Hindu literature Part 63

FISHERMAN.--One day I was cutting open a large carp I had just hooked, when the sparkle of a jewel caught my eye, and what should I find in the fish's maw but that ring! Soon afterwards, when I was offering it for sale, I was seized by your honors. Now you know everything. Whether you kill me, or whether you let me go, this is the true account of how the ring came into my possession.

SUPERINTENDENT [_to one of the Constables_].--Well, Januka, the rascal emits such a fishy odor that I have no doubt of his being a fisherman; but we must inquire a little more closely into this queer story about the finding of the ring. Come, we'll take him before the King's household.

BOTH CONSTABLES.--Very good, master. Get on with you, you cutpurse.

[_All move on_.

SUPERINTENDENT.--Now attend, Suchaka; keep you guard here at the gate; and hark ye, sirrahs, take good care your prisoner does not escape, while I go in and lay the whole story of the discovery of this ring before the King in person. I will soon return and let you know his commands.

CONSTABLE.--Go in, master, by all means; and may you find favor in the King's sight!

[_Exit Superintendent_.

FIRST CONSTABLE [_after an interval_].--I say, Januka, the Superintendent is a long time away.

SECOND CONSTABLE.--Aye, aye; kings are not to be got at so easily. Folks must bide the proper opportunity.

FIRST CONSTABLE.--Januka, my fingers itch to strike the first blow at this royal victim here. We must kill him with all the honors, you know.

I long to begin binding the flowers round his head.

[_Pretends to strike a blow at the fisherman_.

FISHERMAN.--Your honor surely will not put an innocent man to a cruel death.

SECOND CONSTABLE [_looking_].--There's our Superintendent at last, I declare. See, he is coming towards us with a paper in his hand. We shall soon know the King's command; so prepare, my fine fellow, either to become food for the vultures, or to make acquaintance with some hungry cur.

SUPERINTENDENT [_entering_].--Ho, there, Suchaka! set the fisherman at liberty, I tell you. His story about the ring is all correct.

SuCHAKA.--Oh! very good, sir; as you please.

SECOND CONSTABLE.--The fellow had one foot in h.e.l.l, and now here he is in the land of the living. [_Releases him_.

FISHERMAN [_bowing to the Superintendent_].--Now, master, what think you of my way of getting a livelihood?

SUPERINTENDENT.--Here, my good man, the King desired me to present you with this purse. It contains a sum of money equal to the full value of the ring.

[_Gives him the money_.

FISHERMAN [_taking it and bowing_].--His Majesty does me too great honor.

SuCHAKA.--You may well say so. He might as well have taken you from the gallows to seat you on his state elephant.

JaNUKA.--Master, the King must value the ring very highly, or he would never have sent such a sum of money to this ragam.u.f.fin.

SUPERINTENDENT.--I don't think he prizes it as a costly jewel so much as a memorial of some person he tenderly loves. The moment it was shown to him he became much agitated, though in general he conceals his feelings.

SuCHAKA.--Then you must have done a great service------

JaNUKA.--Yes, to this husband of a fish-wife.

[_Looks enviously at the fisherman_.

FISHERMAN.--Here's half the money for you, my masters. It will serve to purchase the flowers you spoke of, if not to buy me your good-will.

JaNUKA.--Well, now, that's just as it should be.

SUPERINTENDENT.--My good fisherman, you are an excellent fellow, and I begin to feel quite a regard for you. Let us seal our first friendship over a gla.s.s of good liquor. Come along to the next wine-shop and we'll drink your health.

ALL.--By all means.

[_Exeunt._

ACT SIXTH

Scene.--The Garden of the Palace

_The nymph Sanumati is seen descending in a celestial car_.

SaNUMATi.--Behold me just arrived from attending in my proper turn at the nymphs' pool, where I have left the other nymphs to perform their ablutions, whilst I seek to ascertain, with my own eyes, how it fares with King Dushyanta. My connection with the nymph Menaka has made her daughter Sakoontala dearer to me than my own flesh and blood; and Menaka it was who charged me with this errand on her daughter's behalf.

[_Looking round in all directions_.] How is it that I see no preparations in the King's household for celebrating the great vernal festival? I could easily discover the reason by my divine faculty of meditation; but respect must be shown to the wishes of my friend. How then shall I arrive at the truth? I know what I will do. I will become invisible, and place myself near those two maidens who are tending the plants in the garden. [_Descends and takes her station_.

_Enter a Maiden, who stops in front of a mango-tree and gazes at the blossom. Another Maiden is seen behind her_.

FIRST MAIDEN.--Hail to thee, lovely harbinger of spring! The varied radiance of thy opening flowers Is welcome to my sight. I bid thee hail, Sweet mango, soul of this enchanting season.

SECOND MAIDEN.--Parabaitika, what are you saying there to yourself?

FIRST MAIDEN.--Dear Madhukarika, am I not named after the Koil?[41] and does not the Koil sing for joy at the first appearance of the mango-blossom?

SECOND MAIDEN [_approaching hastily, with transport_].--What! is spring really come?

FIRST MAIDEN.--Yes, indeed, Madhukarika, and with it the season of joy, love, and song.

SECOND MAIDEN.--Let me lean upon you, dear, while I stand on tip-toe and pluck a blossom of the mango, that I may present it as an offering to the G.o.d of love.

FIRST MAIDEN.--Provided you let me have half the reward which the G.o.d will bestow in return.

SECOND MAIDEN.--To be sure you shall, and that without asking. Are we not one in heart and soul, though divided in body? [_Leans on her friend and plucks a mango-blossom._] Ah! here is a bud just bursting into flower. It diffuses a delicious perfume, though not yet quite expanded.

[_Joining her hands reverentially_.

G.o.d of the bow, who with spring's choicest flowers Dost point thy five unerring shafts; to thee I dedicate this blossom; let it serve To barb thy truest arrow; be its mark Some youthful heart that pines to be beloved.

[_Throws down a mango-blossom._

CHAMBERLAIN [_entering in a hurried manner, angrily_].--Hold there, thoughtless woman. What are you about breaking off those mango-blossoms, when the King has forbidden the celebration of the spring festival?

BOTH MAIDENS [_alarmed_].--Pardon us, kind sir, we have heard nothing of it.

CHAMBERLAIN.--You have heard nothing of it? Why, all the vernal plants and shrubs, and the very birds that lodge in their branches, show more respect to the King's order than you do.

Yon mango-blossoms, though long since expanded, Gather no down upon their tender crests; The flower still lingers in the amaranth, Imprisoned in its bud; the tuneful Koil, Though winter's chilly dews be overpast, Suspends the liquid volume of his song Scarce uttered in his throat; e'en Love, dismayed, Restores the half-drawn arrow to his quiver.