Page:Little Clay Cart (Ryder 1905).djvu/103

P. 113.6] Sharvilaka. Now as for me,

I'll rouse my kin, the kitchen cabinet,

Those high in fame by strength of good right arm,

And those who with the king's contempt have met,

And royal slaves, to save my friend from harm:

Like old Yaugandharāyana

For the good king Udayana.

And again:

My friend has causeless been confined

By wicked foes of timid kind;

I fly, I fly to free him soon,

Like the eclipse-oppressèd moon.

Maid. [Entering.] Mistress, I congratulate you. A Brahman has come with a message from Chārudatta.

Vasantasenā. Ah, this is a joyful day. Show him every mark of respect, girl, and have him conducted hither by one of the pages.

Maid. Yes, mistress.

Maitreya. Well! Rāvana, the king of the demons, travels with his chariot that they call the "Blossom." He earned it by his penances. Now I am a Brahman, and though I never performed any penances, I travel with another sort of a blossom—a woman of the town.

Maid. Sir, will you inspect our gateway.

Maitreya. [Gazes admiringly.] It has just been sprinkled and cleaned and received a coat of green. The threshold of it is pretty as a picture with the offerings of all sorts of fragrant flowers. It stretches up its head as if it wanted to peep into the sky. It is adorned with strings of jasmine garlands that hang down and toss about like the trunk of the heavenly elephant. It shines with its high ivory portal. It is lovely with any number of holiday banners that gleam red as great rubies and wave their coquettish fingers as