The Little Clay Cart by Sudraka (best classic romance novels TXT) 📕
But a spirit so powerful as that of King Shudraka could not be confined within the strait-jacket of the minute, and sometimes puerile, rules of the technical works. In the very title of the drama, he has disregarded the rule[11] that the name of a drama of invention should be formed by compounding the names of heroine and hero.[12] Again, the books prescribe[13] that the hero shall appear in every act; yet Charudatta does not appear in acts ii., iv., vi., and viii. And further, various characters, Vasantasena, Maitreya, the courtier, and others, have vastly gained because they do not conform too closely to the technical definitions.
The characters of The Little Clay Cart are living men and women. Even when the type makes no strong appeal to Western minds, as in the case of Charudatta, the character lives, in a sense in which Dushyanta[14] or even Rama[15] can
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[167.1. S.
Sansthānaka. [Aside.] But the citizens don't believe it. [Aloud.] Chārudatta, you jackanapes, the citizens don't believe it. Shay it with your own tongue, "I murdered Vasantasenā." [Chārudatta remains silent.] Look here, headsmen! The man won't shpeak, the jackanapes Chārudatta. Jusht make him shpeak. Beat him a few times with thish ragged bamboo, or with a chain.
Goha. [Raises his arm to strike.] Come, Chārudatta, speak!
Chārudatta. [Mournfully.]
I know no fear, I know no sadness more;
Yet even now one flame still tortures me,
That men should say I slew whom I adore.33
[Sansthānaka repeats his words.]
Chārudatta. Men of my own city!
Nor seek in heaven to be blest;
A maid—or goddess—'t is the same—
But he will say the rest.(ix. 30)
Sansthānaka. Killed her!
Chārudatta. So be it.
Goha. It 's your turn to kill him, man.
Ahīnta. No, yours.
Goha. Well, let 's reckon it out. [He does so at great length.] Well, if it 's my turn to kill him, we will just let it wait a minute.
Ahīnta. Why?
Goha. Well, when my father was going to heaven, he said to me, "Son Goha, if it 's your turn to kill him, don't kill the sinner too quick."
Ahīnta. But why?
Goha. "Perhaps," said he, "some good man might give the money to set him free. Perhaps a son might be born to the king, and to celebrate the event, all the prisoners might be set free. Perhaps an elephant might break loose, and the prisoner might escape in the excitement. Perhaps there might be a change of kings, and all the prisoners might be set free."
P. 274.8]
Sansthānaka. What? What? A change of kings?
Goha. Well, let 's reckon it out, whose turn it is.
Sansthānaka. Oh, come! Kill Chārudatta at once. [He takes Sthāvaraka, and withdraws a little.]
Headsmen. Noble Chārudatta, it is the king's commandment that bears the blame, not we headsmen. Think then of what you needs must think.
Chārudatta.
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
Tell me. Whither would you have me go?
Goha. [Pointing ahead.] Why, here is the southern burying-ground, and when a criminal sees that, he says good-by to life in a minute. For look!
And ply their horrid task;
One half still hangs impaled upon the stake,
Loud laughter's grinning mask.35
Chārudatta. Alas! Ah, woe is me! [In his agitation he sits down.]
Sansthānaka. I won't go yet. I 'll jusht shee Chārudatta killed. [He walks about, gazing.] Well, well! He shat down.
Goha. Are you frightened, Chārudatta?
Chārudatta. [Rising hastily.] Fool!
My death were welcome, coming free from shame,
As were a son, new-born to bear my name.(27)
[169.3. S.
Goha. Noble Chārudatta, the moon and the sun dwell in the vault of heaven, yet even they are overtaken by disaster. How much more, death-fearing creatures, and men! In this world, one rises only to fall, another falls only to rise again. But from him who has risen and falls, his body drops like a garment. Lay these thoughts to heart, and be strong. [To Ahīnta.] Here is the fourth place of proclamation. Let us proclaim the sentence. [They do so once again.]
Chārudatta.
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)
[Enter, in great agitation, Vasantasenā and the Buddhist monk.]
Monk. Strange! My monkish life did me yeoman service when it proved necessary to comfort Vasantasenā, so untimely wearied, and to lead her on her way. Sister in Buddha, whither shall I lead you?
Vasantasenā. To the noble Chārudatta's house. Revive me with the sight of him, as the night-blooming water-lily is revived by the sight of the moon.
Monk. [Aside.] By which road shall I enter? [He reflects.] The king's highway—I 'll enter by that. Come, sister in Buddha! Here is the king's highway. [Listening.] But what is this great tumult that I hear on the king's highway?
Vasantasenā. [Looking before her.] Why, there is a great crowd of people before us. Pray find out, sir, what it means. All Ujjayinī tips to one side, as if the earth bore an uneven load.
Goha. And here is the last place of proclamation. Beat the drum! Proclaim the sentence! [They do so.] Now, Chārudatta, wait! Don't be frightened. You will be killed very quickly.
