Part 9

Come quick, my reliables! Work! Now begin! Lest the old king go out, and a new king come in. 6 Search gardens, and dives, and the town, and the street, The market, the hamlet, wherever you meet 7 With what looks suspicious. Now, Viraka, say, Who saved the young herdsman that just broke away? 8 Who was born when the sun in his eighth mansion stood, Or the moon in her fourth, or when Jupiter could Be seen in his sixth, or when Saturn was resting In his ninth, in her sixth house when Venus was nesting, Or Mars in his fifth?[69] Who will dare to be giving The herdsman protection, while I am still living? 9, 10

_Viraka._ Chandanaka, you mercenary!

I swear on your heart, he's been long out of prison, For the herdsman escaped ere the sun was half risen. 11

_Vardhamanaka._ Get up, bullocks, get up!

_Chandanaka._ [_Discovers him._] Look, man, look!

A covered cart is moving in the middle of the road; Investigate it, whose it is, and where it takes its load! 12

_Viraka._ [_Discovers him._] Here, driver, stop your cart! Whose cart is this? who is in it? where is it going?

_Vardhamanaka._ This is Charudatta's cart. Mistress Vasantasena is in it. I am taking her to the old garden Pushpakaranda to meet Charudatta.

_Viraka._ [_Approaches Chandanaka._] The driver says it is Charudatta's cart; that Vasantasena is in it; that he is taking her to the old garden Pushpakaranda.

_Chandanaka._ Then let it pass.

_Viraka._ Without inspection?

[101.3. S.

_Chandanaka._ Certainly.

_Viraka._ On whose authority?

_Chandanaka._ On Charudatta's.

_Viraka._ Who is Charudatta, or who is Vasantasena, that the cart should pass without inspection?

_Chandanaka._ Don't you know Charudatta, man? nor Vasantasena? If you don't know Charudatta, nor Vasantasena, then you don't know the moon in heaven, nor the moonlight.

Who does n't know this moon of goodness, virtue's lotus-flower, This gem of four broad seas, this savior in man's luckless hour? 13 These two are wholly worshipful, our city's ornaments, Vasantasena, Charudatta, sea of excellence. 14

_Viraka._ Well, well, Chandanaka! Charudatta? Vasantasena?

I know them perfectly, as well as I know anything; But I do not know my father when I 'm serving of my king. 15

_Aryaka._ [_To himself._] In a former existence the one must have been my enemy, the other my kinsman. For see!

Their business is the same; their ways Unlike, and their desire: Like flames that gladden wedding days, And flames upon the pyre. 16

_Chandanaka._ You are a most careful captain whom the king trusts. I am holding the bullocks. Make your inspection.

_Viraka._ You too are a corporal whom the king trusts. Make the inspection yourself.

_Chandanaka._ If I make the inspection, that 's just the same as if you had made it?

_Viraka._ If you make the inspection, that 's just the same as if King Palaka had made it.

P. 171.5]

_Chandanaka._ Lift the pole, man! [_Vardhamanaka does so._]

_Aryaka._ [_To himself._] Are the policemen about to inspect me? And I have no sword, worse luck! But at least,

Bold Bhima's spirit I will show; My arm shall be my sword. Better a warrior's death than woe That cells and chains afford. 17

But the time to use force has not yet come. [_Chandanaka enters the cart and looks about._] I seek your protection.

_Chandanaka._ [_Speaking in Sanskrit._] He who seeks protection shall be safe.

_Aryaka._

Whene'er he fight, that man will suffer hurts, Will be abandoned of his friends and kin, Becomes a mock forever, who deserts One seeking aid; 't is an unpardoned sin. 18

_Chandanaka._ What! the herdsman Aryaka? Like a bird that flees from a hawk, he has fallen into the hand of the fowler. [_Reflecting._] He is no sinner, this man who seeks my protection and sits in Charudatta's cart. Besides, he is the friend of good Sharvilaka, who saved my life. On the other hand, there are the king's orders. What is a man to do in a case like this? Well, what must be, must be. I promised him my protection just now.

