for my sake, you didn't kill
anybody or hurt anybody in that house?

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

_Madanika._ Really?

_Sharvilaka._ Really.

_Vasantasena._ [_Recovering consciousness._] Ah, I breathe again.

_Madanika._ Thank heaven!

_Sharvilaka._ [_Jealously._] What does this "Thank heaven" mean,
Madanika?

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? 9

[_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. 10

Love is a fire, whose flame is lust,
Whose fuel is gallantry,
Wherein our youth and riches must
Thus sacrificed be. 11

[62.16. S.

_Vasantasena._ [_With a smile._] His excitement is a little out of
place.

_Sharvilaka._ Yes!

Those men are fools, it seems to me,
Who trust to women or to gold;
For gold and girls, 'tis plain to see.
Are false as virgin snakes and cold. 12

Love not a woman; if you ever do,
She mocks at you, and plays the gay deceiver:
Yet if she loves you, you may love her too;
But if she doesn't, leave her. 13

Too true it is that

A courtezan will laugh and cry for gold;
She trusts you not, but waits your trustful hour.
If virtue and a name are yours, then hold!
Avoid her as you would a graveyard flower. 14

And again:

As fickle as the billows of the sea,
Glowing no longer than the evening sky,
A woman takes your gold, then leaves you free;
You're worthless, like cosmetics, when you're dry. 15

Yes, women are indeed fickle.

One man perhaps may hold her heart in trust,
She lures another with coquettish eyes,
Sports with another in unseemly lust,
Another yet her body satisfies. 16

As some one has well said:

On mountain-tops no lotuses are grown;
The horse's yoke no ass will ever bear;
Rice never springs from seeds of barley sown;
A courtezan is not an honest fair.