Great SanskritPlays

in New EnglishTra:r,srreatrons
b1

P. Lal

Shakuntala
TheToy Cart
TheSignetRtngoJ Rakhasa
TheDrcan oJ Vasawdaua
TheLaterStoryoJRama
Ratnayali

A New DirectionsBook
\qt{
 1r"Uo,on", stories with some embellishments," this book rr'::.:::t::
Bhavabhuti, and has interesting accounts of tJre social and historical
background.
A History of Sanskrit Literattare, Arthur A. Macdonell (Mtnshiram THE TOY CART
Manobarlal, Delbi). A reprint of the exuemely useful general study
which 6rst appeared in r9oo, containing a capsule though not very
illuminating survey of Sanskrit drama.
Tbeater in India, Balwant Gargi (Theater Arts, New York). This general
study appeared h t96z and conrains an interesting appreciation of
Tbe Toy Cart from the viewpoinr of socialist realism.
T beater in tbe East, Fatbion Bowers (Nelson, New York). Subtitled "A
Survey of Asian Dance and Drama," this is an excellent general intro-
by
duction to the traditions which Indian drama embodies.
Tbe Vidssaha, G. Bhat (New Order Book Company, Ahmedabad). Mr. KING SHUDRAKA
Bhat studies the role of the Iester in Sanskrit drama.
Conaibutiotts to tbe History of Hindtt Drama,Manomohan Chosh (K. L.
Mukhopadhyay, Calcutta). An analysis of the "origin and diflusion" of
Sanskrit drama.
Sanskrit Drama: Its Origin and Decline, Indu Sheykhar (8. J, Brill,
Leiden). This book was published in 196o but was presented as a thesis
at Utrecht Universiry io 1954,
Dratia in Ancient India, S. Bhatt (Amrit Book Company, New Delhi).
Tbe Indian Theatre, Chandra Bhan Gupta (Motilal Banarsidass,Benaras).
A tl-resisofiered under the title "Presentation of Sanskrit Plays" in 1949;
useful for details on actual theater production.
The Classical Druma of Ind;a, Henry W.Wells (Asia Publishing House,
New York).
The Indiar Tbeater,E. P. Horrwitz (First published, Glasgow rgrz; re-
issued, Benjamin Blom, New York, ry67).
Irdian Drama, Sten Konow (General Printers and Publishers, Calcutta).
A standard study, translated from the German Das Indische Drama
by S. N. Ghosal.
 Preface
On a Friday wening, December 5, ry24, The Toy Catt, a "Hindu
drama, attributed to King Shudraka," was staged at the New York
Neighborhood Playhouse,the first play of the elcventh season,presented
by the Natiooal Theatre Confereoce.It was directed by Agnes Morgan
and Irene Lewisohn, with settings and costumesby Aline Bernstein; the
cast consistedentirely of Amedcans, though the background music-to
"take care that the mood, at least, should be truly Eastem, and that no
obviousoccidentalismsshould mar the calm sweetncssof the atmosphereof
the odginal drama"-was by Arjuna Govind, playing the sitat, and Sarit
Lahiri, the esraj.
The version used for the production, abridged from Ryder's Tbe l;ttlc
Clay Cart it the Harvard Oriental Scries,is not an altogether satisfactory
onc for stagepurposes,but the play apparently did well and attracted the
notice of disccming citics. Tbe Toy Cart has never failed in that respect;
it has alvays impressednon-Indian audienceswith an immediate impact.
It is, by the strictestsandards of the Natyasbastra,noca very lidion
play, by nhich I mean that it is the most secular of the grcat Sanskrit
plays, and can be appreciatedon a lcvel drat does not require elaborate
knowledge of the Indian cultual milieu; dre other plays do. The story is
partly historical and paftly invented, with no mythological ingrediens; it
has ten acts, not swen; only 6ve of its charactersspeakelirc Sanskdt, thc
rest usevariousvemaculars,suchasShauraseni,Avanti, Prachya,Magadhi,
Sakld, Chandali,and Dakka; the horseplayexcccdsBharaan limits; the
idea of a courtcsanas a heroine is already a departure from the tradition;
Sansthanaka,describedby Dr. Keith as che "lisping villain," is in many
ways a character out of Elizabethan or Restoration drama ("his viccs
are egregious;he is coldly and cruelly malicious,and yet he is so frivolous
as scarcelyto cxcite our indignation"); "rhe minor charactersamong
thc twenry-scvcn in all who appear have each an individualiry rare in
Indian drama"; and the plot is given a class-conflict twist at rhe cnd
tlut makes the play dearly beloved of left-wing drama cnthusiasts.
 I-

Tbe 'loy Cart The Toy Cart 79

"l rr,rrr farcc to tragedy, from satire to
pathos, ruDs the story"----and thc minculous play of li{e calledlih; thcrefore it is cnormously entertaining
.,,rrr.r r,r.rarends to get los! on rhe way.
but only incidentally illuminaring.
l)r.. Keith feels that the,,real Indian character of the
drama reveals
irsclf ir the demand for the conventional happy ending.
. . If fate plays
widr mcn like bucketj at the well, one rising as
Sh,rd;"'r.
not inclined to seek realism sufficiently to permit"noth"ifull,,
of his introducing even Biflb?lace, ProbablyAndhra, in south India. Shudrakais "a mythical
a tinge of sorrow into the close of his drama..' professor
fagirdai goes character,"accordingto ProfessorR, V. fagirdar,and very likely a king
further and explains how Tbe Toy Cart conlinues the ,,r."1;Iri..,
r.lna who waspatron rc th€ actual writer of Tbe Toy Can.
ioitiated by Kalidasa: the gamblers in Act II; thc
canmen drivins on Date ol birtb; IJnknown, varying betweenthe first century n.c, (H.
crowded roads in Acts VI, VII, VIII; the thief breaking
in in Act IV; H. Wilson) , first century 4..o, (Monipr-Williams) , and the utter un-
Sansthanakaand his courtier chasing Vasanrasenaoo a
da"rkroad, and the certainty of Kei*r ("We are left with no mole thao impressions,and
quarreling guards in Act VL Unlike symbol, legend, and myth,
this woe these are quite insufficient to assignany date to the clever hand which. . .
of realism is quickly comprehensible becauseitls, in the
sLrp.r6.ial ,..,se made one of the gteat plays of the Indian drama"). The historical events
of the word, "universal."
described in TheToy Cart belongro $5o.c,
Which means,of course,thar appreciation of this play is
. more a matter
ol knowrng th€ elementery srage conventions of Sanskrit
drama than in-
volving oneself in a rvorld-view. The conveotions are simple
enough and
neatly listed by.the anonymous preface writer in the Neigiborhooj play.
house edition: "when a character must cover a considerable
distance in eo_
ing from place to place, he circles dre stage several times
before arrivirig;
when pitch darknesscloaks the sccneand the characters
are invisibl. to.,i.
another, enough light is always left for the audience to see
what is happen-
ing; the open spacein the center of the stage may be many
plac.. in ."pid
succession-a street, a market place. a park; a low wall
is considered too
high to look over whenever that is desirable;many things which
are handled
and many passers-byare purely imaginary_dre seedswhich
are scacered
as an offering, flowers which are plucked, a wild animal
in the bushes.oiles
of dead leavesin the park, rhe horse which the messengermounts
and rides
away, squads of policemen, and always rhe crowds in
the ,t.eet.,,;
the illusion of conveyed by appropriate handling of the reins. "rrd
1o1ion !
lne presence ot bullocks on an ofi_Broadway srage would
necessarilv
presenrproblems, and this wascleverly resolvedby the director
of th" , ori
production by getting each "bullock" manipulaced ,,by r"ro
boys *itiin
the hide-one as the forelegs, one as the hindlegs."
Tbc Toy Cart really needsno preface; it is modirn in the most
sienificant
sense of the word-it is divorced from the pious and the religioui There-
fore, it presents an interplay of manners and mannerisms
iriplace of the
 ACT I
Characters The scene it d city street &lr, CHARUDA'ITCs hoase at the lelt of tbe
stage. Tbe tuo sides of tbe stdge arc ahernately lighted and dimmed ost
Maitreya, Brabmin lriend of Charudatta's Wife 4s the action reqlaires.MAIIIF.EYLenters, canying a cloak.
Charudatta Servant to Vasantasena
Charudatta, penarious Bubmin Coachman MArrREyA, rcading. "l am sorry, but I suggest you try some other
Radanika, slar.'e girl to Cbarrdatta Kumbhilaka, sereaht to V/tsalttt- Brahmin. . . ." He looks t4?, Whar an awful mess you are in, Maitreya.
Courtier, !o Sanstbanaka There'was a time-ah, those were the daysl-when Charudatta had money
Sansthanaka, brotber-in-lau to Courtier, lo Vasantasena in his pockets, and I could go to his house and stulI myself with scented
King Palaka Rohasena, C baradatta's son sweets. I could sit by that door and poke my finger into a thousand deli-
Servant, to Sanstbanaka Sthavaraka, Sanstbanaha's seraant cious cakes. . .shove these aside, touch those, and cat the others, like a
Vasantasena, courtesan ol U jjain Aryaka, exiled prince uhose fatber paioter dipping his fingers in his colors. If I wished, I could stand in a
Maid., to Vasantasena abdicated in faoot ol Atyaha's corner of lhe market, like a well-fed bull, chewing away without a carc in
Madaoika, sldue girl attendant ,o uncle, Palaka the world. But now he is poor; poverty has fallen on Charudatta! So I
Yitaka, captain ol the g*ard knock about from door to door, picking up whatever crumbs I can find,
Mathwta, owner of a gambling den Chandanaka, cd?tdin of tbe gtatd
poor pet pigeon rhar I am. Just an odd-job manl Here I arn, bringing a
Gamblet and Sbaruilaka's liend cloak for Charudatta from his friend Jurnavriddha----a ;'asmine-scented
Masseur, later a Baddhist monk Clerk in Court of fustice; ]udge; cloak that he has been asked to wear after he finishes his moming prayers,
Dardulaka, liend of Sbaruilaka Recorder; Vasantasena's Mothcr; He looks arouxd. Ah, here he is.
Karnapuraka, slaoe to Vasantasena Two Executioners (Ahinta and
Vardhamanaka, seru4nt to C hartt- Goha); etc. CH{!iJDATTAenten uitb att ofrering for tbe diuinity of tbe bouse. He is
accompani ed by nrorn::.<t,
Sharvilaka, Brabmix thief and looer sighing and looking up. Once the graceful swans and
cHARUDATTAT
of Madaniha; lollouet ol Aryaka
craneswould fly oft with my offering. Now grass grows here, and the seeds
I scatter are eaten by the hungry woftns- He udlks aroland sadly a ublle,

l.zalrnrxt, approaching him. My greeriogs (o you, sir.

CHARUDAfiA. Ah, my friend Maitreya. It's very good to see you,

Maitreya. Sit down,

Thank yo]l, He sits dortn. lurnavriddha sendsyou this cloak,

I'IAITREYA.
fragrant with jasmine, and asks you please to wear it afrer ptayers. He
bands tbe cloak to cutsvpt-t'Tt, uho takes it absent-mindedl,,J.Sit, you
look very serioustoday.
 Tbe Toy Can Tbe Tby Cart 63

ctI^RUDATTA.Happiness hard on the heels of sorrow It brings the scorn of friends, and hate of stiangefs.
Is wonderful: a glowing lamp that scattersdarkness. I tell you, Maitreya, if his vife turn against him,
But a man who falls from riches to poverty, Let him leave her, Iive in the forest, and
Though the face he wears is human, wears it on a spiritless body. Be sad. Sorrow at most will briog fire down on his soul,
But it will not destroy him.
MAITREYA.Would you rather be dead than poor?
My friend Maitreya, I have oftered prayer to the gods of my house.
CHARUDATTA, I'd rather be dead, my friend. Death is only an instant of Go where the four roads meet and offer better prayers on my behalf.
suffering; but being poor drags on and on,
Not lne, SiT.
MAITREYA.
MArrREyA. That well may be, but there is more than that. The money
NO?
CHARUDATTA.
you spent on your friends has increased their r€spect for you in their
hearts. You are like the moon: when three-quarters of her beauty has Mr-IrREyA,If the gods don't favor you here, they won't at the four roads
been drunk by the gods, the quarrer that lemains seemsall the lovelier. either.

CHARUDATTA. You misunderstand mc. CHARUDATTA. Doo't refuse,Maitreya We do our duty, that is all. I have
It is nor that I mind the wealth that's lost, no doubt that the gods are pleased with whatever is ofiered to them in
But thar my friends desen me, now I'm poor- humility and piety, in thought and deed- Go.
That is my sorrow. MAITREvA.No, sir, trot me. I might mess things up. Send someoneelse'
Like bees that suck the fragrant exhalation I'm a uselessBrahmin and as muddle-headed as a mirror-right side left,
Of juices on an elephant's shoulders, and left side tight. Besides, what's worse, evening is the time when cour-
And then, the mating seasoodone, ungatelully disappear. tesans, thugs, and courtiers stalk the main road. And I'm iust the man
they'd seea prize catch. No, sir, I'm no guinea pig; I won't be the mouse
MAITREYA.Damn them and double-damn them! They're catle hcr(k1s
who feed their herds in the greenestpastures. Guests are Iike that-birtls that gets gobbled up by the snake who's out ftog-huoting!
of passage. CHARUDATTA. Very well then, stay here, I'll go in and 6nish my prayers.
He and ptottxt.t leaoe.
CHARUDATTA. I mean it, It's not the loss of wealti that hurts.
Money comes, money goes. votce, oflstage. Vasantasena,stop! Stop, Vasantasena!
But that the love of friends should come and gc-
MAtr\EyA hdstily fol/ous cnetuo,rrra. VASANTASENA enters, r4aniltg
That hurts.
t tbe darhness,pwsued by tbe king's brother'in'law SANSTHANAKA, ,ir
A man poor is a man ashamed;
A man ashamed is a man without dignity. ?elsolral cosrtier, attd bis seruAnt.
Frustration follows insult, despair follows frustrarion, couRTIER.Stop, Vasantasena!Why do you forget your modesty in your
Indecision follows despair, fear and run so fastl Your feet should dance--dance, not run. Why do you
From this small root, all man's evils grow. run like a frightened deer, looking at the hunters from the corners of your
eyesl
MAITREYA.That's the way it is. But let's change the subiect.
snvsrn.llra.ra, Stop, Vasantasena!Why do you run like this, stumbling
CHARUDATTA. There's more. A poor man is laid bare to gossip,
at each step? You need not fear. My heart overflows vith love for you.
A dogging shame, a crown of thorns,
It is burned to a cinder, sweet gitl, like meat on blazing coals.
d4 The Toy Cart Tbe Toy Ca* 85
srnverr. Stop,lady, stop! Why do you nro like a pcahenin summet? VASANTAsENA,
gdtti, g no reply-Not oneto help! I'll have to use my wits.
My lord can run faster,like a hound chasinga bird in the woods.
couRTIER. K€ep searching! She's here somewhere,
CoURTIER. Stop, Vasantasena! You arc trembling like a plantain ttee;
SANSTHANAKA. Scream away, Vasantasma, scream for youj. pallaua
the hem of your dressis fluttering in the wind.
flower and yolut madbaoika creeper. Your screams won't help you, the
S^NSTHANA(A, Srop,Vasantasena! Why run awayfrom a love that you whole month of April won't help you, when I catch you. Call Bhimasena!
createl My nights are a ruin; by day you avoid me. My sword's out. . .slurrp!-there goes your head, Call the son of Kunti,
call Ravana himself, the ten-headed demon! Where can you run, my
couRTrER,Like a bird from a snake,you fee from me. Why, Vasan_
tasenalHow far will you go? I could outslrip rhe wind if I likei. litde pet? Your life's in my hands.

VASANTAsENA.
Sir. I am a woman. a weak woman.
SANSTHANAKA. Sir, I have loved her by ten different names.I called her
the whip of the god of love. I calledher fisheater,fatnose, angel,witch. couRTIER.One rcason you're not dead already.
I calledher love'sjuiciestdish,baggage,bad girl, culture-vult.,r.lAll .hor.
sANSTHANA(A,laugb;ng. Not finished off already!
wonderful sweetnames.But, sir, she can't sparea word to throw at me.
vasartlsrNa, asrla. How terribly kiod! l/ozl, Sir, why are you chasing
counrren. Why nrn from us, Vasantasena?
me? What do you want? My jewels?
sANSTHANAKA. Sweetgirl, sweerVasantasena,your jewelsjingle as you
couRTIER. Heavens, no! Why pluck tfie blossoms from a beautiful
fly from me. I shallcatchyou, my sweerheart,
and kissyou, my sweetheart,
creeper?No, no, not the iewels.
asRamaLissedDraupadi,

sERv^NT. VASANTAsENA.
What do yoo wanq thenl
Do as he says,lady. He's the king's brother-inlaw. Take the
flesh and the 6sh. sANSTHANAKA,
Your love. Vasantasena,love me. I'm a splendid lover, I

counrlen. A hundredstarsflashfrom your waist;your faceis marvelous Promise you.

rith fear. O goddess,O guardian of our city! vAsANTAsENA,
angnly.lou insult me, sir. Leave me alone. I'm sick of

vAsANTASENA.
Pallavaka!Parabhririka! you.

salrsrnatera. Men. eh? sANsTHANAKA, largh;ng and clapp;ng b;s Eazl.r. Now what do you
say to that, courtierl This pretty girl is gone, far gooe, on me. "You're
couRTrER.I know how to deal tith tbem. sick for me," she says. "You're sick.. ." That's a good one. Yes, my pretty
vAsANr^sENA.
Madhavika, Madhavika! linle chick, I'm sick for you. I'm sick, and not becauseI've been running
from village to town looking for you. . . , By your pretry feet and your
courrrrn. The fool, she'scalling her servants. pretty head, I'm sick for your love. ,. . Oh, love me, Vasantasena!
SANSTHANAKA.You mean women? counnet, asde. But what she said was, "I'm sick of you." The fooll
COURTIER.Yes. Alo*d. That's a srange way for a courtesan to talk, Vasantasena. You
know how it is: the doors of a courtcsan's house are open to all young
SANSTHANAKA. Women, eh? Who's aftaid? I can fight a hundred of men. She is a flower by the roadside.Money will buy her love. She gives
them at once. the same gre€ting to the man she likes and to the man she loathes. Come,
86 Tbe Iby Cart Tbe Toy Cart 87

Vasantasena, the genius and the fool, the Brahmin and the outcast-the The fragranceof your garlandwill give you away;
same str€am gives a cleansing bath to borh. The crow and the peacock The musicof your ankletswill give you away.
'Whereare you, Vasantasenal
perch on the same glitteting tree. The soldier and the merchant and the
scholar-tie same boat takes them all across the river, doesn't it? It's a
vASANTASENA, 4Jild. Thanks for the warning,She takesoff her garland
courtesan'sbusinessto be. . .er. . .friendly ro all.
and anhlets, and feelsber way. This is the way, I think. I can feel it with
VAsANTASENA.
I've never heard of love being forced, sir. It has to be my fingers.And here'sthe back door. Oh dear,it's shut!
deserved.
C'JARuD^TTA, in bis ho*se.My ptayetsatefinished.Now, Maitreya, it's
sANSTHANAKA, Is that sol The real trouble, sit, is that this slut is in love time for yours, Pray {or me at the four roads.
with a nobody, a wretch by the name of Charudatta, whom she met in trhe
MAITREYA. Not ine!
garden of Kama's temple. So she won't give me a second look. His house is
near, on our left. See that she doesn't slip out of our Gngers into ir. CHARUDATTA.This too!
Who listens to a poor man?
couRTIER,drile. This utter idiot: he has ro say the wrong thing every
His friends? Once they loved him, now they say good-bye.
time! So she'sin love with Charudatta. You don't say. Well, pearl matches
His sorrow grows and grows.
pearl, But this moron. . .Aloud-Did, yol say that Charudafta's house is on
The crimes of others are loaded on his shoulders.
our leftl Did you?
No one cares a whit for his once resplendent character.
sANSTHANAKA.
Yes, on our left, I did. I did. No one talks to him,
Greetings are formal-politeness without respect.
vasaNtasrua, asile. Oh, whar a reliefl On my left. Just by trying to hurt
At a party or a festival the dch men scatter,
me, he's helped me. The house of the man I love. 'Withdraw
to a corner, size him up scornfully.
saxsrnarqaxe. It's dark, dark! I can't seea thiog. Now you se€her, now On the street, suddenly conscious of his poor clothing,
you don't. It's like hunting for a botde of ink in a coal mine. He slinks to one side, ashamed.
Are the deadly sins 6ve in number?
counrren. It r.r dark. The darkaess closes down over my eyes so I can't
No, let us add a sixth: that is, to be poor,
see even the road, tt's all over my body, as if it were raining darkness. My
Why do you cling to me, Poverty?
eyes are worthless, like a friend who's played one a dirty rrick.
You will get nothing from me,
I mast find het, What will you do when I die? Where will you go thenl

coURrIER.How? Have you anything to go byl MAITREIA, embarrtssed. All right, I'll go. But I should like Radanika
to come with me.
SANSTHANAKA.
Go byl What do you mean?
CHARUDATTA.
Radanika, go with him.
couRTIER. The tinkling of her jewelry, the perfume of her garland. . .
nADANIKA.Yes, sir.
sANsTHANAKA. Yes, sir, I hear the fragrance of her garland, but I cannot
see the tinkling of her jewels-there's too much darkness here. MAITREYA.Do you mind holding this ofiering a minute, Radanika,
while I open the back door?
couRTIER. Listen, Vasantasena.
Though the darkness hides you, as clouds hide the lightning, vAsANrAsENA. I'm lucky: the door has opened by itselfl Sbe statts to
 88 The Toy Cart
Tbe Toy Ca* ll9
ettrr. Oh! a caodle! She snefis tbe candle ort t!'itb a fold ol ber drcss, and
goer in. heart of a goat that can't escape. He JrrJ RADANIKAand the otber,
Radanika!
GHARUDATTA.
What was that, Maitreyal
Ho, sir, sir! A man, a man!
SANSTHANAKA.
r'a.trrnrye. Something blew out the candle-the wind, I think, sir. Never
mind. You go 6rst, Radaoika, I'll light another candle and follow you. MArrREyA. He may be goor, but this is still his house. You are going too
far, sir.
saNsrnanaxa. Where the devil has she disappcared to?
F{e laid hands on me, Maiucya.
RADANTKA. He insulted me.
couRrrIER.She's here. She can't go far.
MAITREYA.Insulted you? You insult rrr, sir.
SANSTHANAKA.
I have her! I have her!
He laid hands on me, Maitreya.
RADANIKA,
CoURTIER,
You fool, let go of me!
Who? This one?
MATTREYA.
SANSTHANAKA.
Oh-ho, oh'ho, beat about, look around. , ,I have her! I
have her! Yes,
RADANIKA.

SERVANT.You have zr, sil. MArrREyA, l;fting bis stafi ir anger. Sit, even a ivorm will turn--and I,
I am a Brahmin! This sdck of mine is crooked, sir, but it's still good enough
sANSTHANAKA. Me, sirl Oh-ho, oh-ho, master and servanr, servant and
to cnck a skull or two!
mastcr. Say where you are, sta/ shere you are, don't move! Look about,
scarch! Search! He catcbes bold ol Radaaiha by tbe bait, Oh-ho, I have couRTrER, O great Brahmin, glease, please. - .
her. This time I really have her! I can tell her by thc scent of rhe garland.
MAITREYA,This can't be thc one. He ttams to SANSTIIANAKA. You ane
Oh-ho, I have her nowl
the man, Ha! The king's own brother-inlaw! Ha! Sansthanaka, you
counrrrn, A pretry hide-and-seekwe played, didn't we, my sweet girl? coward! You damned sex fiend! Don't you know that Charudatta is the
That's a nice head of hair, all scented wirh flowers, 6nest citizen of Ujjainl And you bteak into his house! And you lay
hands on his servants! You idiot, don't you know that poverty isn't a
SANSTHANAKA. I have her by the hair, Oh-hol I havc you, my girl!
crim-not yet, at least-that there are still Plenly of rich rascals around?
Scrcam away, yell, call your &iends, curse your God!

naoauxl covRTrER,contiilerably embanassed, Sit, we had no idea. . . . We'rc sorry.