He who gives aid to frightened men, And joys his neighbor's ills to cure, If he must die, he dies; but then, His reputation is secure. 19

[_He gets down uneasily._] I saw the gentleman--[_correcting himself_] I mean, the lady Vasantasena, and she says "Is it proper, is it gentlemanly, when I am going to visit Charudatta, to insult me on the highway?"

_Viraka._ Chandanaka, I have my suspicions.

_Chandanaka._ Suspicions? How so?

[103.2. S.

_Vir._ You gurgled in your craven throat; it seems a trifle shady. You said "I saw the gentleman," and then "I saw the lady." 20

That's why I'm not satisfied.

_Chandanaka._ What's the matter with you, man? We southerners don't speak plain. We know a thousand dialects of the barbarians--the Khashas, the Khattis, the Kadas, the Kadatthobilas, the Karnatas, the Karnas, the Pravaranas, the Dravidas, the Cholas, the Chinas, the Barbaras, the Kheras, the Khanas, the Mukhas, the Madhughatas, and all the rest of 'em, and it all depends on the way we feel whether we say "he" or "she," "gentleman" or "lady."

_Viraka._ Can't I have a look, too? It's the king's orders. And the king trusts me.

_Chandanaka._ I suppose the king doesn't trust _me_!

_Viraka._ Is n't it His Majesty's command?

_Chandanaka._ [_Aside_] If people knew that the good herdsman escaped in Charudatta's cart, then the king would make Charudatta suffer for it. What's to be done? [_Reflecting._] I'll stir up a quarrel the way they do down in the Carnatic. [_Aloud._] Well, Viraka, I made one inspection myself--my name is Chandanaka--and you want to do it over again. Who are you?

_Viraka._ Confound it! Who are you, anyway?

_Chandanaka._ An honorable and highly respectable person, and you don't remember your own family.

_Viraka._ [_Angrily._] Confound you! What is my family?

_Chandanaka._ Who speaks of such things?

_Viraka._ Speak!

_Chandanaka._ I think I'd better not.

I know your family, but I won't say; 'T would not be modest, such things to betray; What good's a rotten apple anyway? 21

_Viraka._ Speak, speak! [_Chandanaka makes a significant gesture._] Confound you! What does that mean?

P. 175.1]

_Chand._

A broken whetstone in one hand--a thing That looks like scissors in the other wing-- To trim the scrubby beards that curl and cling, And you--why, you 're a captain of the king! 22

_Viraka._ Well, Chandanaka, you highly respectable person, you don't remember your own family either.

_Chandanaka._ Tell me. What is the family I belong to, I, Chandanaka, pure as the moon?

_Viraka._ Who speaks of such things?

_Chandanaka._ Speak, speak! [_Viraka makes a significant gesture._] Confound you! What does that mean?

_Viraka._ Listen.

Your house is pure; your father is a drum, Your mother is a kettledrum, you scum! Your brother is a tambourine--tum, tum! And you--why, you 're a captain of the king! 23

_Chandanaka._ [_Wrathfully._] I, Chandanaka, a tanner! You can look at the cart.

_Viraka._ You! driver! turn the cart around. I want to look in.

[_Vardhamanaka does so. Viraka starts to climb in. Chandanaka seizes him violently by the hair, throws him down, and kicks him._]

_Viraka._ [_Rising. Wrathfully._] Confound you! I was peaceably going about the king's business, when you seized me violently by the hair and kicked me. So listen! If I don't have you drawn and quartered in the middle of the court-room, my name's not Viraka.

_Chandanaka._ All right. Go to court or to a hall of justice. What do I care for a puppy like you?

_Viraka._ I will. [_Exit._

_Chandanaka._ [_Looks about him._] Go on, driver, go on! If anybody asks you, just say "The cart has been inspected by Chandanaka and Viraka." Mistress Vasantasena, let me give you a passport. [_He hands Aryaka a sword._]

[105.11. S.

