,
But linked with shame. 12

[_He looks up and stops his ears._]

Vasantasena! Oh, my beloved!
From thy dear lips, that vied with coral's red,
Betraying teeth more bright than moonbeams fair,
My soul with heaven's nectar once was fed.
How can I, helpless, taste that poison dread,
To drink shame's poisoned cup how can I bear? 13

_Headsmen._ Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way!

This treasure-house, with pearls of virtue stored,
This bridge for good men o'er misfortune's river,
This gem now robbed of all its golden hoard,
Departs our town to-day, departs forever. 14

[159.15. S.

And again:

Whom fortune favors, find
That all the world is kind;
Whose happy days are ended,
Are rarely thus befriended. 15

_Charudatta._ [_Looks about him._]

Their faces with their garments' hem now hiding,
They stand afar, whom once I counted friends:
Even foes have smiles for men with Fortune biding:
But friends prove faithless when good fortune ends. 16

_Headsmen._ They are out of the way. The street is cleared. Lead
on the condemned criminal.

_Charudatta._ [_Sighing._]

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! (ix. 29)

* * * * *

_Voices behind the scenes._ My father! Oh, my friend!

_Charudatta._ [_Listens. Mournfully._] You are a leader in your own
caste. I would beg a favor at your hands.

_Headsmen._ From _our_ hands you would receive a favor?

_Charudatta._ Heaven forbid! Yet a headsman is neither so wanton
nor so cruel as King Palaka. That I may be happy in the other
world, I ask to see the face of my son.

_Headsmen._ So be it.

_A voice behind the scenes._ My father! oh, my father! [_Charudatta
hears the words, and mournfully repeats his request._]

_Headsmen._ Citizens, make way a moment. Let the noble Charudatta
look upon the face of his son. [_Turning to the back of the
stage._] This way, sir! Come on, little boy!

P. 261.15]

[_Enter Maitreya, with Rohasena._]

_Maitreya._ Make haste, my boy, make haste!