Sir! Sir! What is all this?
It's a case of miitaken identity. We vere looking for a girl-
couRTtER. Hey, that isn't her voice.
v.rr:rlevl angily. And you found her?
sANsTHANA(A. I know these cas, sir. When they want milk, they have
a difierent mcw. Don't believe her. couRTrER. Oh, no, No. It was a girl that can take care of hersclf that
we were looking for, and now it scems that we have iosulted het in thc
courrrer. I'm not sure, . . . Sdll, why not? She must know the tricks process. I{e PorrrJ ,o RADANIKA.We didn't mean to. Believe us, we'rc
of her tradc. tedbly sorry- He dropr his suotd ard lalk at M$rr.EYA'5 t.ct.
r..l,Ar-rREyA,
enteiltg.How queerly the candle flickers. , .like the fluttering MAITREYA.I see that )/o, at l€ast have sense. It's all right-you may risc.
I did not know you when I abused you. I too am sorry,
 g
Tba Tby Cart Tbe Tby Catt,
gr
couRTrER, We have more reason to be sorry. I vill rise, but on onc
condition.
cournrn. She isn't here,

s,aNsrHANAKA.
I'm not budging without het.
uarrrrya. Yes?
couRrrEx, May I remind you of a rrise saying? Hold an elephant
couRTrER. Charudatta must never know what happened here. with
a chain, a horse with horsemanship,a woman with lovc, kt,s
MAITREYA,
You have my word, io.
sANsrHANAxA. You may go, but I'm not budging.
cot RTIER.There speaks a Brahminl No sword can harm a man so
well couRTrER.Vcry well. He leaocs.
grounded in virtue,

SANSTHANAK^.This is intolerable! Why should you slobber

SANSTHANAKA. Good riddance! He spcaks,o MAITREyA. Norr, vorr
in front of hairlesslump of holiness,let's seeyou bow, Iet's seeyou bow to '
this cardboard man and join your palms and fall at his feetl us.

COURTIER.
MAITR-ExA.
We are bowed down already.
Fear.

saxsrrtauara. Of wharl
SANSTHANAKA.
And who has beeo bowing you down?

counrren. Of Charu&tta's
MAITREYA.
FAtE.
virtue.

s^Nsrr-TANAKA,
SANSTHANAKA.
All right, then, standup, standup.
Fine vinue, that! Why, you can't 6nd a crurnb to eat in
his house! uannryn, We will.
CoURTIER,You do not understanc. saNsrnawara.When?
It was his virtue brought him poveny.
MArrREyA.
When Fate is kind enough.
When dch, he overfowed with kindness.
The summer lake has dded; there were too many thirsty travelers. sANsrrrANAKA.
What a crybaby!
SANSTHANAKA, stam?ing hi, foot. Son of a slave, and a slave himself! MArrREyA.We ate crying.
Who is he, anywayl Rama's son? Radha's son? pandu's son?
salsrHanera. Why?
courrren. Hold your tongue!
He is Charudatta: r',rarmrYa.We are poor.
A tree of bounry to the poor *hen he was heavy *ith fruit, sANsrHANAxA.
Then laugh, you fool, laugh.
A paroo of good men, a miffor of learning,
The essenceof holiqess- Manneya. We will.
In short, a man of chancter, sexsrrrar.raxe.whenl
Humble, courteous, in every way admirable.
'We MAtrREyA.When Charudatta is rich again.
exist; he /irrs-so rich is the wealth of his virtues.
Come, let us go.
SANSTHANAKA. In thc meantime,then, take this messagefrom me to
saNsrHANAKA. Without Vasantasena? Charudata. Tell him this; "A slip, a fool of a girl, commointrash,by the
nameof Vasantasena, vith a heapof goldenthings on h"r, m"rr_
".ag"
92 Tbe Toy Cart Tbe Toy Cart 93
ageress,a female of the specieswho puts on cheap comedies-this woman it gets quite chilly at this hour. I suggpst you go and bring him home.
saw you in the garden of the temple of Kamadeva. And she lost her heaft And here,coverhim with this cloak.Fle gioesher bis cloah.
to you, that is, she fell in love with you. When rve tried to set het
vasaNr,rsrua,asde,He thinks I'm the servantElA.Sh. tahcstbe cloah:
right, using a bit of persuasion, she dipped in and took shelter in
He isr't a comVletesaintyet. Sba
its |tugrancettikes bcr. Suchsweetoess!
your house. The point is this: if you give her up unconditionally,
ogts the clodhot her sbotlders.
without my having to go to rhe police and take legal action, if you
hand her over nicely to me, then you have my best regards. If you So, Radanika, bring Rohasenahome.
don't, you are my enemy, and God help you." See that you break
v,rsartasrua, a.ride,lf only I had the right to!
this news to him politely but firmly-and distinctlyi seethat your voice
carties as far as the rcrrace of my splendid house. For, sir, if you swallow a CHARUDATTA, Even you don't answer,RadanikalWell, that's the way
word or two, I'll chew your head ofi with ruy own teerh-like rhis-like a the world is. And why notl Even my closestfriends have left me since I
nut cracked in a door hinge. becamepoor.

MAITREvA.He will ger your message. MAITREYA rnl RADANTKArc-eltter,

SANSTHANAKA,
,o tre SERVANT.
Has the courtier really left? :r'ralTnrxa.Did you call, sirl Here's Radanika,

spweNr. Yes. sir. CHARUDATTA.

But...rhen rvho is this lady? How shameful of me to be
so familiar. . .My shawl. . .
sewstttattaxa. We must be off too.
vAsANTAsENA,aside. Hov wonderful for me!
sERvANf, Your sword, sir.
She's half in shadow, a slice of moon among autumn
CHARUDATTA.
sANSTHANAKA.
Oh, yes, my sword. You carry it.
dare I speak like this? She must be someone's
clouds. No, I mustn't-how
senvaur. Your sword, sir. TaLe it. wife. . . .
SANSTHANAKA, tahing the sword by tbe urong end. Radish pink, my MAITREYA.Not someone'swife, sir. She is Vasantasena,who fell in love
sword sleeps in is sheath on my shoulder. The bitches yap at me from wirh you when she saw you in the temple of Kamadeva.
bchind-and the dogs! I'm going home, the jackal is going home. Tbey
botb lcauc. GHARUDATTA.Vasantasenal He continses to himself.
But what is the use of returning her love
lrarrnrye. Radanika, there's no need to tell Charudana about this inci- In my decrepit statel So let it die.
dent. He's up to his neck in misery as it is; this will only make him feel Bener a coward should kill his mounting anger.
woise.
MAITRExA.Sir, the king's brother-inlaw sends a message.
reoerrxa. I won't say a word about it to him, sir.
CHARUDATIA.To ,n dI
warrneya, Good.
MAITREYA, He says: "A slip, a fool of a girl, common uash, by the name
They leaoe,
of Vasantasena, with a heap of golden things on her, a stage manageress,
CHARUDATTA, ,o VAsANTAsENA. Don't you think, Radanika, rhat it's time a female of the species who puts on cheap comedies-this woman saw
you brought the boy in? I know that Rohasena enjoys the cool evening, but you in the garden of the temgle of Kamadeva, And she lost her heart to
 % Tbc Toy Cart Tbc ToyCart 95
you, that is, shefell in love with you, When we tlied to sether right, using v.lurnnvq aside.They're{or thieve-s,
I suppose?
a bit of persuasion-"
very soon-
CHARUDATTA.
vasANrAsENA,
4ndr. "Set het dght, using a bit of persuasion."Well put!
uarrnrva, asr'le, What's in our hands is ours. That's logic.
MAtrREyA."-she slipped in and took shelter in your house.The point
cIIARUDATTA,to VAsANTAsENA.You Fay have them again whenever you
is this: if you give her up unconditionally, without my having to go to
want them.
the policeand take legal action, if you hand her ovcr nicely to me, then you
have my bestregards,If you don'6you are my enemy,and God help you." vAsANrAsENA. I should be grateful, sir, if you could send ao escort with
me.
c:rtAnIJDATTA,strongly. He is a fool!
Wlat a remad<ablewoman she must be! cn,rr.uoirre. See her safely home, Maitreya.
Money has no fascination for her.
MArrREyA. You are the besr man for that, sL: a fine handsome escott fot
She told him to be ofi; for me, she has gracioussilence.
a graceful lady. I'm a miserable Brahmin, and a poor one; they'll yap at
I-et me say how sorry I am, mistaking you for my servant and speaking
me in tlre market place, as dogs snap at bits of meat.
so boorishly.
Very well, I'll go with her. Have torches lighted; I don't
CHARUDATTA.
VASANTASENA. Oh, sir, it is I who should be sorq,, walking in like this,
want any trouble on the way.
an uninvited guest.
MATTREYA.Hey, Vatdhamanaka!
MArraEyA,Now isn't that a pretty sight! two civilized peoplenodding
away like a 6eld of waving grass.Let me alsobov my head, though stifly, A sERvANrenters.Light the torches,
like a Lnock-kneed camel, And let me ask you pleaseto stop nodding-
VARDHAMANAKA.
Widlout oil, siT?
we've had eoough---and stand erect.
MAITREYa. You're right. Totches are like courtesans-they don't warm
CHARr,'DATTA.
Very well, then, no more formalities.
up unless you fe€d them.
vAsANrAsENA, aside. He is gracious. He is good. But I mustn't take Cr{ARUDATTA.Never mind, we'll do without the torches.
advantageof his goodness-l have no right. Sir, I thank you deeply for The moon is up, and her starry servants. too,
your khdness, and I hope you will not mind if I leavethesejewelshere, I Pale as first love on a young gitl's cheeks.
think they were trying to rob me when I ran in. The moonlight will do.
cnanuoarre. This poor housedoesnot deservesuch a weighty trust. Look at its crystal light falling liLe milk on the marshes.

YASANTASENA.
Sir, it is not houseswe trust, but men. Tbey sloruly cross tbe stage.

cHARTJDATTA. Here you are, Vasantasma.

Maitreya, take tlrcse jewels.
His '.toice bctrays feeling. Sbc loohs at him tendetly, and enters hel
vASANTAsENA.
Thank you very much. SEebands ooer het jewels.
bosse.
MArrREyA,takirrg tbetn. Thank you,
Now, Maitreya, shall we tum backl
crranuoerra, Thev aen't for vou! There's not a light on the road now,
 Tbe Toy Cart 97
Tbe Toy Cart
MADANIKA. Well, you're certainlyvery absent-minded,
I think you rnust
! l,,r L rrrrrrrr.rrir r ir r g.O nly t he wat c hm an. be in love.
llr, rrlllrr ,r,vcrsnt r ny s ins .
I , r'r p,, l'rrrrr', M:rirlcya. Seethat you guard this gold box well at night; vaseruraserya.And so I am. You're a prerty good judge of feelings,I see.
V,rr,llr.rrrr.rrurka will keep his eye on it during the day. MADANIKA.Oh, I'm so happy! The god of love sparesno one-and he
Ni^rI frfiY^. Yes, sit. Tbey leaue, Iikesthem young! Is it a king you worshipl Or a courtierl

CURTAI N VASANTAsENA,
I do not worship,Madanika.I am in love.

MADANIKA.
Is he a Brahmin-young, pious,brilliant?

vAsANrAsENA.
A Brahmin shouldbe worshiped,not loved,

rIIADANIKA.
A merchant then-rich, well established,much traveled?
ACT N
vasanr,rsnla.Tsk, tsk, Madanika.A merchantis alwaysavay, always
At tbe left sldeof the stageis tbe hoaseof vASANTAsENA,. on the rigbt, rloing business
in foreignlands.Love a merchant?Why, I'd die of loneli-
an oVenfeld; in tbe bachgrotnd.,a onall desertedteflr?le, A M^rD enters n€ss.
tbe ho*se.
MADANIKA. Not a king. Not a courtier. Not a Brahmin. Not even a
MAD. Here is a messagefrom your mother. But where is my mistress? merchant. I give up,
Sbe loohsabost Eer. Oh, there! S6e .rearvasar.rrespNlseated,?ainting, VASANTASENA.Oh, Madanika,you went widr me to the gard€nof thc
uith MAD^NIKA b*ide 6er. Painting a picture-and lost in her painting. temple of Kamadeva,
vAsANrAsENA.
Well, my girl, did you- MADANIKA. Yes.

MAID.Did I what?Why, mistress,you didn't ask me to do anythidg. vasar'rasrNl Then why do you ask? As if you knew nothing!
YASANT
sEN^.I didn'tl MADANIKA.I have it! The man who later helped you when you were

MAID.No. And now you ask,"Well, my girl, did you-?" being pursued.

VASANTASENA.
His name?
vAsANTASENA,
corfrsed, I did? Yes, I guessI did.
'Why,
r"ltro,ayproaching.Mistress,your mother would like to haveyou come ]IIADANIKA. he lives just a stone's rhrow from here!

over today for worship. vASANTASENA,

But his name, his name?

vAsANrAsENA.Tell her, my girl, that today I can't. A Brahmin can MADANIKA.

A good name: Charudatta,
take my place.
vAsANrAsENA,bappily. Yes, you're right, Madanika,
MAID,Yes, misttesl Sbe leaoes,
MADANIKA.But they say he's poor.
MADANIKA.Pleasedon't be ofiended-it isn't imperrinencebut affection
vasarsrasera. I love him anyway. And nori/ at least no one can say ahar
that makesme ask-but whatwer did you mean iust nowl
it was for his money that I ran after him.
vAsANrAsENA.
Madanika,tell me franLly: how do I strike you?
 96 Thc Toy Cart Tbe Toy Cart 99
MADANTKA.
Bur butterflies don't light on to empty flowers, mistress.
Tbey enter the temple and look arosnd.,at frst ttting jtast tign langaage.
vAsANrAsENA.That\ why they're called butterflies. Tben they speak.

MADANTKA.If you love him, rhen why not at least visit him? cAMBLER,Vy'ould you say this idol rpas made of wood?

vAsANrAsENA.I will. All in good time. I have a plan, But if something MATHURA.No, stooe, I think. Ile gtucs the "idol' a ?*sb; it teete$
_
happens...It's not easyat all. But we'll see.We'll manage. comically, Who caresl Well, rhe masseur's gone, Say, shall we have a
little game?
MADANTKA.So that's why you left your jewels with him?
Tbc cavgrea nods, and they start,hrouing dice.
VASANTASENA.
What a clever girl you are, Madanika!
MAssEuR,fascinated,aside. k's like the sound of a drum to a king with-
vorce, offstage.Hey! Hey! What about my ten piecesof gold, eh? Stop
, out a kingdom, the rattle of dice ro a man wirhout a stake. Fascinating. I
himl That dirty chiseling gambler! Stop, youl Stop!
know it's bad. To gamble is to fall into ruin. But it's fascinating. The rattle
Tbe ua.sspua ttrns in, ?arrting. of dice-ah, it's a koel's song.

MASSEUR.Damn gamblers! And damo gambling! Aces and dcuces cavrrer. My turn!
and pocket flippers! Bastards! Bur did I give drem the slip? The moment
MATHUIIA.No, mine.
the keeper rumed his back! Whew! So here I am, running like mad, but
now whar's the next stopl The keeper and his gamblinglriend are close ltzASSEUR,
ium?ing down out of the nicbe. No, no, minel
behjnd. Aha, a deserted temple. Perhaps I could become a temple god,
GAMBLER.We have him.
yes? With cornic gestrares,be stc?s ,? into tbe niche reseluedlot tbe .lcit\t.
M^THu,.A, seizing bim. My little petl And what about those ten pieces
uttuuRA and tbe eTMrBLEE,
enter. of goldl
MATHURA.Ten pieces of gold that massage_manowes us_and he's
MASSEUR.I'll pay,
skedaddled! Srop tle bastard! Thete he goes.
uarnune. Cough up, cough up! Now!
cAMBLER.You may hide yourself in hell, friend, but we,ll 6sh you out,
never fear. MASSEUR.I'll pay. Give me a fev days.

MATHURA.You two-timing crook, you double-crosserof honest Mathura! MATHURA.No! Now!

I can hear you-your frightened steps; you're trembliog with fear; you're MASSEUR,Let go my head! He falls to thc gronrd, Tbey beat bim up.
shrmbling. Dtop dead, you rascal, you blackener of your family's oame!
M^IHURA. Ten pieces! Ten solid pieces of gold!
cAMBLEra,ettmlning tbe groud. His footprints stop here.
MAssEUR, g"rrrrg ?4inft4lly to his teet. Sir, sitl He spcahs uorricdly. I
l.ltruua.t. sttdying the grortd. Ha, they turn, they turn back, and_ haven't
iust got the money, You must give me time. How can I pay this
And this temple has no idol. FIe rcflects. The swine, he walked backward minutel
into lhe temple, with his feet facing front.
MATHURA.A pl€dge!
GAMBLER,
Afrer him!
MASSEUR. Oh, all right, all tigbt. He dtaws tbe G^V.BLE&to b,rn.Let
MATHURA.FIa! 'JlLe
oft half, and I'll give you half. All rightl
 Tbe Tby Cart Tbe Toy Ca,t roI
calrnlrn, Suitsme.
go. He stopsanotber.Heyl Ten gold piecesfor me. No? No. Bah! Ah,
MAssEu&, dralring wtruvnt to bim.l'll givc you my word I'll pay you Charudatta is no longer my patron. He's poor, so I'm pooc And no one's
half. Let me ofi half, won't you? interested.
MATHURA.
SuiB me. MATHURA.
Comeon, coughup, coughup.
MASSEURT
to ,rr GAMBLER.
You let me off five gold pieces? rraasseur,
But I haven'tgo, ten pieces.
Flr is draggeddoun by u*uunx
Help! Murder! Hey, help! Help! Hey!
cewsI.rn. That's what I said.
MASSEUR,
to MAT!'URA.Aod you let me oII fivel
DARDURAKA. A gambler is a king without a crown. Nothing to lose,
uarnunr. Suits me.
everything to spend: servants, money, wife, friends-won, kept, and lost
MASSEUR.
Well, that's that. Be seeingyou.Hc startsto leate. at the gambling rable. A throw of three took my money. .the deuce
toolc my health. . .the ace threw me out in the street. , .and drc four-that
MATHURA,
FIey, not so fast, fticndl Wherc's my ten pieces?
did me in good and proper. Oh, there's Mathura. Well, this shawl should
wasstun. What's wtong? You let me ofi half, 6ve picces; and yoa let help to hide me. Fle atcamineJit,I.Jo, it's threadbarestufi; too many holes-
me off half, five pieces.That's ten pieces.And that,s that. big ones. He lolds it t ? again and pats it sxder bis atm. But who cares,

r.,rarnuna.Ve-ry funny! Look hete, friend, my name's Mathura, aod anyway? What can he do? He can't eat me.
no free-and-easytricks get by with me, see?I want my ten gold pieces,and IIATHURA, still addressing the MAsSEva. Cough ug!
I vant them roral
lrasstun. I told you: I haven'r got thb money.
MASSEUR,
I haven't got ten.
DARDURAKA, aside. What's going on here? He addressesan imaginary
uaraune. Theo scll your father for ten pieces. t?ect4tor-What's L]1atyou said, sir?--"Mathura's beating up the masseur"?
MAssEUR.
I have no farher. Well, let's see.He steps forward. Poor man, he's been beaten black and
blue! Poor fellow, what has he to do with gambling? Oh, hello, Mathura.
MA.I-HURA.
Sell your morier, then.
warnuu. Hello yourself.
MASSEUR.
I have no mothcr.
oarounara. And what do I seehere?
vernure. Sell youself.
uarHure. You see a swine who owes me ten gold pieces.
MASSEUR,
What€ver you say, All dght, take mc to the main street,
DARDUnaKA.
Only tenl Only ten pieces?
MATHURA.
You go in front.
w*uuaa,, ptllingotRDUR^Kis tattered sbawl lrom under his arm."Only
Tbey ualk a feu) ste?s.
tenl Only ten pieces?" Look vho's talking! The man with the threadbare
MAssErrR,Flere we go. Hey! Hey! For sale!A bargain! Ten gold pieces shawl!
_
for_this exccllent masseur!Ila stopsa gusser-by.Hey! What-can i do?
DARDURAKA. Mathura, my foolish friend, haven't you seen me risk ten
What can't I dol I'll keep house fot you. Tbe gasser-bybt*sbes on,No
gold piecesa thousand timesl If a man has money, should he lug it around
 Tbe Toy Catt ro3

ur'n.,*U.*, Butyou,youfoolish
wretch,
,."'* rr Or'J""U!lJi* quietly passing by? You'll see in court tomorrow if they let you off so
this poor fellow's6ve senses
for ten pieces. easily.

rnrarrrunr,Ten piecesmay be "only" ten piecesto you, but to me they're MATHUM. All light, we shall see,we shall see.
ten solidgold coios.
You will? And how will you seel
DARDURAKA.
DARDURAKA, Good.Good.So why not give him ten solid gold coins,set and opening bis eyes rtide.
M^THURA,thrusting brs tzcd ,u, DARDURAKA's
him free,and let him gambleawayl
Like this, Does that sadsfy you?
warnuna. Are you madl
DARDUnAKA,rro@J 4 haxdfal ol dut in bis eycs; v.1^tuuF.t flincbes axd
DARDURAKA.
If he wins, he'll pay you back. falls bach: o*auxt xa makessigns to tbe t tt ssr-ur.to escape.Thd l!'lAssEUR
scrambles tp and runs of.
varnune. And if he losesl
DARDURAKA. This fellow has a lot of influence around here; l'd better
DARDURAKA.
TLen he won't pay you back.
scoot too, My friend Sharvilaka tells me he heard a prophecy that a cowhcrd
uarnuna. Bloody clever,aren't you? Why don't you give him ten named Aryaka is going ro be king. He'd be the best leader for such as us
pieces?Look, my name is Mathura and I'm a crook. I play a crooked I'll hunt him up. Fle bastensoff.
game-I play it well-and everyoneknows it. But you don't frighten me,
MAssEvr., flfining and st mbling ro@d/d vAs^NTAsENCshouse.'flj.is
you lilyJivered bastard. Please help me. Please
house is open. He enters and reer VAsANTAsENA.
olnoun*,r. Who's a bastardl help me.

uarnure. Yos are! VASANTASENA. Don't be afraid-you are safe here. Madanika, shut the
door.The maid does ro. What are you afraid ofl
DARDURAKA.
Your father was a bigger bastard!IJe mahessigns to tbe
MASSEUR tfy to CscA?e. MASSEUR.I owe a man some moneY.
'o
varHuna. Why, you son-of-a-bitch, aren't you a gambler yourselfl vAsANTAsEN^.Madanika, opeo the door.

oarounara. Mel a gambler? MAssEvR,aside. She isn't afraid oI creditors. Little does she know But
it's a good groverb that says a nrarr must face the music-meaning that I'll
MATHURA,ttalning to tre MAssEU& and starting to drag h;m by tbe
have to face it.
Eair. Come on, cough up.
MATHURA,,o tbe iAV,BLER,ftabbi g bis eyes. Cnrylt up' cough ug!
DARDURAKA.
Stop! No one's going to lay hands on him while I'm here!
He isn't here. While you two were scuffiing' the swine scuttled
GaMBLER,
l.ltruuar., regardless,g*nchcs tbe MASSEURo, tbe nose, uhicb stdtts
oII.
bleeding.The urcseun collzp.res.oanourertt stepsix, and there is a scrfle
betueen prxoul*!, and v'rtwune,. MATHURA.I gave him a punch on the nose' though, and he's bleeding'
He won't get far. We'll track him down. Look, here's blood. They lollora
MATHURA.You damned son-of-a-bitch! I'll get you for thk! tbe trail of blood.
You fool! SupposeI say you beat me up on the road as I was
DAnDURAKA. Hc's in here. IIe rto?r l, vAsANTAsENiJ /ool.
GAMBLER.
ro+ Tbe 'loy Cart
The Toy Cart ro5
MATHURA.Cood-bye, ten pieces. My ten gold pieces, good-bye.
r'rassrun. Who hasn't heard of himl Who hasn't heard of the moonl
GAMaLER.Ler's go 6le a complaint in court.
His name is Charudatta. He lives very neat hcre.
uarsuna. And have the bird fly away while we're gone? Not me! I'm
vAsANrAsENA,rtrnling up,loohingoery happy. A fan, Madanika. Can't
sitting tight till rh€ bastard coughs up.
you seehe's tiredl Sit down, sir. There's no need to be formal.
frrJrlr, vASANTASENAmahes a sigt to MADANIKA.
MASsEUR,zridr. All this at the mere mcntion of his oame! God bless
MADANIKA.Sir, my misress wishes to know where you come from, who you, Charudatta! You really live; others merely pass time in the world.
you are, why you are here, and what you are teally afraid of. Ffd f4l& 4, vAsANTAsnwtr'sfect. Thank you, madam, Pleasesit down. I'm
all right li.ke this.
vrssrun. Well, I was born in Pataliputra, the son of a householder.I'm
a masseuf. VASANTASENA.
But go on with your story.

veSeNraseNA.A delicate, plcasant art, sir. MASSEUR. w'cll, as I said, I was his masseur,but when he had no more
money left I took to gambling, And my luck was against me arrd I losr
r.,rasseu'n.I learned it very well, madam, so now it's just routine work,
ten gold pieces.
MADANIKA.I see. Go on.
I\IATHURA,outside.I've been cheated! I've been robbed!
MAssEUR.While with my father, madam, I used to hear visitors tell
uassrua. That's him, madam. Him and the other one. What shall I dol
stories of other lands and I wanted to see things for myself. 5o I came to
Ujjain and became masseur to a Grst-classgentleman, a model of good VASANTASENA, remooing her btacelet and giuing it to MADANTKA.
Give
manners and handsomer than I can say. He was quick to give away money them this, Madanika, and say this gen.leman sends it.
and bore insults in silence,forgiving his wo.st enemy-in short, such a 6ne MADANIKA.Yes, mistress.
man that he seemedto be caring for the whole world,
}IATHTIRA,otttside, I've been robbed!
MADANTKA.Is there such a man in Ujjainl
t{ADANrr<Aemerget stobsemed by a side doo*
vAsANTASENA.
I know him. My heart tells me,
MADANIKA,aside. Sluch shouting and crying! Such muttering and
waoalma. Go on. anxiety! And the way their eyes are pinned to the front doot! These must

ruassrun. He gave so freely, so liberally, that- be the ones. l/osd. Good morning, sir.

uernuna. And good morning to you.

vASANTAsENA.
-he hasn't anything left,
MADANTKA.
Which of you gcnrlemen is the chief gamblerl
ltasstun. How did you guess?Did I-?
varnuna. Me, my pretty one. But it won't do. No pouting lips at me,
vASANTAsENA. I only had to put two and two together. Goodness and
no sweet words. Don't give me the come-hither, my girl. I have no money.
money go together very seldom. But you can't call a good man poor; such
a man is richer than anyone else. MADANIKA.Gamblers don't talk like that, Is there someone who owes
you moneyl
vaoetrra. And his name?
M^THUnA,Yes, ten gold pieccs. Why?
 rc6 Tbe Tby Cart Tbe Toy Catt t07
MADANIXA. My mistress seods this-no, lc sends this, by way of KARNAeURAKA. Well, . .your elephant-the one called .,Gate-Smashe r',_
Payment. well, he killed his keeper, broke his chain, and banged ou! onto the main
utrnunt', gra.bbing tbe bracelet. Aha! Tell him we'te quits, And tell road. Oh, what a ruckus! Mcn shrieking all over the place: ',Get the babies
him to drop in again whenever he wanrs some fun. out of here! Climb up the tree! Get up on the roof! The elephant's broken
loose!" Snip went the girdles, snap went the ankl€ts; snip went the pearls,
larruund and the ctv.steR leaue.
snap went the diamonds. Oh, what a glorious rain of jewels! And then
MAD^NrKA,letvrning to yAs^NTAsEN^. They,ve gone, looking very came the elephant, barging into Ujjain as if ir were a lotus pond, with his
-
plcased, trunk flailing, his feet and tusks ripping things apart! Along came a holy
man-a beggar. Swoosh went the water from the mad beast's trubk; the
vASANTASENA.
Now, sir, you may go safely.
begging bowl was smashed, the beggar's stafl broken in tweand there
vassrun. If I can be of any help to you, madam. . . he was, caught up betwe€n the animal's tusks. The men gathered round,
shrieking, "He'll be killed! He'll be killed!"
VASANTASENA. You can be of more help to the man for whom vou were
working and thanks to whom you learoed your art. V^SANTASENA.
Oh, how horrible, how horriblc!

