The Little Clay Cart Part 52

[159.15. S.

And again:

Whom fortune favors, find That all the world is kind; Whose happy days are ended, Are rarely thus befriended. 15

_Charudatta._ [_Looks about him._]

Their faces with their garments' hem now hiding, They stand afar, whom once I counted friends: Even foes have smiles for men with Fortune biding: But friends prove faithless when good fortune ends. 16

_Headsmen._ They are out of the way. The street is cleared. Lead on the condemned criminal.

_Charudatta._ [_Sighing._]

My friend Maitreya! Oh, this cruel blow!

My wife, thou issue of a spotless strain!

My Rohasena! Here am I, laid low By sternest fate; and thou, thou dost not know That all thy childish games are played in vain.

Thou playest, heedless of another's pain! (ix. 29)

_Voices behind the scenes._ My father! Oh, my friend!

_Charudatta._ [_Listens. Mournfully._] You are a leader in your own caste. I would beg a favor at your hands.

_Headsmen._ From _our_ hands you would receive a favor?

_Charudatta._ Heaven forbid! Yet a headsman is neither so wanton nor so cruel as King Palaka. That I may be happy in the other world, I ask to see the face of my son.

_Headsmen._ So be it.

_A voice behind the scenes._ My father! oh, my father! [_Charudatta hears the words, and mournfully repeats his request._]

_Headsmen._ Citizens, make way a moment. Let the n.o.ble Charudatta look upon the face of his son. [_Turning to the back of the stage._] This way, sir! Come on, little boy!

P. 261.15]

[_Enter Maitreya, with Rohasena._]

_Maitreya._ Make haste, my boy, make haste! Your father is being led to his death.

_Rohasena._ My father! oh, my father!

_Maitreya._ Oh, my friend! Where must I behold you now?

_Charudatta._ [_Perceives his son and his friend._] Alas, my son! Alas, Maitreya! [_Mournfully._] Ah, woe is me!

Long, too long, shall I thirst in vain Through all my sojourn dread; This vessel[86] small will not contain The water for the dead. 17

What may I give my son? [_He looks at himself, and perceives the sacrificial cord._] Ah, this at least is mine.

The precious cord that Brahmans hold Is unadorned with pearls and gold; Yet, girt therewith, they sacrifice To G.o.ds above and fathers[87] old. 18

[_He gives Rohasena the cord._]

_Goha._ Come, Charudatta! Come, man!

_Ahinta._ Man, do you name the n.o.ble Charudatta's name, and forget the t.i.tle? Remember:

In happy hours, in death, by night, by day, Roving as free as a yet unbroken colt, Fate wanders on her unrestricted way. 19

And again:

Life will depart his body soon; Shall our reproaches bow his head?

Although eclipse may seize the moon, We worship while it seems but dead. 20

_Rohasena._ Oh, headsmen, where are you leading my father?

[161.10. S.

_Charudatta._ My darling,

About my neck I needs must wear The oleander-wreath; Upon my shoulder I must bear The stake, and in my heart the care Of near-approaching death.

I go to-day to meet a dastard's ending, A victim, at the fatal altar bending. 21

_Goha._ My boy,

Not we the headsmen are, Though born of headsman race; Thy father's life who mar, These, these are headsmen base. 22

_Rohasena._ Then why do you murder my father?

_Goha._ Bless you, 't is the king's orders must bear the blame, not we.

_Rohasena._ Kill me, and let father go free.

_Goha._ Bless you, may you live long for saying that!

_Charudatta._ [_Tearfully embracing his son._]

This treasure--love--this taste of heaven, To rich and poor alike is given; Than sandal better, or than balm, To soothe the heart and give it calm. 23

About my neck I needs must wear The oleander-wreath, Upon my shoulder I must bear The stake, and in my heart the care Of near-approaching death.

I go to-day to meet a dastard's ending, A victim, at the fatal altar bending. (21)

[_He looks about. Aside._]

Their faces with their garments' hem now hiding, They stand afar, whom once I counted friends: Even foes have smiles (16)

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