._ Follow me, sir. Here is the court-room. Pray enter.

_Charudatta._ [_Enters and looks about._] How wonderfully splendid
is the court-room. For it seems an ocean,

Whose waters are the king's advisers, deep
In thought; as waves and shells it seems to keep
The attorneys; and as sharks and crocodiles
It has its spies that stand in waiting files;
Its elephants and horses[83] represent
The cruel ocean-fish on murder bent;
As if with herons of the sea, it shines
With screaming pettifoggers' numerous lines;
While in the guise of serpents, scribes are creeping
Upon its statecraft-trodden shore: the court
The likeness of an ocean still is keeping,
To which all harmful-cruel beasts resort. 14

Come! [_As he enters, he strikes his head against the door. Reflectively._]
Alas! This also?

My left eye throbs; a raven cries;
A serpent coils athwart my path.
My safety now with heaven lies. 15

But I must enter. [_He does so._]

P. 238.16]

_Judge._ This is Charudatta.

A countenance like his, with clear-cut nose,
Whose great, wide-opened eye frank candor shows,
Is not the home of wantonness;
With elephants, with horses, and with kine,
The outer form is inner habit's sign;
With men no less. 16

_Charudatta._ My greetings to the officers of justice. Officials, I salute
you.

_Judge._ [_Betraying his agitation._] You are very welcome, sir. My
good beadle, give the gentleman a seat.

_Beadle._ [_Brings a seat._] Here is a seat. Pray be seated, sir.
[_Charudatta seats himself._]

_Sansthanaka._ [_Angrily._] You're here, are you, you woman-murderer?
Well! Thish is a fine trial, thish is a jusht trial, where they
give a sheat to thish woman-murderer. [_Haughtily._] But it's all
right. They can give it to him.

_Judge._ Charudatta, have you any attachment, or affection, or
friendship, with this lady's daughter?

_Charudatta._ What lady?

_Judge._ This lady. [_He indicates Vasantasena's mother._]

_Charudatta._ [_Rising._] Madam, I salute you.

_Mother._ Long life to you, my son! [_Aside._] So this is Charudatta.
My daughter's youth is in good hands.

_Judge._ Sir, is the courtezan your friend? [_Charudatta betrays his
embarrassment._]

_Sansthanaka._

He tries to hide the deed he did;
He lies, from shame or fear;
He