MASIEUR, 4side. A neat way of saying, ,,No, rhanks.,, Alord. K^RNAPURAKA. No, don't worry. lust listen. There was the poor beggar
Madam,
my work brings me only disgrace.I'm goiog to become right between his tusks, when I saw him-I mean, when I, your humble
a Buddhist monk.
seryanr, saw him. And I grabbed an iron rod from a shop, tripped bur
VASANTASENA.
Don't do anything rash.
kept running, dashedin from one corner and stood in front of the beast., . .
MASSEUR.My miod's made !p. He stdtts to leaoe. When
I eambled VASANTASENA,
everyone looked down on me. Now I can hold my head Go on, go on.
high a-nd walk
freely in rhe streets. Losd sboats are beard oflnag". Whar,s "up KARNAPURAKA. And I plunged the rod into him-he was a great moun-
now? lie
Iooks arosnd, What! Vasantasena,shunting elepihaot has tain of a beast-with all my strength. And he fell, and I saved the holy
brjken loosel
Ha! What_ fun! I must go see the mad beasi! Oops!_t nearly maD.
forgot. Id
decided to become a monk.Itvon't do. He leapes.
VASANTASENA.
Isn't that wonderful! How brave of you!
K.A::{.1PURAKA,
splcndidly dressed, rusbes in, in high elation. Where
, is
shel Where is mv ladv? KARNAPURAKA. And all the people in thc city were suddenly all over me,
showering me wirh praise, there near the beast lying like a boat tipped
y^D NIKA. Wi"tt .fr" matter wirh youi Ate you out of your senses? over on its side. One of them looked at me, sighed, and threw this shawl
--
She's right d-rerein front of you. ovcr me.
KARNAeUR^KA.
Your humble servant, my lady. vASANTAsENA.
Does ir smell of perfume? fasmine?
vAsANTrrsENA.
You look very happy, Kamapuraka, What is
itl KARNAIURAKA.
I can't tell, my lady; my nose is full of elephant smell.
KARNAnURAKA, beaming. Oh, what a pity you rdere nor there
, to see the VASANTASENA.
Is there a name on itl
Dravery oi youf servant!
KARNAPURAKA.
A few letters. Read them, my lady. He bands ber the
vAsANrAsENA.Why, what did you dol
shawl.
 r09
The Toy Can
,o8 Tbe Toy Cart
itu?dtiently.Ycs, ycs, ycs lt's time we wcre home'
MAITREYA,
VASANT^SENA,reading. Ctarudatta, She folds the shaul around het
Oh, bur he sang cxqrrisitcly,didn't he?
CHARUDATTA.
MADANIKA.
It looks nice on her, doesn't itl
stand:
MAITREYA.Well, if you must know, thcrc arc two things I can't
KARNAPURAKA.
I think so. reading Sanskrit alotrd, ntxl thc othcr is a man trying to
one is a woman
Wh.n a woman rcads S^trsl(rit, all you get is "mooJh'
This is for you, Karnapuraka. Sbe gtues bim a jeucl-
vAS^NTASENA. sing in a soft key'
tries singing
mo-osh,moo.h," as if a calf were sneczirrg Arrrl whcn a man
ranuapunaxa, taArzgit and bouing. Nice? I'll say it does! chanting throtrgh hir nosc l tcll you' it's not
softly, he's likc a priest
vASANTAsENA.
And where is Charudatta now? pleasant at all.
this
Well, my lady, he was going home. He'll be passing by
KARNAPURAKA. cHARUDAfi^. You ate hard to glease' But l{clthill sang cxquisitcly
this road. eveninS.
Melody, warmth, a smoothness' Peacefulncss'
VASANTASENA. Quick, Madanika, to the balcony. Perhaps ve'll catch a Oh, I could fccl it.
glimpse of him as he walks by.
Almost as if thc lyrical voicc of a girl
Tbey leaue. li/ere singing-strclr swcctness!
It seemed that my "wrr love was singing'
CURTAI N
I can heat it evcn as I walk witl you now-
I'll never forget it
The trembling oo l thcme'
ACT III
The dying fall.
Or4tside iIJARUDAT'ra.'s hosse. VAnDHAMANAKA,cIlAr.rJDA,na's ietu4nt, ate fast
M^ITREYA.Finc, firtr'. BLlt let's get homc Even the street dogs
ctttcft. clouds' leaving
asleep.And therc's tlt nroon stePPing down through the
the world to Pitch ,l,rrkness.
vanonelrauera.A goodkind masteris the man for me. Who caresif he
is poor?A sullensnob'sthe very devil evenif he hasall thc money in the CHARUDATT^. Ycs, olly his tusks are visible,
world. That's the way it is. You can't keepa hungry bull out of a wheat Two shar1,"vcs above the surrounding darkness,
field; you can't stop a gay blade from chasing another man's wife; you Like an cI l,lr,rrrt browsing in a forest pool'
can't stopa gamblerfrom gambling;andyou can't stopa fool from making the door!
MAITRTY^.W,lt, herc we are. Vardhamanaka' wakc up! Opcn
a fool of himself,My masteris still at the concert,and it's not quite mid-
He opens the
night yet, so there'ssdll time beforehe returns.I think I'll take a little vARDft^Nfr\N^[^.That's Maitreya's voice' They're back
snoozein the hall, I{c goesinsidc. /oor. Sir. r lr, , ,,rr,lr is readY.

and 'nltrrnsyt cnter and ualk touatd tbe bouse.

CHARUDATTA n,,111111r(..rll liadanika; we need water for out fcct'

cHARUDATTA. Rebhilasang exquisitely,don't you think? And the vina ( rr^rr r,\r t^. l.ct hcr slecp.Why disrrrrbher now?
is a pearl of an instrument. It soothesthe waiting lover; it consoleslovers t \ \r rN^t(l. I'll gct thc water, Maitrcya, and you can wash his
fcct'
\
who are separaled.It addsa sad sweetness to sweetsadoess. ^rrr
The Toy Cart rrr IIO Tbe 'loy Cart
wriggling out of its skin! But I've managed to slip through. He loohs a7. MArrREyA,losing his temper. The impertinent son of a slave! He will
The moon has set. Night's a good mother to people like me who work in bring the water; and I-a Brahmin-must wash the feet!
the dark and slink ofi when the guards come. I've scaled the garden wall
CHARUDATTA. Oh, come, Maitreya, you get the watet and he'll wash my
all right and got in; now for the house. They call it a crime, this slinking
feeq if that suits you better.
in under covcr of darkness, making hay while others sleep. We're ctooks,
they say. All right, I'd sooner be a crook than an exgloited slave. Besidcs, vARDHAMANAK^,
Gladly. Yes, Maitreya, you bring the watcr.
I'm in good company: didn't Drona's son himself prowl and strike by
llAt-tRE]/A brirrgs ut tdl,. VARDHAMANAKA
lra tbet cHAlLuDA\-tA,,feet, tbeh
night? But now, how do I get inl On which side is the wall dampest-that
sr,trrs to moae auay,
will make the least noise. Where can I make a hole that I can cover up
later? Where is the brickwork old and crumbling? How do I get in so CIIARUDATTA.And oow, Vardhamanaka, what abour washing rhe
that no woman spots me? And where's the swagl That's what the textbook Brahmin's feetl
says,He feels tbe uall. This spot seemsa bit weaL: it's been exposedto the
MAITREvA.Don't bother. It's water wasted, becauseI shall be going out
sun and rotted away. And here's a convenient rarhole. Wonderful! O god
again, trudging along like a dirty donkey.
of thieves, blessed sir! A thousand thanks! Sir, you advise four ways of
breaking in. First for baked bricks-pull them out. Second for unbaked vARDI{AMANAKA.
But you are a Brahmin, Maitreya.
bricks----cut through them. Third for clay-soften it up by wetting. Fourth
MArrREyA,Yes, sir. I am a Brahmin. I am a Brahmin amonq Brahmins,
for wood-saw through it. Here we have baked bricks. So pull them out.
like a boa constrictor among snakes.
Here goes! He starts to tlorl. Next, what shape shall I make the hole?
Lotus, lake, half-moon, sun? Swastika, waterPot? The book says take your VAR.DHAMANAKA. Then I must wash your fieet, He does so. And here's
choice, The waterpot: that will look nice in this wall. Last night they rhe golden box, which I look aftet during the day. It's night now, so it,s
complained I wasn't artistic: my breaches, they said, should have been yottr tum. He giues MATTREvA,re box, and leaoes.
made with better taste. O god of thieves, blessedsir, thanks again. O giver
vennrra. The golden box! Isn't there a single thief in the city of Uj.jain
of good, O god of the golden spear, a thousand thanks. And thanks to
who'll steal this stealerof my sleep?Let me just put it away inside.
my teacher, who taught me the whole bag of tricks. No one sees me, no
sword 6nds me. . . . Damn, I've forgotten my tape l hope this will do CHARUDATTA, Of course not. It has been left in our care. LooL after it,
instead. Ile altties thc cold lrom rootnd bis nech. The sacred thread's a as a good Brahmin should. It must be returned safely to its owtet. He lies
useful thing to a Brahmin, especiallya Brahmin like me. It's just the thing doux.
ro measure walls; it's handy to pull up iewelry, to pick locks; and if a Such sweetness!
snake bitcs, it's first-class for 6rst aid. But let's get goiog. First, mcasure It seemed rhat my own love was singing. . . .
the wall. Then out with the bricLs. IJe uorhs. One sdll left. Damn it, a
vernrv,r. Coing ofl to sleep?
snakel He qaichly pulls out his band and ties the sacred thread rornd ore
seea light, a
frger. That should do for now. He pcegs tbro*gb the hole.l cnanuoarra. Yes, I hope so, Sleep comes over me like old age, nibbling
candle. The light fioods the darkness like pure gold. Hc completes tbe away my powers of resistance. So let us sleep.
"fecler." That's what ^i.
bteach ia tbe uall. Now in I go. No, wait; 6rst, the
Tbey botb lall asleep.
rhe book says. He Vrts his band thro*gb and gropes abottt All clear. A
thousand thanks, blessed sir. He crau.'lstbrough. Two men sleepin6 I'd SIJAR\ILAKLentefi tbe garden stealtbily.
better o1rcnthe front door: it helps in an emergency. He stalts to o?cn it.
SHARVTLAKA.
How I skinned myself crawling on the ground, Iike a snake
How it creaks! Everything's rusry here. A little wat€r. Hc sces tbc iug,
 The Toy Cart tr3
')i",
u, sprinklesuater on tbe door.Not,.. r:,,':: Good. Now, like a vendor who's sold all his goods, I can sleep
MAITREYA.
"ro ^..n-r':.:r':t:
a splaslron rhe floor. He prts bis bacA against the doot and carclnlly cases in peace.
it opcn. That's done. Now, are these two really out or just faking? I1c
SHARYTLAKA. Sleep, sir, sleep a thousand yeats. Oh, what a shameful
passes tbe caxdle close ouer their faces, Fast asleep. He loohs around.
thing to deand all for the sake of love. To ruin this good Btahmin fot
What's this? A drum.. .a lute. . .pipes.. ,books. Hell, have I got into the
the sake of Madanika! I hate it, but I do it And now to Vasantasena's
house of a poet? A dancerl I thought he was a big shot. I don't steal from
house, to buy Madanika's freedom! He listens. Footsteps! Who can it bel
beggars.Is he really poor or is he just hiding his money? Afraid of thieves?
Shall I srand motionless and let him pass? Bah, what do I care about
Afraid of the Ling? Well, if he's got it buried around here, these will tell.
vatchmen? I cnwl like a cat, run like a deer, pounce like a hawk, twist like
He scatters special seeds.Nothing. Poor fellow, What am I doing here,
a snaLe and yowl like a dog! I'm a lamp, a horse, a boat, a snake, a rock.
then?
I'm a wolf, a lion, the king of birds. the prince of hares.
MArrREr'A,talking in bis sleep ro cHARUDATTA. I see a hole in the wall.
entering.Where is Vardhamanaka? He was sleeping outside,
B.aDANTK^,
I see a thief. Here, you'd better Leep the golden box,
I know, but he isn't there nov. I must 6nd Maiueya.
sHARVILAKA. Has he seen me? Is he making fun of me? Then he dies,
SHARVTLAKA, bc stdrts to stab ber, then stops. Jnst a girM'm safe. FIa
the swine! He comes close to MAr-rRE:rLdnd studies 6lzr. No, he's just
slips to tbe door.
babbling in his sleep. What's this? Something wrappcd in a towel. How
about taking it? No, ir wouldn't be tight. He's a poor man; why make him nrornrc.t, ffigbtened. Help! A thief! Stop, thief! He's cut through tl-re
even poorerl He stafis to fiooe away. wall. There he goes! Maitteya, vake up! Where are you? A thief! A thief !
There he goes, out the door!
varrnrta. TaLe it, take it away, for the sakeof a sacrcdcow, for the saLe
of a Brahmin! varrnpva. What thiefl What's all this nonsense?

SHARVTLAKA. Well, if ir's come ro cows and Brahmins, then it's all risht Don't be silly. Help! Thi6f! Can't you seel There!
RADANTKA,
for me to take it, But thar lightl My prettl' ffame snuffcls will take care of
th^t. He extracts 4 moth from bis kit. Just thc right time and the right MAITREYA.What? The door's open! Help! Charudatta, wake up! A
thief broke in and he's escaped! WaLe up!
place. Dear ftiend, flutter round the rvick; prerty moth, snuff out the light
with your wiogs. Tbe motb does so, There, now it's dark. But the greater CHARUDATTA.I'm in no mood for jokes, Maitreya,
darknessis the one that's fallen on me-me, Shatvilaka, a Brahmin and the
son of a Brahmin who Lnew the scriptures by heart-me, doing this. And This is no joke. Look!
MATTREYA.
for whom? For a common courtesan like Madanika! But it's too late for Whete? How did he eet inl
CHARUDATTA.
tears now, Let's get on with it, ThanLs, Brahmin, I'll take the box. Ffe
ltretches otlt bis band toward tbe cashet. MAITREYA.TheTe.

MAlrREyA. Oh, how cold your fingers are! ct:ARuDA'r't^, seeirg the breacb in tbe uall. Rut that's well done! A very
near bit of work. Just look: a few bricks from the top, more below. Why,
sHARVTLAKA, Idiot of a thief that I am! That water chilled them. I,ll
this fellow is a genius.
warjlrrtlrcm. He r/4bstbem on his tbigb; tben tahes tbe .dsket.
MAlrREyA. Either t}!e man's new to this city and doesn't know how poor
MATTREYA.
You have it safel
we are-for everyone in Ujiain knows there's nothing to steal in this house
srunvrara. Yes, Brahmin. I have ir. -----orelse he was a bcginner just practicing.
 rr4 Tbe Toy Cart Tbc Toy Cart II5
cn^Rl,'DArTA. Very likely a stranger to this city. He probably didnt MArrREYA, What's to prevent us from saying rhat she never gave us the
_
know about my pover/ and thought that the house lookcd piomising box? She never gave it; we never took it. There wasno wirness.
from the outsidc. How disappointed he musr have been rvhen he ran
away, Poor fellowl He'lt have to go round admittiog to his friends, ,.I CHARUDATTA. Tell a lie like that? Never. I will beg in the streersand pay
broke into a merchanr's house-and found oothing!" ofi the entire amount of the box. It's a blot on my so:ul.He leaoer,folloie,d
6y varneve.
MAITREYA.Yes. He muit have enter€d with high hopes-for a jewel box
at least. Ile rcmembers bis dream. A golden box! Thank goodnessl you neoaNrra.I must go tell his wife. Sbegoesout and retrarrtimrnediately
always call me a fool, don't you? "Maitreya, you know nothing! Maitreya, uith crd^RuD|rri s rrife.
you're a baby!" Well, wasn't it brilliant of me to hand the golden box over wrFE,Is he safe?And is Maitreya safe?
to you in the middle of the nightl If not, the thief would f,ave walkcd off
wi& it. RADANIKA, Borh are safe,mistress.But the jewelsof the courtesanhave
bcen stolen.Are you illl
CHARUDATTA.
The box? What are you ralking about?
wlre, rccouetingfrom tbe shock,Yes. Oh, I'm so happy he's safe!But
MAITREYA. No, no, I'm serious,I may be a fool, but I know when to ioke what will peoplesay?They'll suspectright away dut he stoleit himself
and rrheo ilot to. becausehe's poor,Sbe sigbs,How strangeFate is! She plays with our
cItARrJ'DArTA.When did you give me the box? fortunes aod makesthem as ephemcralas drops of water on a lotus leaf.
There's alwaysthis oecklacethat my mother gave me----allI have left. But
MAITREYA.Don't you lemember? When I said your fingers were cold? my husbandhashis pride: he wouldneveracceptit. Sbercflects.Radanika,
GHARUDATT.{.I don't know. You might have. He searcbes; then qeahs call Maiucya here.
in a cheetf
tone.Well, thalk you, Maitreya. RADANIKA
go?r orr, then coftretback ruitb wt]rixt.yt.
MATTREYA.Whatever for? MArrREyA.You honor me by calling me.
CH^RUDATTA.Tl:,e box has bcen stolen. At least, it isn't here. vIFE. You honor me, too. You will honor me evenmore by facing me
M^IrRExA. But why should I be thankedl
and looking squarelyinto my eyes.

MArrREyA.That's easily done.

CHARUDATTA.Because at least the poor fellow didn't go away €mpry_
handed. wFE. Here, Maitreya, taLe this. Sheoffets tbe necklacc.
MATTREYA,
But it's the box that we were supposedto keep in safc custody. t'.rarrnexe.Whyl

CHARUDA]T . Trtt boxl Hc faints. wrrr. I observedthe jewel ceremooythis moming-and the customary
presenthasto be madeto a Brahmin.You arethe 6rst BrahminI havemet
MAITREvA,Oh, I'm sorry. But it isn't
)rorr fault that a thief ran oII with since this morning. So take it-the necLlaceis yours.
a box left in your cale.
MArrREyA,
taking tbe nechlace.I must go tell Charudatta.
cHARUDATTA,tccooeing- Maitreya, who will believe us? The poor man
is always suspected-rhar's the wa)r it is. Till now Fat. *"s unkind only wrr. Do it tactfully, Maitreya. Seeyou dotr't embatrassme.She leaues.
to my riches; now she is unkind to my good name,
MAITREYA.
What a tnarvelouswomanr
 Tbe Toy Cart Tbe Toy Catt I '7
i f rrx r f r ^ f f ^ . , t t r , t . ln tt:..n Dy Vr r lr n r r A.

, rlrrr,rrr\ \Vlr.rr ' r r hc m at t er wir h M ait r ey aP I h o p e h i s d i s t r e s s

. 1,,. l,.r,l I'rrrrr,, ,1,,. r r r y t hingr as h. M ait r ey a!
ACT IV
' ,, '
r,rrrrrrrr,r I l,-rr I anr, This is for you. He shous tbe xechlace. ,or'e. A ut'to cnlers thc Tece?tioncoutt.
vAsANTAsENA'r

t ||\rrrr\r r,\. Whcrc did you get thisl MAID. Another message from her mother, Sbe loohs *p. Ah, there comes
\r I RryA. This comes of having an excellent wife. my misrress, looking at a picture and talking to Madanika.
^r
( r^rur)^l'rl. Excellent, indeed! But oh, that I should fall so low as ro VASANTASENA MADANIKA
''I '''d',
lrrrvc to tlcpcnd on a woman's jewels! That comes of being poor; a man vAsANrAsENA.You think this resemblesCharudatta? You really do?
ln.rrrcs hclpless,and a woman mkes his place. But no, I shouldn't call my-
MADANIKA.Oh, yes.
sr.ll poor. I have a wife who loves me io spite of my poverty; I have a friend
wlxr standsby me, come fair wind, come foul. And, thank goodness,I have How can you tell?
VASANTASENA.
,r lt w principlesleft. Take this necklace(o Vasantasena. Maitt.ya. Till h.*
From the way you look at it with so much love in your eyes.
MADANTKA.
wc gambled away the golden box, forgetting it was hers, and tlat I send
this necklace instead. You're just being polite, as all we courtesans are.
VA5ANTASENA.

TTAITREvA. No, I can't. Ate we going to give away this pricelesssacrcd MADANIKA.But politeness can be true too, sometimes.
ornament for a silly box rhar a thief has decamped with? What did we gct
VASANTASENA. Not wit}r us, I'm afraid. We meet so many Linds of men
out of the box?
that mostly we'rc reduced just to saying pretty things.
CHARUDATTA. What does that matter? The box was left in our trust. She
MADANIKA.But you needn't have asked. The way you looked at the
trusted us-is there anything nobler than that? Listen to me. By this hand
picture, it was obvious. . . .
I place on my breasr,you shall not return till you have given this necLlace
into her hands. He calls. Yardhamanaka, put those bricks back in place vAsANr^sENA.Tell me, Madanika, do I behave strangely these days? I
again. I don't wanr tongues wagging over this new scandal. Come, come, don't 'want to have my friends giggling at me behind my back.
Maitreya, you're being stubborn.
MADANIKA.You're all right, mistress. W'omen understand one another
TTAITREYA.
ffiat's the usel Beggars can't be choosers. pretty well.

CHARUDATTA. Who says I am a beggar? I have a wife who loves me in v.xo, approacbing. A carriage is waiting for you at the side door,
spite of my poverty. I have a friend who stands by me, come fair wind, mistress; but your mother also wishes you would come.
come foul. And, thank goodness, I have a few principles left. You go
Was it Charudana who sent the carriagel
VASANTASENA.
ahead and do as I say. And I must go about my morning prayers.
MAID. No, mistress. But the man who sent it has sent ten rhousand
They all leaoe-
gold pieces with it.
CURT AIN
Who is it?
VASANTASENA.

vero. Sansthanaka, the king's brothet-in-law.

 rr8 Tbe Toy Cart rt9
The Toy Cart
vesenresrwe, azgzly. No. Go tell him I'm busy. And don't bother me
freedom. Good. No one should interfere vith true love. She'll come when
again!
she's through,
wero. Forgive me, mistress. I was only bringing the message. MADANIKA.Sharvilaka, tell me-Ila keeps lookixg around bim in a
VASANTAsENA.
I'm not angry with you; I'm angry wirh the message. uotied uay. Why do you look like that, Sharvilaka? What's wrong?

