way as to make me blush,
Maitreya. [_Exit._

_Maitreya._ [_In astonishment._] What generosity!

* * * * *

_Charudatta._ How Maitreya lingers! I trust his grief is not leading
him to do what he ought not. Maitreya, Maitreya!

_Maitreya._ [_Approaching._] Here I am. Take that. [_He displays the
necklace._]

_Charudatta._ What is this?

_Maitreya._ Why, that is the reward you get for marrying such a
wife.

_Charudatta._ What! my wife takes pity on me? Alas, now am I
poor indeed!

When fate so robs him of his all,
That on her pity he must call,
The man to woman's state doth fall,
The woman is the man. 27

But no, I am not poor. For I have a wife

Whose love outlasts my wealthy day;
In thee a friend through good and ill;
And truth that naught could take away:
Ah! this the poor man lacketh still. 28

[55.9. S.

Maitreya, take the necklace and go to Vasantasena. Tell her in
my name that we have gambled away the golden casket, forgetting
that it was not our own, that we trust she will accept this
necklace in its place.

_Maitreya._ But you must not give away this necklace, the pride of
the four seas, for that cheap thing that was stolen before we had
a bite or a drink out of it.

_Charudatta._ Not so, my friend.

She showed her trust in leaving us her treasure;
The price of confidence has no less measure. 29

Friend, I conjure you by this gesture, not to return until you have
delivered it into her hands. Vardhamanaka, do you speedily

Fill up the opening with the selfsame bricks;
Thus will I thwart the process of the law,
For the blemish of so great a scandal sticks. 30

And, friend Maitreya, you must show your pride by not speaking
too despondently.

_Maitreya._ How can a poor man help speaking despondently?

_Charudatta._ Poor I am not, my friend. For I have a wife

Whose love outlasts my wealthy day;
In thee a friend through good and ill;
And truth that naught could take away:
Ah, this the poor man lacketh still. (28)

Go then, and after performing rites of purification, I will offer
my morning prayer. [_Exeunt omnes._

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 44: This refers to Charudatta's generosity, which