7

_Maitreya._ Now look here! I have a second grievance. She tipped
her friend the wink, covered her face with the hem of her dress,
and laughed at me. And so, Brahman though I am, I hereby fall
on my face before you and beg you not to have anything more
to do with this courtezan. That sort of society does any amount
of damage. A courtezan is like a pebble in your shoe. It hurts
before you get rid of it. And one thing more, my friend. A courtezan,
an elephant, a scribe, a mendicant friar, a swindler, and an
ass--where these dwell, not even rogues are born.

_Charudatta._ Oh, my friend, a truce to all your detraction! My
poverty of itself prevents me. For consider:

The horse would gladly hasten here and there,
But his legs fail him, for his breath departs.
So men's vain wishes wander everywhere,
Then, weary grown, return into their hearts. 8

Then too, my friend:

If wealth is thine, the maid is thine,
For maids are won by gold;

[_Aside._ And not by virtue cold. _Aloud._]

But wealth is now no longer mine,
And her I may not hold. 9

[78.23. S.

_Maitreya._ [_Looks down. Aside._] From the way he looks up and
sighs, I conclude that my effort to distract him has simply increased
his longing. The proverb is right. "You can't reason with
a lover." [_Aloud._] Well, she told me to tell you that she would
have to come here this evening. I suppose she isn't satisfied with
the necklace and is coming to look for something else.

_Charudatta._ Let her come, my friend. She shall not depart unsatisfied.
[_Enter Kumbhilaka._]

_Kumbhilaka._ Listen, good people.

The more it rains in sheets,
The more my skin gets wet;
The more the cold wind beats,
The more I shake and fret. 10

[_He bursts out laughing._]

I make the sweet flute speak from seven holes,
I make the loud lute speak on seven strings;
In singing, I essay the donkey's roles:
No god can match my music when he sings. 11

My mistress Vasantasena said to me "Kumbhilaka, go and tell Charudatta
that I am coming." So here I am, on my way to Charudatta's house. [_He
walks about, and, as he enters, discovers Charudatta._] Here is
Charudatta in the orchard. And here is that wretched jackanapes, too.
Well, I'll go up to them. What! the orcha