MAID. But what news shall I take back to your mother? SHARVILAKA.Can you keep a seclet? Ate you sure we're alonel

vaseNrasrua. Tell her, if she doesn't want m€ dead, to srop sending such MADANIKA,Absolutely alone.
messages.She goes into tbe ho*se, follouel &y vaoaurr,r, aside. A secret? I shouldn't be listening.
VASANTASENA,

MAID. Yes, mkttess, She leat'es, Tell me, Madan&a, if I ask Vasantasena to set you free,
SHARVILAKA.
what price will she demand?
SHARVILAKA
entefr tbe bor4se.
vasaxtasrra, a.rile. If it concernsme, there's no harm in listening.
snanvrl,rra. I am like the moon, brightest at night, killed by the light of
day. Iast night I worked rponders: I de6ed sleep and baffied the watchmen. MADANIKA.She's often said that if she had her way she'd free all of us
But this morning I'm just a bundle of nerves.Who was tllat following me without asking anything. But where have you managed to lay hands on
out there? Why was he chasing me? I didn't like the Iooks of him. Damn so much money that you can buy my freedoml
it, a man's worst enemy is his own conscimce,At least I did ic for Madanika
SHARVILAKA. I was poor. I was in love. So last night I did something I
-that's some consolation. But it was a close shave all the way. I made it
shouldn't have done, I sinned.
a point to talk to no servants,and ro woman; and when the guards passed
by, I stood as still as a doorpost. I had a busy time last night-a hundred vASANTAsENA,aside, He lool<s too happy to have a crime on his
litde tricks. conscience.

VASANTASENA,inside tbe hosse. Put this painting on rhe couch, and MADANIKA.Sharvilaka, you did it tot me? You risked both for rzel
bring me my fan.
BodT what?
SHARVILAKA.
SHARVILAKA. Vasaotasena'shouse! Fle rrer ITADANIKA emerge dnil stdrt MADANIKA.Your life and your good name.
toward anotber door into the hosse. Graceful as Love's own brile! Though
my heart is afame, she cools my eyes.Ile ca1ls.Madanika! SHARVILAKA.Oh, it was nothing. Fortune favors the bfave.

MADANTKA, tttlning, stdrtled. Oh, it's you, Sharvilakal How nice to see MADANIKA.I know you, Sharvilaka: you are a good man. I know you
you. Where have you been all this time? couldn't have done anything very bad--even for my sake----could you?

SHARVTLAKA. \Mell, I didn't steal from a woman. After all, iewels are to
sHA&vrLAKA, l'll tell you latet,
make women beautiful, as flowers do a plant. I didn't steal a Brahmin's
Tbey gaze long and looingly at each otber. money, if that's what you mean. Brahmins collect money fot holy purposes,
I know that. I didn't kidnap a baby from his nurse. I may be a thief, but
VASANTASENA, irridr. Where has she gone? She /oes take her time. Sle
I know d-re differcnce beween right and wrong. Tell Vasantasena these
o?cns 4 uindow and looks o*t. There she is, talking to a man. She looks
jewels are for her, but no one should see them. They aren't mean! to be
completely lost in him. That must be rhe man rrho wants to buy her
worn by women.
 r2o The Toy cart The Toy Cart r2r

MADANTKA.
/ewels? And not to be worn by women? Let me see them. believein women and in money! A woman's a snake-{on't trust her-and
so's money. Never love a voman-no, no! Lct her love you. Let her bring
sHARvILAKA.Here. He bitgs tbem ost and shows tbem tneasily.
you sweet words and soft lips, encourage her, and then jilt her. It's a wise
MADANIKA.
Haven'r I seen these before somewherel Where did you ger man who said: a woman will laugh and cry for money and make use of a
drem? man's trust as long as it suits her. Run, young man, if you value your purse
and your good name, A woman is a flower that grows in a graveyard. You
SHARVILAKA.
That's my business.Ask me no qu€stions and I'11tell yorr
can trust the changing ocean,the 6ckle colors of sunset, but not a woman.
no lies.
All she's after is your money: once you're empty as a powder box, oII she
MADANIKA,
axgrily.lt yo'u love me, why are you afraid to tell me? goes.What fun she has: one man she loves, another she flirts with and a
third she takes to bed with her. But what else could you expect? No lotus
sHARVILAKA. All right, if you musr know. , . . Last night a little bird
gtows on a mountain; no damn ass bears a horse's harness; you don't get
told me that in the business quarter of the city a man called Charudatta-
rice from barley seed;and you don't get honesly from a womao. Oh, what
vasarq.r tsrr'rl and ll ADANDT
L botb f4int. a fool I've been! Charudatta, this time you shall die!

sHA&VILAKA. Madanika! What's the matter? Can't you hear me? Have MADANTKA, catcb;ng hold ol b;m, What's come over you? You're be-
I done wrong? having like a fooll Sbe tnooes auay lrom bim,

M^D^NIK^, recouering.You fooll Tell me, did you hurt anyone? Did you sHARVILAKA.
Who's a fool?
kill anyone in the house rrhere you stole these?
MADANIKA.
These ;'ewelsbelong to Vasantasena,
sHARVILAKA.I'm not a scoundrel: I don't kill sleepiog men. I harmed
sHanvrlaxa. They do?
no one.
ueoaurra. And she had left them with Charudatta.
MADANIKA,[s that truel Yotire sure?

SHARVILAKA. su,rnvrlara. She had?

Of course, I'm sure.

VASANTASENA,
rccooeixg. Thank Cod! veoartxe. And here's why. She ubispers it bis ear.

MADANTKA.
Thank God! sHarvtrere, /oo&lzg silly. Demn it, I didn't mean to rob bim it otder
to free you.
sarxvrudx\ jealously, What's going on here any\{ay, Madanika? I did
it becauseI love you. You know my family commands respect: my virtue vAsANTAsENA,
aside. l'm glad.he's sorry. He acted foolishly.
is of some worth. Is this all I get for the love and devotion I've shown for
sHARvTLAKA.
So what now, Madanika?
you-that you should love another man? Oh, I know all the tricks: a good
man duped by a cunning courtesan, like a fruit tree pecked bare by greedy M^DANIKA.You should ktlow,
birds. Lust is all. Our beauty-money, love-bah! The 6re of lust devours
I wish I did, Man learns ooly from books, but a woman is
SHARVILAKA.
them all.
born with common sense.
vasaltr.esrNa, .rrzrbzg. Poor man, he's a little worked ug.
MAD^NIKA. Well, I think you should give these jewels back to
snanvllera. Bah! I should know better. We're fools, fools. all of us who Charudatta,
 Tbe Toy Catt
The Toy Cart r 23
snanvrura. And go to jail?
SHARVILAKA,embattassed, Charudatta sends greetings.
r\TADANTKA,
Did you ever hear of heat coming from the moon?
VAsANTASENA.I am glad to receive them. You may sit.
vasautaseNeu asrde, Thank you, Madanika.
SHARVILAKA. He says his house is insecure. So he returns this box, and
sHARvILAKA.I'm not so much afraid of him, Madanika, as of myself. hopes you will not mind. He giaes it ro v,roAurr, azd srarts to leaue.
What made me do such a shameful thing? I'd feel so small having to face
vaseurasrNa. That was very thoughdul of him. Wait: I have something
him. Can't you think of anything else?
for him.
ueoaNxa. Well. . .
snanvlrara, zsrla. I didn't think of that. Alosd.What messageshall I
vAsANTASENA,
arlle. I should like to Lnow, too. take?

MADANIKA. You can always say to my mistress that you're Charudatta's VASANTASENA.
No message.Take Madanika,
servant and return the jewels to her.
SHARVTLAKA.
I don't understand,
sHARVTLAKA.
Hov will that helpl
VASANTASENA. You see, ve had an agreement that the person who
MADANIKA,Then you're not a thief. Charudatta has lost nothing, fot returned the box would get Madanika as a present from me on Charu-
my mistress has her ;'ewels. datta's behalf. So take her, and thank Charudatta for his kindness.

SHARvILATA.
What! You rob me, a robberl sHARvILAKA,aside. She's s€en through the game. Thank you, Charu-

MADANIKA.And if you don't do as I say, you'll be a real robber, with datta. Alosd. Thank you,

the guards searching for you everywhere. VAsANTASENA,

calling.ls my carriage herel

veseNt,rsuNa, asrde.I do admire you, Madanika. You're a good friend. A srxvrl.lr enters.

SHARVTLANA.
Thanks for that advice. I was lost in darkness, and yorr s!RVANT.Your carriage is ready, mistress.
came like the moon.
VASANTASENA.
You may go, Madanika. IJse my carriage. Look at me,
MADANIKA.
Wait here. l'll go tell my mistress. smile. That's better. And think of me now and then.
my girl-and

suarvrurra. Right. sobbixg. What shall I do? She falk at vasaNTasei.re'sfaat.

MADANTKA,

MADANIKA?rrdr tbe hosse and speais lo vasaluasrNa. A Brahmin Doo't be silly, my girl. Stand up. I should honor yoa now.
VASANTASENA,
from Charudatta has come to see you. ready, But think of me
Go. Everything's

VASANTASENA.
How do you know he comes from Charudatta? sHARvTLAKA. How can I thank you, sweet ]ddy? Bow to her, Madanika,
MADANIKA.I have my own ways of knowing, mistress. She has given you the dignity of a wife. Smile, Madanika,

vasartasrna, srzr?rug,Naturally. Let him come in, All tbree emerge into the cot'tfiyatd. sHARVILAKA and lr,lDANTKAsah4te
VASANTASENA and ste? into tbe carriage, u.rbicb has been @4itiag in tbe
lzADlNrKA,emerging to tbe co rt. Come in, Sharvilaka. Sbe escotts bim
i' ,o VASANTASENA.
\orcE,lrom tbe street. A proclamation by the governor! A proclamation
 r !.1 The'loy Cart The Toy Cart r2j
lry tlrr. I'.vcrrror! "To all citizens." Hear ye! "An astrologer has declared demons, used to dde around in a magnificent chariot; and it cost him tons
rlr.rt tlt, s.rr of a cowherd, by the oame of AryaLa, will be king. Therefore and tons of specialprayers, I am a simple Brahmin and I don't pray much
Kirrg I'alnka has thought 6c to arrest him and put him in solitary con6ne- but I go around with the prettiest ladies in town.
orcrt. Thcre is norhing to fear. There is nothing to fear. This is a warning."
MAID.Sir, this is the front door.
SH^RVILAKA.Aryaka, my friend, arrested! And l, married and about
to livc happily ever after! No. Two things are dear in this world: a friend M^rr!.EyA, admiringLy. You don't say! All spick and span, vell watetedi
and a mistress. But a friend is worth a hundred mistresses any d^y. I fiowers on the threshold. You look up and you're in the softnessof clouds;
must go. Hc gets doun from tbe caniagc, and, as you look downward, you see the jasmine creeper floating down,
swaying in the winds of heaven. The arch is of ivory, I see; and small
MADANTKA. Don't leave nre now, my lord. At least take me 6rst to the
glittering flags flirt wirh the newcomer. "Come," their fingers beckon,
house of one of your friends, where I can sray safely.
"come in, you're welcome." On either side thete are ctystal flowerpots,
SHARVILAKA, And so I will, my love. To tbe coa(Ituln,t. Hey you, have with young mango shoos springing up. The door itself is gold-plated,
you any idea where rhe singer Rebhila lives? diamond-studded. "Go," it tells a poor man, "go away, what are you doing
herel" But it fascinates the lover of beautiful things, even if he doesn't
COlCHlvtAN.Yes, sir.
like them expensivc.
SHARVILAKA,
Take my wife dlere,
lraro. This is the first court, sir.
CoACHMAN.Yes, sir.
MAITREYA.You don't say! Balconies white as the moon, as lilies, as sea
M^DANIKA.TaLe care of yourself, dearest. I'll be waiting for you. shells; the floor of precious mosaic; golden stairs, do(ed with gems; the
Tbe cariage diaes ber auay. stairs lead up to pearly windows, and the windows look down on Ujjain,
like round moon-faced girls. And there's the porrer, snoring in an armchair,
sn,rnvrLare, asle. Now to work. First I must get in touch with Aryaka's as comfortable as a Brahmin chanting mantras. kad on, girl.
friends-all of us who have suEeredat the hands of this king and are ready
to 6ght bacL. This is mosr ill€gal, mosr rreacherous-the act of a spinelcss M^rD. This is the second court, sir.
king. But we'll have you out, Aryaka, in no dme. How long can thcy
MAIT&EYA.You dori't say! Here fat carriage oxen, their horns glistenitrg
ecfipse the moon? Hc lcaaes.
with oil, are having a delightful time on lumPs of grass and pulse, And
A MAtp enters- there's a prize specimen: a buffalo, snorting like an indignant Brahmin.
And here's a ram, being massagedlike a wlestler' And there are horses
M^lD, Jedlzg VAs^NTASENA,Oh, what a lucky morning! A Brahmin from
being groomed; and there's a monkey tied to a post like a thief; and over
Charudacra brings you a message,mistress.
there an elephant breakfasdng on huge balls of rice and ghee. Lead on,
vAsANrAsENA.Yes, isn't it lucky? Receive him respectfully: call the girl.
chamberlain to escort him, and show rhem in to me,
MAID,This is the third court, sir,
The lauo ard vtstnrlsENl enter tha hottc by se?drate errtr4rrcer. Tbe
M^tD tc-emcrgeJ@itb rrr CHAMBERLAIN,.tbey ctuss to the stteet gate and M^IrREYA.You don't say! Here are seatsfor Ujjain's gay blades; a half-
bow ceremonio*iy ,o MAITREvA. read book on a gambling table; dice made of gems. And there are hangers-
on, the courtesansskilled in the hot and cold techniques of love. I seethem
MAITREYA,enteing. What do you know! Ravana, the lotd of the lazing with pictures in their hands. Nexr, girl,
 Tbc Toy Cart t27
Tbe Toy Cart
It,rrrr. lhis is thc fourth court, sir. MAD. This is the scventh court. sit.

rry^. You don't say! Drums here, for feminine fingers to make a MAITREYA. Doves billing and cooing; parots croaking li[e overfed Brah-
^r^n mins; a housemaid of a mynah ordering the servants about; a koel, throat
rroisc lil<c murmudng clouds; and the music of the cymbals, like stars
frlling through space;the voice of the flute, like a humming of bees.Here crammed with sweet syrups, gurgling like a water carrier. Quail 6ghting:
is a girl plucking the vina, wirh excitable 6ngers, like a jealous firt scratch- partridges wailing; pigeons being reased.A peacock fans the heated walls
ing her lover's face; and a group of girls singing-a song like a swarm of with a glittering tail. And on this side are swans, balls of moonlighr,

honey-drunk bees. Here some are dancing; there others are rehearsing; chasing pretty girls, swinging as rhey go; and cranes here, like eunuchs
there still others are reciting. Grass fans swinging to send down tlrc cool guarding a palace. A vhole zoo here, I see. Vy'ell, what next?
breeze.What next, girl? MAID.We shall now go to rhe eighth court, sir.

lraro. This is the 6fth court, sir. MAITREYA.Who is that, that overdressedman in silk, stumbliog as he
wanders about, his body covered rdth superfluorr ornamentsl
NTAITREvA, You don't say! How my mouth waters! Such an overpowering
odor of oil and spiceslOut of the kitchen emergepuffs of steam, sighs from MAID.The brother of my mistress, sir.
the half-open mouths of ovens kept lighted twenty-four hours a day.
MAITREYA.He must have done a lot of penance in his last birth to be so
Delicious! Incomparablel Here the kitchen boy skins the meat, shapel€ss
lucky in this! Yet he's not too happy, poo, fellow: a champak
as used linen; thcre the pastry cook is at his magic: sweets and cakes and "irer "ll,
tree in a burial ground-fragranr brrt ofI limits. And who is that lady on
satces. Aside- Oh, if I could just wash my feet and fall rol Alosd. And
that throne, with shoeson her oiled feet and wearing expensive muslin?
there are courtesans and young boys. God, but isn't this heaven! And
those young men-what might be their vork here? MAID, My mistress's mother.

varo. They have no fathers or mothers, sir, They live in a strange house, MArIRE].A.Talk about wirches having a gay time! God, what a mighty
they earn their money from strangers, they eat strange food, But they belly she has! How did she get in? Or did you 6rst put her on the throne
have a nice time of it; they're as happy as baby elephants. and then build the house around her?

MATTREYA.
Next, girl. MAID. Don't be impertinent. Can't you see that she is suffering from
a trouble that makes her that way?
MAID,This is rhe sixth court, sir.
MAITREYA.Oh, blessedtrouble that makes her that way! Come, fall on
i\,IArrREyA.You don'r sayl The gate is of gold and diamonds, the rest of
this poor Brahmin, O blessedtrouble! Favor me, favor me!
sapphires; it all sparkles like a rainbow. They seem very busy here.
|ewelers
at work, I see: with pearls, topazes, sapphires,emeralds, rubies, coral, and MAID.What impudence! You should die of shame before spcaLing like
lapis lazuli. Some are setting rubies in gold; some are threading gold that-
jewelry; some are stringing pearls; some are polishing lapis lazuli, some
MAITREYA.Me die? Let the fat one die insrcad, let her die 6rst, swollen
coral; some are piercing shells. Wet bundles of saffron are being dried,
with wine and age. She'll supply dinner for a thousand jackals. I had
sandalwood ground, perfumes mixed. Betel leaves are being served to
heard a lot of praise for Vasantasena'spalace,but now I can hardly believe
courtesansand their lovers-flirting and laughter and drinking and merri-
my eyes.Is this the house of a courtesanor rhe palaceof the god of wealth?
ment. And there are the scum: those who have left wife and children and
Where's your mistressl
fotune, and hang about for pleasure.They stand and drink-and drink.
Lead on, girl. MAID.In the galden, sir. Here,
 "l,^,t*o"^, Tbe Toy Cart r29
looking arcud.Ah, heaveoly! Trees bent vesartasrna, arile. Shall I cll him the tflt h? Sbe lcflects; tben speahs
rich with fowers. Silk swings under the trees, just the ""::::,:::
size for a young Dalf a/ord. No. Not now,
sweet girl. Jasmine, malati, full-blown mall;ha, sephaliha blossoms on rhe
ground, And rhe pool is white as dawn, irs lotuses red as suns. The asoka MArrREy^, bo?cftally, thinki g shc bas spoken to him. Yot will not
tree is spattered with fiery blossomslike a warrior bloodstained from battle. accept the necklace?
Perfect! Where is your mistress? Why not, Maitreya? Sbe takes it and 4tessesit to ber
VASANTASENA.
waro. If you lowered your eyes, sir, you would seeher. heart, speaking aside. The mango tree is dry, yet droPs of honey fall from
its branches, Alord, Sir, tell Charudatta, who is a noble gambler, that I
MAITRExA.Ah, there! He approaches
'ttst'rurasrua. I bring you greet- .hall call on him this evening.
ings, lady.
r\rArrREyA, aside. What for? What more does she vant? Alotd' I will,
vasaurasrNa, speaAingix Sanshit. Ah,Maitreya. Pleasemake yourself
my lady. Aside, And I hope that will be the errd of our acquainance! Fft
comfortable. You are very welcome here.
leaaes,escorted by the chamberlain.
MA.r-t&ErrA,rcn ailting statding. Thank you, He sits doun only after she
, Take this necklace; and come with me to Charudatta's'
VASANTASENA,

rrAID. But a storm is coming up: look how dark the sky is.
vaseNrasrua, I hope Charudatta is well.
VASANTASENA. Let it come. Let it fain till the world ends. How does it
MATTREYA,
Very well, thank you,
touch me? I am going to meet t}re man I love. Take this necklace' and come
VASANTAsENA. Maitreya, do birds still find shelter under the gentle with me.
boughs of that excellen! tree, whose leaves are virtues, whose roots ar.e
They both leaue.
courage, whose flowers are honor, and whose fruir is goodness?
C U R TA IN
M^rrREyA, aside.A pretty sentence,that! Aloud.They do.

vASANTAsENA.
And what brings you here, Maitreyal

:uenteye. This: Charudatta sends his greetings-He ioins bis Valms.-

and wishes-
ACT V
vAsANTASENA,
joining ber palms ----commands-
CHARUDAfiAis seen seated ,6der a shclter in his garden-
l,ralrnrya. He wishes me to repon rhat he has lost the golden box. He
lost it at the gambling table, and the keeper has gone away on royal CHARUDATT^, looking ap.It is going to storm. The peacocks and the
business. swans are disturbed; so is the lover far from home. As the clouds climb,
the lightning flashesbriefly, arrd the rain sPattersdown' prelude to silver
VAsANTAsENA, urllr. He is too proud to admit that a thief stole it. I love
."rcales. And the clouds keep gathering-a shoal of dolphins, a soaring of
him all the more for that.
swans, a crowd of warriors, ddven by the wind, cluttering the sky' Fle
MAITRExA.And he asks you to accept this pearl necklace in lieu of the ,efleits. Maitreya should be back by now.
lost box.
\t^r'tRE entering by tbe gilluorh gate. Scheming selfish woman! Not
^,
 Tbe Toy Cart t3t
r30 Tbe Toy Cart

a word, not one civil word; she iust pockes the necklace. And she isn't Mlr-trlEya,dside.You cao't argue with a man in love. I warned him to
cxactly the nadir of poverty, is she? She could have said, "Maitreya, my keep clear; but, from the way he sighs and moans, tlut seems only to
good friend Maitreya, sit down; here are sweetsfor you, and a cool drink." encouragehim. Alotld. She said she would drop in this evening. She's
But no, not even a miserly glass of water. Damn het! What they say is probably looking for mole than a necklace.
right: "There's no such thing as a lotus without a root, a goldimi.h vith- CHARUDATTA.Let her come. She will not go away unsatis6ed'
out a swindle, a village meeting without a quarrel or a courtesan without
Jdt|,4nt, it seen at tbe gate-
KUMBHILA(A,vAsANTAsENA'r
sel6shness,"I must tell Charudatta to keep a safe distance away from
such women. I{e seas cH,ttuol.rta. Ah, he's out here in the gatden. He KUMBHILAKA,to blmself- What a downpour! The more it rains, the
approaches.Looks like a storm blowing up. wetter I get; dre wetter I get, the more I shiver. Brr, it's a cold night
cHARUD^rrA,rising dnd coming lotuad to grcet binr, So it does. It is olrrtside.He la*ghs suddenly, A nice day for a genius like me, who plays
good to see you back, Maitreya. Come io here and sit down, the flute and sings like a god! All I do is carry messagesfrom Vasantasena
ro Charudatta, Ile saes cuaruoet.ra. He's here in the garden-and that
uarrnry,r, Thanks, blithering fool Maitreya is with him. The garden gate's closed. I'll prod
cnanuoarra. What news, my friendl him. He tbrotas mrd qellets at MAITREYA.

rrArrREYA, It's-over, fi nishcd. MAtrREyA, What's this? Lumps of mudl What am I, a man or an
apple treel
CHARUDATTA.
Why-did she tefuse to takc the necklace?
Oh, ic's very likely the pigeons.
CH^RUDATT^.
lrarrntvl. No such luck! She grected mc with her lotus-soft palau joined
very respecdully-and took the necklace. MATTREYA. Dirty-minded pigeons! This stick raill show you! I'll bring
you down, nests and He stdrts to rr'n at tb.rn uitb hit st|fr'
csanuoarr,r. Then what did you mean by saying, "k's over, finished"? ^ll,
cHARUDArra, hold;ng hlm bach by the sacted tbread. Calm down,
MAITREIA.A damned pretty bargain, wasn't it, giving away a fabulous Maitreya. Poor little pigeons. Leave them alone'
necklace for a shiny gold box that a thicf ran oft with? What did we gec
out of it? KUMBHILAKA. The blithering fool! He seesthe pigeons but can't seeme.
Here goes another. F/e tbrolt)s.nother mad pellet.
CHARUDATTA.
Don't be silly, She trusted us. Thar's reward enough.
MATTREYA,look;ng *p. Anothetl Seeing no ?igeofl ooerhedd' he lookt
MAITRExA.That isn't all. She'd tipped oII her naids, and they vere
aturnd bim.Oh,it's you, Kumbhilaka. Wait-He goes and opelLttbe g4te.
giggling behiod my back, veiling their faces. Giggling at a Brahmin!
Come in, come in. What brings you here?
Please,I beg of you, keep away from her. She will destroy you. A courte-
san's liLe a thorn in the foot: you'll have a hell of a painful time getting it KUMBHILAKA,ertering. Ttank you, sir.
out. It's a good warning that says, "Keep away ftom a courtesan, an ele-
MAITREv . Well, what briogs you here, in spite of the wind and rain?
phant, an accountant, a begging monk, a snooper,a swindler, and an ass.
If you don't, you're asLing for trouble." KUMBHILAKA.ShC SCNIMC.

cHARt DATTA.What nonsense, Maitreya! I am poor-isn't that protec- \rArrREYA.5hel Wrlo( Wnor
tion enoughl What can she want of mel I have nothing to give her. Such
women are gold diggers: no money, no love. KUMBHIL^KA.She. See?She.
 t;2 Tbe Toy Cart Tbe 'loy Cart I3J
\rAtrREyA. What's all this she-she-she-ingabout, you clod, you wheezy ]ITAITREYA,tttrning bis Ieet in. Sena-]9asa'j.tal
beggarl Who? Whol Who?
No! The words! Turn the tuord.raround!
KUMBHILAKA.
KUMBHILAKA.What's all this who-who-who-ing about, you frightened
owl of a fool? M,{rrREyArafter deep rcflcction, Vasanta-sena.

