_Vasantasena._ Shall I dare to say it?

_Maid._ When the time comes, it will say itself.

_Maitreya._ Enter, madam.

_Vasantasena._ [_Enters, approaches Charudatta, and strikes him with the flowers which she holds._] Well, gambler, what luck this evening?

_Charudatta._ [_Discovers her._] Ah, Vasantasena is here. [_He rises joyfully._] Oh, my beloved,

My evenings pa.s.s in watching ever, My nights from sighs are never free; This evening cannot else than sever-- In bringing you--my grief and me. 37

You are very, very welcome. Here is a seat. Pray be seated.

_Maitreya._ Here is a seat. Be seated, madam. [_Vasantasena sits, then the others._]

_Charudatta._ But see, my friend,

The dripping flower that decks her ear, droops down, And one sweet breast Anointed is, like a prince who wears the crown, With ointment blest. 38

My friend, Vasantasena's garments are wet. Let other, and most beautiful, garments be brought.

_Maitreya._ Yes, sir.

_Maid._ Good Maitreya, do you stay here. I will wait upon my mistress.

[_She does so._]

_Maitreya._ [_Aside to Charudatta._] My friend, I'd just like to ask the lady a question.

_Charudatta._ Then do so.

_Maitreya._ [_Aloud._] Madam, what made you come here, when it is so stormy and dark that you can't see the moon?

_Maid._ Mistress, the Brahman is very plain-spoken.

P. 148.17]

_Vasantasena._ You might better call him clever.

_Maid._ My mistress came to ask how much that pearl necklace is worth.

_Maitreya._ [_Aside to Charudatta._] There! I told you so. She thinks the pearl necklace is cheap, and the golden casket is expensive.

She isn't satisfied. She has come to look for something more.

_Maid._ For my mistress imagined that it was her own, and gambled it away. And n.o.body knows where the gambling-master has gone, for he is employed in the king's business.

_Maitreya._ Madam, you are simply repeating what somebody said before.

_Maid._ While we are looking for him, pray take this golden casket.

[_She displays the casket._ _Maitreya hesitates._] Sir, you examine it very closely. Did you ever see it before?

_Maitreya._ No, madam, but the skilful workmanship captivates the eye.

_Maid._ Your eyes deceive you, sir. This _is_ the golden casket.

_Maitreya._ [_Joyfully._] Well, my friend, here is the golden casket, the very one that thieves stole from our house.

_Charudatta._ My friend,

The artifice we tried before, Her stolen treasure to restore, Is practised now on us. But no, I cannot think 't is really so. 39

_Maitreya._ But it is so. I swear it on my Brahmanhood.

_Charudatta._ This is welcome news.

_Maitreya._ [_Aside to Charudatta._] I'm going to ask where they found it.

_Charudatta._ I see no harm in that.

_Maitreya._ [_Whispers in the maid's ear._] There!

_Maid._ [_Whispers in Maitreya's ear._] So there!

[89.19. S.

_Charudatta._ What is it? and why are we left out?

_Maitreya._ [_Whispers in Charudatta's ear._] So there!

_Charudatta._ My good girl, is this really the same golden casket?

_Maid._ Yes, sir, the very same.

_Charudatta._ My good girl, I have never let the bearer of welcome news go unrewarded. Take this ring as your recompense. [_He looks at his finger, notices that the ring is gone, and betrays his embarra.s.sment._]

_Vasantasena._ [_To herself._] I love you for that.

_Charudatta._ [_Aside to Maitreya._] Alas,

When in this world a man has lost his all, Why should he set his heart on longer life?

His angers and his favors fruitless fall, His purposes and powers are all at strife. 40

Like wingless birds, dry pools, or withered trees, Like fangless snakes--the poor are like to these. 41

Like man-deserted houses, blasted trees, Like empty wells--the poor are like to these.

For them no pleasant hours serve happy ends; They are forgotten of their sometime friends. 42

_Maitreya._ But you must not grieve thus beyond reason. [_He bursts out laughing. Aloud._] Madam, please give me back my bath-clout.

_Vasantasena._ Charudatta, it was not right that you should show your distrust of me by sending me this pearl necklace.