Part 8
It seems as if the sky would take the guise Of some fierce elephant to service bred; The lightning like a waving streamer flies, And white cranes serve to deck his mighty head. 19
_Vasantasena._ But look, sir, look!
Clouds, black as wet tamala-leaves, the ball Of heaven hide from our sight; Rain-smitten homes of ants decay and fall Like beasts that arrows smite; Like golden lamps within a lordly hall Wander the lightnings bright; As when men steal the wife of some base thrall, Clouds rob the moon of light. 20
_Courtier._ See, Vasantasena, see!
Clouds, harnessed in the lightning's gleams, Like charging elephants dash by; At Indra's bidding, pour their streams, Until with silver cords it seems That earth is linked with sky. 21
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And look yonder!
As herds of buffaloes the clouds are black; The winds deny them ease; They fly on lightning wings and little lack Of seeming troubled seas.
Smitten with falling drops, the fragrant sod, Upon whose bosom greenest grasses nod, Seems pierced with pearls, each pearl an arrowy rod. 22
_Vasantasena._ And here is yet another cloud.
The peacock's shrill-voiced cry Implores it to draw nigh; And ardent cranes on high Embrace it lovingly.
The wistful swans espy The lotus-sweeter sky; The darkest colors lie On heaven clingingly. 23
_Courtier._ True. For see!
A thousand lotuses that bloom by night, A thousand blooming when the day is bright, Nor close nor ope their eyes to heaven's sight; There is no night nor day.
The face of heaven, thus shrouded in the night, Is only for a single instant bright, When momentary lightning gives us sight; Else is it dark alway.
Now sleeps the world as still as in the night Within the house of rain where naught is bright, Where hosts of swollen clouds seem to our sight One covering veil of gray. 24
P. 143.20]
_Vasantasena._ True. And see!
The stars are lost like mercies given To men of evil heart; Like lonely-parted wives, the heaven Sees all her charms depart. And, molten in the cruel heat Of Indra's bolt, it seems As if the sky fell at our feet In liquid, flowing streams. 25
And yet again:
The clouds first darkly rise, then darkly fall, Send forth their floods of rain, and thunder all; Assuming postures strange and manifold, Like men but newly blest with wealth untold. 26
_Courtier._ True.
The heaven is radiant with the lightning's glare; Its laughter is the cry of myriad cranes; Its voice, the bolts that whistle through the air; Its dance, that bow whose arrows are the rains. It staggers at the winds, and seems to smoke With clouds, which form its black and snaky cloak. 27
_Vasantasena._ O shameless, shameless sky!
To thunder thus, while I To him I love draw nigh. Why do thy thunders frighten me and pain? Why am I seized upon by hands of rain? 28
O Indra, mighty Indra!
Did I then give thee of my love before, That now thy clouds like mighty lions roar? Ah no! Thou shouldst not send thy streaming rain, To fill my journey to my love with pain. 29
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Remember:
For Ahalya's sweet sake thou once didst lie; Thou knowest lover's pain. As thou didst suffer then, now suffer I; O cruel, cease thy rain. 30
And yet:
Thunder and rain and lighten hundredfold Forth from thy sky above; The woman canst thou not delay nor hold Who journeys to her love. 31
Let thunders roar, for men were cruel ever; But oh, thou maiden lightning! didst thou never Know pains that maidens know? 32
_Courtier._ But mistress, do not scold the lightning. She is your friend,
This golden cord that trembles on the breast Of great Airavata;[67] upon the crest Of rocky hills this banner all ablaze; This lamp in Indra's palace; but most blest As telling where your most beloved stays. 33
_Vasantasena._ And here, sir, is his house.
_Courtier._ You know all the arts, and need no instruction now. Yet love bids me prattle. When you enter here, you must not show yourself too angry.
Where anger is, there love is not; Or no! except for anger hot, There is no love.
Be angry! make him angry then! Be kind! and make him kind again-- The man you love. 34
So much for that. Who is there? Let Charudatta know, that
P. 145.17]
While clouds look beautiful, and in the hour Fragrant with nipa and kadamba flower, She comes to see her lover, very wet. With dripping locks, but pleased and loving yet. Though lightning and though thunder terrifies, She comes to see you; 't is for you she sighs. The mud still soils the anklets on her feet, But in a moment she will have them sweet. 35
_Charudatta._ [_Listening._] My friend, pray discover what this means.