MAITREYA.Come, man, let's talk sense. Right, She's here.

KUMBHTLAKA.

KUMBHILAKA.First, a riddle for you. MAITREYA.I must tell Charudatta. He goes to Sir, a
creditor's here,
MAITRExA.And a box on the cars for you.
A creditor? In my house?
CTTARUDATTA.
KUMBITILAKA.
If you solve it, Here it is, In what seasoodoes the mango
tree blossom? MArrREyA. Not in the house----at the door, Vasantasena is here.

MAtrREyA.That's easy. In summer. CHARUDATTA. No!

KuMBHTLAKA,ginnizg. Wrong. ueInsre. Kumbhilakasaysso.Hey, Kumbhilaka!Comehere,

rlllr-tB.EyA,reflecting. Wait. I'll ask Charudatta, He goes over to caanu- approaching.Sir, I bring you greetings,
KUMBHTLAKA,
oarra. Sir, when does the mango tree blossom? CHARUDATTA. really here?
Is Vasantasena
CHARUDATTA,
In spri ng, of co]urse,in tasanta. KUMBHILAKA. Yes, sir,

r\TAITREyA,
,ettrlrring to KUMDHTLAKA.
In spring, of course, in uasatta. cHARr.,DArrA, ioyfully, Yo|u are a bringer of good news. Take this; it's
KUMEHTLAKA.
That's it. Now another. Who protccts the cities? my gift to yot He gtucs ruv'sHrrrx^ bis sbaul.

larrnrye, The town guard, of course, KUMBHILAKA.Yes sir. He goes o*t to idorrn YASANTASENA.

KUMDHILAKA,gri n nin g. W rcng, MAITREYA.There you are. There's oDly one reason why she comes out
on a foul night like this.
l,lnrxn t t , calling ro cHARUDA:rrA.Sir, who guards the cities?
CHARUDATTA.
What's that?
CHARIJ'DAITA.The army, of course, the senz.
MArrREyA.Oh, I can tell. She thinks the necklace isn'r worth the price
MAITREYA,to KUMBI{ILAKA. The army, of course, the .reza. of drc casket and she wants morc. Take my word for it.

KUMBHTLAKA,That's it. Now, quick, quick, put the rwo togerher, cnarumana, asrle. She will get what she comes for.

MAITREIA. Scra, atmy, Vasanta, spring. Sena-vasanta! VAsANTAsENAenteft, bedr4rifr.lly dtessed as a uoman who go4 to meet
bet looer- Sbe is accompanied by 4 cotatier and a maid ruith an umbrella.
xuvsHllaxa. No, no, thc otler way round.
Welcomc her in.
CTTARUDATTA,
MArrREyA, ?ieoring arosnd. Sena-va.sattz.
MArrREyA, approaching Vasantasena res?ectlslly. Vy'e are honoted to
KUMaHLAKA, Idiot! Clod! Moron! Turn the stems around!
receiveyou.
 r34 Tbe Toy Catt Tbe Toy Cart r35

VAsANTAsENA. Yolr flatter me. Thank yo.u. To tbe couRTrER.Sir, the M^rD, atide, The cheek of him!
maid will attend you with rhe umbrella.
lJile. No, he's just being careful.
VASANTAsENA,
couRTIER,arile, I can take a hirc. Aloud.No, thank you. He leaoes.
llam. My mistress has come to inquire the value of the pearl necklace
vASANTAsENA.
Now, Maitreya, where is the good gamblerl given to her.
MAITREvA, aside- "Good gambler"! A nice way to begin. Aloud, Ovet MAI\RErA, asiile to cHARUDATTA.Didn't I say so? She wants something
therc, madam, in the dry garden. better.
vasalu,rsnv,r. Dry? How is that? MAID. You see, she gambled it away. And now the keePer of the gam-
lrarnrxa. Nothing to eacor drink. vaselrasrul srrr-,las,
Pleasecome in. bling house has left on royal business,so she can't 6nd out what it's really
worth.
vAsANrAsENA,drile to tbe MAID.What shall I say? How shall I begin?
MArrREyA,aside. Tit tor tat. I've heard that before.
lltto, aside ,o vAsANTASENA,
"Cood eveniog, Sir Gambler."
llap. In the meantime, while we're searching for him, my mistress asks
vAsANTAsENA,
arile. I can't. I shouldn't dare.
you pleaseto accept this gold box. She thous tbe box. llAfirEYA looks at
u,tro, aside. Don't worry, You will at the right time. it sbarply. Sit, you are examining it very closely, Have you seen it before?

MAITREvA.Pleasecome in, This way. MAITREYA.No, but it's a re.l work of art. Very pretty'

VASANTASENA, erteling and playfully throuing a floruer at CHARUDATTA. MAD. You aren't v€ry sharp. It's the same gold box.
Good evening, Sir Gambler. M^r'tRE]f^, joyfttlly. k is! Charudatta, here's the gold box that the thief
CHARTJ'DATTA,
r/srzg, Vasantasena! It is so good to see you. Believe me, carried away from our house.
I have been most unhappy. Please sit down. No, here. The trick we played on her is n6w being played back on
CHARUDATTA.
MATTREY^.
Flele, us. I can't believe it. The box may look the same,but it can't be.

VASANTASENA
JirJ doun; tben the otbers. MAITREYA.But it is. As I am a Brahmin, it is the very same box.

cnanuoarra. But you are dripping wet, Vasantasena. I can see the drops CHARUDATTA,If true, this is splendid news.
trickling down from the fiower in your ear. Maitreya, bring her a new
Shall I ask where they found itl
ll,ttrnext, aside to cHARUDATTA.
dress: she should change into something dry.
dside to M^IIREYI A reasonable question. Do.
CHARUDATTA,
ttutpeyl loohs at oxe of cutrr.uor^ttt's maids.

r'rato, No, wait, Maitreya. l'll go. Sbe goes to get the d/e$.
ear. So. , .pss. . .pss. . .
v,A!D,.tbis?ering in MATTREYA'j
MArr\E:"A, 4side to CHARUDATTA.
May I ask her a question?

CHARUDATTA.
Of course. ounuolrra. What is it? Why not tell us?

MAlrREyA. Why do you come here, madam, at this time of night-a t*rr.ext, ear. So. . .pss.. .pss.. .
whispering in CHARUDATTA's
night so dark, moonless, windy, and rainingl
,o ,ra MaIu. So this is the same gold box.
CIIARUDATTA,
 ,{ Tbe Toy Cart Tbe Tby Cart r 37
rrtato. Yes, sir, A hundrcd yean of thunder, a hundrcd of lightning.
CHARUD^TTA. That is good news. Here, take this ring from me: it's for They are my friends :
you. He leels his fnger, f.ads tbere is no ing,and is cxtremely embarrasseil. They have given me my love.
My love is in my arms.
VASANTAsENA,
aside. F{ow lovable he is. Happy is he who embraces his love in rfie rain.
CHAnuDAT'IA,dside to MArrREyA.What's the use of living, Maitreya, if Vasantascna,dearest, the door creaks,
a man has no mone/ at all? His anger is futile; his love is futile. Birds The walls are miserably wet;
without wings, pools without water, trees without leaves, snakes wirhout The monar is cracked, the roof will leaL-
v€nom-such afe the Poof, Nothing will last.
Oh, see the tongue of lightning licking the yawning sky!
MAITR-EIA,aside to cle.At.uDl-fiA. But you mustn't take it so seriously.
Aload, latgbingly, And I should like, madam, to get back my towel in But now look, look at the ninbow!
which the box was wrapped when the thief took it. Seehow its arms rise in holy prayer!
VASANTASENA, ignorihg bifi. It was not right of you, Charudatta, to Now ir is time to sleep.
send this pearl necLlace in place of the stolen box. you think very poorly Sleep will comc sweeter with these pebbly drops
of me to hav€ done so. Splattering on palm lcaves,falling on brooks;
Like a lute, and a voice singing,
CHARUDATTA.
Who would have believed the truth? The world is merciless Like a lute-the rain, and the music of the raio.
to the poot.
C U R TAIN
MATTREYA,
to tbe M^rD. And you-are you going to spend the night
here?

MArD. Thar's not very polite, sir, ACT VI

MAITREYAj,o CHARUDATTA.
The storm has started again, and the rain is A room ir cng\uorrrA's ,orre. vAsANTAsENA's
NrArDert?ru.
simply tumbling down.
MAID.Not awake yet? It's time she was up. I must wake lter. She sces
CHARUDATTA. FIow well you put it. V^SANTAsENAcoming, rubbing ber eyes. It's morning, mistress.
The nins pietce through the clouds, as lorus roots
Pierce the soil, softly, as if So soon? Is the sun up?
VASANTASENA,
Weeping for the absent moon.
MArD.It's certainly up for us.
My dearest, Iook at the sLy, black-haired, scented with wind.
The lightning scoopsher into his arms, VASANTASENA.
And where is our excellent gambler?
Tenderly but fiercely, as lover does lover, MArD.He rose, gave Vardhamanaka his orders and went to the Push-
vasauresal,t, rzab/e to control ber feelings, embraces bim. CHAR[JDA-:IA pakaranda fower garden.
g*ts bis arms aroand ber. VASANTASENA.
Did he leave any message?
Let tlre clouds alone, Maitreya.
MAID. He told Vardhamanaka to have the carriage ready before dawn.
Let it rain a hundred years, Hc said to take you-
 ,38 Tbe TbyCart Tbe Toy Cart r39
VASANTASENA. Where?
RADANIKA.
This is Rohascna,Charudaaa's son.
M^ID. To join hin in rhe garden.
VASANTASENA. Oh, how nice! Come, young man, put your arms around
vasaNr,rsnve, eralracing her.Last ni?bt I hardly got a good look at his llre. Shc takes bim on ber lap; he beg;ns to cly qraietly. Why, he's just
face. Now I shall see him to my hean's content, Tell me, did I enter the like his father!
inner court last nightl
R DANIKA,And good, like his father. Charudatta loves him more ttan
MAID. Not only the inner coun but into everyone's heart. anything in tl.re world.

VASANTAsENA.
His peoplc must be worried. vAsANrAsENA.But why is he crying?

vato. They vill be. naoarxe. Well, t}re neighbor's son vas given a gold toy cart; and
Rohaseoaliked it and wantcd it. I made him this clay one; but he says he
vasalqrasrnr. Wten?
doesn't like it, he wants one made of gold,
vam. When you leavc.
VAsANTAsENA,aside. How sad, that a linle boy should suffer because
VAsANTASENA. Then my worries vill begin. She speaks s@eetly. Hete, othets ate rich. Sbe represscs a sob, Don't cry, young man: you shall have
take this pearl necklace and give it to my good sister, his wife. Tell her a gold cart.
from me: "I admire Charudatta, therefore I admire you too. I send vou
RoHASENA.Who are you?
these pearls: they are yours; rhey look prettier on you."
VASANTASENA.
I came to see your father.
varo. But Charudatta won't like dut.
nao,wm,r. She is a friend of your morher, Rohasena.
vASANTAsENA.
That isn't your worry. Do as I tell you.
nonaspne. She can't be: she wean so many gold things, Mother doesn't.
Tbe uuo goes inside and retarns promptly.
VAsANTASENA, sobbitg and remouing bet orhamcntt. There. Now I'm
r,,raro.Shesays: "My husband gave the necklace to you. It is yours. It
. your mother's friend. Take these and buy a gold cart for yourself.
is not proper for me to take it back. Besides, the only ornamedt I valuc is
my husband." nonesrua. No, I won't. Because you're crying.

RADANIKAE''?'J, CHARUDATTt'SJO., ROHASENA. VASANTASENA,rur?rrg ber eyes, No,I'm not. See?Sbe fills tbe clay cart
'Ti',
uitb het ornaments, There, go get a gold cart.
RADANIKA.Won'r you give me a ride on your toy cart?
n-qoaNxa aal RoHASENAleaue by tbe strcet g,re, dnd ,neet \Atc,i.j.A-
P.oH^SENA,ilritably. No. I don't want this toy cart. I don't want a clay
xttttt'xt, palling tt? in 4n ox-cdnidge.
cart. I want a gold can.
VAaDHAMANAKA.RadaniLa, tell her tlre carriage is ready.
RAD^NIK^, ex4s?erdted. Gold at your age! When we have plenty of
money, we'll buy you a gold cart. Meanwhile, isn't this a sweet cart? Oh, R.ADANIKA,rc-cttcring the botse. Vardhamanaka is here and says the
look, there's Vasantasena.Say good morning. carriage is ready.

vasANTAsENA.Radanika. How nice to seeyou. Oh, what a sweet child. vasaNr,rspre. Tell him l'll be coming in a minute.
Who is he? Ln'r he sweet? But he's so badly dressed-
F.solNrxr., sbo*ing to vAIDHAMANAK^.Wait a little, Vardhamanaka.
 t.l) Tbe Toy Can Tbe Toy Cart r4t

V^RD[I^j\{ANAKA, loohing into tbe bach of tbc carriage. Damn, I've lefc Or am I just tired from helging them with the bogged wheels? Giddap!
rhc cushions behind! I'll have to go back and get them. But these beasts Giddap! Move on, my beauties!
arc too jumpy to be left alone. Oh, I'll be back in a jifty- He driues auay
\orcE, ofrstdge. Police! Police! The traitor is loose! The jailer is killed!
vASANTASENA, to bei own maid. Jurt get me my outer rhings; I'll put All guards at their posts! The traitor is loose!
them on myself.
ddsbes fr4ttically ort of the ctowd, dragging tbe cbdins on bis
STHAVARAKA,
SANSTHANAKA'r ^\:rAK^
Jrrt 4nt, driucs bis cafiidge into the sqrrarc leet, and concealing bis face uith bis hands.

sTHAvARAKA, There's going to be trouble here. I'd better clear out while
srHAvAR^KA.What a jam! And Sansthanaka has ordered me to take there's time. He dioes tbe cattiage rapidly off-
the carriage to the Pushpakaranda flower garden and to be qtrick about
to bimse\.It's behind me, that terrible seaof jail and suflering
itl Giddap! Giddapl The carriage aduanccs a lntle, and he stands up to ^RrAK^,
look arosnd. A real traffic jam: village carts everywhere. What no,ri Ha -all on account of the tyratrnous Palaka. Thank God. It's worth it, even
if I must drag these broken ankle chains along wherever I go. Thanks,
shons. Hey, you! Make room! Mov€ over, move over! Who am 1? Me?
Sharvilaka: you're the one who got me our, What shame! Snatched away
Sir, it may interest you ro know that I am the driver of Sansthanaka, the
from my house, shoved into a dingy cell, left to die-all becausea trem-
king's own brother-inlaw. Mote ooer, move! Make room, thcrel pull ro
bfing king is afraid of an astrologer'swordsl He raiseshis ooice. What did I
the left, you! He looks up abead.Why, ther€'s someoderunning as if the
do? What did I do to deservethis, to be treated as a wild beastl If the stars
devil wasat his heels.Probably a welshing gambler. Who can he bc? There,
said something, is that my fault? Can I 6ght fate? Can I change fatel Ffa
he's lost in the crowd. It's none of my busincssanyway. Hey, you village
loohs atound- Here's a gate left ajar. Some kind man doesn't believe in
louts, get a move on! I don't care if you're bogged down, What, give you
locks. The hinges are rusted; fate's not been kind to dris man either. I'll
ahand? Me, give you a hand? The driver of Sansthanakagive y ot ahand?
slip in.
All right, all right, just one little push. I'll stop here, in front of Charu-
datta's garden gate. He jamps doun axd goes to belp, lea|.)ing tbe catiage VARDHAMANAKA'S
v orcE, ofrsrdge- Giddap! Giddap!

ARr^KA, ?assing at tbe gate, A carriage! If it's a rich man's carriage

MAID.That must have been the carriage driving up; I heard the wheels.
returning empty from town, or some noble lady's, or even a bunch of
VASANTASENA.
I feel neryous. See me to the gate. villagers-this is the thing for me!

uaro. This way, mistress. VARDHAMANAKA

re-enterc, dtiuin g CHARUDATTA'J
ox-caniage.

vAsANT^SENA.
Thar will do. Now go and rest. There, now I have the cushions. Fle calls. Radanika,

M^rD.'fhank you, She ledoet. tell Vasantasenathe carriage is waiting to take her to the Pushpakaranda
flower garden.
VASANTASENA, passing tbrough the gate aul getting into s^Ns-[H^-
N^KA'I c4rliage, Why should my right eye twitch? It's a bad omen. But ARYAKA.A courtesan's carriage goiog out of the city! I'm lucky. Ilc
what does ir mattetl Meeting Charudarta will cancel all bad omens. approacbesslowly.

srHAy^R^KA,rcttlrnizg. There, rhe road's cleat now, Off | go. He climbs bearing the sound of tnxtxt's
VARDHAMANAKA, btoken ankle cbains.
rp and driuet ofl, speahing to bimsclf , Whv does the carriage feel heavieri The tinkling of anklets! That must be her. I have to manage these oxen,
 Tbe Tby Cart Tbe Tby Cart r43

rrrisrrcss:pleaseget in at the back. txy/'d. climbs in. There, the vrRAKA.Whyl

carriage
slumps to the.right vith more rreight. Giddap, you lazy lumps,
gidda!! It's Charudatta's.
He stalts to drioe ofr. CHANDANAKA.

\IR.AK^, a ca?tain of the guatd, cnters, uitb guards, vIMKA. And who is Charudatta, who is Vasantasena, that this carriage
shall pass without being seatchedl
vrnlKr. Here. all of you! you,
.. faya, you, fayamana.Mangala, pushpa_
bhadra: ,ump to it, my fine fellows-there.s no time to."rte. CHANDANAKA. You haven't heard of Charudatta? Not even of Vasanta-
Th. toito" tnan, haven't you heard of the moon, of moonlight? They
cowherd is loose: the king can't sleep any more. you. take tbe senal My poor
easr gate;
you, the west; you. the south; you. rhe nonh. I,jl climb rhis old are the 6nes! citizens in our noble Ujjain.
walliere
and look around. F1e cal&. ChandanaLa, follow me! vrRAKA.That's all very well, but I have my duty to do. My own father

CHANDANAKA, can't passhere without a ProPer search.

4rotr?t ca?tain, entels, tuitb mote gaards.
If that's dre way you feel, go ahead.
CHANDANAKA.
CHANDANAKA. Vraka, Vishalya, come onl Dandalaka, Dandashura,
_-
Bhimangada, come onl Hop to it!----or the old Ling will be out and a new VIRAKA.Oh, you look in.
king in, Searchthe sueers,the roads, the gardens,ihe houses,
lhe markets,
the shops-leave oot one stone unturned! Where will he escape cHANDANAKAclimbs tt? the bach of tbe carri4ge, ?eers ir' and fixds
as long as
ARYAKA.
Chandanaka livesl

vrnexa. Well, the bird's been fown since dawn. And ARYAKA.Please, don't give me awaY.
he has many
friends outside. "frapped like a poor
CHANDANAKA. You have my word, Aryaka. Aside.

V^RDHAMANAKA. bird. But I know he isn't guilty. Besides he's Sharvilaka's friend, and
Giddap! Giddap!
Sharvilaka savedmy life once. l'll die for them- and happily too-if I have
CHANDANAKA,seeing ,be caniage. What's this doing hetel
A covered rc. He gets down: then speaks ro vinnxn. l'm afraid that he-l mean, she.
caniage-mighty suspicious! Search it. Vasantasena-thinks it highly improper to insult her in this fashion on
the royal road.
vIsAKA. Stop, you! Whose carriage is this? Who's inside? Where
are
you going? VIRAKA.He-she--does, eh?

VARDHAMANAKA. Charudatta's carriage,sir. I am taking mistressVasanta_ That's what I said.

CHANDANAKA.
sena, who is inside, to meet Charudatta in the puslpakaranda flower
VIRAK^,I don't like this "he-she" shuftling, my friend.
garden.
Are you mad? Can't a man make a slip of the tongue, like
CHANDANAKA.
VIR^KA,,o CHANDANAKA. He says it belongs to Charudafia; Vasantasena any honest person?
is inside it, and he's taking her to Pushpakaranda.
VIRAKA,Can't a second honest person take a look too? The king has
CHANDANAKA.
Fle may pass. ordered it. I obey the king
VIMKA, You mean without a search? You mean I don't obey the king?
CHANDANAKA.
CHANDANAKA.
Without a search. vrRAKA.The king has ordered a general search.
 r44 Tbe Toy Cart 'f be Toy Cart
45
CHANDANAKA,aside. If tlte Ling is told that Aryaka was hiding io
Hey, you! Driver! Wait! I rz
VIRAKA. searchit!
Charudatta's carriage, Charudatta vill have quite a job of explaining to
do. I'll give Viraka a dose of South lndian thetoric. Aloul. Viraka, I have As vrsAKA starts to climb into tbe carriage, cutvotr'ttrt gtabs him by
searched the carriage, and now you tell rne you're going to search it again? tbe bair, p*lls him dotut and kichs him.
4s my name is Chandanaka, and as I sand here, what the devil does rhis vrRAKA, isi g; speahing dolertly. You bloody swine! What does this
mean? Who are you, sir, to challenge my competence?
men? I was only doing my dury. Why, I'll have you dragged in.o court
vrnara. Damn and blast! And who are yoz, sir, may I ask? and whipped. My name's not Viraka if I don't; Viraka doesn't forget so
easily. Yolu'll see.He leaoes.
CHANDANA(A.
A person of eminence, worthy of your respect. You are
- cneuoerera, sloatiz g altct bim.Ron to the palace,run to rhe court, you
low-caste.
dog. Run with your tail between your legs. Who cares?To vanonll'rauarl,
VIRAKA. Low.castel My family, low-castel
Drive on, quick. If anyone stops you, say that Viraka and Chandanaka
CHANDANAKA.
The less said about it. the better. have already searched the cattiage. To anvara. My lady Vasantasena, a
passport for you. He hands ouer bis satord to tpvdrt.
vnaxa. Say it!
anvara. Thanks, friend. This brings my courage back. I'm safe now.
CHANDANAKA,Oh, what's the usel It wouldn't help. You can't restorc a
ronen apple. CHANDANAKA. Remember mq sir-my name is Chandanaka. I spcak
frcm love, not selfishness.
vrRAKA.Go on, say it!
envaxe. I shall indeed. Fate sent you to me, my friend. If everything
CHANDANAKA
mahes a gestue to sbou tbat VIRAKAir u learhel-rtitcber.
turos out iight, I'll remember you very specially.
cn,tqoeNara. Ddn'r you deal in dead skins? Stitch flesh and bonesl Cut
cnaNoerexe, God give you courage and luck, sir. vanpnalrar diuet
tough sLins-lJe gerlare.r.-like rhis, and this, and rhis? And now you're ^\.A
tbe catriage of; CHANDANAKAstands gazing after it, bis b4ch to tbe 4,4di-
a captain! A captaio of the king!
cice. I seemy friend Sharvilaka following at a discreet distance. Good! I
VIRAKA.A nice caste you come from, Chandanaka! Or have you for- had better tell my family to join him, too: Viraka is no doubt up to mis-
gottenl chief behind my back.

cUANDANAKA,
Forgotten whatl I'm as pure as the moon. He leaaes.

vrRAKA.Let's forget such things, shall wel CU R TAIN

cHANDANAKA.
Go on, say it! What?

vrMKA. Pure as the moon! Your fathet was a drum, your mother was a
kettledrum, your btother is a rambourine. You----a captain, a captain of the
ACT VII
king! Bah! cH^RTJDATTAand vtrtxtxl atc sect utalhirg in tbe P*sbVakaranda

CHANDANAKA, /orizg ,is tem?er.I, a tanner? Chandanaka, a tanner? Alt flouet garden.
right, go on, go on and search the carriage!
\TAITREYA.
Such a lovely garden,
 r46 Tbe Toy Catt The'loy Cart r47
cHARUDATTA, Yes, pretty as a market: here are the trees, small shop- Vasantasena! It's mister Vasantasena!
_
keepers with glittering rhings; and the bees,like the king's offi.e.s, busiiy
collecting taxes. CHARUDATTA.What a time to choose for jokiog, Maitreya! Here, let
me help her. He ites 4fid a??roacbes.
MArTsEyA,This is a nice stone seat. Fie nrotions CHLRTJDL-ITA
to sit on it.
ARrAKA,aside. That's the man. He not only is noble; he looks every
cHARUDATTA,sitting dorun. Vardhamanaka ukes his own rime, doesn'r inch a good man. I'm safe.
.
ner
cHARUDATTA, redlrg ARxAKA.A man! Strong, brawny, fierce-eyed.Why
MAITREYA.I told him to hurry, that chain on his feetl Sir, who are you?
cuanuuaru. Why does he take so long then? Is the carriage too heavy ARYAK^.Aryaka, a herdsrnan. I need your help.
for the oxen? Did a wheel break? A tree fall acrossthe roadf Did he lose
his way? cHARUDATTA.
The same Aryaka whom the king atrested out of fear?

vARDHAMANAKA
ente6, dtiting tbe carriage in uhicb ARr^KAis hiding. ARYAKA.Yes.

