The Little Clay Cart - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
And again:
Whoever cast at me a pa.s.sing look, Or neared me, anxious, as they quickly ran, All such my laden soul for foes mistook; For sin it was wherein man's fear began. 2
Well, it was for Madanika's sake that I did the deed of sin.
I paid no heed to any one who talked with serving-men; The houses ruled by women-folk--these I avoided most; And when policemen seemed to have me almost in their ken, I stood stock-still and acted just exactly like a post.
A hundred such manoeuvres did I constantly essay, And by such means succeeded in turning night to day. 3
[_He walks about._]
_Vasantasena._ Girl, lay this picture on my sofa and come back at once with a fan.
_Madanika._ Yes, mistress. [_Exit with the picture._
_Sharvilaka._ This is Vasantasena's house. I will enter. [_He does so._]
P. 101.11]
I wonder where I can find Madanika. [_Enter Madanika with the fan. Sharvilaka discovers her._] Ah, it is Madanika.
Surpa.s.sing Madana[50] himself in charm, She seems the bride of Love, in human guise; Even while my heart the flames of pa.s.sion harm, She brings a sandal[51] coolness to my eyes. 4
Madanika!
_Madanika._ [_Discovers Sharvilaka._] Oh, oh, oh, Sharvilaka! I am so glad, Sharvilaka. Where have you been?
_Sharvilaka._ I will tell you. [_They gaze at each other pa.s.sionately._]
_Vasantasena._ How Madanika lingers! I wonder where she is. [_She looks through a bull's-eye window._] Why, there she stands, talking with a man. Her loving glance does not waver, and she gazes as if she would drink him in. I imagine he must be the man who wishes to make her free. Well, let her stay, let her stay. Never interrupt anybody's happiness. I will not call her.
_Madanika._ Tell me, Sharvilaka. [_Sharvilaka looks about him uneasily._]
What is it, Sharvilaka? You seem uneasy.
_Sharvilaka._ I will tell you a secret. Are we alone?
_Madanika._ Of course we are.
_Vasantasena._ What! a deep secret? I will not listen.
_Sharvilaka._ Tell me, Madanika. Will Vasantasena take a price for your freedom?
_Vasantasena._ The conversation has to do with me? Then I will hide behind this window and listen.
_Madanika._ I asked my mistress about it, Sharvilaka, and she said that if she could have _her_ way, she would free all her servants for nothing. But Sharvilaka, where did you find such a fortune that you can think of buying my freedom from my mistress?
_Sharvilaka._
A victim to my pauper plight, And your sweet love to win, For you, my timid maid, last night I did the deed of sin. 5
[60.16. S.
_Vasantasena._ His face is tranquil. It would be troubled, if he had sinned.
_Madanika._ Oh, Sharvilaka! For a mere nothing--for a woman--you have risked both things!
_Sharvilaka._ What things?
_Madanika._ Your life and your character.
_Sharvilaka._ My foolish girl, fortune favors the brave.
_Madanika._ Oh, Sharvilaka! Your character was without a stain.
You didn't do anything _very_ bad, did you, when for my sake you did the deed of sin?
_Sharv._
The gems that magnify a woman's charm, As flowers the creeping plant, I do not harm.
I do not rob the Brahman of his pelf, Nor seize the sacrificial gold myself.
I do not steal the baby from the nurse, Simply because I need to fill my purse.
Even as a thief, I strive with main and might For just distinction 'twixt the wrong and right. 6
And so you may tell Vasantasena this:
These ornaments were made for you to don, Or so it seems to me; But as you love me, never put them on Where other folks may see. 7
_Madanika._ But Sharvilaka, ornaments that n.o.body may see, and a courtezan--the two things do not hang together. Give me the jewels. I want to see them.
_Sharvilaka._ Here they are. [_He gives them to her with some uneasiness._]
_Madanika._ [_Examining the jewels._] It seems to me I have seen these before. Tell me. Where did you get them?
P. 104.15]
_Sharvilaka._ What does that matter to you, Madanika? Take them.
_Madanika._ [_Angrily._] If you can't trust me, why do you wish to buy my freedom?
_Sharvilaka._ Well, this morning I heard in the merchants' quarter that the merchant Charudatta--
[_Vasantasena and Madanika swoon._]
_Sharvilaka._ Madanika! Come to yourself! Why is it that now
Your figure seems to melt in limp despair, Your eyes are wildly rolling here and there?
That when I come, sweet girl, to make you free, You fall to trembling, not to pitying me? 8
_Madanika._ [_Coming to herself._] O you reckless man! When you did what you ought not to have done for my sake, you didn't kill anybody or hurt anybody in that house?