_Maitreya._ Yes, sir. [_He approaches Vasantasena. Respectfully._] Heaven bless you!
_Vasantasena._ I salute you, sir. I am very glad to see you. [_To the courtier._] Sir, the maid with the umbrella is at your service.
_Courtier._ [_Aside._] A very clever way to get rid of me. [_Aloud._] Thank you. And mistress Vasantasena,
Pride and tricks and lies and fraud Are in your face; False playground of the lustful god, Such is your face; The wench's stock in trade, in fine, Epitome of joys divine, I mean, your face-- For sale! the price is courtesy. I trust you'll find a man to buy Your face. [_Exit._] 36
_Vasantasena._ Good Maitreya, where is your gambler?
_Maitreya._ [_Aside._] "Gambler"? Ah, she's paying a compliment to my friend. [_Aloud._] Madam, here he is in the dry orchard.
_Vasantasena._ But sir, what do you call a dry orchard?
_Maitreya._ Madam, it's a place where there's nothing to eat or drink, [_Vasantasena smiles._] Pray enter, madam.
_Vasantasena._ [_Aside to her maid._] What shall I say when I enter?
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_Maid._ "Gambler, what luck this evening?"
_Vasantasena._ Shall I dare to say it?
_Maid._ When the time comes, it will say itself.
_Maitreya._ Enter, madam.
_Vasantasena._ [_Enters, approaches Charudatta, and strikes him with the flowers which she holds._] Well, gambler, what luck this evening?
_Charudatta._ [_Discovers her._] Ah, Vasantasena is here. [_He rises joyfully._] Oh, my beloved,
My evenings pass in watching ever, My nights from sighs are never free; This evening cannot else than sever-- In bringing you--my grief and me. 37
You are very, very welcome. Here is a seat. Pray be seated.
_Maitreya._ Here is a seat. Be seated, madam. [_Vasantasena sits, then the others._]
_Charudatta._ But see, my friend,
The dripping flower that decks her ear, droops down, And one sweet breast Anointed is, like a prince who wears the crown, With ointment blest. 38
My friend, Vasantasena's garments are wet. Let other, and most beautiful, garments be brought.
_Maitreya._ Yes, sir.
_Maid._ Good Maitreya, do you stay here. I will wait upon my mistress. [_She does so._]
_Maitreya._ [_Aside to Charudatta._] My friend, I'd just like to ask the lady a question.
_Charudatta._ Then do so.
_Maitreya._ [_Aloud._] Madam, what made you come here, when it is so stormy and dark that you can't see the moon?
_Maid._ Mistress, the Brahman is very plain-spoken.
P. 148.17]
_Vasantasena._ You might better call him clever.
_Maid._ My mistress came to ask how much that pearl necklace is worth.
_Maitreya._ [_Aside to Charudatta._] There! I told you so. She thinks the pearl necklace is cheap, and the golden casket is expensive. She isn't satisfied. She has come to look for something more.
_Maid._ For my mistress imagined that it was her own, and gambled it away. And nobody knows where the gambling-master has gone, for he is employed in the king's business.
_Maitreya._ Madam, you are simply repeating what somebody said before.
_Maid._ While we are looking for him, pray take this golden casket. [_She displays the casket._ _Maitreya hesitates._] Sir, you examine it very closely. Did you ever see it before?
_Maitreya._ No, madam, but the skilful workmanship captivates the eye.
_Maid._ Your eyes deceive you, sir. This _is_ the golden casket.
_Maitreya._ [_Joyfully._] Well, my friend, here is the golden casket, the very one that thieves stole from our house.
_Charudatta._ My friend,
The artifice we tried before, Her stolen treasure to restore, Is practised now on us. But no, I cannot think 't is really so. 39
_Maitreya._ But it is so. I swear it on my Brahmanhood.
_Charudatta._ This is welcome news.
_Maitreya._ [_Aside to Charudatta._] I'm going to ask where they found it.
_Charudatta._ I see no harm in that.
_Maitreya._ [_Whispers in the maid's ear._] There!