VARDHAMANAKA.
Giddap, you! CHARUDATTA. You are welcome to my help. Fate has brought you here,
so I cannot refuse you. Vardhamanaka, remove that chain.
enraxa, asrde. Safc for the time being. But shat next? Here I am, in a
stranger's carriage, like a koel's eggs in a crow's nest. But the chains are VARDHAMANATA,
doing so, k's quickly done, sir.
still on my legs, and the Ling's spies are everywhere. At least I,m far anyaxa. Now I am bound to you by a stronger chain.
outside rhe city. Shall I hide here in this garden? Or shall I wait till rhe
owner of the carriage comes and appeal to him? They say Charudatta is MATTREYA.
And now, away with you! Now he's free, our work is over.
a 6ne man and always ready to help, I'll wait till he comes. It will help me Shall we go?
to meet him and talk to him. CHARUDATTA.
You should be ashamed of yourelf, Maitreya.
VARDHAMANAKA.
Flere we are, Ho, Maitreya! ARYAKA.Charudatta, you musr forgive me: I made use of your carriage
without your permission.
I TAITREYA.
Thar's the voice of our friend Vardhamanaka, Vasantasena
is here. CHARUDATTA.
I am glad you behaved ioformally.

CHARUDATTA.
Welcome her to the garden. ARxAKA.I rhank you for your kindness, and, with your permission, I
should like to leave.
MArrREy^, going to tbe gatc. And why are you so filthy late, Var-
-- CHARUDATTA.
dhamanaka? You have my permissioo. Hc uatchcs ARrAK^ get doun
Irom tbe catriage. Blut you can't go on foot, sir: you're cramped and tired.
V:{R:HA},i^NAKA. Now don't lose your temper, Maitreya. I had to go
. Besides,if you go in the carriage, you need not fear: no one will suspect
back for the cushions that I'd left behind.
you. You had better keep tlle cariage.
CHARUDATTA.
Itt all right. Maitreya, help her down. ARYAKA.Thank you.
t1Alrrev4 aside. Does she have chains on her fect so that she can't get CHARUDATTA.And you have my best wishes for the
iourney to your
down by herselfl lla lifts tbe cocta;n of the carriagedoor.Tltis ir.r't ,rrirt.is friends.
 Tbe Toy Catt t49
,48 Tbe Toy Cart
Keep an eye on the senses,
ARYAKA,I am leaving a good friend behind.
Beware of the senses,
If you need me again, you are welcome.
CHARUDATTA. Stealersof virtue, stealersof faith.
For all things pass. Only virtr:e remains
ARYAKA.I'll keep that in mind.
Kill the five senses.
And God be with you.
CHARUDATTa.
Knock out the ego, cast off ignorance'
ARYAKA.As you were with me. Make the flesh pure,
And heaven is youts.
It vas nothing. Forget it. Fate stepped in.
CHARUDATTA.
For all things pass. Only virtue remains'
env,lK,r. And chose you as an agent.
Some shave the head, some the chin.
CHARUDATTA. Don't waste time. There ate spies and soldiers everywhere. But the cancer'sin the mind: the knife must tuin inward.
You must hurry to your friends. Be cleansedof lust and cleansedof pride;
Leave head alone, leave chin alone,
ARrAKA,getting in again. We shall meet again. Until then, good-bye.
Collect virtue, my friends.
driues him oft in the caffiage.
vARDHAMANAKA For all things pass. Only virtue remains.

CH^RUDATTA. Now I'm not safe from the king's anger, either. Even I have dyed this robe saffron. Now to rinse it in tle pool. It's the garden of
walls have eyes.Throw this chain in the well, Maitreya. MAITREYAgoes to the king's brother-in-law; but I shan't take long, He begins to rinse tbe
/o so, cnrnuoarta's lcft eye ntitcbes; be speaks *ide. A twitching eye's rcbe-
a bad omen. I did want to see her. But it won't be today, 1 feat. To
\orcE, ofstdge, Stop, you rascal! What are you doing there?
r.aArrr:Ell, retthning. Let's go, Maitreya. He stops, Oh, a Buddhist monk
coming this way. Another bad omen! Fie ltlrns to r'lAr'Ir'EYA.Let'stake this :r'l.oN:r.,teafdly. Here he comes-Sansthanaka himselfl God help me!
other path, Maitreya; I want to avoid him. He hates all monks just becauseone rubbed him the wrong way once. So
he seizesthem, piercestheir noseslike bullocks', and sends them packing.
Tbey leave.
What shall I do? The Lord Buddha is my refuge.
CURTAI N
I couxnen enteB, br4ndisbing a suord,lollorued Dy sausrHauer,r.

SANsTHANAKA. You bastardly monk, stop it! Stop it before I make radish
jelfy out of you! He strihes tbe monk.
ACT VIII
couRTIER,Don'! be a fool. Can't you seehis yellow rcbe? He's a monk.
A Bsddblst monh (tbe etc-massew)enters S4hsthanaka'sgarden, carry' Forget him. Look at the garden: it ogensout like a feast before our eyes.
ing d uet robe.
MoNK. Oh. thank you, my lord, my savior.

MoNK. Collect virtue, my friends' The lascal! He's insulting me.

SANSTHANAKA.
Be moderate, be frugal, Meditate.
couRrIER. Why, what has he done?
The five sensesare thieves,
 r 50 Tbe Tby Cart
Tbe Toy Cart I5I
SANSTHANAKA.
He called me a "shaver."
My hean says: he must not be allowed to go, and he
SANSTH^NAKA.
couRTIER.No, he was pmising you. FIe said "savior,,, must not be allowed to remain here. He shall neither breathe in nor breathe
out. He shall fall on his face here----anddii. Expire.
SANSTHANAKA.
Praise me more, monk, praise me more. But why are
you here? MoNK. Clory to the Buddha! Mercy, my lord!

MoNK. I was rinsing this robe, sir. couRTIER.Let him go.

SANSTHANAKA. Was rhis pool meanr for washing clothes, you rascall SANSTHANAKA.
On one condition.
My sister's husband gave ir to me. But who comes herel fusr dogs and
couRrrER. Whatl
jackals and monks washing robes! I don't even dare to have a bath here.
One good clout should 6nish you off. SANSTHANAKA. Let him throw mud in the pool without spoiling the
warer. Or, let him take mud from the bottom of the pool without spoiling
coURTrER.Leave him alone. He seemsto be a neophyte: he's just.joined
the water. That's good, eh?
the monks.
cout-rrEt, aside. The world's packed with fools. Alosd. How can he
SANSTHANAKA.
I don't think so. do thatP lt's impossible,
couRTIER.Look at his head: it's freshly shaven. He's hardly worn that Tbe lrovr fidket t4ces at SANSTHANAKA.
rough robe: no scarson his body. It fits him loosely, !oo! you can see he
doesn't feel ar home in it, sANSTHANAKA.
What's he doing?

MoNK. Yes, I have only recently joined, couRTIER.Hels praising you. That's a Buddhist blessing.

SANSTHANAKA. Praise me rnore, monk. Praise me more.

SANSTHANAKA,
And why? Why not all your life, you poseur, you fraudl
He strihes tbe moth rcpcatedly. The monh gesticttlatesand buries off.

MoNK, GloD/ to the Buddha! cou*trcx, quicbly,lust look at the lovely garden now, so well guarded
by watchmen. Those creepers around those trees, so lovingly embracing
couRrIER. Stop it, Let him be. Let him go.
them-like a wife meeting her husband.
SANSTHANAKI.
Wait. I must consult-
SANSTHANA(A. And the ground is full of fowers, the trees heavy with
counrlen. Who's here to consult? fruit, tie creepersbusily climbing and the monkeys bobbing like ja& fruit.

S^NSTHANAKA,Me. I must consulr myself. My hean couRTIER. Sit here on this stone seat.

covrTrEn, aside. Why doesn't the silly fool run away? I will, Tbey sit dor.uaaxd telax. You know something? I
SANSTHANAKA.
can't forget Vasantasena.It's like when a man abusesyou; you can't forget
SANSTHANAKA. Let's see, Dear heart, sweet palpitating heart, little chit
it, can youl
of a heart, shall I let him go? To bimseff,Neirhet, Alosd. I bave consulted
my heart, and my healt says* couRTIER,zrld. You can't, of course.A sex fiend can't take no from a
woman; a normal man is hurt, but once it's over, it's over.
couRTrER.At last!
Vy'hy does that devil of a driver of mine take so long? I
SANSTHANAKA.
 Tbe Tby Can Tbe Toy Cart tSJ
told him to get here in record time. The sun,s up, at high noon, and STHAVARAKA.SiT?
splutters like an aogry ape. I'm footsore and hungry, and llan't rralk in
SANSTiTANAKA. And you.
this heat.
STHAVARAKA.SiTI
counnrn, It ri hot. The cows are keeping to the shadows; here and there
a deer is looking for a pool----evenif it's only hot water thar he'll find. SANSTHANAKA. Drive in, man, drive in!
There's not a man out on the sccets. The driver must have taken a longer
but cooler route. STHAVARAKA.SiT?

SANSTHANAKA. That's very kind of him, while the sun here is roasting SANSrH^NAKA. This way, you fool, where the wall's broken down.

me brown. The birds are hidden in the cool leaves,but we pant here likc
STHAVAaAKA. It can't be done: the opening's too narrow. The carriage
furnaces. I bet you he's taLing his time. Well, how about a iong to makc
will be smashed,the oxen will be kitled. I'll be killed.
the time pass?He sixgs.Wasn't rbat brilliant?
If the carriage is srnashed,I'll get another one made, If
sANsTHANAKA.
couRrrER. Wasn't irl You sing like an angel.
th€ oxen ar€ killed, I'll buy two more. And if you die, I'll get another
sANsrHAN-rxA.Naturally. Pepper and powder, oil and ghee_thar's nry driver.
.
daily recipe for a sweet voice. Damn it, the man's still nor-herel
srnavanere. Yes, sir. You will have another driver, but I shall be dead.
counnrn. He'll be here soon,
No back talk, you idiot! Drive! Drive! Let the whole
SANSTHANAKA.
sTHAvAMxA drioes up bclore tbe gate uitb tbe c4ftiage cortaining thing crash!
VASANTASENA.
STH^VARAKA.As you say, sir. Here goes. Drive in, my caniage, my
srH^vARAKA. Giddap, you two! I'm late; it's past noon. I hope hc your funeral-and mir,e, He drhtes tbrough the narrow o?cn-
friend-it's
-
doeso't blow up. irg, We made itl We're lucky, sir.
vASANTASENA, lrirri. Thar isn't Vardhamanaka,s voice. Did Charudatta SANSTHAN^KA.
Nothing wrong? The oxen all tight? The ropes all
send another driverl My right eye twitches. I suddenly feel faint. Wherc - :^L.) V^,.
- I| - :- L,)
am Il I can't see clearly.
Yes, sir.
STHAVARAKA.
SANSTHANAKA,
rp?/ozcbixg. So, you ate here at last!
sANsTHANAKA. Good! I like you, you know, and admire yo.u, To tbe
courrrca, apptoacbing. About time, toor
couRrrER. Let's get in and see if the inside of the carriage is all ght too.
SANSrH^NAKA.I heard the wheels squeal like pigs. Hello, Sthavaraka.
couRTIER.Yes. He ttarts ta get in,
Good to see you,
SANsrH^NAKA,pull;ng him back. Me Erst, my friend. This isn't your
srnevancKA. sirl
father's carriage. I am the owner. I get in 6rst.
SANSTHANAK-q,
Good to seethe carriage, roo.
couRTrER.But you asked me to do so.
srnavanexa. Sir.
So whati Haven'r you the politeness to say, "Sir, after
SANSTHANAKA.
sANsrHlNAKA. And these two beasts. you"l
 154 Tbe Tby Cart
Tbe Toy Cart r55
couRTIER. Afte! youi sir.
Well.
SANSTHANAKA. That's a good boy. He gets up and looks in, bachs ofi
in a grcat fuight, and falls on rrd couRrrER. Help, thief! Help, wirch! A cor,.RTrER.It's good exercise. And tlre oxen could do with a bit of rest.
thief in the cariagel A witch in rhe carriage! SANSTHANAKA.Let's go. You, Sthavataka, follow us with the carriage.
coURrrER. Don't be silly. What would a witch be doing in a c,j.riage? Wait, let's see. . .I go on foot only before gods and Brahmins. The carriage
You've had a touch of the sun. It was iust Sthavaraka's shadow thar suits me best. People will see me from afar and say, "There he is, the
gav€ you the iimjams. king's brother-inJaw."

Sthavaraka, Sthavaraka, are you still alive?

SANSTHANAKA. couRrIER, drile. That does it. What now? I hope this helps. Ahud,
There wasn't any witch: I was ioking. It's Vasantasena. She has come
STHAVARAKA.Yes, sir.
to see you.
SANSTHANAKA.
Take a look in tlre carriage. I tell you there's a woman
to herself. Oh, nol
VASANTASENA,
inside!
SANSTHANAKA.
And why shouldn't she? I'm a fint-class nobleman,
CoURTIER.A woman!
am I notl
VAsANTAsENA, fn?rrened, to herself.It's Sansthanaka.What shall I do?
COURTIER.
Yes.
Fate has deceived me.
SANSTHANAKA,What luck! What wonderful luck! The last time, I
sANsTHANAKA. Hey, you rascal, didn't I tell you to look in? To tbe
made her angry. This time, I'll fall down before her and ask her
couRTIER. Come.
forqiveness.
couRTrER. A woman cad do no harm. He puts his bead inside tbe
carriage. Yasantasenal No! The deer follows the tiger. The swan runs couRTIER. An excellent idea.

after the crow. To veseNrasrrua. That you should do this, Vasantasena! SANSTHANAKA.Vy'atch me. He apptoacbes and hneels before vasaNr,r-
I should never have believed it. First your pride says no, and now, for SENA.Listen to me, my mother, dear mother. My lotus hands supplicate
the sake of money, because your mother tells you- you in prayer. Please forgive the mistakes I made in the past. Yours
VASANTAsENA,
sbaking ber bead o;olently. Nol sincerely, your lover, yout slave.

couRTIER.You are a courtesan, after all. angily. Co away, You insult me. Sbe sfrns
VAsANTASENA, bim uith
ber foot.
VAsANTAsENA.
It's all a mistaLe- This is not the carriage-please help
me, Please- sANSTHANAKA,rising. Whatl Kick this headl Sansthanaka's head that
does not bow even to godsl And you kick it the way jackals kick rotting
couRTIER. Since you ask me. Leave everything to me. He uitbdtatus
flesh? Hey, Sduvaraka, where did you pick this woman up?
bis bead and rrlrr to sANsTHANAKA, Yes, there's a witch inside.
STHAVARAKA.The road was blocked, sir. I stopped near Charudatta's
SANSTHANAKA.
Why didnt she eat you up?
garden gate while the traffic cleared. I was helping to get a villager's cart
coumrn. Thank Cod, she spared me. How about a nice pleasant walk unmired, I think she must have got in then, thinking it was her carriage.
back to Ujjain under the shady rcadside trees?
I see! She ttasn't coming to me€t me, Get out, you!
,56 Tbe Toy Cart Tbe Toy Cart r 57

This is my carriage. You were going to meet that beggar Brahmin, aka will do it, He calls bim ooer. Srhavaraka, my man, do you want
weren't youl Not in my carriage, you don'r! Get out, get out! gold bracelets?

vaseNrasena. Yes, I was going to meet Chatudatta. And I am proud of I'll vear gold bracelets.
STHAVARAKA.
ir.
Sthavaraka, my mad, do you rtant a golden couch?
SANSTHANAKA.
sANsTHANAKA.How I always wanted to lay hands on your lovely
I'll sit on a golden couch.
STHAVARAKA.
body. Now I'll drag you down by the hair, my sweet beauty,
Sthavaraka,my man, do you want delicious dishes?
SAN5THANAKA.
counrren. This is no time to insult a lady. Come down, Vasantasena.
He belps ber to aligbt. Sbe stands dt a little distance from tbem. I'll eat delicious dishes.
STHAVARAKA.

sANSTHANAKA, aside. First she refused me. Now she kicks me. Fire Sthavaraka, my man, do lou waot to boss my slavesl
SANSTHANAKA.
is in my heart! She'll die for this! Alosd, to tbe cou*trn. And you now,
STHAVAMKA.I'll be boss over the slaves.
what would you likel A brilliant gold rnantle with a hundred tassels?
A taste of the most delicious bit of bird's rneat you ever had in your life? sANsruANAKA,But 6rst, you'll have to do as I say.
Tell me, rvhat do you want most?
Say it, and it shall be done.
STHAVARAKA.
counrrnn.Why?
It's a small thing, a very small thing.
SANSTHANAKA,
SAN5THANAKA.
Do me a favor.
srrrlvan,rxe. Say it,
couRTIER. I'll do anything for you-within reason,
Kill Vasantasena.
SANSTHANAKA.
SANsTHANAKA, Oh, wonderfully reasonable,most wonderfully reason-
STHAVARAKA. No, sir! Please, sir! I didn't mean anything. I only
able, I promise you!
brought her here. She got into the wrong carriage, sir.
counrlen, What?
Why, you're my slave, aren't you? What are you afraid
SANSTHANAKA.
SANSTHANAKA.
Kill Vasantasena. of?

courrrcn, shocked- The 6nest lady in Ujjain, a most blamelesscourte- STHAVARAKA.Of the future, sir.
san, re6ned, beautiful-kill her? My soul would forever rot in hell.
SANSTHANAKA.
Wltat is this future? Bah!
SANsTHANAKA.
I'll take care of your soul. If you kill her in this lonely It brings good and bad.
STHAVARAKA.
garden, who will
ever know?
saNsrruNer,r. \Mhat good, damn you?
couRrIER. The sky, the gods, the wind, the moon, the big-eyed sun,
my heart, my conscience. The whole world will know. I shall know. Well, sir, if I'm a good man now, later I'll be rich and
STHAVARAKA,
powerful like you.
SANSTHANAKA.
That's too bad. Hide her, then, and kill her,
And what bad, damn youl
S^NSTHANAKA.
counrlrr.. You mad fool!
Sir, if I do evil, I'll remain as I am, a slave. I won't do evil,
STHAVARAKA.
sANsTHANAKA.
You're afraid of the gods. You're a poor iackal. Sthavar- sir,
 'tbe'loy Cart r59
,58 Tbe Toy Can
couRTIER. It's all right, Vasantasena. ?o st{stsaueKA, It is as a
sANsTHANAKA.
You mean you won'r kill her? Ffe krocks bim doun.
pledge that I leave her in your hands, and I will come back for her.
sTHAvARAKA. Beat me. Kill me. Bur I won't do evil. I was born a slave,
Very good-as long as you leave her in my hands.
SANSTHANAKA.
I'll die a slave. But I don't want to be born a slave again.
couRTIER. I want your word of honor.
I throw myself on your mercy. Let him alone.
vAsANTAsENA.
SANSTHANAKA.
You have my *ord.
couRTrER. He's had enough: let him go. That was brave of you,
Sthavaraka! coumen, a.nda.He might trick me, I knov him well. I'll hide myself
here for a minute and sce what he d<xs. He bides.
sANSTHAN^K^,aside, Tlte 6rst is a fool: he's afraid of his conscience.
The second is a bigger fool: he's afraid of the future. But I'm afraid of sANsTHANAKA,zsila. Now to Lill her. No, wait! Who knows, that
nothing, for I am the king's brother-inlaw. 7o sruavan,*l. Very well, foxy Brahmin may have slipped in somewhere to see what I do. But he
you may go. Go, and never show your face to me again. won't catch me. He picks flou'en and adorns bimself, tben addresses
VASANTASENA. Vasantasena,my dearest, sweet of my heart, come to me!
Yes, sir. To VASANTASENA.
STHAVARAKA. I had no hand in this, lady.
He leaues. couRTtEr.,dside,I seethat he just wants to maLe love to her, as he said.
Fine. He leaoes.
Get ready to die, Vasantasena.He stafis to teize ber.
SANSTHANAKA.
sANSTHANAKA. You'll have gold, sweet words, my head, my turban at
countrcn, catching him roagbly by the aeck. Not while I'm here.
your feet. Love me, my dearest. Take me to your hean.
sANsTHANAKA, lalling bachtuard, You would kill me? Me, your lordl
vASANTAsENA.Gold? Take it away! Do tl.re bees leave the lotus
He loses conscioustess,bxt qtickly rccovcrs. So, the dog turns against
becauseit grows in 6lt\ ponds? I am in love with a good man. His love
his master? Rising, speakitg aside. I have a trick to take care of you, my
has given me honor. Shall I leave the mangp tree and love a withered
friend. I have seen the signs you've been rnaking. First you shall go; then
thornbush?
we'll attend to her. Aload. How could you suspect m€? I who come from
the noblest family in the kingdom. I just wanted to frighten her into SANSrH^NAKA.Charrrdatta a mango tree? And I just a thornbush, not
saymg yes. even a hedge cteeperPIs this how you revile me and praise Charudatta?

couRTIER.A noble family does not always produce noble characters. vAsANrAsENA.\Mhat can I do? He lives in my heart. I must praise him.
Weeds as well as flowers grow in fertile soil.
SANSTHANAKA.
I'll show you! I'll cut him apan, and you too. You 6lthy
sANsrH^NAKA.Look, why don't you leave us alone? She can't make mistress of Charudattal
up her mind so long as you stay here. I am sure Sthavaraka has taken to
his heels. Catch him and bring him back. In the meantime, this proud vAsANfAsENA.Say his name again: it's like a song in my ears.
lady vill say yes to me.
sANsTHANAK^.Calt him! Call his name! See if he savesyou now.
cout'trER, 4side, Perhaps he'll come to his senseswhen she pleads with
vAsANTAsENA.
He would help me, if only he knew.
him in private. Alosd. All right, I'll go.
SANsTHANAKA. Help youl What is he? The monkey god? The chief
VASANTAsENA, ch.ttcbing 4t bis garments, Please don't leave me with
of gods? The god of wind? The god of rain? A vulture? A demonl Let
him. Please!You gave me your word.
 r60
Tbe Tby Cart
him be all these, and he cannot help you Tbe Toy Cart
now. you are going to die, as r6t
Sita died, as Draupadi died. Hc litts bis coUrrren. I tumed south, too.
arm to strike her.
VASANTASEN^.Help me, Mother! Help SANSTHANAKA.
me, Charudatta! Die? I shall Then she must have gone north.
screaml No, why should Vasantasena
be afraidl Cfr*"a",o, i ll.J
loving you. God bless you. counrrrn. What rotl Tell me the truth.

SANSTHAN^KA.
If you must know. . .well, I killed
againt
Hestrangtes
ber'savhis her.
;i#)T#"J"1:'l$;,'"-" couRrrER, desperately. you what?
vas,rrrasrva, zary faizrly. God bless
you, Charudatta. I killed her. I, Sansthanaka, say so.
_-SANSrH^NAKA. There,s the bodv
SANSTHANAKA. He pointsto tbc body.?6a counrrrn,rrrrr, 'rVf,",i-you
And you, Vasantasena,die, Vasantasena. ;;; ;;ij
She collaoses
to tbc grottnd, That's done. This dish STHAVAMKA.Sir! Sir! It's my fault:
of vice, this foul lr.p I brought her here,
no, she is dead. He laughs. She has
met, not Charudama. but "i;;;,
Death. A
rovery way_she died. I did nothing: she just .:yirri, recooeting. Vasantasena! All is
fell like a wet ras. l must ,roao over. Aside- He,ll want to
nrde her: the fox will be back soon. Bahl rhrs cnme on me; I must get away from
She should haue str"uggled; I here, fast. He starts mouino
did nothing, really, I'lt drag the body inco auay, btrt SANs-rH^NAKA catches hold ol bim. Take your 6l&y
this corner. Hc does so. And hands oE
nroe mysett. me! I'm leaving for good this time.

