The Little Clay Cart Part 46

_Judge._ How do you know that she was strangled--and for her money?

_Sansthanaka._ h.e.l.lo! Why shouldn't I think sho, when her neck was shwollen and bare, and the places where you wear jewels did n't have any gold on them?

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ That seems plausible.

_Sansthanaka._ [_Aside._] Thank heaven! I breathe again. Hooray!

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ Upon whom does the conduct of this case depend?

_Judge._ The case has a twofold aspect.

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ How so?

_Judge._ We have to consider the allegations, then the facts. Now the investigation of the allegations depends upon plaintiff and defendant.

But the investigation of the facts must be carried out by the wisdom of the judge.

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ Then the conduct of the case depends upon the presence of Vasantasena's mother?

_Judge._ Precisely. My good beadle, summon Vasantasena's mother, without, however, giving her cause for anxiety.

_Beadle._ Yes, Your Honor. [_He goes out, and returns with the mother of the courtezan._] Follow me, madam.

_Mother._ My daughter went to the house of a friend to enjoy her youth. But now comes this gentleman--long life to him!--and says "Come! The judge summons you." I find myself quite bewildered.

My heart is palpitating. Sir, will you conduct me to the court-room?

_Beadle._ Follow me, madam. [_They walk about._] Here is the court-room.

Pray enter, madam. [_They enter._]

_Mother._ [_Approaching._] Happiness be yours, most worthy gentlemen.

_Judge._ My good woman, you are very welcome. Pray be seated.

[141.24. S.

_Mother._ Thank you. [_She seats herself._]

_Sansthanaka._ [_Abusively._] You 're here, are you, you old bawd?

_Judge._ Tell me. Are you Vasantasena's mother?

_Mother._ I am.

_Judge._ Whither has Vasantasena gone at this moment?

_Mother._ To the house of a friend.

_Judge._ What is the name of her friend?

_Mother._ [_Aside._] Dear me! Really, this is very embarra.s.sing.

[_Aloud._] Any one else might ask me this, but not a judge.

_Judge._ Pray do not be embarra.s.sed. The conduct of the case puts the question.

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ The conduct of the case puts the question.

You incur no fault. Speak.

_Mother._ What! the conduct of the case? If that is so, then listen, worthy gentlemen. There lives in the merchants' quarter the grandson of the merchant Vinayadatta, the son of Sagaradatta, a man whose name is a good omen in itself--that name is Charudatta.

In his house my daughter enjoys her youth.

_Sansthanaka._ Did you hear that? Write those words down. My contention is with Charudatta.

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ It is no sin for Charudatta to be her friend.

_Judge._ The conduct of this case demands the presence of Charudatta.

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ Exactly.

_Judge._ Dhanadatta, write as the first article in the case "Vasantasena went to the house of Charudatta." But must we summon the worthy Charudatta also? No, the conduct of the case summons him. Go, my good beadle, summon Charudatta,--but gently, without haste, without giving him cause for anxiety, respectfully, as it were incidentally,--with the words "The judge wishes to see you."

P. 236.11]

_Beadle._ Yes, Your Honor. [_He goes out, then returns with Charudatta._]

Follow me, sir.

_Charudatta._ [_Thoughtfully._]

My character and kin are known Unto the king who rules our state; And in this summons there is shown A doubt begotten of my wretched fate. 8

[_Reflectively. Aside._]

Ah! Were there those, the man to recognize Who met me on the road, from bondage freed?

Or did the king, who sees through cunning spies, Learn that my cart was lent him in his need?

Why should I else be forced to tread the street, Like one accused of crime, my judge to meet? 9

But why consider thus? I must go to the court-room. My good beadle, conduct me to the court.

_Beadle._ Follow me, sir. [_They walk about._]

_Charudatta._ [_Apprehensively._] And what means this?

Hear how the gloomy raven hoa.r.s.ely croaks; The slaves of justice summon me again; My left eye twitches; these repeated strokes Of threatened evil frighten me and pain. 10

_Beadle._ Follow me, sir, gently and without haste.

_Charudatta._ [_Walks about and looks before him._]

Upon the withered tree, a crow Turns to the sun; His left eye falls on me. Ah, woe!

My doubt is done. 11