_Aryaka._ [_Takes it. Joyfully to himself._]

A sword, a sword! My right eye twitches fast.[70] Now all is well, and I am safe at last. 24

_Chandanaka._ Madam,

As I have given you a passage free, So may I live within your memory. To utter this, no selfish thoughts could move; Ah no, I speak in plenitude of love. 25

_Aryaka._

Chandanaka is rich in virtues pure; My friend is he--Fate willed it--true and tried. I 'll not forget Chandanaka, be sure, What time the oracle is justified. 26

_Chand._

May Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Three in One, Protect thee, and the Moon, and blessed Sun; Slay all thy foes, as mighty Parvati Slew Shumbha and Nishumbha--fearfully. 27

[_Exit Vardhamanaka, with the bullock-cart. Chandanaka looks toward the back of the stage._] Aha! As he goes away, my good friend Sharvilaka is following him. Well, I 've made an enemy of Viraka, the chief constable and the king's favorite; so I think I too had better be following him, with all my sons and brothers.

[_Exit._

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 68: A bad omen, in the case of a woman.]

[Footnote 69: Lalladiksita says that these horoscopes indicate respectively distress, colic, stupidity, poverty, sorrow, destruction.]

[Footnote 70: A good omen, in the case of a man.]

ACT THE SEVENTH

ARYAKA'S ESCAPE

[_Enter Charudatta and Maitreya._]

_Maitreya._

How beautiful the old garden Pushpakaranda is.

_Charudatta._ You are quite right, my friend. For see!

The trees, like merchants, show their wares; Each several tree his blossoms bears, While bees, like officers, are flitting, To take from each what toll is fitting. 1

_Maitreya._ This simple stone is very attractive. Pray be seated.

_Charudatta._ [_Seats himself._] How Vardhamanaka lingers, my friend!

_Maitreya._ I told Vardhamanaka to bring Vasantasena and come as quickly as he could.

_Charudatta._ Why then does he linger?

Is he delayed by some slow-moving load? Has he returned with broken wheel or traces? Obstructions bid him seek another road? His bullocks, or himself, choose these slow paces? 2

[_Enter Vardhamanaka with the bullock-cart, in which Aryaka lies hidden._]

_Vardhamanaka._ Get up, bullocks, get up!

_Aryaka._ [_Aside._]

And still I fear the spies that serve the king; Escape is even yet a doubtful thing, While to my foot these cursed fetters cling.

Some good man 't is, within whose cart I lie, Like cuckoo chicks, whose heartless mothers fly, And crows must rear the fledglings, or they die. 3

I have come a long distance from the city. Shall I get out of the cart and seek a hiding-place in the grove? or shall I wait to see the owner of the cart? On second thoughts, I will not hide myself in the grove; for men say that the noble Charudatta is ever helpful to them that seek his protection. I will not go until I have seen him face to face.

[108.3. S.

'T will bring contentment to that good man's heart To see me rescued from misfortune's sea. This body, in its suffering, pain, and smart, Is saved through his sweet magnanimity. 4

_Vardhamanaka._ Here is the garden. I 'll drive in. [_He does so._] Maitreya!

_Maitreya._ Good news, my friend. It is Vardhamanaka's voice. Vasantasena must have come.

_Charudatta._ Good news, indeed.

_Maitreya._ You son of a slave, what makes you so late?

_Vardhamanaka._ Don't get angry, good Maitreya. I remembered that I had forgotten the cushion, and I had to go back for it, and that is why I am late.

_Charudatta._ Turn the cart around, Vardhamanaka. Maitreya, my friend, help Vasantasena to get out.

_Maitreya._ Has she got fetters on her feet, so that she can't get out by herself? [_He rises and lifts the curtain of the cart._] Why, this is n't mistress Vasantasena--this is Mister Vasantasena.

_Charudatta._ A truce to your jests, my friend. Love cannot wait. I will help her to get out myself. [_He rises._]

_Aryaka._ [_Discovers him._] Ah, the owner of the bullock-cart! He is attractive not only to the ears of men, but also to their eyes. Thank heaven! I am safe.

_Charudatta._ [_Enters the bullock-cart and discovers Aryaka._] Who then is this?

