5

[157.19. S.

[_He gazes intently before him._] Alas for human differences!
[_Mournfully._]

For when they see the fate that I must brave,
With tears for death's poor victim freely given,
The citizens cry "shame," yet cannot save,--
Can only pray that I attain to heaven. 6

_Headsmen._ Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way! Why do
you gaze upon him?

God Indra moving through the sky,[85]
The calving cow, the falling star,
The good man when he needs must die,--
These four behold not from afar. 7

_Goha._ Look, Ahinta! Look, man!

While he, of citizens the best,
Goes to his death at fate's behest,
Does heaven thus weep that he must die?
Does lightning paint the cloudless sky? 8

_Ahinta._ Goha, man,

The heaven weeps not that he must die,
Nor lightning paints the cloudless sky;
Yet streams are falling constantly
From many a woman's clouded eye. 9

And again:

While this poor victim to his death is led,
No man nor woman here but sorely weeps;
And so the dust, by countless tear-drops fed,
Thus peacefully upon the highway sleeps. 10

_Charudatta._ [_Gazes intently. Mournfully._]

These women, in their palaces who stay,
From half-shut windows peering, thus lament,
"Alas for Charudatta! Woe the day!"
And pity-streaming eyes on me are bent. 11

P. 258.12]

_Headsmen._ Come, Charudatta, come! Here is the place of proclamation.
Beat the drum and proclaim the sentence.

Listen, good people, listen! This is the noble Charudatta, son
of Sagaradatta, and grandson of the merchant Vinayadatta. This
malefactor enticed the courtezan Vasantasena into the deserted
old garden Pushpakaranda, and for a mere trifle murdered her by
strangling. He was taken with the booty, and confessed his guilt.
Therefore are we under orders from King Palaka to execute him.
And if any other commit such a crime, accursed in this world and
the next, him too King Palaka condemns to the like punishment.

_Charudatta._ [_Despondently. Aside._]

By hundred sacrifices purified,
My radiant name
Was once proclaimed by countless altars' side,
And knew no blame.
Now comes my hour of death, and evil men
Of baser fame
In public spots proclaim it once again