n the prize?
No! he is unregarded by the wise. (27)

[_Sighing. Aside._]

My friend Maitreya! Oh, this cruel blow!
My wife, thou issue of a spotless strain!
My Rohasena! Here am I, laid low
By sternest fate; and thou, thou dost not know
That all thy childish games are played in vain.
Thou playest, heedless of another's pain! 29

But Maitreya I sent to Vasantasena, that he might bring me tidings
of her, and might restore the jewels which she gave my child,
to buy him a toy cart. Why then does he linger?

* * * * *

[_Enter Maitreya with the gems._]

P. 246.19]

_Maitreya._ Charudatta bade me go to Vasantasena, to return her jewels,
and he said to me: "Maitreya, Vasantasena adorned my dear Rohasena with
her own jewels, and sent him thus to his mother. It was fitting that she
should give him the jewels, but not that we should receive them.
Therefore restore them to her." So now I will go to Vasantasena's house.
[_He walks about and looks around, then speaks to a person behind the
scenes._] Ah, it is Master Rebhila. Oh, Master Rebhila, why do you seem
so exceedingly troubled? [_He listens._] What! do you mean to say that
my dear friend Charudatta has been summoned to court? That can hardly be
an insignificant matter. [_He reflects._] I will go to Vasantasena's
house later, but now I will go to the court-room. [_He walks about and
looks around._] Here is the court-room. I will go in at once. [_He
enters._] May happiness be the lot of the magistrates. Where is my
friend?

_Judge._ Here.

_Maitreya._ My friend, I wish you happiness.

_Charudatta._ It will be mine.

_Maitreya._ And peace.

_Charudatta._ That too will be mine.

_Maitreya._ My friend, why do you seem so exceedingly troubled?
And why were you summoned?

_Charudatta._ My friend,

A scoundrel I, who bear the blame,
Nor seek in heaven to be blest;
A maid--or goddess--'t is the same--
But _he_ will say the rest. 30

_Maitreya._ What? what?

_Charudatta._ [_Whispers._] That is it.

_Maitreya._ Who says that?

_Charudatta._ [_Indicating Sansthanaka._] This poor fellow is the
instrument that fate uses to accuse me.

[131.12. S.

_Maitreya._ [_Aside to Charudatta._] Why don't you simply say that
she went home?

_Charudatta._ Though I say it, it is not believed, so unfortunate is
m