As trunk of elephant his arms are long, His chest is full, his shoulders broad and strong, His great eyes restless-red;[71] Why should this man be thus enforced to fight-- So noble he--with such ignoble plight, His foot to fetters wed? 5

P. 180.14]

Who are you, sir?

_Aryaka._ I am one who seeks your protection, Aryaka, by birth a herdsman.

_Charudatta._ Are you he whom King Palaka took from the hamlet where he lived and thrust into prison?

_Aryaka._ The same.

_Charudatta._

'T is fate that brings you to my sight; May I be reft of heaven's light, Ere I desert you in your hapless plight. 6

[_Aryaka manifests his joy._]

_Charudatta._ Vardhamanaka, remove the fetters from his foot.

_Vardhamanaka._ Yes, sir. [_He does so._] Master, the fetters are removed.

_Aryaka._ But you have bound me with yet stronger fetters of love.

_Maitreya._ Now you may put on the fetters yourself. He is free anyway. And it 's time for us to be going.

_Charudatta._ Peace! For shame!

_Aryaka._ Charudatta, my friend, I entered your cart somewhat unceremoniously. I beg your pardon.

_Charudatta._ I feel honored that you should use no ceremony with me.

_Aryaka._ If you permit it, I now desire to go.

_Charudatta._ Go in peace.

_Aryaka._ Thank you. I will alight from the cart.

_Charudatta._ No, my friend. The fetters have but this moment been removed, and you will find walking difficult. In this spot where men seek pleasure, a bullock-cart will excite no suspicion. Continue your journey then in the cart.

[110.4. S.

_Aryaka._ I thank you, sir.

_Charud._ Seek now thy kinsmen. Happiness be thine!

_Aryaka._ Ah, I have found thee, blessed kinsman mine!

_Charud._ Remember me, when thou hast cause to speak.

_Aryaka._ Thy name, and not mine own, my words shall seek.

_Charud._ May the immortal gods protect thy ways!

_Aryaka._ Thou didst protect me, in most perilous days.

_Charud._ Nay, it was fate that sweet protection lent.

_Aryaka._ But thou wast chosen as fate's instrument. 7

_Charudatta._ King Palaka is aroused, and protection will prove difficult. You must depart at once.

_Aryaka._ Until we meet again, farewell. [_Exit._

_Charud._

From royal wrath I now have much to fear; It were unwise for me to linger here. Then throw the fetters in the well; for spies Serve to their king as keen, far-seeing eyes. 8

[_His left eye twitches._] Maitreya, my friend, I long to see Vasantasena. For now, because

I have not seen whom I love best, My left eye twitches; and my breast Is causeless-anxious and distressed. 9

Come, let us go. [_He walks about._] See! a Buddhist monk approaches, and the sight bodes ill. [_Reflecting._] Let him enter by that path, while we depart by this. [_Exit._

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 71: Lalladiksita says that these are signs of royalty.]

ACT THE EIGHTH

THE STRANGLING OF VASANTASENA

[_Enter a monk, with a wet garment in his hand._]

_Monk._

Ye ignorant, lay by a store of virtue! Restrain the belly; watch eternally, Heeding the beat of contemplation's[72] drum, For else the senses--fearful thieves they be-- Will steal away all virtue's hoarded sum. 1

And further: I have seen that all things are transitory, so that now I am become the abode of virtues alone.

Who slays the Five Men,[73] and the Female Bane,[74] By whom protection to the Town[75] is given, By whom the Outcaste[76] impotent is slain, He cannot fail to enter into heaven. 2

Though head be shorn and face be shorn, The heart unshorn, why should man shave him? But he whose inmost heart is shorn Needs not the shaven head to save him. 3

I have dyed this robe of mine yellow. And now I will go into the garden of the king's brother-in-law, wash it in the pond, and go away as soon as I can. [_He walks about and washes the robe._]

_A voice behind the scenes._ Shtop, you confounded monk, shtop!

_Monk._ [_Discovers the speaker. Fearfully._ ] Heaven help me! Here is the king's brother-in-law, Sansthanaka. Just because one monk committed an offense, now, wherever he sees a monk, whether it is the same one or not, he bores a hole in his nose and drives him around like a bullock. Where shall a defenseless man find a defender? But after all, the blessed Lord Buddha is my defender.

