The Little Clay Cart Part 41

_Sthavaraka._ And I'll sit on it.

_Sansthanaka._ I'll give you all my leavings.

_Sthavaraka._ And I'll eat them.

_Sansthanaka._ I'll make you the chief of all my shervants.

_Sthavaraka._ Master, I'll be the chief.

_Sansthanaka._ You only have to attend to what I shay.

_Sthavaraka._ Master, I will do anything, unless it be a sin.

P. 205.12]

_Sansthanaka._ There's not a shmell of a s.h.i.+n in it.

_Sthavaraka._ Then speak, master.

_Sansthanaka._ Murder Vasantasena.

_Sthavaraka._ Oh, master, be merciful! Unworthy as I am, I brought this worthy lady hither, because she mistook this bullock-cart for another.

_Sansthanaka._ You shlave, ain't I your mashter?

_Sthavaraka._ Master of my body, not of my character. Be merciful, master, be merciful! I am afraid.

_Sansthanaka._ You're my shlave. Who are you afraid of?

_Sthavaraka._ Of the other world, master.

_Sansthanaka._ Who is thish "other world"?

_Sthavaraka._ Master, it is a rewarder of righteousness and sin.

_Sansthanaka._ What is the reward of righteoushness?

_Sthavaraka._ To be like my master, with plenty of golden ornaments.

_Sansthanaka._ What is the reward of s.h.i.+n?

_Sthavaraka._ To be like me, eating another man's bread. That is why I will do no sin.

_Sansthanaka._ Sho you won't murder her? [_He beats him with all his might._]

_Sthavaraka._ You may beat me, master. You may kill me, master.

I will do no sin.

A luckless, lifelong slave am I, A slave I live, a slave I die; But further woe I will not buy, I will not, will not sin. 25

_Vasantasena._ Sir, I throw myself upon your protection.

_Courtier._ Pardon him, jacka.s.s! Well done, Sthavaraka!

Does this poor, miserable slave Seek virtue's meed beyond the grave?

And is his lord indifferent?

Then why are not such creatures sent To instant h.e.l.l, whose sinful store Grows great, who know not virtue more? 26

[125.14. S.

And again:

Ah, cruel, cruel is our fate, And enters through the straitest gate; Since he is slave, and you are lord, Since he does not enjoy your h.o.a.rd, Since you do not obey his word. 27

_Sansthanaka._ [_Aside._] The old jackal is afraid of a s.h.i.+n, and the "lifelong shlave" is afraid of the other world. Who am I afraid of, I, the king's brother-in-law, an arishtocrat, a man? [_Aloud._] Well, shervant, you "lifelong shlave," you can go. Go to your room and resht and keep out of my way.

_Sthavaraka._ Yes, master. [_To Vasantasena._] Madam, I have no further power. [_Exit._

_Sansthanaka._ [_Girds up his loins._] Wait a minute, Vasantasena, wait a minute. I want to murder you.

_Courtier._ You will kill her before my eyes? [_He seizes him by the throat._]

_Sansthanaka._ [_Falls to the ground._] s.h.i.+r, you 're murdering your mashter. [_He loses consciousness, but recovers._]

I always fed him fat with meat, And gave him b.u.t.ter too, to eat; Now for the friend in need I search; Why does he leave me in the lurch? 28

[_After reflection._] Good! I have an idea. The old jackal gave her a hint by shaking his head at her. Sho I 'll shend him away, and then I 'll murder Vasantasena. That's the idea. [_Aloud._] s.h.i.+r, I was born in a n.o.ble family as great as a wine-gla.s.s. How could I do that s.h.i.+n I shpoke about? I jusht shaid it to make her love me.

P. 209.3]

_Courtier._ Why should you boast of this your n.o.ble birth?

'T is character that makes the man of worth; But thorns and weeds grow rank in fertile earth. 29

_Sansthanaka._ She 's ashamed to confessh her love when you 're here.

Please go. My shervant Sthavaraka has gone too after getting a beating. He may be running away. Catch him, s.h.i.+r, and come back with him.

_Courtier._ [_Aside._]

Vasantasena is too proud to own.

While I am near, her love for one so crude; So now I leave her here with him alone; Love's confidences long for solitude. 30

[_Aloud._] Very well. I go.

_Vasantasena._ [_Seizing the hem of his garment._] Did I not throw myself upon your protection?

_Courtier._ Do not fear, Vasantasena. Jacka.s.s, Vasantasena is a pledge, committed to your hand.