Ire couRTIER and sruaytnrKt hofe my friend.First you kill Vasantasena,

cnur.
-,1]*.-"^t^y: 1 91tty
you ."y I killedher, then you scootofi. Ani I,m l.f. ." f";
couRTrER.I've persuaded Sthavaraka ro ll.1
mus1c. ;;
rerurn. Where,s Sansthanaka?
SANSTHANAKA, showing bimself, Here. And how are counrrer. You swine!
L you, Sthavaraka,
how are you?
SANSTHANAKA. Come, Iet,s be sensible. I,ll give you
counrrrn. a hundred gold
Where is shel coins, money, clothes, anything you - o---
waoc No-one ne.d krroo,.
SANSTHANAKA.
Whol couRTIER.The guilt is on your head,
I you swine. h shall stay on vour
COURTTER. nead. SANSTHANAKA stans laughng hysterically, From today
Vasaotasena. on, l.,.ii.r.
be hate between us. May all friendship,
all courtesy, be damned.
s^NSTHANAKA.The bird has flown,
SANSTHANAKA. Easy, easy, man. Let,s go have a bath
couRTrER.Wherel io the pool.
couRTtER. How could I have been so
blind? Wherever I go now.
SANSTHAN^K^.I think she followed women will glance at me through half-closed
you. eyes, saying: ,,li;r';i;
courtrEt, sttr?ised. No, she didn,t, friend of the killer.,' Vasantasen-a,when
you bo*'"giin, .hoor.
good and vimrous house. Never be a coultesan "." "
SANSTHANAKA. again.
No? Which rvay did you gol
you_ aren't giving
me the slip! No. sit! you killed
COURTIER.
EASi vasanrasena
's^NSTHANAM: and you.ll have to answer for it in the
court of the king. Ile
sANsrH^NAKA,Ah, that's it. She went scizes tbe couRJtER-
that way, south.
couRTrER.I warn you: take your hands
ofr mel He draus bis suord.
 The Toy Cart t63
t(') Tbe Tby Cart

sANSTHANAKA, recoiling in feat Oh, yol'te afraid, are youl Run off, many monkeys here. And the ground's much too dusty. I{a /oohs trcund.
rhen; I'll let you go. This should do: a heap of dry leaves blown up here by the wind. lle
s?relds tbe @et robe ooer the leaves, cbantilrg to bimsery.
couRrtER. This is no place for me. I'll join Sharvilaka, Charudatta
and th€ others. He leaoes. Kill the 6ve senses,
Knock out dre ego, cast off ignorance.
SANSTHANAKA, Go to hell. And you, Stlavaraka, what do you think of Make the flesh pure,
this little business of minel And heaven is yours.
sTHAvARAKA.
Sir, it's a terrible sin. For all things pass,Only virtue remains.

SANSTHANAKA. Sin? What sinl Let's put it this way. He tahes ofi bis Heaven is mine, but not until I have thanked Vasantasena.She put me on
orxamexts..Take these: they're yours. When I want them, l'll take them. the right path by paying those ten gold piecesto the chief gambler. I am
In the meantime, they're yours. her slave forever. What's that? A sigh among the leaves?Maybe the heat
and ahe wet robe are making the leavescurl up and crackle.
sruevanare. They look nice on you, sir. What shall I do with them?
rccouering coitciottsness, slouly sttetcbes ost a hand.
VASANTASENA,
sANsTHANAKA.TaLe them because I give them to you. Drive these
oxen to lhe palace. And wait for me there. A hand from among the leaves!A woman's hand, with lovely pearl rings.
Another hand! He etcdrninetit cdrefzlly. I know this hand. Of course. lt's
sTHAVARAKA.
Yes, sir. the hand that savedme.Let'slook, He tbrows the uet robe asideand recog'
sANsTHANAKA. My friend ran ofi to savehis orvn skin. As for this foolish rrzer VAsANTAsENA. Vasantasena!Disciple of the Lord Buddha!
servant, I'll clap him into jail the moment I get to the palace.So the secret's
gas?s fot udtet-
VASANTASENA
safe, No, I must be sure. Is she dead? Or must I kill het agaln? He looks
r, vAsANTAsENA'rbody- Stonedead.. This mantle should cover her. No, She needs water; but the pool's far away. I'll wring this wet robe over
it has my name on it. These dry leaves are better: they'll hide her. I1e ttel;. He does so, passing tbe robe ooer her face and person.
scooVsleauesot'er ber. Now to the court, where I'll 6le a charge against
reuiting. Who are you, sir?
VASANTASENA,
Charudatta for the murder of Vasantasena.Let's say he lured her into the
Pushpakaranda flower garden and Lilled her for her money, That sounds MoNK. Don't you remember? You paid ten gold pieces to buy me my
good, Trapping Charudatta is the next step, But I must go about it cleverly. freedom.
Too many puritans in this ciry; even the killing of a cow pinches their con-
I remember you. I can't temember anything else. Oh, I
vAsANTAsENA.
science.Flc starts to le4!e, but stddenly haLts. Damn! Here's that fool
could die. I have sufiered.
monk again, with his yellow robe, comiog my way. He won't forge. the
nose I slit once----andhow I whipped him around. He hates me, and if he MoNK. What happened, good lady?
seesme and the body he'll rutr about saying I killed her. He loohs arosnd.
I deservedit.
VASANTASENA.
Over the wall for me! Run, fly, like the monkey to Lanka----off I go, off I
Ay! He scales tbe uall and disappears, MoNK. Try to get up. Hold onto this creeper and pull yourself up. IJe
bends dowt the crceper: she graspsit and p ls herself to bcr feet. There is
Tbe Baddbist MINK (the e,c-tttdsiettr) entefs.
a hermitage nearby where a holy sister lives. She'll nurse you aill you are
MoNK. My robe is rinsed. Shall I hang it to dry on this branch? No, too
 t64 Tbe Toy Cart The Toy Cart ,65
well. No, slowly, walL slowly. Ile mouesabeail- This way, good lady, this
way or anothe!. A judge is the worst sufferer; no on€ has a good word for
way. He lcads bet off.
him. This is natural, for he must be learned, sagacious,eloquent, impartial,
CURT AIN and cool-headed; he must reserve.judgment until all the evidence is pre-
sented and sifred; nothing may corrupt him; he must protect the innocent
and punish the guilty, and be in all things honest and truth-loving. And
he has to do all this without incurring the displeasureof the king.

ACT IX VARDEN.You! Honor has no defect, as the moon has none.

A Court of lustice, A CLERKentert. tuDcE. Cl€rk, lead the petitioners into the courtroom.

CLERK.Yes, Your Honor, He goes ot4tdttd sboalr. The court is in session.

cLERK,What a job to arrange th€ seats!Well, I'll get it done, He sueeps
All those who wish to present their casesshould pleasecome stand before
and tidies tbe cottrttootn, giuirlg it fnitbing tottcbes. -lherc, that's done.
the jtdge. He rc-entets.
Now to report to the judge. He sto?s. Oh, here's that rascal, the kinq's
brother-in-law,dashingin. I'll standin a corner: I don t wanr to meet hi;. SANSTHANAK^, rrdl?ing forward.l demand justice; I have a case.Note
He stands to oxe side. also that I'm a famous man, I come of a noble family; I am the king's own
brother-inlaw.
SANsTHANAKA,
magnificently dressed, burries in.
CLERK.The king's brothcr-inJaw, Please wait a minute, sir; I'll inform
SANSTHANAKA. I've had a teal bath, in cool, cool water. And a rest under
the ;'udge. He approacbes tbe jtdge. Your Honor, the king's brother-in-
shady trees in the company of soft lovely girls-angels, every one of them.
Iaw has come with a case.
They played with my hair-such soft fingers!-now a curl, now a Lnor,
now a twist, now a braid. Oh, I'm a perfect gentleman. Bur rher.e'sa fear tuDcE. When important men come with complaints, noble men are
inside me, an empty nerve where the worm burrows. Ile reflerr. But that's ruined. I am afraid the court is very busy today. Tell him, clerk, that the
soon taken care of; Charudana shall be the scapegoat.Fle's poor, so tley'll court will admit his case any other day,
swallow it when I say he murdered hcr by strangling. Well, here's the
The cttxr goes to sANSTHANAKA.
courtroom. The seats are ready. His Honor should be here any minute.
['ll wait. CLERK,Sir, the judge says the court is very busy today; the court will
admit your case any other day.
The JutaE entert, tolloued by a wttonn,4 REcoRDER,
and others,
sANSTHANAK^, angrily.Is that so? And why not today? Tell the court
IUDGE,Recorder. that, if my caseis no! heard today, I'll go to the king, who is my sister's
RECoRDER.
Your Honorl husband (and hence my brother-inJaw). And tell the court that I shall go
to my sister and my mother; and I'll bloody well have the judge dismissed
JUDGE.Note rhis down, The most di$cult pan of a uial is to discover
and another put in his place-if my caseis not heard today.
the motives of rhose involved in it. Crimes a.e alleged that no one saw,
and people work themselves up to such fantastic frenzies that they will CLERKretsrning to tbe tuDc'E, Your Honor, thc Ling's brother-inlaw
conainue to stick ro allegations rhat are proved manifestly false by due rrolr,
says: He rcveats SANSTHANAKA',J
process of law, Their supponers stick to falsehood, while their enemies
tuDGE. He is a fool; but he has all the connections. Well, bring him
broadcast the matter till the king himself is gradually implicated in one
before rr: we'll hear him todav.
 t66 Tbe Tby Cart The Toy Cart t6Z
Pleasecome before the court, sir. your
clERK, going ro SANSTHANAKA. must have lured her into the garden and strangled her-for her jewels. I
case will be heard today. didn't He sto?s abtu?tly, ?t'ttting bit band ouet bis mouth.
SANSTHANAKA. It will, ha? And a minute ago it wasn't going to be, ha?
tl,'DGE. The police of our city are very car€less. Recorder, make a note
Frightened pack of foois! They'll dance to my tune all tigbt, He stepsap to of that: the complainant said, "/ didn't,"
the IUDoE.I am very happy to seeyou, fudge. I hope you are happy to see
me, for I have the power to make people sad or happy as I like, RECoRDER,
Yes, Your Honor.

1uocn, aside. fusr the language of an honest complainant! s^NsrrIANAxA,4srde.Damn! I've given the show away. Well, we'll see.
To saus-
THANAKA.You may be seat€d. Alosd.Wlat's allthe fuss about, dear judge? I was only saying "l didn't. . .
see it happeo." He ui?es ort tbe rccord or tbe Itax tablct uitb hk foot.
SANSTHANAKA. You bet I will. This place belongs to me, and I'll sit where
I like and when I like. To lle neconoen. HereP To tbe creax, You rhink tuDcE. How can you tell that she was strangled, and that it was for her
this is better? Well, let's try this. Hc jewels?
?t4ts his hand ox the seated luocr's
bead to steady himsell and sits on tbe floor, sANsrHANAKA.I'm noc a fool; her neck was exposed and swollen, and
JUDGE.You wish to present a case? there were no ornaments left on the body.

SANSTn^NAKA.
You bet I do. CLERK.We can believe that.

,UDGE.The courr is ready to he.r it. SANsTHANAKA.aside. l've convinced them. Good!

SANSTHANA(A. But 6rsr l€t me remind you that I come of a noble family. CLERK.What next is necessary,Your Honor, in the conduct of this case?
My father is the king's Iadrer-in-law. The king is my father's son-in-law.
tulrcE. Tqro factors are to be considered: the allegations on the one hand,
I am the king's brother-inlaw. And the king happens to be my sisrer,s
and the evidence on the oth€r. The plaintifi and the defendant are con-
husband.
cerned rpith the investigation of the allegations. It is my business to sift
The court is aware of thesefacts. But we are here to listen to your the evidence and come to a conclusion,
'UDGE.
case and judge it impanially. not to hear of your family connections. CLERK.Then the presenceof Vasantasena'smother is essential to the
Proceed with your complaint,
conduct of the case.
SANSTHANAKA. AII in good time, all in good time, There's oo hurry: 1'm
;uoct. Precisely. Clerk, see that Vasantasena'smother is brought here;
not guilty. Well, you see,my sister'shusband, that is, my brother-in_la*,
but do not upset het unduly,
presentedme wirh the garden rhey call Pushpakaranda,becausehe is fond
of mc, Now it just happens dut it is a habit of mine to go there daily to CLERK.Yes, Your Honor, Hc goct ottt 4/td Tetatfis almost immediately
see that ir is warered and weeded and the prctty flo*e.i k.pt florreiing. trit, VAsANTAsENA'Jmotbet. This way, please.
And this morniog, when I wena ther€, I saw-I couldn't beli.ve my ey.r!
MorHER. My daughter went to a friend's house. Now suddenly this
-the body of a worran on the ground.
news, and no sooner do I reach the courthouse than I am summoned into
JUDGE.Do you know her? the court. I don't like any of this; I feel faint. Sir, where do I go?

SANsrH^NAKA. Know herl Who doesn't know herl The pride of Ujjain, a clenr. Come this way, please.He leads her to tbe trJDGE.
pearl above price. It was Vasantasena,th€ courtesan.Some swinish fellow
MorHER, My blessings on you, good sirs.
 The Toy Catt Io9
68 Tbe Toy Catt
the court. Perhapr his spies have told him that it was in my carriage that
;uoce. You are very welcome.Pleasesit down,
Aryaka escaped;perhaps he thinks I am in the conspiracy.
vorsrn. Thank yov Sbe sits doran.
CLERK.This way, sir.
SANSTHANAKA.
Ah, you mother of a commonslut, so you are here!
criARUD^rrA, asile. I thought I heard a raven croak; that was a bad
,uDGE,Ignorehim, You arethe motherof Vasantasena? omen, And now my right eye is twitching ominously. I thought I saw

voruen. Yes, sir. the bird in a tree, 6xing his baleful eyes on me. I saw a black snake on the
road in front of me, his tongue flickering, fangs showing and eyes hating
;uocr. Do you know whereVasantasena
is now? me. And now my left arm throbs again. All these things point to a terrible
vorntt, I thought shewas at a friend'shouse. death. Give me courage,God, to endure what is coming.

yuocr. Could you tell the court his name? CLERK,Across the courtroom, sir. Follow me.

llo'rllER, aside.This is so embarrassing. CHARUDATTA, aside. L vast and sucking ocean, with the advisers lost
Alo*d. Must I answerthat
question,sir? fathoms below, deep in thought. The tossing waves are quarreling lawyers.
The king's spiesare sharks and crocodiles The executionersare monstrous
;uocr. I am sorry,but the court asksit, so you must answerit. sea snakes.The scribes are slimy sea birds. Oh, how horrible. He bumps
clerr. You shouldanswerit; it has to do with the conductof rhe case. against a pillar.There goesmy arm again, rhrobbing. And my eye twitches
again. He arriucs in lront of the 1uoce.
vornrn. Well, in that case,my daughterwent to the houseof a very
proper man-the son of the noble Sagaradatta,the grandson of the mer- tuDGE,aside, Here is Charudatta. Could a face like that-candid-eyed,
with that honqst nose-could that face hide guilt?
chant Vinayadatta.His name is Charudatta.He lives in rhe merchants'
quarter.She went to seehim. My greetings to the court, and to you, Your Honor'
CHARUDATTA.

Thac's him! Charudattal I accusehim of the murder. luDcE, distr4fted. You are welcome, sir. Clerk, see that he has a
comfortable seat.
crenx. He might be her friend, but that doesn't make him a murderer.
CLERK,bringing a slnall seat. Sir.
yuoce. In drat case, the court mus! have tlre evidence of Charudatta.
cH ALtuDA-tlA sits d oaun.
CLERK.Yes, Your Honor.
SANSTHANAKA. You are here, I see,my fine strangler of womenl Bah, call
,UDCE.Recorder put this down; "Vasantasena went to meer Charuda(a this a trial, where seatsare given to women-killers? He trcers- Go ahead;
at his r€sidence." His presence is therefote required. Couldn't we do you have the power.
without himl No, I'm afraid not. Clerk, bring him here; say that the
court summons him. See thar you do not inconvenience him in any way; tuDcE. Could you tell the court, Charudatta, if at any time there was
just say, "The judge would like to seeyou." attachment, affection or friendship of any kind between you and thc
daughter of this lady?
CLERK.Yes, Your Flonot. He goet out, and reurns qdckly uirh cHARu-
oerr,r. This way, sir. Which ladyl
CHARUDATTA.

cneluoarte, aslda. The king knows me well, yet I am summoned ioto ruDGE.This ladv. Ile inilicdtes \AsANTLsput's mother,
r70 I be loy Laf, Tbe Toy Ca* ,7,

tising. My most respectful greetings.

cHARUDATTA, CLERK.SFak, sir.

MorHER. May you live long, my son. lrde. So this is Charudatta. My cn,rnuoerre. She left my home. That's all I know for cenain.
daughter rras a lucky girl,
SANSTHANAKA. Is that all? What about the way you lured het into my
tuDGE, Charudatta, how long have you known Vasantasena? garden of PushpaLaranda, strangled her, and pinched her jewels? What
about that?
is t4nableto conccal bis embLfidssflent-
CHARTJDATIA
CHARUDATTA.
You are a liar. You must be crazy.
SANSTHANAKA. He's shamming, you can see; it's a guilty mind that
does that, He sttaogled her, and he stole her jewels, and I shall prove it. 1uoee, aside. \ow can r*cigh the Himalayas, catch the wind, and bridge
CLERK.Speak up, Charudatta. The court asks yott a question. You need the ocean,but you can't easily prove Charndatta grilty. Aloud, I'm afraid

not be afraid. I do not see his guilt.

cH^RUDATTA,cotfuedly. What can I say? How can I confess that a We don't want opinions; carry on witll the case.
SANSTHANAKA.
courtesanwas my friend? All I can say is that my youth, not my character,
JUDoE,losinghis terntar. You uner fooMf you try to explain the Vedas,
was to blame. won't your tongue be cut out? If you look inrc the sun, rvon't it blind youl
lf you thrust your hand into 6re, won't it get burned? And if you come
,uDcE. I must ask you to be ruthful. This is a court, and nothing must
be hidden, however personal it is. There is a charge against you. *'ith impossible chatges against a noble man like Charudatta, won't the
carth open up and swallow you? \Mhatever made you think rhat Charu-
Who has accusedmel
CHARUDATTA. datta stranglcd her? He gave away his wholc wealth in charities, and do
I have.
SANSTHANAKA, you think he would steal Vasantasena'sjewels-and murder her on that
account?
It must be a gruesome charge then.
CHARUDATTA,
I repeat: it is not your businessto speak in his defense.
sANsTHANAKA.
SANSTHANAKA, Why, you woman-strangler, you kill a 6ne woman like
I want a fair trial.
Vasantasenafor the sake of stealing herjewels, and now you try to cover
it up by pretty lies! r'aorner, lt is false, the whole charge is false! I know she left a gold box
in his care, and when a thief srcle it he replaced it with a much more
You must be mad.
CHARUDATTA.
valuable necklace, How could such a man kill her for her jewels? Never!
JUDGE.Ignore him, Charudatta. Answer the question: was she your Oh, my daughter, my child, if only you were here! Sbe rueeVs.
friendl
tuncE. Could you tell us, Charudatta, if she left on foot or in a carriagel
Yes,
CHARUDATTA.
CHARUDATTA.
I did not see her leave. I caonot say.
,uDcE. Aod can you tell us where she is now?
YIRAKAdasbes in-
I know only that she left my house.
CHARUDATTA.
vlnaxa. I'll go !o court. I warned him! He abused me, he Licked me-
CLERK.Where did she go? Did anyone go vith her? me, a captainl For doing my duty, as was proper. Sirs, I greet you
cuanuoerra, a.rle. Shall I tell them rhat she went alone to meet mel resD€ctfully,
 t 72 Tbe Toy Cart
The Toy Cart r73
JIDGE. Ah, Viraka, a captain of the guard. What brings you herc,
to pluck a cre€per'sflowers-how could I seize her by her bee-black hair
Viraka?
and strangle herl But no one believes me. This too is the truth. A passion-
vrRAKA.h's a long story, Your Honor. I was ooly doing my duty, as is tom man, half-crazed with hatred, plants a crime on another, vhom he
proper, searching for Aryaka, who had broken out of jail. Well, Your envies. But he is believed,
Honor, I didn't like the looks of a carriage,so I stopped it. Chandanaka-
sANsTHANAKA. What nonsenseis this! Why should this killer remain
he's the other captain-peeped in and rold it to go oo. "You've had a look,"
seated?This isn't law. Whom are you hoodwinking?
I said, "but now I'm going to search it properly." And then Chandanaka,
Your Honor, stopped me, abusedme, and AlcEel mel And I was just doing tuDcE. Clerk, take his seat away.
my duty, as is proper, Your Honor. Thar's all, Your Honor. I ask for
Tbe ctepr rcmooes OHIRL,DATTA'JJrzr.
iustice.
CHARUDAI-rA.
I shall obey, Your Honor, butl aminnocent. He squats on
JUDGE.Do you know who the ov/net of the carriage is?
the flooL
VIRAKA.The driver said it was this gentleman here, Your Honor-
SANSTHANAKA, zrrlr. Ha-ha! My sin is now on his head. I'll sit near him.
Charudatta-and that Vasantasedawas in it, going to m€et him in the
He edges clorer to CHARUDATTA. Come, Chaiudatta, be a sport about it.
Pushpakarandafl ower garden.
Look at me. Say, "I killed Vasantasena."
SANSTHAN^KA.
Didn't I say so?
CHARUDATTA.
You ate foul and mean. Don't come near me. What will
tuDcE. A bad day for Charudana. We shall look into your complaint Maireya think? What will my wife think, good noble woman? My sonl
later, Vraka. In the meantime, take one of the messenger'shorses at the Poor child, vhat does he lnow of his father's shame, busy as he is with his
gate, go to Pushpakaran& and see if therc is a dead woman's body in the endless games? z4side.Why is Maitreya taking so long? I sent him to
garden. Report back here immediately. Vasantasena'shouse to return the jewels she gave Rohasenato buy a gold
toy caft. H€'s very late.
v[.AKA. Yes, Your Honor. He goes oat and q*icbly rctttlns.'fhere is a
woman's body in the garden. The animals had been at it. r.lAr'rREl.Aentert uith the jeuels in bis girdle.

CLERK.Are you sure it was a womao's body? MAITREIA,aside. T}rcugh Charudatta asked me to ieturn these to her,
saying, "It was good of you to give th€m to my son, but it would not be
VIRAK^.Yes, to judge from the long hair and tl-resize of the hands and
proper on my paft to acc€pt them," Rebhila met me on rny way and lold
feet.
me that Charudatta had been summoned into the court. So I didn't go to
tuDGE. The more we investigate, the greater is my confusion. The law Vasantasena's,but hurried hete. He comcs fonaard. I humbly greet the
wants a straight case;but rhe heart refusesto admit plain facts. court. Where is my ftiend?

CHARUDATTA, Like bees round an uofolding flower, so sorrows cluster Charudetta? There.
TUDGE.
round a Poor man.
MAITREYA.My friend Charudatra, may happiness-
,uDcE. Charudatta, you must tell rhe court the whole truth, whatever Happiness later, sorrow now.
CHARUDATTA.
you know.
MATTREYA.
Be patient.
CHARUDAITA,
This is the truth. You all know me well. I-whom ir hurts
I atn.
CHARUDA.TTA.
 r74 The Toy Cart rZ5
Tbe Tby Catt
rlArrREyA. You look terribly worried. Why were you summonedl MArrREyA.Why don't you tell them the whole truth and be done with
irl
CHARUDATTA. It seems I am a murderer. , .no hoDe for me. . .woman's
love... .lnstead. I killed her. . .they'll tell you rh. r.rt. I have. but the truth does not sadsfv the court.

:r,rerrnEya.What! cLERK,,o vAsANTAsEnt'smother. Corid you tell us, madam, if this gold
box is your daughter'sl
cutxuotrrt, ntbispe ngin his ear, Tbar's rhe story.
v'o\lrEt, examirrixg ir. It looks the same, but it's a different box.
MATTREYA.
Who says so?
You old slut, you klow it's the same. Why do you say
sANSTHANAKA.
cjH?'RvD^-t-ta,
tutdicatrg SANSTHANAKA.
He is rhe man chosen by fate to it's not?
accus€me.
woraen, Shut up!
MArrREyA, aside to CHI'r.UDA-I\A. Why not tell them that rre did not
wait lor her and she must have gone home alone, CLERK.Pleasebe careful now: is it the same box or not?

CHARUDATTA.
No one believesme. I am a poor man, you see. MorHER. ft is an excellenr imitation. But it is oot my daughter's box.

MArrREyA.Gentlemen, what is this! The flower of Ujjain's manhood- ,UDGE.And can you identify these jewelsl
a man vho gave all his money to decorate this city with gardens, temples, MorHER. I have already said that they are excellent imitations, but these
wells, and fountains-would he kill a woman for a few measly jewels? He are not my daughter's jewels. Perhaps the same jeweler made them.
speahs more and more angrily. And you, you bastatd, Sansthanaka, you
king's brother-in-law, you stufied monkey, you foul lying dunghill, you tuDGE. Examine them, clerk, It's.rue that jewelers are €xpert at dupli-
quadruple idiot, say it! Say it in front of zeal Say that this man who never cating ornaments.
plucked a flower in his life for fear of hurting it, committed a bawdy stink- CLERK.Are these jewels your property, CharudattaP
ing murder! You bloody bastard, say it and I'll crack your skull wide open
with this crooked stick, you damned crooked villain! CHARUDATTA.
No.

sANsTHANAKA. Listen to that, gentlemen! I have accused Charudatta. CLERK.Whose are they?
My businessis with Charudatta, And this swine, whom I've hardly met, They belong to the daughter of this lady.
CHARUDATTA.
wants to crack my skull. Go ahead, try it! Accursed swine!
cLERK.FIow did she lose theml
lrarrner,r llfr,ir rtici. SANSTHANAK^ jttm?s s? and bits bir/, fiNt. A
scuffie ensues,and the iewels tli? out of M^r"rtEyds glrl/e. slusrHauar,l It is true she lost them once.
CHARUDATTA.

