applied the remedy, and now I am restored. [_He continues his work, then gazes._] Ah, there burns a candle. See!
Though jealous darkness hems it round, The golden-yellow candle from its place Shines through the breach upon the ground, Like a streak of gold upon the touchstone's face. 17
P. 87.9]
[_He returns to his work._] The breach is finished. Good! I enter. But no, I will not enter yet. I will shove a dummy in. [_He does so._] Ah, no one is there. Praise be to Skanda! [_He enters and looks about._] See! Two men asleep. Come, for my own protection I will open the door. But the house is old and the door squeaks. I must look for water. Now where might water be? [_He looks about, finds water, and sprinkles the door. Anxiously._] I hope it will not fall upon the floor and make a noise. Come, this is the way. [_He puts his back against the door and opens it cautiously._] Good! So much for that. Now I must discover whether these two are feigning sleep, or whether they are asleep in the fullest meaning of the term. [_He tries to terrify them, and notes the effect._] Yes, they must be asleep in the fullest meaning of the term. For see!
Their breath first calmly rises, ere it sink; Its regularity all fear defies. Unmoving in their socket-holes, the eyes Are tightly closed, and never seem to wink. The limbs relaxed, at ease the bodies lie, I see their feet beyond the bedstead peep, The lighted candle vexes not the eye; It would, if they were only feigning sleep. 18
[_He looks about him._] What! a drum? And here is a flute. And here, a snare-drum. And here, a lute. And reed-pipes. And yonder, manuscripts. Is this the house of a dancing-master? But no! When I entered, I was convinced that this was a palatial residence. Now then, is this man poor in the fullest meaning of the term, or, from fear of the king or of thieves, does he keep his property buried? Well, my own property is buried, too. But I will scatter the seeds that betray subterranean gold. [_He does so._] The scattered seeds nowhere swell up. Ah, he is poor in the fullest meaning of the term. Good! I go.
_Maitreya._ [_Talking in his sleep._] Look, man. I see something like a hole in the wall. I see something like a thief. You had better take this golden casket.
[49.7. S
_Sharvilaka._ I wonder if the man has discovered that I have entered, and is showing off his poverty in order to make fun of me. Shall I kill him, or is the poor devil talking in his sleep? [_He takes a look._] But see! This thing wrapped in a ragged bath-clout, now that I inspect it by the light of my candle, is in truth a jewel-casket Suppose I take it. But no! It is hardly proper to rob a man of good birth, who is as poor as I am. I go.
_Maitreya._ My friend, by the wishes of cows and Brahmans[49] I conjure you to take this golden casket.
_Sharvilaka._ One may not disregard the sacred wish of a cow and the wish of a Brahman. I will take it. But look! There burns the candle. I keep about me a moth for the express purpose of extinguishing candles. I will let him enter the flame. This is his place and hour. May this moth which I here release, depart to flutter above the flame in varying circles. The breeze from the insect's wings has translated the flame into accursed darkness. Or shall I not rather curse the darkness brought by me upon my Brahmanic family? For my father was a man who knew the four Vedas, who would not accept a gift; and I, Sharvilaka, his son, and a Brahman, I am committing a crime for the sake of that courtezan girl Madanika. Now I will grant the Brahman's wish. [_He reaches out for the casket._]
_Maitreya._ How cold your fingers are, man!
_Sharvilaka._ What carelessness! My fingers are cold from touching water. Well, I will put my hand in my armpit [_He warms his left hand and takes the casket._]
_Maitreya._ Have you got it?
_Sharvilaka._ I could not refuse a Brahman's request. I have it.
P. 80.9]
_Maitreya._ Now I shall sleep as peacefully as a merchant who has sold his wares.
_Sharvilaka._ O great Brahman, sleep a hundred years! Alas that a Brahman family should thus be plunged in darkness for the sake of Madanika, a courtezan! Or better, I myself am thus plunged in darkness.
A curse on poverty, I say! 'T is stranger to the manly will; This act that shuns the light of day I curse indeed, but do it still. 19
Well then, I must go to Vasantasena's house to buy Madanika's freedom. [_He walks about and looks around him._] Ah, I think I hear footsteps. I hope they are not those of policemen. Never mind. I will pretend to be a pillar, and wait. But after all, do policemen exist for me, for Sharvilaka? Why, I am
A cat for crawling, and a deer for flight, A hawk for rending, and a dog for sight To judge the strength of men that wake or sleep, A snake, when 't is advisable to creep, Illusion's self, to seem a saint or rogue, Goddess of Speech in understanding brogue; A light in blackest night, in holes a lizard I can be, A horse on terra firma, and a ship upon the sea. 20
And again:
Quick as a snake, and steady as a hill; In flight the prince of birds can show no greater skill; In searching on the ground I am as keen as any hare, In strength I am a lion, and a wolf to rend and tear. 21
_Radanika._ [_Entering._] Dear me! Vardhamanaka went to sleep in the outer court, and now he is not there. Well, I will call Maitreya. [_She walks about._]
[51.1. S.
_Sharvilaka._ [_Prepares to strike down Radanika, but first takes a look._] What! a woman? Good! I go. [_Exit._
* * * * *
_Radanika._ [_Recoiling in terror._] Oh, oh, a thief has cut a hole in the wall of our house and is escaping, I must go and wake Maitreya. [_She approaches Maitreya._] Oh, Maitreya, get up, get up! A thief has cut a hole in the wall of our house and has escaped.
_Maitreya._ [_Rising._] What do you mean, wench? "A hole in the wall has cut a thief and has escaped"?
_Radanika._ Poor fool! Stop your joking. Don't you see it?
_Maitreya._ What do you mean, wench? "It looks as if a second door had been thrown open"? Get up, friend Charudatta, get up! A thief has made a hole in the wall of our house and has escaped.
_Charudatta._ Yes, yes! A truce to your jests!
_Maitreya._ But it isn't a jest. Look!
_Charudatta._ Where?
_Maitreya._ Why, here.
_Charudatta._ [_Gazing._] What a very remarkable hole!
The bricks are drawn away below, above; The top is narrow, but the center wide; As if the great house-heart had burst with pride, Fearing lest the unworthy share its love. 22
To think that science should be expended on a task like this!
_Maitreya._ My friend, this hole must have been made by one of two men; either by a stranger, or else for practice by a student of the science of robbery. For what man here in Ujjayini does not know how much wealth there is in our house?
_Charud._
Stranger he must have been who made the breach, His customed harvest in my house to reap; He has not learned that vanished riches teach A calm, untroubled sleep.
He saw the sometime greatness of my home And forced an entrance; for his heart did leap With short-lived hope; now he must elsewhere roam, And over broken hopes must sorely weep. 23
Just think of the poor fellow telling his friends: "I entered the house of a merchant's son, and found--nothing."
P. 92.4]