Page:Little Clay Cart (Ryder 1905).djvu/94

58 Vasantasenā. Is who?

Maid. Is the king's brother-in-law, Sansthānaka.

Vasantasenā. [Indignantly.] Go! and never come again on such an errand.

Maid. Do not be angry, mistress. I was only sent with the message.

Vasantasenā. But it is the message which makes me angry.

Maid. But what shall I tell your mother?

Vasantasenā. Tell my mother never to send me another such message, unless she wishes to kill me.

Maid. As you will. [Exit.]

Sharv. Blame for my sin I laid upon the night;

I conquered sleep and watchmen of the king;

But darkness wanes, and in the sun's clear light

My light is like the moon's—a faded thing.

And again:

Whoever cast at me a passing look,

Or neared me, anxious, as they quickly ran,

All such my laden soul for foes mistook;

For sin it was wherein man's fear began.

Well, it was for Madanikā's sake that I did the deed of sin.

I paid no heed to any one who talked with serving-men;

The houses ruled by women-folk these I avoided most;

And when policemen seemed to have me almost in their ken,

I stood stock-still and acted just exactly like a post.

A hundred such manœuvres did I constantly essay,

And by such means succeeded in turning night to day.

[He walks about.]

Vasantasenā. Girl, lay this picture on my sofa and come back at once with a fan.

Madanikā. Yes, mistress.

Sharvilaka. This is Vasantasenā's house. I will enter. [He does so.]