_Charudatta._ Consider, magistrates, consider what you are doing! [_He leaves his seat, and sits on the floor._]
_Sansthanaka._ [_Dancing about gleefully. Aside._] Fine! The shin that I did falls on another man's head. Sho I 'll sit where Charudatta was. [_He does so._] Look at me, Charudatta, and confessh that you murdered her.
A mean and jealous creature, passion-blind, Sets all his soul, some fatal means to find To slay the man he envies; shall his lies, By evil nature prompted, win the prize? No! he is unregarded by the wise. (27)
My friend Maitreya! Oh, this cruel blow! My wife, thou issue of a spotless strain! My Rohasena! Here am I, laid low By sternest fate; and thou, thou dost not know That all thy childish games are played in vain. Thou playest, heedless of another's pain! 29
But Maitreya I sent to Vasantasena, that he might bring me tidings of her, and might restore the jewels which she gave my child, to buy him a toy cart. Why then does he linger?
_Maitreya._ Charudatta bade me go to Vasantasena, to return her jewels, and he said to me: "Maitreya, Vasantasena adorned my dear Rohasena with her own jewels, and sent him thus to his mother. It was fitting that she should give him the jewels, but not that we should receive them. Therefore restore them to her." So now I will go to Vasantasena's house. [_He walks about and looks around, then speaks to a person behind the scenes._] Ah, it is Master Rebhila. Oh, Master Rebhila, why do you seem so exceedingly troubled? [_He listens._] What! do you mean to say that my dear friend Charudatta has been summoned to court? That can hardly be an insignificant matter. [_He reflects._] I will go to Vasantasena's house later, but now I will go to the court-room. [_He walks about and looks around._] Here is the court-room. I will go in at once. [_He enters._] May happiness be the lot of the magistrates. Where is my friend?
_Maitreya._ My friend, I wish you happiness.
_Maitreya._ My friend, why do you seem so exceedingly troubled? And why were you summoned?
A scoundrel I, who bear the blame, Nor seek in heaven to be blest; A maid--or goddess--'t is the same-- But _he_ will say the rest. 30
_Charudatta._ [_Indicating Sansthanaka._] This poor fellow is the instrument that fate uses to accuse me.