ood girl, is this really the same golden casket?

_Maid._ Yes, sir, the very same.

_Charudatta._ My good girl, I have never let the bearer of welcome
news go unrewarded. Take this ring as your recompense. [_He
looks at his finger, notices that the ring is gone, and betrays his
embarrassment._]

_Vasantasena._ [_To herself._] I love you for that.

_Charudatta._ [_Aside to Maitreya._] Alas,

When in this world a man has lost his all,
Why should he set his heart on longer life?
His angers and his favors fruitless fall,
His purposes and powers are all at strife. 40

Like wingless birds, dry pools, or withered trees,
Like fangless snakes--the poor are like to these. 41

Like man-deserted houses, blasted trees,
Like empty wells--the poor are like to these.
For them no pleasant hours serve happy ends;
They are forgotten of their sometime friends. 42

_Maitreya._ But you must not grieve thus beyond reason. [_He
bursts out laughing. Aloud._] Madam, please give me back my
bath-clout.

_Vasantasena._ Charudatta, it was not right that you should show
your distrust of me by sending me this pearl necklace.

_Charudatta._ [_With an embarrassed smile._] But remember, Vasantasena,

Who will believe the truth?
Suspicion now is sure.
This world will show no ruth
To the inglorious poor. 43

P. 152.4]

_Maitreya._ Tell me, girl, are you going to sleep here to-night?

_Maid._ [_Laughing._] But good Maitreya, you show yourself most
remarkably plain-spoken now.

_Maitreya._ See, my friend, the rain enters again in great streams,
as if it wanted to drive people away when they are sitting comfortably
together.

_Charudatta._ You are quite right.

The falling waters pierce the cloud,
As lotus-shoots the soil;
And tears the face of heaven shroud,
Who weeps the moon's vain toil. 44

And again:

In streams as pure as thoughts to good men given,
But merciless as darts that Arjun hurls,
And black as Baladeva's cloak, the heaven
Seems to pour out all Indra's hoarded pearls. 45

See, my beloved, see!

The heaven is painted with the blackest dye,
And fanned by cool and fragrant evening airs;
Red lightning, glad in union, clasps the sky
With voluntary arms, and shows on high
The l