Page:Little Clay Cart (Ryder 1905).djvu/185

P. 250.1] Chārudatta. My friend,

The king perceives with blinded eye,

Nor on the truth that eye will bend;

Though telling all, I cannot fly

A wretched and inglorious end.

Judge. Alas! Alas!

With Mars strives Jupiter, and dies;

Beside them both there seems to rise

A comet-planet in the skies.

Gild-warden and Clerk. [''Looking at the casket. To Vasantasenā's mother''.] Madam, pray examine this golden casket attentively, to see whether it be the same or not.

Mother. [Examining the casket.] It is similar, but not the same.

Sansthānaka. Oh, you old bawd! You confessh it with your eyes, and deny it with your lips.

Mother. Away, you scoundrel!

Gild-warden and Clerk. Speak carefully. Is it the same or not?

Mother. Sir, the craftsman's skill captivates the eye. But it is not the same.

Judge. My good woman, do you know these jewels?

Mother. No, I said. No! I don't recognize them; but perhaps they were made by the same craftsman.

Judge. Gild-warden, see!

Gems often seem alike in many ways,

When the artist's mind on form and beauty plays;

For craftsmen imitate what they have seen,

And skilful hands remake what once has been.

Gild-warden and Clerk. Do these jewels belong to Chārudatta?

Chārudatta. Never!

Gild-warden and Clerk. To whom then?