[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 n.o.ble 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 G.o.ds above and fathers[87] old. 18
[_He gives Rohasena the cord._]
_Goha._ Come, Charudatta! Come, man!
_Ahinta._ Man, do you name the n.o.ble Charudatta"s name, and forget the t.i.tle? 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]