[119.90. S.

[_Enter the courtier, carrying a sword, and Sansthanaka._]

_Sansthanaka._ Shtop, you confounded monk, shtop! I'll pound your head like a red radish[77] at a drinking party. [_He strikes him._]

_Courtier._ You jackass, you should not strike a monk who wears the yellow robes of renunciation. Why heed him? Look rather upon this garden, which offers itself to pleasure.

To creatures else forlorn, the forest trees Do works of mercy, granting joy and ease; Like a sinner's heart, the park unguarded lies, Like some new-founded realm, an easy prize. 4

_Monk._ Heaven bless you! Be merciful, servant of the Blessed One!

_Sansthanaka._ Did you hear that, shir? He's inshulting me.

_Courtier._ What does he say?

_Sansthanaka._ Shays I'm a shervant. What do you take me for? a barber?

_Courtier._ A servant of the Blessed One he calls you, and this is praise.

_Sansthanaka._ Praise me shome more, monk!

_Monk._ You are virtuous! You are a brick!

_Sansthanaka._ Shee? He shays I'm virtuous. He shays I'm a brick. What do you think I am? a materialistic philosopher? or a watering-trough? or a pot-maker?[78]

_Courtier._ You jackass, he praises you when he says that you are virtuous, that you are a brick.

_Sansthanaka._ Well, shir, what did he come here for?

_Monk._ To wash this robe.

_Sansthanaka._ Confound the monk! My shishter's husband gave me the finesht garden there is, the garden Pushpakaranda. Dogs and jackals drink the water in thish pond. Now I'm an arishtocrat. I'm a man, and I don't even take a bath. And here you bring your shtinking clothes, all shtained with shtale bean-porridge, and wash 'em! I think one good shtroke will finish you.

P. 187.7]

_Courtier._ You jackass, I am sure he has not long been a monk.

_Sansthanaka._ How can you tell, shir?

_Courtier._ It doesn't take much to tell that, See!

His hair is newly shorn; the brow still white; The rough cloak has not yet the shoulder scarred; He wears it awkwardly; it clings not tight; And here above, the fit is sadly marred. 5

_Monk._ True, servant of the Blessed One. I have been a monk but a short time.

_Sansthanaka._ Then why haven't you been one all your life? [_He beats him._]

_Monk._ Buddha be praised!

_Courtier._ Stop beating the poor fellow. Leave him alone. Let him go.

_Sansthanaka._ Jusht wait a minute, while I take counshel.

_Courtier._ With whom?

_Sansthanaka._ With my own heart.

_Courtier._ Poor fellow! Why didn't he escape?

_Sansthanaka._ Blesshed little heart, my little shon and mashter, shall the monk go, or shall the monk shtay? [_To himself._] Neither go, nor shtay. [_Aloud._] Well, shir, I took counshel with my heart, and my heart shays--

_Courtier._ Says what?

_Sansthanaka._ He shall neither go, nor shtay. He shall neither breathe up, nor breathe down. He shall fall down right here and die, before you can shay "boo."

_Monk._ Buddha be praised! I throw myself upon your protection.

_Courtier._ Let him go.

[114.24. S.

_Sansthanaka._ Well, on one condition.

_Courtier._ And what is that?

_Sansthanaka._ He musht shling mud in, without making the water dirty. Or better yet, he musht make the water into a ball, and shling it into the mud.

_Courtier._ What incredible folly!

The patient earth is burdened by So many a fool, so many a drone, Whose thoughts and deeds are all awry-- These trees of flesh, these forms of stone. 6

[_The monk makes faces at Sansthanaka._]

_Sansthanaka._ What does he mean?

_Courtier._ He praises you.

_Sansthanaka._ Praise me shome more! Praise me again! [_The monk does so, then exit._]

_Courtier._ See how beautiful the garden is, you jackass.

