The Little Clay Cart Part 8

one whose youth Is in the guidance of her own sweet will; She disappeared: unconscious of the truth, We did what seems a purposed deed of ill. 44

P. 35.4]

I pray you, accept this all-in-all of humblest supplication. [_He drops his sword, folds his hands, and falls at Maitreya's feet._]

_Maitreya._ Good man, rise, rise. When I reviled you, I did not know you. Now I know you and I ask your pardon.

_Courtier._ It is I who should ask pardon. I will rise on one condition.

_Maitreya._ And that is--

_Courtier._ That you will not tell Charudatta what has happened here.

_Maitreya._ I will be silent.

_Courtier._

Brahman, this gracious act of thine I bow my neck to bear; For never could this sword of mine With virtue's steel compare. 45

_Sansthanaka._ [_Indignantly._] But mashter, what makes you fold your hands sho helplesshly and fall at the feet of thish manikin?

_Courtier._ I was afraid.

_Sansthanaka._ What were _you_ afraid of?

_Courtier._ Of Charudatta's virtues.

_Sansthanaka._ Virtues? He? You can go into his houshe and not find a thing to eat.

_Courtier._ No, no.

His loving-kindness unto such as we Has brought him low at last; From him could no man learn what insults be, Or e'er his wealth was past.

This well-filled pool, that in its summer day Gave others drink, itself is dried away. 46

_Sansthanaka._ [_Impatiently._] Who is the shon of a shlave-wench anyway?

Brave Shvetaketu is he, Pandu's child?

Or Radha's shon, the ten-necked ogre wild?

Or Indradatta? or again, is he Shon of brave Rama and of fair Kunti?

Or Dharmaputra? Ashvatthaman bold?

Perhaps Jatayu's shelf, that vulture old? 47

[19.19. S.

_Courtier._ Fool! I will tell you who Charudatta is.

A tree of life to them whose sorrows grow, Beneath its fruit of virtue bending low; Father to good men; virtue's touchstone he; The mirror of the learned; and the sea Where all the tides of character unite; A righteous man, whom pride could never blight; A treasure-house, with human virtues stored; Courtesy's essence, honor's precious h.o.a.rd.

He doth to life its fullest meaning give, So good is he; we others breathe, not live. 48

Let us be gone.

_Sansthanaka._ Without Vasantasena?

_Courtier._ Vasantasena has disappeared.

_Sansthanaka._ How?

_Courtier._

Like sick men's strength, or like the blind man's sight, Like the fool's judgment, like the sluggard's might, Like thoughtless scoundrels' store of wisdom's light, Like love, when foemen fan our slumbering wrath, So did _she_ vanish, when you crossed her path. 49

_Sansthanaka._ I'm not going without Vasantasena.

_Courtier._ And did you never hear this?

To hold a horse, you need a rein; To hold an elephant, a chain; To hold a woman, use a heart; And if you haven't one, depart. 50

_Sansthanaka._ If you're going, go along. I'm not going.

_Courtier._ Very well. I will go. [_Exit._

P. 38.2]

_Sansthanaka._ Mashter's gone, sure enough. [_To Maitreya._] Well, you man with the head that looks like a caret, you manikin, take a sheat, take a sheat.

_Maitreya._ We have already been invited to take a seat.

_Sansthanaka._ By whom?

_Maitreya._ By destiny.

_Sansthanaka._ Shtand up, then, shtand up!

_Maitreya._ We shall.

_Sansthanaka._ When?

_Maitreya._ When fate is kind again.

_Sansthanaka._ Weep, then, weep!

_Maitreya._ We have wept.

_Sansthanaka._ Who made you?

_Maitreya._ Poverty.

_Sansthanaka._ Laugh, then, laugh!