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_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 sc.u.m!
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 pa.s.sport.
[_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 pa.s.sage 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 s.h.i.+va, 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: Lalladik?ita 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