See yonder trees, adorned with fruit and flowers, O'er which the clinging creepers interlace; The watchmen guard them with the royal powers; They seem like men whom loving wives embrace. 7

_Sansthanaka._ A good deshcription, shir.

The ground is mottled with a lot of flowers; The blosshom freight bends down the lofty trees; And, hanging from the leafy tree-top bowers, The monkeys bob, like breadfruit in the breeze. 8

_Courtier._ Will you be seated on this stone bench, you jackass?

_Sansthanaka._ I am sheated. [_They seat themselves._] Do you know, shir, I remember that Vasantasena even yet. She is like an inshult. I can't get her out of my mind.

_Courtier._ [_Aside._] He remembers her even after such a repulse. For indeed,

The mean man, whom a woman spurns, But loves the more; The wise man's passion gentler burns, Or passes o'er. 9

P. 190.16]

_Sansthanaka._ Shome time has passhed, shir, shince I told my shervant Sthavaraka to take the bullock-cart and come as quick as he could. And even yet he is not here. I 've been hungry a long time, and at noon a man can't go a-foot. For shee!

The shun is in the middle of the shky, And hard to look at as an angry ape; Like Gandhari, whose hundred shons did die, The earth is hard dishtresshed and can't eshcape. 10

_Courtier._ True.

The cattle all--their cuds let fall-- Lie drowsing in the shade; In heated pool their lips to cool, Deer throng the woodland glade; A prey to heat, the city street Makes wanderers afraid; The cart must shun the midday sun, And thus has been delayed. 11

_Sansthanaka._ Yesshir,

Fasht to my head the heated shun-beam clings; Birds, flying creatures, alsho winged things Resht in the branches of the trees, while men, People, and pershons shigh and shigh again; At home they tarry, in their houses shtay, To bear the heat and burden of the day. 12

Well, shir, that shervant is n't here yet. I 'm going to shing shomething to passh the time. [_He sings._] There, shir, did you hear what I shang?

_Courtier._ What shall I say? Ah, how melodious!

[116.23. S.

_Sansthanaka._ Why _should n't_ it be malodorous?

Of nut-grass and cumin I make up a pickle, Of devil's-dung, ginger, and orris, and treacle; That's the mixture of perfumes I eagerly eat; Why should n't my voice be remarkably shweet? 13

Well, shir, I 'm jusht going to shing again, [_He does so._] There, shir, did you hear what I shang?

_Courtier._ What shall I say? Ah, how melodious!

_Sansthanaka._ Why _should n't_ it be malodorous?

Of the flesh of the cuckoo I make up a chowder, With devil's-dung added, and black pepper powder; With oil and with butter I shprinkle the meat: Why should n't my voice be remarkably shweet? 14

But shir, the shervant is n't here yet.

_Courtier._ Be easy in your mind. He will be here presently.

[_Enter Vasantasena in the bullock-cart, and Sthavaraka._]

_Sthavaraka._ I 'm frightened. It is already noon. I hope Sansthanaka, the king's brother-in-law, will not be angry. I must drive faster. Get up, bullocks, get up!

_Vasantasena._ Alas! That is not Vardhamanaka's voice. What does it mean? I wonder if Charudatta was afraid that the bullocks might become weary, and so sent another man with another cart. My right eye twitches. My heart is all a-tremble. There is no one in sight. Everything seems to dance before my eyes.

_Sansthanaka._ [_Hearing the sound of wheels._] The cart is here, shir.

_Courtier._ How do you know?

_Sansthanaka._ Can't you shee? It shqueaks like an old hog.

_Courtier._ [_Perceives the cart._] Quite true. It is here.

_Sansthanaka._ Sthavaraka, my little shon, my shlave, are you here?

_Sthavaraka._ Yes, sir.

_Sansthanaka._ Is the cart here?

P. 194.9]

_Sthavaraka._ Yes, sir.

_Sansthanaka._ Are the bullocks here?

_Sthavaraka._ Yes, sir.

_Sansthanaka._ And are you here?

_Sthavaraka._ [_Laughing._] Yes, master, I am here too.

_Sansthanaka._ Then drive the cart in.

_Sthavaraka._ By which road?