[_He looks in another direction._] But see! a snake!
His eye is fixed upon me; and his back Flashes like antimony"s l.u.s.trous black; His long tongue quivers; four white fangs appear; His belly swells and coils. He slumbered here, This prince of serpents, till I crossed his path, And now he darts upon me in his wrath. 12
[143.21. S.
And more than this:
I slip, although the ground has felt no rain; My left eye, and my left arm throb again; Another bird is screaming overhead; All bodes a cruel death, and hope is fled. 13
Surely, the G.o.ds will grant that all may yet be well.
_Beadle._ Follow me, sir. Here is the court-room. Pray enter.
_Charudatta._ [_Enters and looks about._] How wonderfully splendid is the court-room. For it seems an ocean,
Whose waters are the king"s advisers, deep In thought; as waves and sh.e.l.ls it seems to keep The attorneys; and as sharks and crocodiles It has its spies that stand in waiting files; Its elephants and horses[83] represent The cruel ocean-fish on murder bent; As if with herons of the sea, it shines With screaming pettifoggers" numerous lines; While in the guise of serpents, scribes are creeping Upon its statecraft-trodden sh.o.r.e: the court The likeness of an ocean still is keeping, To which all harmful-cruel beasts resort. 14
Come! [_As he enters, he strikes his head against the door. Reflectively._]
Alas! This also?
My left eye throbs; a raven cries; A serpent coils athwart my path.
My safety now with heaven lies. 15
But I must enter. [_He does so._]
P. 238.16]
_Judge._ This is Charudatta.
A countenance like his, with clear-cut nose, Whose great, wide-opened eye frank candor shows, Is not the home of wantonness; With elephants, with horses, and with kine, The outer form is inner habit"s sign; With men no less. 16
_Charudatta._ My greetings to the officers of justice. Officials, I salute you.
_Judge._ [_Betraying his agitation._] You are very welcome, sir. My good beadle, give the gentleman a seat.
_Beadle._ [_Brings a seat._] Here is a seat. Pray be seated, sir.
[_Charudatta seats himself._]
_Sansthanaka._ [_Angrily._] You"re here, are you, you woman-murderer?
Well! Thish is a fine trial, thish is a jusht trial, where they give a sheat to thish woman-murderer. [_Haughtily._] But it"s all right. They can give it to him.
_Judge._ Charudatta, have you any attachment, or affection, or friendship, with this lady"s daughter?
_Charudatta._ What lady?
_Judge._ This lady. [_He indicates Vasantasena"s mother._]
_Charudatta._ [_Rising._] Madam, I salute you.
_Mother._ Long life to you, my son! [_Aside._] So this is Charudatta.
My daughter"s youth is in good hands.
_Judge._ Sir, is the courtezan your friend? [_Charudatta betrays his embarra.s.sment._]
_Sansthanaka._
He tries to hide the deed he did; He lies, from shame or fear; He murdered her, of her got rid For gold, and thinks the deed is hid; Not sho his mashter here. 17
[145.18. S.
_Gild-warden and Clerk._ Speak, Charudatta. Do not be ashamed.
This is a lawsuit.
_Charudatta._ [_In embarra.s.sment._] Officials, how can I testify that a courtezan is my friend? But at worst, it is youth that bears the blame, not character.
_Judge._
The case is hard; then banish shame, Though it oppress your heart; Speak truth with fort.i.tude, and aim To set deceit apart. 18
Do not be embarra.s.sed. The conduct of the case puts the question.
_Charudatta._ Officer, with whom have I a lawsuit?
_Sansthanaka._ [_Arrogantly._] With me!
_Charudatta._ A lawsuit with you is unendurable!
_Sansthanaka._ Well, well, woman-murderer! You murder a woman like Vasantasena who used to wear a hundred gems, and now you try deceitful deceivings to hide it!
_Charudatta._ You are a fool.
_Judge._ Enough of him, good Charudatta. Speak the truth. Is the courtezan your friend?
_Charudatta._ She is.
_Judge._ Sir, where is Vasantasena?
_Charudatta._ She has gone home.
_Gild-warden and Clerk._ How did she go? When did she go? Who accompanied her?
_Charudatta._ [_Aside._] Shall I say that she went un.o.bserved?
_Gild-warden and Clerk._ Speak, sir.
_Charudatta._ She went home. What more shall I say?
_Sansthanaka._ She was enticed into my old garden Pushpakaranda, and was shtrangled for her money. Now will you shay that she went home?