Page:Little Clay Cart (Ryder 1905).djvu/62

26 Chārudatta. Enough, Maitreya! We need no torches. See, we have a lamp upon the king's highway.

Attended by her starry servants all,

And pale to see as a loving maiden's cheeks,

Rises before our eyes the moon's bright ball,

Whose pure beams on the high-piled darkness fall

Like streaming milk that dried-up marshes seeks.

[His voice betraying his passion.] Mistress Vasantasenā, we have reached your home. Pray enter. [Vasantasenā gazes ardently at him, then exit.] Comrade, Vasantasenā is gone. Come, let us go home.

All creatures from the highway take their flight;

The watchmen pace their rounds before our sight;

To forestall treachery, is just and right,

For many sins find shelter in the night.

[He walks about.] And you shall guard this golden casket by night, and Vardhamānaka by day.

Maitreya. Very well.