Page:Little Clay Cart (Ryder 1905).djvu/175

P. 236.11] Beadle. Yes, Your Honor. [He goes out, then returns with Chārudatta.] Follow me, sir.

Chārudatta. [Thoughtfully.]

My character and kin are known

Unto the king who rules our state;

And in this summons there is shown

A doubt begotten of my wretched fate.

[''Reflectively. Aside''.]

Ah! Were there those, the man to recognize

Who met me on the road, from bondage freed?

Or did the king, who sees through cunning spies,

Learn that my cart was lent him in his need?

Why should I else be forced to tread the street,

Like one accused of crime, my judge to meet?

But why consider thus? I must go to the court-room. My good beadle, conduct me to the court.

Beadle. Follow me, sir. [They walk about.]

Chārudatta. [Apprehensively.] And what means this?

Hear how the gloomy raven hoarsely croaks;

The slaves of justice summon me again;

My left eye twitches; these repeated strokes

Of threatened evil frighten me and pain.

Beadle. Follow me, sir, gently and without haste.

Chārudatta. [Walks about and looks before him.]

Upon the withered tree, a crow

Turns to the sun;

His left eye falls on me. Ah, woe!

My doubt is done.

[He looks in another direction.] But see! a snake!

His eye is fixed upon me; and his back

Flashes like antimony's lustrous black;