back._]

P. 285.18]

_Sansthanaka._ Goodnessh gracious!

It came to pass, I ran away
Like any ass, and had my day.
They drag me round, a prishoner,
As if they 'd found a naughty cur. 52

[_He looks about him._] They crowd around me, though I 'm a relative
of the king's. To whom shall I go for help in my helplesshnessh?
[_He reflects._] Good! I 'll go to the man who gives help and
shows mercy to the shuppliant. [_He approaches._] Noble Charudatta,
protect me, protect me! [_He falls at his feet._]

_Voices behind the scenes._ Noble Charudatta, leave him to us! let
us kill him!

_Sansthanaka._ [_To Charudatta._] O helper of the helplessh, protect
me!

_Charudatta._ [_Mercifully._] Yes, yes. He who seeks protection shall
be safe.

_Sharvilaka._ [_Impatiently._] Confound him! Take him away from
Charudatta! [_To Charudatta._] Tell me. What shall be done with
the wretch?

Shall he be bound and dragged until he dies?
Shall dogs devour the scoundrel as he lies?
If he should be impaled, 't would be no blunder,
Nor if we had the rascal sawn asunder. 53

_Charudatta._ Will you do as I say?

_Sharvilaka._ How can you doubt it?

_Sansthanaka._ Charudatta! Mashter! I sheek your protection. Protect
me, protect me! Do shomething worthy of yourshelf. I 'll
never do it again!

_Voices of citizens behind the scenes._ Kill him! Why should the
wretch be allowed to live?

[176.8. S.

[_Vasantasena takes the garland of death from Charudatta's neck,
and throws it upon Sansthanaka._]

_Sansthanaka._ You shlave-wench, be merciful, be merciful! I 'll
never murder you again. Protect me!

_Sharvilaka._ Come, take him away! Noble Charudatta, say what
shall be done with the wretch.

_Charudatta._ Will you do as I say?

_Sharvilaka._ How can you doubt it?

_Charudatta._ Really?

_Sharvilaka._ Really.

_Charudatta._ Then let him be immediately--

_Sharvilaka._ Killed?

_Charudatta._ No, no! Set free.

_Sharvilaka._ What for?

_Charud._

The humbled foe who seeks thine aid,
Thou mayst not smite with steely blade--

_Sharvilaka._ All right. We will have the dogs eat him alive.

_Charudatta._ No, no!

Be cruelty with kindness paid. 54

_Sharvilaka._ Wonderful! What shall I do? Tell me, sir.

_Charudatta._ Why, set him free.

_Sharvilaka._ It shall be done.

_Sansthanaka._ Hooray! I br