The Little Clay Cart – Act VII
Act, the Seventh
ARYAKA’S ESCAPE
[Enter Chārudatta and Maitreya.]
Maitreya.
How beautiful the old garden Pushpakaranda is.
Chārudatta. You are quite right, my friend. For see!
The trees, like merchants, show their wares;
Each several tree his blossoms bears,
While bees, like officers, are flitting,
To take from each what toll is fitting.1
Maitreya. This simple stone is very attractive. Pray be seated.
Chārudatta. [Seats himself.] How Vardhamānaka lingers, my friend!
Maitreya. I told Vardhamānaka to bring Vasantasenā and come as quickly as he could.
Chārudatta. Why then does he linger?
Is he delayed by some slow-moving load?
Has he returned with broken wheel or traces?
Obstructions bid him seek another road?
His bullocks, or himself, choose these slow paces?2
[Enter Vardhamānaka with the bullock-cart, in which Aryaka lies hidden.]
Vardhamānaka.
Aryaka. [Aside.]
And still I fear the spies that serve the king;
Escape is even yet a doubtful thing,
While to my foot these cursèd fetters cling.
Some good man ‘t is, within whose cart I lie,
Like cuckoo chicks, whose heartless mothers fly,
And crows must rear the fledglings, or they die.3
I have come a long distance from the city. Shall I get out of the cart and seek a hiding-place in the grove? or shall I wait to see the owner of the cart? On second thoughts, I will not hide myself in the grove; for men say that the noble Chārudatta is ever helpful to them that seek his protection. I will not go until I have seen him face to face.
[108.3. S.
‘T will bring contentment to that good man’s heart
To see me rescued from misfortune’s sea.
This body, in its suffering, pain, and smart,
Is saved through his sweet magnanimity.4
Vardhamānaka. Here is the garden. I ‘ll drive in. [He does so.] Maitreya!
Maitreya. Good news, my friend. It is Vardhamānaka’s voice. Vasantasenā must have come.
Chārudatta. Good news, indeed.
Maitreya.
Vardhamānaka. Don’t get angry, good Maitreya. I remembered that I had forgotten the cushion, and I had to go back for it, and that is why I am late.
Chārudatta. Turn the cart around, Vardhamānaka. Maitreya, my friend, help Vasantasenā to get out.
Maitreya. Has she got fetters on her feet, so that she can’t get out by herself? [He rises and lifts the curtain of the cart.] Why, this is n’t mistress Vasantasenā—this is Mister Vasantasena.
Chārudatta. A truce to your jests, my friend. Love cannot wait. I will help her to get out myself. [He rises.]
Aryaka. [Discovers him.] Ah, the owner of the bullock-cart! He is attractive not only to the ears of men, but also to their eyes. Thank heaven! I am safe.
Chārudatta. [Enters the bullock-cart and discovers Aryaka.] Who then is this?
As trunk of elephant his arms are long,
His chest is full, his shoulders broad and strong,
His great eyes restless-red;[71]
Why should this man be thus enforced to fight—
So noble he—with such ignoble plight,
His foot to fetters wed?5
- 180.14]
Who are you, sir?
Aryaka. I am one who seeks yo