_Maid._ [_Whispers in Maitreya's ear._] So there!
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_Charudatta._ What is it? and why are we left out?
_Maitreya._ [_Whispers in Charudatta's ear._] So there!
_Charudatta._ My good girl, is this really the same golden casket?
_Maid._ Yes, sir, the very same.
_Charudatta._ My good girl, I have never let the bearer of welcome news go unrewarded. Take this ring as your recompense. [_He looks at his finger, notices that the ring is gone, and betrays his embarrassment._]
_Vasantasena._ [_To herself._] I love you for that.
_Charudatta._ [_Aside to Maitreya._] Alas,
When in this world a man has lost his all, Why should he set his heart on longer life? His angers and his favors fruitless fall, His purposes and powers are all at strife. 40
Like wingless birds, dry pools, or withered trees, Like fangless snakes--the poor are like to these. 41
Like man-deserted houses, blasted trees, Like empty wells--the poor are like to these. For them no pleasant hours serve happy ends; They are forgotten of their sometime friends. 42
_Maitreya._ But you must not grieve thus beyond reason. [_He bursts out laughing. Aloud._] Madam, please give me back my bath-clout.
_Vasantasena._ Charudatta, it was not right that you should show your distrust of me by sending me this pearl necklace.
_Charudatta._ [_With an embarrassed smile._] But remember, Vasantasena,
Who will believe the truth? Suspicion now is sure. This world will show no ruth To the inglorious poor. 43
P. 152.4]
_Maitreya._ Tell me, girl, are you going to sleep here to-night?
_Maid._ [_Laughing._] But good Maitreya, you show yourself most remarkably plain-spoken now.
_Maitreya._ See, my friend, the rain enters again in great streams, as if it wanted to drive people away when they are sitting comfortably together.
_Charudatta._ You are quite right.
The falling waters pierce the cloud, As lotus-shoots the soil; And tears the face of heaven shroud, Who weeps the moon's vain toil. 44
And again:
In streams as pure as thoughts to good men given, But merciless as darts that Arjun hurls, And black as Baladeva's cloak, the heaven Seems to pour out all Indra's hoarded pearls. 45
See, my beloved, see!
The heaven is painted with the blackest dye, And fanned by cool and fragrant evening airs; Red lightning, glad in union, clasps the sky With voluntary arms, and shows on high The love that maiden heart to lover bears. 46
[_Vasantasena betrays her passion, and throws her arms about Charudatta. Charudatta feels her touch, and embraces her._]
_Charudatta._
More grimly yet, O thunder, boom; For by thy grace and power My love-distracted limbs now bloom Like the kadamba flower. Her dear touch all my being thrills, And love my inmost spirit fills. 47
_Maitreya._ Confound you, storm! You are no gentleman, to frighten the lady with the lightning.
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_Charudatta._
Do not rebuke the storm, my friend. Let ceaseless rain a hundred years endure, The lightning quiver, and the thunder peal; For what I deemed impossible is sure: Her dear-loved arms about my neck I feel. 48
And oh, my friend,
He only knows what riches are, Whose love comes to him from afar, Whose arms that dearest form enfold, While yet with rain 't is wet and cold. 49
Vasantasena, my beloved,
The masonry is shaken; and so old The awning, that 't will not much longer hold. Heavy with water is the painted wall, From which dissolving bits of mortar fall. 50
[_He looks up._] The rainbow! See, my beloved, see!
See how they yawn, the cloudy jaws of heaven, As by a tongue, by forked lightning riven; And to the sky great Indra's fiery bow In lieu of high-uplifted arms is given. 51
Come, let us seek a shelter. [_He rises and walks about._]
On palm-trees shrill, On thickets still, On boulders dashing, On waters splashing, Like a lute that, smitten, sings, The rainy music rings. 52
[_Exeunt omnes._
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 60: In Indian love poetry, the rainy season is the time when lovers most ardently long to be united.]
[Footnote 61: In allusion to Vishnu's name, Krishna, "black."]
[Footnote 62: A gesture of respect.]
[Footnote 63: The goddess of wealth and beauty, usually represented with a lotus.]
[Footnote 64: Kama's (Cupid's) arrows are flowers.]
