ND OF THE PROLOGUE

ACT THE FIRST

THE GEMS ARE LEFT BEHIND

[_Enter, with a cloak in his hand, Maitreya._]

_Maitreya._

"You must invite some other Brahman. I am busy." And yet I really ought
to be seeking invitations from a stranger. Oh, what a wretched state of
affairs! When good Charudatta was still wealthy, I used to eat my fill
of the most deliciously fragrant sweetmeats, prepared day and night with
the greatest of care. I would sit at the door of the courtyard, where I
was surrounded by hundreds of dishes, and there, like a painter with his
paint-boxes, I would simply touch them with my fingers and thrust them
aside. I would stand chewing my cud like a bull in the city market. And
now he is so poor that I have to run here, there, and everywhere, and
come home, like the pigeons, only to roost. Now here is this
jasmine-scented cloak, which Charudatta's good friend Jurnavriddha has
sent him. He bade me give it to Charudatta, as soon as he had finished
his devotions. So now I will look for Charudatta. [_He walks about and
looks around him._] Charudatta has finished his devotions, and here he
comes with an offering for the divinities of the house.

[_Enter Charudatta as described, and Radanika._]

_Charudatta._ [_Looking up and sighing wearily._]

Upon my threshold, where the offering
Was straightway seized by swans and flocking cranes,
The grass grows now, and these poor seeds I fling
Fall where the mouth of worms their sweetness stains. 9

[_He walks about very slowly and seats himself._]

_Maitreya_. Charudatta is here. I must go and speak to him.
[_Approaching._] My greetings to you. May happiness be yours.

P. 13.1]

_Charudatta._ Ah, it is my constant friend Maitreya. You are very
welcome, my friend. Pray be seated.

_Maitreya._ Thank you. [_He seats himself._] Well, comrade, here is a
jasmine-scented cloak which your good friend Jurnavriddha has
sent. He bade me give it you as soon as you had finished your devotions.
[_He presents the cloak. Charudatta takes it and remains
sunk in thought._] Well, what are you thinking about?

_Charudatta._ My good friend,

A candle shining through the deepest dark
Is happiness that follows sorrow's strife;
But after bliss when man bears sorrow's mark,
His body lives a very death-in-life. 10

_Maitreya._ Well, which would you rather, be dead or be poor?

_Charudatta._ Ah, my frien