For gamblers leap down a mountain steep-- I know I shall not play. Yet the rattle of dice is as sweet as the peep Of nightingales in May. 6
_Shampooer._ [_Coming up quickly from behind._] Isn't it _my_ turn?
_Mathura._ [_Seizing him._] You jail-bird, you're caught. Pay me my ten gold-pieces.
_Shampooer._ I'll pay you. Only have mercy!
_Shampooer._ My head is getting dizzy. [_He falls to the ground. The others beat him with all their might._]
_Mathura._ There [_drawing the gamblers ring_] you're bound by the gamblers' ring.
_Shampooer._ [_Rises. Despairingly._] What! bound by the gamblers' ring? Confound it! That is a limit which we gamblers can't pass. Where can I get the money to pay him?
_Mathura._ Well then, you must give surety.
_Shampooer._ I have an idea. [_He nudges the gambler._] I'll give you half, if you'll forgive me the other half.
_Shampooer._ [_To Mathura._] I'll give you surety for a half. You might forgive me the other half.
_Shampooer._ [_Aloud._] You forgave me a half, sir?
_Shampooer._ [_To the gambler._] And you forgave me a half?
_Mathura._ Pay me my ten gold-pieces! Where are you going?
_Shampooer._ Look at this, gentlemen, look at this! Here I just gave surety to one of them for a half, and the other forgave me a half. And even after that he is dunning me, poor helpless me!
_Mathura._ [_Seizing him._] My name is Mathura, the clever swindler, and you're not going to swindle me this time. Pay up, jail-bird, every bit of my money, and this minute, too.
_Shampooer._ Have mercy! Lead me to the king's highway.
_Shampooer._ If it must be. [_He walks about._] Gentlemen, will you buy me for ten gold-pieces from this gambling-master? [_He sees a passer-by and calls out._] What is that? You wish to know what I can do? I will be your house-servant. What! he has gone without even answering. Well, here's another. I'll speak to him. [_He repeats his offer._] What! this one too takes no notice of me. He is gone. Confound it! I've had hard luck ever since Charudatta lost his fortune.
_Shampooer._ How can I pay? [_He falls down. Mathura drags him about._] Good gentlemen, save me, save me! [_Enter Darduraka._]
_Darduraka._ Yes, gambling is a kingdom without a throne.
You do not mind defeat at all; Great are the sums you spend and win; While kingly revenues roll in, Rich men, like slaves, before you fall. 7