Page:Little Clay Cart (Ryder 1905).djvu/97

P. 104.15] Sharvilaka. What does that matter to you, Madanikā? Take them.

Madanikā. [Angrily.] If you can't trust me, why do you wish to buy my freedom?

Sharvilaka. Well, this morning I heard in the merchants' quarter that the merchant Chārudatta—

[Vasantasenā and Madanikā swoon.]

Sharvilaka. Madanikā! Come to yourself! Why is it that now

Your figure seems to melt in limp despair,

Your eyes are wildly rolling here and there?

That when I come, sweet girl, to make you free,

You fall to trembling, not to pitying me?

Madanikā. [Coming to herself.] O you reckless man! When you did what you ought not to have done for my sake, you didn't kill anybody or hurt anybody in that house?

Sharvilaka. Madanikā, Sharvilaka does not strike a terrified man or a man asleep. I did not kill anybody nor hurt anybody.

Madanikā. Really?

Sharvilaka. Really.

Vasantasenā. [Recovering consciousness] Ah, I breathe again.

Madanikā. Thank heaven!

Sharvilaka. [Jealously.] What does this "Thank heaven" mean, Madanikā?

I sinned for you, when love had made me pine,

Although my house was good since time began;

Love took my virtue, but my pride is mine.

You call me friend and love another man?

[Meaningly.] A noble youth is like a goodly tree;

His wealth, the fruit so fair;

The courtezan is like a bird; for she

Pecks him and leaves him bare.

Love is a fire, whose flame is lust,

Whose fuel is gallantry,