[Footnote 65: Throughout this scene, Vasantasena's verses are in Sanskrit. Compare note 1 on page 73.]
[Footnote 66: The cry of the heron resembles the Sanskrit word for "rain." Indian love-poetry often paints the sorrow, even unto death, of her whose beloved does not return before the rainy season.]
[Footnote 67: The elephant of Indra. Indra is the god of the thunderstorm.]
ACT THE SIXTH
THE SWAPPING OF THE BULLOCK-CARTS
[_Enter a maid._]
_Maid._
Isn't my mistress awake yet? Well, I must go in and wake her. [_She walks about. Vasantasena appears, dressed, but still asleep. The maid discovers her._] It is time to get up, mistress. The morning is here.
_Vasantasena._ [_Awakening._] What! is the night over? is it morning?
_Maid._ For us it is morning. But for my mistress it appears to be night still.
_Vasantasena._ But girl, where is your gambler?
_Maid._ Mistress, after giving Vardhamanaka his orders, Charudatta went to the old garden Pushpakaranda.
_Vasantasena._ What orders?
_Maid._ To have the bullock-cart ready before daylight; for, he said, Vasantasena was to come--
_Vasantasena._ Where, girl?
_Maid._ Where Charudatta is.
_Vasantasena._ [_Embraces the maid._] I did not have a good look at him in the evening. But to-day I shall see him face to face. Tell me, girl. Have I found my way into the inner court?
_Maid._ You have found your way not only into the inner court, but into the heart of every one who lives here.
_Vasantasena._ Tell me, are Charudatta's servants vexed?
_Maid._ They will be.
_Vasantasena._ When?
_Maid._ When my mistress goes away.
_Vasantasena._ But not so much as I shall be. [_Persuasively._] Here, girl, take this pearl necklace. You must go and give it to my lady sister, his good wife. And give her this message: "Worthy Charudatta's virtues have won me, made me his slave, and therefore your slave also. And so I hope that these pearls may adorn your neck."
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_Maid._ But mistress, Charudatta will be angry with you.
_Vasantasena._ Go. He will not be angry.
_Maid._ [_Takes the necklace._] Yes, mistress. [_She goes out, then returns._] Mistress, his lady wife says that her lord made you a present of it, and it would not be right for her to accept it. And further, that you are to know that her lord and husband is her most excellent adornment.
[_Enter Radanika, with Charudatta's little son._]
_Radanika._ Come, dear, let's play with your little cart.
_Rohasena._ [_Peevishly._] I don't like this little clay cart, Radanika. Give me my gold cart.
_Radanika._ [_Sighing wearily._] How should we have anything to do with gold now, my child? When your papa is rich again, then you shall have a gold cart to play with. But I'll amuse him by taking him to see Vasantasena. [_She approaches Vasantasena._] Mistress, my service to you.
_Vasantasena._ I am glad to see you, Radanika. But whose little boy is this? He wears no ornaments, yet his dear little face makes my heart happy.
_Radanika._ This is Charudatta's son, Rohasena.
_Vasantasena._ [_Stretches out her arms._] Come, my boy, and put your little arms around me. [_She takes him on her lap._] He looks just like his father.
_Radanika._ More than looks like him, he _is_ like him. At least I think so. His father is perfectly devoted to him.
_Vasantasena._ But what is he crying about?
_Radanika._ He used to play with a gold cart that belongs to the son of a neighbor. But that was taken away, and when he asked for it, I made him this little clay cart. But when I gave it to him, he said "I don't like this little clay cart, Radanika. Give me my gold cart."
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._ Hello, I've forgotten the cushion. 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._
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_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._] Why, the road is blocked with villagers' carts. What am I to do now? [_Haughtily._] Get out of my way, you! Get out of my way! [_He listens._] What's that? you want to know whose cart this is? This cart belongs to Sansthanaka, the king's brother-in-law. So get out of my way--and this minute, too! [_He looks about._] Why, here's a man going in the other direction as fast as he can. He is trying to hide like a runaway gambler, and he looks at me as if I were the gambling-master. I wonder who he is. But then, what business is it of mine? I must get there as soon as I can. Get out of my way, you villagers, get out of my way! What's that? you want me to wait a minute and put a shoulder to your wheel? Confound you! A brave man like me, that serves Sansthanaka, the king's brother-in-law, put a shoulder to your wheel? After all, the poor fellow is quite alone. I'll do it. I'll stop my cart at the side-door to Charudatta's orchard. [_He does so._] I'm coming! [_Exit._
_Maid._ Mistress, I think I hear the sound of wheels. The cart must be here.
