The Little Clay Cart Part 54

_Charudatta._ [_Mournfully._]

Rise, rise! Kind soul to good men fallen on pain!

Brave friend who lendest such unselfish aid!

Thy greatest toil to save me was in vain, For fate would not. Thy duty now is paid. 31

P. 270.15]

_Headsmen._ Beat your servant, master, and drive him away.

_Sansthanaka._ Out of the way, you! [_He drives Sthavaraka away._]

Come, headsmen, what are you waiting for? Kill him.

_Headsmen._ Kill him yourself, if you are in a hurry.

_Rohasena._ Oh, headsmen, kill me and let father go free.

_Sansthanaka._ Yesh, shon _and_ father, kill them both.

_Charudatta._ This fool might do anything. Go, my son, to your mother.

_Rohasena._ And what should I do then?

_Charud._

Go with thy mother to a hermitage; No moment, dear, delay; Lest of thy father's fault thou reap the wage, And tread the selfsame way. 32

And you, my friend, go with him.

_Maitreya._ Oh, my friend, have you so known me as to think that I can live without you?

_Charudatta._ Not so, my friend. Your life is your own. You may not throw it away.

_Maitreya._ [_Aside._] True. And yet I cannot live apart from my friend. And so, when I have taken the boy to his mother, I will follow my friend even in death. [_Aloud._] Yes, my friend, I will take him to her at once. [_He embraces Charudatta, then falls at his feet. Rohasena does the same, weeping._]

_Sansthanaka._ Look here! Did n't I tell you to kill Charudatta, and his shon, too? [_At this, Charudatta betrays fear._]

_Headsmen._ We have n't any orders from the king to kill Charudatta, and his son, too. Run away, boy, run away! [_They drive Rohasena away._]

Here is the third place of proclamation. Beat the drum! [_They proclaim the sentence again._]

[167.1. S.

_Sansthanaka._ [_Aside._] But the citizens don't believe it. [_Aloud._]

Charudatta, you jackanapes, the citizens don't believe it. Shay it with your own tongue, "I murdered Vasantasena." [_Charudatta remains silent._] Look here, headsmen! The man won't shpeak, the jackanapes Charudatta. Jusht make him shpeak. Beat him a few times with thish ragged bamboo, or with a chain.

_Goha._ [_Raises his arm to strike._] Come, Charudatta, speak!

_Charudatta._ [_Mournfully._]

Now am I sunk so deep in sorrow's sea, I know no fear, I know no sadness more; Yet even now one flame still tortures me, That men should say I slew whom I adore. 33

[_Sansthanaka repeats his words._]

_Charudatta._ Men of my own city!

A scoundrel I, who bear the blame, Nor seek in heaven to be blest; A maid--or G.o.ddess--'t is the same-- But _he_ will say the rest. (ix. 30)

_Sansthanaka._ Killed her!

_Charudatta._ So be it.

_Goha._ It 's your turn to kill him, man.

_Ahinta._ No, yours.

_Goha._ Well, let 's reckon it out. [_He does so at great length._] Well, if it 's my turn to kill him, we will just let it wait a minute.

_Ahinta._ Why?

_Goha._ Well, when my father was going to heaven, he said to me, "Son Goha, if it 's your turn to kill him, don't kill the sinner too quick."

_Ahinta._ But why?

_Goha._ "Perhaps," said he, "some good man might give the money to set him free. Perhaps a son might be born to the king, and to celebrate the event, all the prisoners might be set free. Perhaps an elephant might break loose, and the prisoner might escape in the excitement. Perhaps there might be a change of kings, and all the prisoners might be set free."

P. 274.8]

_Sansthanaka._ What? What? A change of kings?

_Goha._ Well, let 's reckon it out, whose turn it is.

_Sansthanaka._ Oh, come! Kill Charudatta at once. [_He takes Sthavaraka, and withdraws a little._]

_Headsmen._ n.o.ble Charudatta, it is the king's commandment that bears the blame, not we headsmen. Think then of what you needs must think.

_Charudatta._

Though slandered by a cruel fate, And stained by men of high estate, If that my virtue yet regarded be, Then she who dwells with G.o.ds above Or wheresoever else--my love-- By her sweet nature wipe the stain from me! 34

Tell me. Whither would you have me go?

_Goha._ [_Pointing ahead._] Why, here is the southern burying-ground, and when a criminal sees that, he says good-by to life in a minute. For look!

One half the corpse gaunt jackals rend and shake, And ply their horrid task; One half still hangs impaled upon the stake, Loud laughter's grinning mask. 35

_Charudatta._ Alas! Ah, woe is me! [_In his agitation he sits down._]

_Sansthanaka._ I won't go yet. I 'll jusht shee Charudatta killed. [_He walks about, gazing._] Well, well! He shat down.

_Goha._ Are you frightened, Charudatta?