Your father is being
led to his death.

_Rohasena._ My father! oh, my father!

_Maitreya._ Oh, my friend! Where must I behold you now?

_Charudatta._ [_Perceives his son and his friend._] Alas, my son! Alas,
Maitreya! [_Mournfully._] Ah, woe is me!

Long, too long, shall I thirst in vain
Through all my sojourn dread;
This vessel[86] small will not contain
The water for the dead. 17

What may I give my son? [_He looks at himself, and perceives the
sacrificial cord._] Ah, this at least is mine.

The precious cord that Brahmans hold
Is unadorned with pearls and gold;
Yet, girt therewith, they sacrifice
To gods above and fathers[87] old. 18

[_He gives Rohasena the cord._]

_Goha._ Come, Charudatta! Come, man!

_Ahinta._ Man, do you name the noble Charudatta's name, and forget
the title? Remember:

In happy hours, in death, by night, by day,
Roving as free as a yet unbroken colt,
Fate wanders on her unrestricted way. 19

And again:

Life will depart his body soon;
Shall our reproaches bow his head?
Although eclipse may seize the moon,
We worship while it seems but dead. 20

_Rohasena._ Oh, headsmen, where are you leading my father?

[161.10. S.

_Charudatta._ My darling,

About my neck I needs must wear
The oleander-wreath;
Upon my shoulder I must bear
The stake, and in my heart the care
Of near-approaching death.
I go to-day to meet a dastard's ending,
A victim, at the fatal altar bending. 21

_Goha._ My boy,

Not we the headsmen are,
Though born of headsman race;
Thy father's life who mar,
These, these are headsmen base. 22

_Rohasena._ Then why do you murder my father?

_Goha._ Bless you, 't is the king's orders must bear the blame, not we.

_Rohasena._ Kill me, and let father go free.

_Goha._ Bless you, may you live long for saying that!

_Charudatta._ [_Tearfully embracing his son._]

This treasure--love--this taste of heaven,
To rich and poor alike is given;
Than sandal better, or than balm,
To soothe the heart and give it calm. 23

About my neck I needs must wear
The oleander-wreath,
Upon my shoulder I must bear
The stake, and in my heart the