The Little Clay Cart Part 51

With sons, and sons' sons, now you plunge to h.e.l.l! 43

I come! I come! [_Exeunt omnes._

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 83: Elephants were employed as executioners; and, according to Lalladik?ita, the horses served the same purpose.]

[Footnote 84: This refers to the fallen jewels.]

ACT THE TENTH

THE END

[_Enter Charudatta, accompanied by two headsmen._]

_Headsmen._

Then think no longer of the pain; In just a second you 'll be slain.

We understand the fas.h.i.+ons new To fetter you and kill you too.

In chopping heads we never fail, Nor when the victim we impale. 1

Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way! This is the n.o.ble Charudatta.

The oleander on his brow, In headsmen's hands you see him now; Like a lamp whose oil runs nearly dry, His light fades gently, ere it die. 2

_Charudatta._ [_Gloomily._]

My body wet by tear-drops falling, falling; My limbs polluted by the clinging mud; Flowers from the graveyard torn, my wreath appalling; For ghastly sacrifice hoa.r.s.e ravens calling, And for the fragrant incense of my blood. 3

_Headsmen._ Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way!

Why gaze upon the good man so?

The ax of death soon lays him low.

Yet good men once sought shelter free, Like birds, upon this kindly tree. 4

Come, Charudatta, come!

_Charudatta._ Incalculable are the ways of human destiny, that I am come to such a plight!

Red marks of hands in sandal paste O'er all my body have been placed; The man, with meal and powder strewn, Is now to beast of offering grown. 5

[157.19. S.

[_He gazes intently before him._] Alas for human differences!

[_Mournfully._]

For when they see the fate that I must brave, With tears for death's poor victim freely given, The citizens cry "shame," yet cannot save,-- Can only pray that I attain to heaven. 6

_Headsmen._ Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way! Why do you gaze upon him?

G.o.d Indra moving through the sky,[85]

The calving cow, the falling star, The good man when he needs must die,-- These four behold not from afar. 7

_Goha._ Look, Ahinta! Look, man!

While he, of citizens the best, Goes to his death at fate's behest, Does heaven thus weep that he must die?

Does lightning paint the cloudless sky? 8

_Ahinta._ Goha, man,

The heaven weeps not that he must die, Nor lightning paints the cloudless sky; Yet streams are falling constantly From many a woman's clouded eye. 9

And again:

While this poor victim to his death is led, No man nor woman here but sorely weeps; And so the dust, by countless tear-drops fed, Thus peacefully upon the highway sleeps. 10

_Charudatta._ [_Gazes intently. Mournfully._]

These women, in their palaces who stay, From half-shut windows peering, thus lament, "Alas for Charudatta! Woe the day!"

And pity-streaming eyes on me are bent. 11

P. 258.12]

_Headsmen._ Come, Charudatta, come! Here is the place of proclamation.

Beat the drum and proclaim the sentence.

Listen, good people, listen! This is the n.o.ble Charudatta, son of Sagaradatta, and grandson of the merchant Vinayadatta. This malefactor enticed the courtezan Vasantasena into the deserted old garden Pushpakaranda, and for a mere trifle murdered her by strangling. He was taken with the booty, and confessed his guilt.

Therefore are we under orders from King Palaka to execute him.

And if any other commit such a crime, accursed in this world and the next, him too King Palaka condemns to the like punishment.

_Charudatta._ [_Despondently. Aside._]

By hundred sacrifices purified, My radiant name Was once proclaimed by countless altars' side, And knew no blame.

Now comes my hour of death, and evil men Of baser fame In public spots proclaim it once again, But linked with shame. 12

[_He looks up and stops his ears._]

Vasantasena! Oh, my beloved!

From thy dear lips, that vied with coral's red, Betraying teeth more bright than moonbeams fair, My soul with heaven's nectar once was fed.

How can I, helpless, taste that poison dread, To drink shame's poisoned cup how can I bear? 13

_Headsmen._ Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way!

This treasure-house, with pearls of virtue stored, This bridge for good men o'er misfortune's river, This gem now robbed of all its golden h.o.a.rd, Departs our town to-day, departs forever. 14