hed sake the noble
Charudatta put to death? Quick, quick! Oh, lead me thither!

_Monk._ Hasten, oh, hasten, sister in Buddha, to comfort the noble
Charudatta while he yet lives. Make way, gentlemen, make way!

_Vasantasena._ Make way, make way!

* * * * *

_Goha._ Noble Charudatta, it is the king's commandment that bears
the blame. Think then of what you needs must think.

_Charudatta._ Why waste words?

Though slandered by a cruel fate,
And stained by men of high estate,
If that my virtue yet regarded be,
Then she who dwells with gods above
Or wheresoever else--my love--
By her sweet nature wipe the stain from me! (34)

_Goha._ [_Drawing his sword._] Noble Charudatta, lie flat and be
quiet. With one stroke we will kill you and send you to heaven.

[_Charudatta does so. Goha raises his arm to strike. The sword falls
from his hand._] What is this?

I fiercely grasped within my hand
My thunderbolt-appalling brand;
Why did it fall upon the sand? 36

But since it did, I conclude that the noble Charudatta is not to
die. Have mercy, O mighty goddess of the Sahya hills! If only
Charudatta might be saved, then hadst thou shown favor to our
headsman caste.

_Ahinta._ Let us do as we were ordered.

_Goha._ Well, let us do it. [_They make ready to impale Charudatta._]

[170.23. S.

_Charud._

Though slandered by a cruel fate,
And stained by men of high estate,
If that my virtue yet regarded be,
Then she who dwells with gods above
Or wheresoever else--my love--
By her sweet nature wipe the stain from me! (34)

_Monk and Vasantasena._ [_Perceiving what is being done._] Good
gentlemen! Hold, hold!

_Vasantasena._ Good gentlemen! I am the wretch for whose sake
he is put to death.

_Goha._ [_Perceiving her._]

Who is the woman with the streaming hair
That smites her shoulder, loosened from its bands?
She loudly calls upon us to forbear,
And hastens hither with uplifted hands. 37

_Vasantasena._ Oh, Charudatta! What does it mean? [_She falls on
his breast._]

_Monk._ Oh, Charudatta! What does it mean? [_He falls at his feet._]

_Goha._ [_Anxiously withdrawing._] Vasantasena?--At least, we did
not kill an innocent man.

_Monk._ [_Rising._] Thank heaven! Charudatta lives.

_Goha._ And shall live