?ickt tbem uy and displays tbem triumpbantly. CLERK.Speak the truth, Charudatta. The truth can bring you no harm
Look, gentlemen, lookl The woman's jewelsl The reason
SANSTHANAKA. To hide truth is to lie.
he strangled her. I cannot say how she lost them. I know they were taken
CHARUDATTA.
The y r>cr and otbers faooring curxvotttt bang tbeir beads. from my house.

CHARUDATTA, aside to lll.l''rr'tyt, My fate plays terrible tricks on me. SANSTHANAKA. Liar! You lured her into the garden, Lilled her, and stole
With the Ialling jewels, I fall too. them. Don't give us your pretty mishmash.
 ,76 Tbe Toy Cart Tbe Tby Catt r77
;uoce. Charudatta, speak dre truth, Do r,ot compel the court to sentence ministers can kill thousands, and keep on doing so. lt doesn't mattcr now.
you to flogging. Maitteya, seethat my wife is well cared for after I die. And look after my
CHARUDATTA. I am innocent. If others suspect me for no reason, I anr son, Rohasena,as if he were your own.
prepared to sufier for it. lsr../e, What else is there in life but suffeting, now v.trneva. How can I? When the root is cut, how can the tr€e survive?
that Vasantasena is dezdl Aloud. I am called a murdeter. Let him-lle
polrtJ ,o s,\NsrHANAr,r.-call me what he will. cn,rnuoarra. No, that is not true. When a man dies, he lives on in his
son. Look after my son; give him the friendship you gave me.
sexsruaNaxa. Why don't you admit it, you fool? Say, "l killed her."
l{AIrREyA. I will try. You have been the best friend I ever had.
CHARUDATTA.
You have said it.
CHARIIDATTA.Bring Rohasena to me. I want to see my son before I go.
SANsTHANAKA.There! There! He confessed! He says he killed her!
Sentence him! }/AI-|F.EY8 h*ries o,t.

tuDGE, The court has no other alternative. Clerk, arrest Charudatta, ,uDcE. Clerk, take the prisoner away. Let the executioners receive their
ord€B.
At tbe a-exr's gcstrre, g*ards mooe to each sidc of cr:tnuorr-rr.
Tbe cosrt leaoes.
MorHER. Lisren to me, sirs; g€dtlemen, kind sirs, be merciful. My
daughter is dead, killed. Let him live. She was zay daughter-yer 1 do nol curxuotrrL as he goes,What will Maitreya thinkl What will my wife
accuseCharudatta. Why should he be punished? Set him free. rhink, good noble woman? My sonl Poor child-his little games are
endless.Test me by 6re, by poison, on the rack-and if I fail the test, I will
sANSTHANAKA.
Get out, you witch! This is none of your business now.
go smiling to my doom. But to arust a scoundrel's word above mine! Such
MorHER. My son, my dear sot She goes o*t, ueeping. a king! A Brahmin's curse on you! Your sons, and your sons'sons-may
hell receive them! I am ready.
sANsTHANAKA,
rJide. A tidy bit of work I've done today. He also leaues.
He is marched out.
tuDGE. Charudatta, our task is to sift the evidence. The king will pro-
nounce sentence.Clerk, remind King Palaka that the culprit is a Brahmin, C U R TAIN
hcnce he cannot be sentencedto death; that the law lays down his maxi-
mum sentenceas banishment from the kinedom with his wealth handed to
him intact. ACT X
CLERK.Yes, Your Honor. He goes oott, and soon tettrns in tears. I wenr enters,flztked by tuo erecqtioners.
A stfeet.cIJARJ.]tr.AT'rtt
to Kiog Palaka, and His Majesty declares: "Since he killed Vasantasena
for such a trifle, Iet the same jewels be hung from his neck, let him be led
FrRsTExEcurIoNER. Don't worry, sir. It only takesa second.We'll have
to the southern burial ground and there let him be executed.This punish- jif{y. We'te pretry good at it. Hey, make way, you!-
your headofl in a
metlt is a warning to all otfiers who contemplarc murder."
this is the noble Charudatta, going to have his head choppedofi.
CHARUDATTA. A treacherousviolation of the law. He has bad counselors, on my
cntstwrrrl, sadly.That ravenagain;I heardhim. Redoleanders
our king. But he shall reap the whirlwind of them if he is not careful. Evil
hcad, flowers of death. Wbat a ghastly sacrifice!
 176 Tbe Tby Cart Tbe Iby Cart r4g
sEcoNDExEcuTroNER.What's the big idea, there? Move on, move on! ROHASENA.
Fathel!
lt isn't a pretry sight, He vas a good tree once: that's what some birds tell
me. But now it's the ax for him. M^ITREYA, My friend!

CHARUDATTA. Who can escape fate? A Brahmin dragged like a beast to CH^RTJDATTA.My son.Maitreya, He looks terde y at bis son.What can
the sactiFce! I give you, my child? He takes ofi bis saclcd tbfcdd.-Iake this. No pearls
and no gold. But it is sacred. Ile grt,es tbe tbrcAd to Rot{AsENA,
FIRsr EXEcurroNER.Here we are. Beat the drum and I'll announce the
sentence. Gentlemen of the city, most worthy citizens! The king is pleased FIRSTExEcuTIoNER.Come, Charudatta.
to proclaim that Charudatta, son of Sagaradatta, and grandson of the RoHA5ENA.Where are you taking my fath€rl
merchant Vinayadatta, having seducedthe courtesanVasantasenainto the
lonely Pushpakarandaflower garden, and there having strangled her and FrRsT ExEcurroNER. We have orders from the king,
robbed her of her jewels, and having confessedhis guilt in a court of law, Take me; let m), father go.
RoHASENA.
is hereby sentencedto be executed.Let this serveas a warning to all others
-the FrRsT ExEcuTIoNER,Why, what a brave boy!
who contemplate crimes heinous both to chis world and next, for
King Palaka will punish them in a similar manner. MAITREYA,Why don't you set my friend free? Take me in his place.
cHARL'DArrA, aside, As a Brahmin, performer of a hundred holy sacd- Io eac}. No. NO.
CHARUDATTA.
fices,my name grew in prestige. Now it is spoken with shame, blacLened
io the black spots of our city by louts and loafers. He loohs up and ptts FIRsr EXECTITIoNER.Out of the way, gentlemen, out of the way! Let's
bis fngers in bis eats. Oh, Vasantasenal I who fed on rhe sweetn€ss of announce the sentence again here. He docs so.
your ruby-red lips, your reeth white as moons! I, with heaven in my srHAvARAxA, ltom a bigb 1!)indot!) in tbe ?alace jail ooetloohing the
hean-thar I should live !o pass through such filthy shame! sqrare, hears tbe annot4nccmcnt 4nd cliet ottt. Charudatu sentenced to
FIRSTExEcI-rTIoNER,
Come, sir, Iet's movc on. death? And me thrown in jail! Sirs, sirs, listen to me! I am the man who
took Vasantasena to the Pushpakaranda flower garden; she entered my
CHARUDATTA. I had friends once. Where are they now? Hiding in their carriage by mistake. I swear it, There my lord Sansthanaka strangled her
cloaks. An enemy will smile at you when you lose-but a friend! with his bare hands because she refused to love him. Listen! Can't you
FrRsTEXECUTToNER.
The srreet is cleared.Let's go. hear me? No, they're too far away. My voice doesn't reach them Shall I
jump down? That might save Charudatta. This window is so high that
vorcn, calling ofstage. Father! Fatherl it's not batred; I can slip out of it. But shall I dieP Oh, then let me

CHARUDATTA. die, let Charudatta live-that's all I want, Heaven is mine if I die so
One favor I must ask you. , .
nobly. He makes tbe /eap. Not hurt! And the jump snaPPedmy anLle
FIRSr EXECUTTONER,
A favor from ns? But we are low-caste. chains. Oh, where are you? Where are you! It's me, SthavaraLa! He.real
thc exect4tionerscomrzg, Stop! Listen to me! lt's important. It was I who
CH^RITDATTA. But not so cruel as the king. Let me be happy once before
took Vasantasena to Pushpakaranda, where Sansthanaka strangled her
I die; let me see my son's face.
becauseshe refused to love him, and-
FIRSTEXECUTIoNER.Let him come.
CH^RIIDATT^.Thank God, I am saved.
vanxrya azzy'nolrasENA errter. FT&STEXECUTTONER.
IS AII thAt ITUC?
 rlto Tbe Tby Cart Tbe Toy Can t8r
sTHAVARAKA.Of course ir is. And Sansrhanaka threw me in jail and put invented dris story. Isn't that so, you tascall He edgestr? to Stbauaraka
me in chains, so that no one would know. and sl;psbim a gold bucelet. Hete, take this, and keep your mouth shut.
SANSTHANAKA
rn?rgeJ ftum a ?dldce gate irrto tbe square. sTHAvARAKA, taking tbe braceletand sboutitg ir. Sirs, sirs! He's trying
sANsTHANAKA,chvckling. What a dinner I've had-meat, 6sh, sauce, to bribe me vith this!
and vegetables. Hm, I hear voic€s. . . . The drums and kettledrums that SANsTHANAKA, snatcbingthe btaceletfrom bim. Thats it! That's the
annou[c€ an execution. It's that swine Charudatta-what fun to watch an braceletI caught him stealing! Io ,re ExEcL[roNERs.Look here, you!-I
enemy's head chopped olM must see the execution. They tell me that if nabbed him redhanded and had him whipped. Look at his back if you
a rnan warches his €nemy die he gets better eyesight in his next birth. I'll don't believeme.
climb to the fitst window in this palace tower. He reappear at 4 uindou,
Oh, what a crowd to watch the fun! But when I die, I'll draw even bigger FIRSTExEcurroNER,exdmihing tbe uel*. Yes, sir, that's mre; he has
crowds. I'm a great man, the brother-inJaw of the king. Well, there he is, beenwhipped.No wonderhe's making up stories.
dressed up liLe a prize cow. But why have they stopped so near the palace STHAVABAXA. Oh, no one believesa slave.He speakssadly. Charudatta,
jaill And what is that rascal Sthavaraka doing there! Has he broken out of I did what I could. Ile talls at crtAF.uDATra's
feet.
jail? Has he spilled the beansl This is getting setious! I must go down and
see for myself. He emerges from tbe bottorn of tbe totuer and uades into CHARITDATTA.
Rise,Sthavaraka,It's not your fault. My fate is againstme.
tbe croud. Make way {or a lord! FIRsr ExEcurIoNER.Set him free now, sir. He has beenwhipped.
FIRST ExEcUTtoNER. Make room, please, make room. SANSTHANAKA. Run ofi, you! He pusbesSTHAVARAKA
auay- And now
SANSTHANAKA.
Sthavaraka, you'd better come along with me. rrhat's the delay? Kill him.

sTHAVARAKA.No! Leave me alone! Isn't it enough tlat you strangled FrRsr ExEcurIoNER.Kill him yourself, sir, if you think we're too slow.
Vasantasenal Why do you want to murder Charudatta too? RoHASENA,
Kill me; pleasedon'tkill my father.
SANSTHANAKA.What do you mean? I'm as honesr as gold. I killed no SANSTHANAKA.
Kill both. Kill father, kill son.
wolvln.
GHARLDATTA. Run off, son, to your mother. Don't wasteanother minute
volcEs FRor t rHE cRowD. He says you killed her. Charudatta did not here. Go with your mother to an ashrama, They will kill you here,
kill her. Maitreya, go; and take him to safety too.
SANsTHANAKA.Who says thatl Tell me, who says that? Do you think I can live without you?
MAITREYA.
Members of the crowd ?oirrt otr, STHAVARAKA. CHARUDATTA. Your life is your life, Maitreya. You have no right to treat
vorcrs. Ffe. And he's an honest man. it so lightly.

SANSTHANAKA,frigbtened, aside. T\e deviM should have had him MArrREyA,aside.Yes, but I cannot live without you. I'll go and lead
better chained, He's a wimess to the crime. Alo*d. A pack of lies, my the boy to safety; then I'll follow my frieod's road to death. Alod- l'll
friends, He's a no-good lout. I caught him redhanded stealing gold and do as yon sty. He embuces catRuotrrt and falls at bis feet.
had him put in chains. He's got a grudge against me; oh, yes, he has. He's RoHAsENAicrying, also falk at b;s fathet s feet.
 162 Tbe'loy Cart Thc Toy Cart t83
SANsTHANAKA.
Haven't I told you to finish father and son ofl? SANSTHANAKA.
Com€ on, come on, kill him. Finish it ofI. He uitbdraus
a little.
rrRsr rxrcurrourn. We have no orders from the king to kill the son. Go
away, boy, go away. Tbey pusb tbc cbild ott of tigbt, ond mooe on a FtRsr ExEcurroNER. Forgive us, noble Charudatta. We are only carrying
Iittle. Hete's the third station, Beat the drum and anDounce the sent€nce. out dre king's orders. Is there anything you would like rc say before you
arc executed?
The sentenceis again proclaimed,
CHARTJ'DATTA,I hope that whatever sins I have committed will be
sansrluurxa, a.ridc. This rron't do. No one is listening. Alord. Chatu-
washed away by the vimre of the lady who is now in heaven,
datta, open your mouth and speak the tmth: "I killed Vasantasena."
cHARUDATTA ir ri&nr. The swine won't speak. Make him soeak! Give him FIRsr ExEcurroNER,pointing. T1-tat'strhe southern burial ground. You
a taste of the cane! can seethe iackals and vultures.

FrRsr ExEcurroNER,lifting the bamboo cane. Speak up, Charudatta. CHARUDATTA,coaeing his eye.r. Oh, horrible! Hc sits doun ix s*dden
fear.
cHARUDATTA, I am aftaid of nothing any more-save only this-that
men should say I killed the thing I loved. SANSTHAN^KA.
I'll wait till he's killed good and proper. Why is he
sitting downl
sersraaNaxa. Speak up!
FIRsr ExEcurroNER.Are you afraid, Charudatta?
CHARUDATTA.
Friends, citizens of Ujiain, my dty-
cwxuotrtr,, standing zp quickly again. Yes, but only of what people
Say, "I killed her."
sANSTHANAT<A. will say, not of death.
CHARUDATTA.
You have said it. FIRsr ExEcr.rrroNER.Sir, the moon changes, the sun changes; death is

FIRsr ExEcurroNER.It's your turn today, Ahinta. for us all. One man rises to fall; another falls and rises asain. But when
death comes, he rcally falls, and he throws his body asidJ, like a useless
SECoNDEXEcUrIoNEr,No, it's yours, Goha. garment. Sir, that's what wise men say.

FIRsr ExEcurIoNER.Let's see.. . , Ah, yes. Well, let's wait a little. There's vASANTASENA, oery agitated, eflters dt tbe otbcr side ol tbe croud,
no hurry. accompanied by tbe Braddbist MINK.

srcoro rxrcurrollrn. Why? vorr. It does look a little odd-me, a monk, in the companv of a
courtesan. Lady, where shall I rake youl
FrRsrExEcurroNER. Well, my father oncesaidto me, "Goha," he said
to me, "you never know. Somekind man might come along and buy his vASANT^sENA. Please,to Charudatta's house, When I see him, I know I
freedom,You neverknow, A son might be born to th€ king, and a general shall live again, as a night lily lives on seeing the moon,
pardonproclaimed.An elephantmight breakloose,and the lucky beggar
voNr. We'll go by this rcyal road. Come, follow me. But what are they
might escape.You never koow. There might even be a new king come
shouting there?
to the throne,and all the prisonersset free." That's what he said.
vasaNrassNa. \tr/hat a great crowd of people! The whole city of Ujjain
sansruawarl. A new king? What!
seemsto have turned out here. What does it meanl
FIRSTEXECUTIoNER.
That's why I never hurry. FtRsr ExEcurroNER.This is the place for the final announcement. An-
 ,84 The Toy Cart Thc Tby Cart t 85
nounce th€ sentence. Tbere is a faurisb ol dr*ms- It won't be long now, MoNK, lrirrg. Charudatta is alive. GIory to the Buddha!
Charudatta.
VASANTASENA.
And I too am alive at last.
CHARUDATTA.
I am ready.
FIRSTExECltrroNER. Let's go to the king with the news. He is at the place
Tbe selttence is dgait proclaimed. of sacrifice.
MoNK, tea4rlly - Lady, the noble Charudatta is going to be executed for SANSTHANAKA, rd?irg vAs^NTAsENe.A ghost? No, still alive! I'm_
murdeing yor! ruined. I must run, I must fly! He rrns aruay.
VASANT^SENA,
ir rerror. Take me there. Quickly. FrRsT ExEcuTroNER.Our ordets wcre to behead the man who killed
MoNK. Make room for us, please.Room for us, please. Vasantasena.Let's go after the king's brother-inJaw; he must be the man,

VASANTASENA.
Please,sirs. Please. . . Both nxecvtoxnxs go out.

They start to Vusb tbeir uay throtgb the crowd. CITARUDATTA. Saved from the iaws of dcath, from eternal shame. Are
you Vasantasenal Or a goddessfrom heaven? Am I mad? Are you alive?
FIRSTExEcuTroNER.Once again, noble Charudatta, we asL your forgive_ Am I seeing things dropped ftom heaven, I No, someone clse, .a
ness. We are only carrying out orders. goddess. . . .
CHARUDATT. There is nothing in my heart against you. I only hope that VASANTASENA, f/lirg at bis feet,I am Vasantasena,my love, a wretched
whatever sins I may have committed vill be washed away by the virtue woman, the causeof all your troubles.
of the lady who, is now in heaven,
volcEs, Vasantasenais alive! Alivel
FIRsr ExEcurroNER, i4ising bis sttord, Noble Charudatta, do not move.
A single stroke will do it. lr he is abon tu srike, the sword suddenly CH^RUDATTA,bli dly ?talling her to bet feet and embracing ber witb
drogs frcm bis had.Why did it fall? I held it tight. O goddess of the grcat feeling. It is true, then. You are Vasantasena.
Sakya hills, hear me. It is your wish. Charudatta will escape.And the V^SANTAsENA.
Unhappy Vasantasena.
lov-caste race will rise.
CHARUDATTA.
It is over.
SECONDEXECUTIONEn.We have our orders.
vlsanrasrtqa. W}at could you have done, my dearest?
FIRST ExEcUTroNER.Yes. We'll tie him to the stake first.
CHARUDATT . They said I killed you. Sansthanakahater me. Hc rranted
VASANTASENA
,/r4&r thro,gb tbe crowd. to have me killed too.

V^SANTASENA. Stop it! Stop it! I am Vasantasena,I am not dead. Oh, VASANTASENA,
clapping her bands to her ear. Nol
Charudatta! Charudara, my bvel Sbe lalls on his bte*t.
CHARUDATTA,
redrrg tre MoNK. And who is he?
MoNK, bredhirrg tbtotgb tbc croud. C.haadatra, noble sk! He falls at
V^SANTAsENA,
A kind monk to whom I owe my life.
CHARI/DATTCTt"er.
MoNK. You may dot rcm€mb$ mq sir. I was the man you engaged to
FrRsr ExEcltrroNER, itoftied. Vasantasena! And rre nearly killed an
be_your masseur. But wheo I left you, I fell among gamblers and got into
innocent man!
debt; then this good lady bought me my frcedom with het jewels. I
 r% Thc Tby Cart Tbe Toy Cart ,87
renounced gambling and becamea Buddhist monk. And then rnany things
a dog. But I still have a trick or two about me. He appeals to cut'xvotrtt.
happened. She got into the $,rong carriage by mistake. I found her in the
Noble Charudana, help mc, help me.
old Pushpakaranda garden, where she had been left for dead by Sans-
thanaka. volcEs FRoM THE cRowD, Don't, Charudatta. We'll teach the swine.
yo\cEs, sbouting offstage. Atyaka has won! Glory to Aryaka! Leave him to us,

SANSTHANAKA.
I am helpless, I am 6nished, Charudatta. Help me.
SHARVILAKA
enters butiedly.
Pleasehclp me.
SHARVILAKA. Yes, I killed Palaka. This hand of mine slew the king, and
CHARUDAfiA. Yes, whoever seeks help shall not go without it.
this hand anointed Atraka as the new king. Now to frce Charudarra.'Make
way, yo:ul He seet cuARUDATTA. Charudatta livingl And Vasantasena!My sHARvILAKA.Damn him! TaLe him away from here. 7o crunuoerra.
king will be pleased to hear this. Can I go near him, I who played him What shall we do to him, sir? Drag him till his fesh is torn offl Throw
false? I will; my honesty is my passport. Noble Charudatta, greetings! him to the dogsl Cut him up with a savl

CHARUDATTA.
Who are you, sirl CHARUDATTA.LiStCN tO ME.

SHARVTLAKA.I am the thief who stole the gold box from your house. I SHARVILAKA.
Sir.
throw myself on your mercy.
sANSTHANAKA.
Charudatta, help me! Pleasehelp me! I promise I won'r
CHARUDATTA,
embracing bltu. lt has been a blessing in disguise, my do it again. I come to you for help.
-
friend.
volcEs FRoM rHE cRowD. Kill him! Kill the swine!
SHARvTLA(A. And I also bring the news that I killed Kinq palaka at the
VAsANTASENAtakes tbe oleander garlaxd from crt^r.uD^.t't^'s nech 4td
place of sacrifice,and that Aryaka is the new king.
tbrcus it 4lostd sANSTHANAKA'J.
CHARUDATTA.
Aryaka!
SANSTHANAKA.
Please, help me now, good courtesan. Have pity, I
sHA&vrLAKA.Yes, your carriage saved him, and now he is king. promise, I'll never kill you again. Never!

cHARUDATTA,And you are tl-re man vho helped Aryaka escape froo srrenvrrere, Drag him away. Noble Charudatta, what punishmenr shall
the palace prisonl we give himl

sHAnvrLAKA.Yes, sir. A small thing, sir. cHARUDATTA.

You will do as I say?

CHARUDATTA.
I am happy to hear it. sHanvrlara. I promise.

SHARVTLAKA. His Majesty King Aryaka bestorrs on you, as a token of Thank you. In that case. .
gratitude and affection, the Kingdom of Kushavaci, on rhe bank of the sHARVILAKA.
Kill him. But how?
Vena, and hopes you will honor him by accepting it. He ttons. And
now
bring in that swine, CHARUDATTA.
No, set him free.

SANSTHANAKA,
,ir ,z ds tied behirrd bis back,is dtagged in- SHARvTLAKA.
V/hat!

'Well,
SANSTHANAKA. GHARUDATTA. It is said that the sword should never be used on a man
I'm caught now; bound and dragged like an assor
who begs for mercy.
 88 Tbe Toy Catt,
SHARvTLAKA.
We won't usethc sword; we'll throw him to the dogs,
CHARITDATTA.
No. lrt mercy be his punishment,
sHARvTLAKA.
I do not like it, but if you say so. . . .But what shall I do
THE SIGNETRING OF RAKSHASA
with him?

cxanuolna. lust untie him; lct him go.

SHARVILAKA
dodr Jo.

SANSTHANAKA.
Ha-hal I'm free! Free! Hc r*ns ost.

sHARvtLAxA. His Majesty has asked me, madam, to confer on you the by
title of Lady of the Coun.

VASANTASENA,
Please thank him for mc. I VISHAKADATTA
SI:ARvTLAKA,?laciltgaoeilol bonot onvasaurasrNa,.rlaal,. tbcn ttrn- ll
Jrg ro CHARUDATTA,Sit, what docs the monk desirel
I
CHARTJDATTA.
What do you vang holy sir?
vonx. AII tlings pass.And nothing remains.I want nothing.

csanuolrr,r. In that case,you shall be the spiritual hcad of all Buddhist

monasteriesin the kingdom.

SHARvILAKA.
That shall be done. Sthavarakanow rcmains.
cnlnuoet.ta. Gve him his freedom. kt the executionersbecomechiefs
of their profcssion. Chandanaka shall be chief of police; as for Sans-
thanaka, . .

sH RvlL/rxl. Leavehim to me; I know how to deal with him.

cnanuoarra. Sansthanakashall remain ashe was,Let him do ashe likes.

SHARVTLAKA.
Anything else,noblc Charudatta?
CHARUDATTA. Aryaka is king; Vasantasena,whom I love, shall be my
secondwife. You are my friend now, Our hooor is intact. We have repaid
cruelty with kindness.There is nothing else.

CURT AIN