o._] [_Enter the courtier, with Sthavaraka._]

_Courtier._ I have persuaded the servant Sthavaraka to come back,
and now I will look for the jackass. [_He walks about and looks
around him._] But see! A tree has fallen by the roadside, and killed
a woman in its fall. O cruel! How couldst thou do this deed of
shame? And when I see that a woman was slain by thy fatal fall,
I too am felled to the earth. Truly, my heart's fear for Vasantasena
was an evil omen. Oh, heaven grant that all may yet be well!
[_He approaches Sansthanaka._] Jackass, I have persuaded your servant
Sthavaraka to return.

_Sansthanaka._ How do you do, shir? Sthavaraka, my little shon,
my shlave, how do you do?

_Sthavaraka._ Well, thank you.

_Courtier._ Give me my pledge.

_Sansthanaka._ What pledge?

_Courtier._ Vasantasena.

_Sansthanaka._ She's gone.

_Courtier._ Where?

_Sansthanaka._ Right after you.

_Courtier._ [_Doubtfully._] No, she did not go in that direction.

_Sansthanaka._ In what direction did you go?

_Courtier._ Toward the east.

_Sansthanaka._ Well, she went shouth.[81]

_Courtier._ So did I.

P. 216.2]

_Sansthanaka._ She went north.

_Courtier._ This is nonsense. My heart is not satisfied. Speak the
truth.

_Sansthanaka._ I shwear by your head, shir, and my own feet. You
may be easy in your heart. I murdered her.

_Courtier._ [_Despairingly._] You really killed her?

_Sansthanaka._ If you don't believe my words, then shee the firsht
heroic deed of Sansthanaka, the king's brother-in-law. [_He points
out the body._]

_Courtier._ Alas! Ah, woe is me! [_He falls in a swoon._]

_Sansthanaka._ Hee, hee! The gentleman is calm enough now!

_Sthavaraka._ Oh, sir! Come to yourself! I am the first murderer,
for I brought the bullock-cart hither without looking into it.

_Courtier._ [_Comes to himself. Mournfully._] Alas, Vasantasena!

The stream of courtesy is dried away,
And happiness to her own land doth flee,
Sweet gem of gems, that knew love's gentle play,
Love's mart and beauty's! Joy of men like me!
Thy mirth-shored stream, that kind and healing river--
Alas! is perished, lost, and gone forever! 38

[_Tearfully._] Ah, woe is me!

What sin is yet to come, or woe,
Now thou hast done this deed of hate?
Like sin's foul self, hast thou laid low
The sinless goddess of our state. 39

[_Aside._] Ah! Perhaps the wret