P. 277.12]
Chārudatta. Ye blessèd gods!
Monk. [Listens. In terror.] Sister in Buddha, Chārudatta is being led to his death for murdering you.
Vasantasenā. [In terror.] Alas! For my wretched sake the noble Chārudatta put to death? Quick, quick! Oh, lead me thither!
Monk. Hasten, oh, hasten, sister in Buddha, to comfort the noble Chārudatta while he yet lives. Make way, gentlemen, make way!
Vasantasenā. Make way, make way!
Goha. Noble Chārudatta, it is the king's commandment that bears the blame. Think then of what you needs must think.
Chārudatta. Why waste words?
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 Chārudatta, lie flat and be quiet. With one stroke we will kill you and send you to heaven.
[Chārudatta does so. Goha raises his arm to strike. The sword falls from his hand.] What is this?
My thunderbolt-appalling brand;
Why did it fall upon the sand?36
But since it did, I conclude that the noble Chārudatta is not to die. Have mercy, O mighty goddess of the Sahya hills! If only Chārudatta might be saved, then hadst thou shown favor to our headsman caste.
Ahīnta. Let us do as we were ordered.
Goha. Well, let us do it. [They make ready to impale Chārudatta.]
[170.23. S.
Chārud.
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 Vasantasenā. [Perceiving what is being done.] Good gentlemen! Hold, hold!
Vasantasenā. Good gentlemen! I am the wretch for whose sake he is put to death.
Goha. [Perceiving her.]
That smites her shoulder, loosened from its bands?
She loudly calls upon us to forbear,
And hastens hither with uplifted hands.37
Vasantasenā. Oh, Chārudatta! What does it mean? [She falls on his breast.]
Monk. Oh, Chārudatta! What does it mean? [He falls at his feet.]
Goha. [Anxiously withdrawing.] Vasantasenā?—At least, we did not kill an innocent man.
Monk. [Rising.] Thank heaven! Chārudatta lives.
Goha. And shall live a hundred years!
Vasantasenā. [Joyfully.] And I too am brought back to life again.
Goha. The king is at the place of sacrifice. Let us report to him what has taken place. [The two headsmen start to go away.]
Sansthānaka. [Perceives Vasantasenā. In terror.] Goodnessh! who brought the shlave back to life? Thish is the end of me. Good! I 'll run away.[He runs away.]
Goha. [Returning.] Well, did n't we have orders from the king to put the man to death who murdered Vasantasenā? Let us hunt for the king's brother-in-law.
[Exeunt the two headsmen.
P. 281.1]
Chārudatta. [In amazement.]
When in Death's jaws I struggled all forlorn,
A streaming cloud above the rainless corn?38
[He gazes at her.]
Or she herself, from heaven above descended?
Or do I but in madness see my sweet?
Or has her precious life not yet been ended?39
Or again:
That I might rescued be?
Was her form to another given?
Is this that other she?40
Vasantasenā. [Rises tearfully and falls at his feet.] O noble Chārudatta, I am indeed the wretch for whose sake you are fallen upon this unworthy plight.
Voices behind the scenes. A miracle, a miracle! Vasantasenā lives. [The bystanders repeat the words.]
Chārudatta. [Listens, then rises suddenly, embraces Vasantasenā, and closes his eyes. In a voice trembling with emotion.] My love! You are Vasantasenā!
Vasantasenā. That same unhappy woman.
Chārudatta. [Gazes upon her. Joyfully.] Can it be? Vasantasenā herself? [In utter happiness.]
When in Death's power I fell,
Whence is she come to slay my fears,
Like heavenly magic's spell?41
Vasantasenā! Oh, my belovèd!
And all for thee, thou knewest life to give.
Oh, magic wonderful in lovers' meeting!
What power besides could make the dead man live?42
[172.17. S.
But see, my belovèd!
Death's garland seems to me a bridal wreath;
My love is near.
And marriage music seems the fatal stroke
Of drums that heralded my instant death;
For she is here.43
Vasantasenā. You with your utter kindliness, what can it be that you have done?
Chārudatta. My belovèd, he said that I had killed you.
Hell's victim now, had almost laid me low.44
Vasantasenā. [Stopping her ears.] Heaven avert the omen! It was he, the king's brother-in-law, who killed me.
Chārudatta. [Perceiving the monk.] But who is this?
Vasantasenā. When that unworthy wretch had killed me, this worthy man brought me back to life.
Chārudatta. 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.
Who Daksha's offering foiled;
And victory may Kārttikeya see,
Who Krauncha smote and spoiled;
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 Kailāsa's hills.45
[Enter hurriedly Sharvilaka.]
Sharv.
Anointing Aryaka good king and true;
And now, like sacrificial flowers, I wed
The king's commandment to my bended head,
To give sad Chārudatta life anew.46
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
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