The Little Clay Cart Part 47

[_He looks in another direction._] But see! a snake!

His eye is fixed upon me; and his back Flashes like antimony's l.u.s.trous black; His long tongue quivers; four white fangs appear; His belly swells and coils. He slumbered here, This prince of serpents, till I crossed his path, And now he darts upon me in his wrath. 12

[143.21. S.

And more than this:

I slip, although the ground has felt no rain; My left eye, and my left arm throb again; Another bird is screaming overhead; All bodes a cruel death, and hope is fled. 13

Surely, the G.o.ds will grant that all may yet be well.

_Beadle._ Follow me, sir. Here is the court-room. Pray enter.

_Charudatta._ [_Enters and looks about._] How wonderfully splendid is the court-room. For it seems an ocean,

Whose waters are the king's advisers, deep In thought; as waves and sh.e.l.ls it seems to keep The attorneys; and as sharks and crocodiles It has its spies that stand in waiting files; Its elephants and horses[83] represent The cruel ocean-fish on murder bent; As if with herons of the sea, it s.h.i.+nes With screaming pettifoggers' numerous lines; While in the guise of serpents, scribes are creeping Upon its statecraft-trodden sh.o.r.e: the court The likeness of an ocean still is keeping, To which all harmful-cruel beasts resort. 14

Come! [_As he enters, he strikes his head against the door. Reflectively._]

Alas! This also?

My left eye throbs; a raven cries; A serpent coils athwart my path.

My safety now with heaven lies. 15

But I must enter. [_He does so._]

P. 238.16]

_Judge._ This is Charudatta.

A countenance like his, with clear-cut nose, Whose great, wide-opened eye frank candor shows, Is not the home of wantonness; With elephants, with horses, and with kine, The outer form is inner habit's sign; With men no less. 16

_Charudatta._ My greetings to the officers of justice. Officials, I salute you.

_Judge._ [_Betraying his agitation._] You are very welcome, sir. My good beadle, give the gentleman a seat.

_Beadle._ [_Brings a seat._] Here is a seat. Pray be seated, sir.

[_Charudatta seats himself._]

_Sansthanaka._ [_Angrily._] You're here, are you, you woman-murderer?

Well! Thish is a fine trial, thish is a jusht trial, where they give a sheat to thish woman-murderer. [_Haughtily._] But it's all right. They can give it to him.

_Judge._ Charudatta, have you any attachment, or affection, or friends.h.i.+p, with this lady's daughter?

_Charudatta._ What lady?

_Judge._ This lady. [_He indicates Vasantasena's mother._]

_Charudatta._ [_Rising._] Madam, I salute you.

_Mother._ Long life to you, my son! [_Aside._] So this is Charudatta.

My daughter's youth is in good hands.

_Judge._ Sir, is the courtezan your friend? [_Charudatta betrays his embarra.s.sment._]

_Sansthanaka._

He tries to hide the deed he did; He lies, from shame or fear; He murdered her, of her got rid For gold, and thinks the deed is hid; Not sho his mashter here. 17

[145.18. S.

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ Speak, Charudatta. Do not be ashamed.

This is a lawsuit.

_Charudatta._ [_In embarra.s.sment._] Officials, how can I testify that a courtezan is my friend? But at worst, it is youth that bears the blame, not character.

_Judge._

The case is hard; then banish shame, Though it oppress your heart; Speak truth with fort.i.tude, and aim To set deceit apart. 18

Do not be embarra.s.sed. The conduct of the case puts the question.

_Charudatta._ Officer, with whom have I a lawsuit?

_Sansthanaka._ [_Arrogantly._] With me!

_Charudatta._ A lawsuit with you is unendurable!

_Sansthanaka._ Well, well, woman-murderer! You murder a woman like Vasantasena who used to wear a hundred gems, and now you try deceitful deceivings to hide it!

_Charudatta._ You are a fool.

_Judge._ Enough of him, good Charudatta. Speak the truth. Is the courtezan your friend?

_Charudatta._ She is.

_Judge._ Sir, where is Vasantasena?

_Charudatta._ She has gone home.

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ How did she go? When did she go? Who accompanied her?

_Charudatta._ [_Aside._] Shall I say that she went un.o.bserved?

_Gild-warden and Clerk._ Speak, sir.

_Charudatta._ She went home. What more shall I say?

_Sansthanaka._ She was enticed into my old garden Pushpakaranda, and was shtrangled for her money. Now will you shay that she went home?