_Vasantasena._ Come, girl. My heart grows impatient. Go with me to the side-door.
_Maid._ Follow me, mistress.
_Vasantasena._ [_Walks about._] You have earned a rest, girl.
_Maid._ Thank you, mistress. [_Exit._
_Vasantasena._ [_Feels her right eye twitch_[68] _as she enters the cart._] Why should my right eye twitch now? But the sight of Charudatta will smooth away the bad omen. [_Enter Sthavaraka._]
P. 169.8]
_Sthavaraka._ I've cleared the carts out of the way, and now I'll go ahead. [_He mounts and drives away. To himself._] The cart has grown heavy. But I suppose it only seems so, because I got tired helping them with that wheel. Well, I'll go along. Get up, bullocks, get up!
_A voice behind the scenes._ Police! Police! Every man at his post! The young herdsman has just broken jail, killed the jailer, broken his fetters, escaped, and run away. Catch him! Catch him!
[_Enter, in excited haste, Aryaka, an iron chain on one foot. Covering his face, he walks about._]
_Sthavaraka._ [_To himself._] There is great excitement in the city. I must get out of the way as fast as I possibly can. [_Exit._
_Aryaka._
I leave behind me that accursed sea Of human woe and human misery, The prison of the king. Like elephants that break their chains and flee, I drag a fettered foot most painfully In flight and wandering. 1
King Palaka was frightened by a prophecy, took me from the hamlet where I lived, fettered me, and thrust me into a solitary cell, there to await my death. But with the help of my good friend Sharvilaka I escaped. [_He sheds tears._]
If such my fate, no sin is mine at least, That he should cage me like a savage beast. A man may fight with kings, though not with fate-- And yet, can helpless men contend with great? 2
Whither shall I go with my wretchedness? [_He looks about._] Here is the house of some good man who hasn't locked the side-door.
The house is old, the door without a lock, The hinges all awry. Some man, no doubt, who feels misfortune's shock As cruelly as I. 3
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I will enter here and wait.
_A voice behind the scenes._ Get up, bullocks, get up!
_Aryaka._ [_Listening._] Ah, a bullock-cart is coming this way.
If this should prove to be a picnic rig, Its occupants not peevishly inclined; Some noble lady's waiting carriage trig; Or rich man's coach, that leaves the town behind-- And if it empty be, fate proving kind, 'T would seem a godsend to my anxious mind. 4
[_Enter Vardhamanaka with the bullock-cart._]
_Vardhamanaka._ There, I've got the cushion. Radanika, tell mistress Vasantasena that the cart is ready and waiting for her to get in and drive to the old garden Pushpakaranda.
_Aryaka._ [_Listening._] This is a courtezan's cart, going out of the city. Good, I'll climb in. [_He approaches cautiously._]
_Vardhamanaka._ [_Hears him coming._] Ah, the tinkling of ankle-rings! The lady is here. Mistress, the nose-rope makes the bullocks skittish. You had better climb in behind. [_Aryaka does so._] The ankle-rings tinkle only when the feet are moving, and the sound has ceased. Besides, the cart has grown heavy. I am sure the lady must have climbed in by this time. I'll go ahead. Get up, bullocks, get up! [_He drives about. Enter Viraka._]
_Viraka._ Come, come! Jaya, Jayamana, Chandanaka, Mangala, Phullabhadra, and the rest of you!
So calm, when the herdsman, slipping his tether, Breaks jail and the heart of the king together? 5
Here! You stand at the east gate of the main street, you at the west, you at the south, you at the north. I'll climb up the broken wall here with Chandanaka and take a look. Come on, Chandanaka, come on! This way! [_Enter Chandanaka, in excitement._]
P. 166.5]
_Chandanaka._ Come, come! Viraka, Vishalya, Bhimangada, Dandakala, Dandashura, and the rest of you!