drums that heralded my instant death;
For she is here. 43

_Vasantasena._ You with your utter kindliness, what can it be that
you have done?

_Charudatta._ My beloved, he said that I had killed you.

For ancient hatred's sake, my mighty foe,
Hell's victim now, had almost laid me low. 44

_Vasantasena._ [_Stopping her ears._] Heaven avert the omen! It was
he, the king's brother-in-law, who killed me.

_Charudatta._ [_Perceiving the monk._] But who is this?

_Vasantasena._ When that unworthy wretch had killed me, this
worthy man brought me back to life.

_Charudatta._ Who are you, unselfish friend?

_Monk._ You do not remember me, sir. I am that shampooer, who
once was happy to rub your feet. When I fell into the hands of
certain gamblers, this sister in Buddha, upon hearing that I had
been your servant, bought my freedom with her jewels. Thereupon
I grew tired of the gambler's life, and became a Buddhist
monk. Now this lady made a mistake in her bullock-cart, and so
came to the old garden Pushpakaranda. But when that unworthy
wretch learned that she would not love him, he murdered her by
strangling. And I found her there.

P. 283.11]

_Loud voices behind the scenes._

Unending victory to Shiva be,
Who Daksha's offering foiled;
And victory may Karttikeya see,
Who Krauncha smote and spoiled;

And victory to Aryaka the king--
His mighty foe he kills--
Far over all the earth's expansive ring,
That earth her joyous flag abroad may fling,
The snowy banner of Kailasa's hills. 45

* * * * *

[_Enter hurriedly Sharvilaka._]

_Sharv._

Yes, Palaka, the royal wretch, I slew,
Anointing Aryaka good king and true;
And now, like sacrificial flowers, I wed
The king's commandment to my bended head,
To give sad Charudatta life anew. 46

The foe whose powers and friends had fled, he slew,
Consoled and comforted his subjects true;
And earth's broad sovereignty has gladly wed
His power, and bent to him her lowly head,
Who toward his foe plays Indra's part anew. 47

[_He looks before him._] Ah! There he will be found, where the
people are thus gathered together. Oh, that this deed of King
Aryaka might be crowned with the rescued life of noble Charudatta!