ta._ But how wonderfully Master Rebhila sang!

[44.1. S

_Maitreya._ There are just two things that always make me laugh.
One is a woman talking Sanskrit, and the other is a man who tries
to sing soft and low. Now when a woman talks Sanskrit, she is like
a heifer with a new rope through her nose; all you hear is "soo,
soo, soo." And when a man tries to sing soft and low, he reminds
me of an old priest muttering texts, while the flowers in his chaplet
dry up. No, I don't like it!

_Charudatta._ My friend, Master Rebhila sang most wonderfully
this evening. And still you are not satisfied.

The notes of love, peace, sweetness, could I trace,
The note that thrills, the note of passion too,
The note of woman's loveliness and grace--
Ah, my poor words add nothing, nothing new!
But as the notes in sweetest cadence rang,
I thought it was my hidden love who sang. 4

The melody of song, the stricken strings
In undertone that half-unconscious clings,
More clearly sounding when the passions rise,
But ever sweeter as the music dies.
Words that strong passion fain would say again,
Yet checks their second utterance--in vain;
For music sweet as this lives on, until
I walk as hearing sweetest music still. 5

_Maitreya._ But see, my friend! The very dogs are sound asleep in
the shops that look out on the market. Let us go home. [_He looks
before him._] Look, look! The blessed moon seems to give place to
darkness, as she descends from her palace in heaven.

_Charudatta._ True.

The moon gives place to darkness as she dips
Behind the western mountain; and the tips
Of her uplifted horns alone appear,
Like two sharp-pointed tusks uplifted clear,
Where bathes an elephant in waters cool,
Who shows naught else above the jungle pool. 6

P. 89.1]

_Maitreya._ Well, here is our house. Vardhamanaka, Vardhamanaka,
open the door!

_Vardhamanaka._ I hear Maitreya's voice. Charudatta has returned.
I must open the door for him. [_He does so._] Master, I salute you.
Maitreya, I salute you too. The couch is ready. Pray be seated.
[_Charudatta and Maitreya enter and seat themselves._]

_Maitreya._ Vardhamanaka, call Radanika to wash our feet.

_Charudatta._ [_Compassionately._] She sleeps. Do not wake her.

_Vardhamanaka._ I will bring the water, Maitreya, and you may
wash Charudatta's feet.

_