The Little Clay Cart. Sudraka

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      Director. Mistress, I've been practising so long and I'm so hungry that my limbs are as weak as dried-up lotus-stalks. Is there anything to eat in the house or not?

      Actress. There's everything, sir.

      Director. Well, what?

      Actress. For instance—there's rice with sugar, melted butter, curdled milk, rice; and, all together, it makes you a dish fit for heaven. May the gods always be thus gracious to you!

      Director. All that in our house? or are you joking?

      Actress. [Aside.] Yes, I will have my joke. [Aloud.] It's in the market-place, sir.

      Director. [Angrily.] You wretched woman, thus shall your own hope be cut off! And death shall find you out! For my expectations, like a scaffolding, have been raised so high, only to fall again.

      Actress. Forgive me, sir, forgive me! It was only a joke.

      Director. But what do these unusual preparations mean? One girl is preparing cosmetics, another is weaving garlands, and the very ground is adorned with sacrificial flowers of five different colors.

      Actress. This is a fast day, sir.

      Director. What fast?

      Actress. The fast for a handsome husband.

      Director. In this world, mistress, or the next?

      Actress. In the next world, sir.

      Director. [Wrathfully.] Gentlemen! look at this. She is sacrificing my food to get herself a husband in the next world.

      Actress. Don't be angry, sir. I am fasting in the hope that you may be my husband in my next birth, too.

      Director. But who suggested this fast to you?

      Actress. Your own dear friend Jūrnavriddha.

      Director. [Angrily.] Ah, Jūrnavriddha, son of a slave-wench! When, oh, when shall I see King Pālaka angry with you? Then you will be parted, as surely as the scented hair of some young bride.

      P. 8.10]

      Actress. Don't be angry, sir. It is only that I may have you in the next world that I celebrate this fast. [She falls at his feet.]

      Director. Stand up, mistress, and tell me who is to officiate at this fast.

      Actress. Some Brahman of our own sort whom we must invite.

      Director. You may go then. And I will invite some Brahman of our own sort.

      Actress. Very well, sir.[Exit.

      Director. [Walking about.] Good heavens! In this rich city of Ujjayinī how am I to find a Brahman of our own sort? [He looks about him.] Ah, here comes Chārudatta's friend Maitreya. Good! I'll ask him. Maitreya, you must be the first to break bread in our house to-day.

      A voice behind the scenes. You must invite some other Brahman. I am busy.

      Director. But, man, the feast is set and you have it all to yourself. Besides, you shall have a present.

      The voice. I said no once. Why should you keep on urging me?

      Director. He says no. Well, I must invite some other Brahman.

      [Exit.

END OF THE PROLOGUE

       Table of Contents

ACT THE FIRST

       Table of Contents

THE GEMS ARE LEFT BEHIND

       Table of Contents

      [Enter, with a cloak in his hand, Maitreya.]

      Maitreya.

      "You must invite some other Brahman. I am busy." And yet I really ought to be seeking invitations from a stranger. Oh, what a wretched state of affairs! When good Chārudatta was still wealthy, I used to eat my fill of the most deliciously fragrant sweetmeats, prepared day and night with the greatest of care. I would sit at the door of the courtyard, where I was surrounded by hundreds of dishes, and there, like a painter with his paint-boxes, I would simply touch them with my fingers and thrust them aside. I would stand chewing my cud like a bull in the city market. And now he is so poor that I have to run here, there, and everywhere, and come home, like the pigeons, only to roost. Now here is this jasmine-scented cloak, which Chārudatta's good friend Jūrnavriddha has sent him. He bade me give it to Chārudatta, as soon as he had finished his devotions. So now I will look for Chārudatta. [He walks about and looks around him.] Chārudatta has finished his devotions, and here he comes with an offering for the divinities of the house.

      [Enter Chārudatta as described, and Radanikā.]

      Chārudatta. [Looking up and sighing wearily.] Upon my threshold, where the offering Was straightway seized by swans and flocking cranes, The grass grows now, and these poor seeds I fling Fall where the mouth of worms their sweetness stains.9

      [He walks about very slowly and seats himself.]

      Maitreya. Chārudatta is here. I must go and speak to him. [Approaching.] My greetings to you. May happiness be yours.

      P. 13.1]

      Chārudatta. Ah, it is my constant friend Maitreya. You are very welcome, my friend. Pray be seated.

      Maitreya. Thank you. [He seats himself.] Well, comrade, here is a jasmine-scented cloak which your good friend Jūrnavriddha has sent. He bade me give it you as soon as you had finished your devotions. [He presents the cloak. Chārudatta takes it and remains sunk in thought.] Well, what are you thinking about?

      Chārudatta. My good friend, A candle shining through the deepest dark Is happiness that follows sorrow's strife; But after bliss when man bears sorrow's mark, His body lives a very death-in-life.10

      Maitreya. Well, which would you rather, be dead or be poor?

      Chārudatta. Ah, my friend, Far better death than sorrows sure and slow; Some passing suffering from death may flow, But poverty brings never-ending woe.11

      Maitreya. My dear friend, be not thus cast down. Your wealth has been conveyed to them you love, СКАЧАТЬ