Their faces with their garments' hem now hiding, They stand afar, whom once I counted friends: Even foes have smiles for men with Fortune biding: But friends prove faithless when good fortune ends. 16 _Headsmen._ They are out of the way. The street is cleared. Lead on the condemned criminal. _Chārudatta._ [_Sighing._] My friend Maitreya! Oh, this cruel blow! My wife, thou issue of a spotless strain! My Rohasena! Here am I, laid low By sternest fate; and thou, thou dost not know That all thy childish games are played in vain. Thou playest, heedless of another's pain! (ix. 29) * * * * * _Voices behind the scenes._ My father! Oh, my friend! _Chārudatta._ [_Listens. Mournfully._] You are a leader in your own caste. I would beg a favor at your hands. _Headsmen._ From _our_ hands you would receive a favor? _Chārudatta._ Heaven forbid! Yet a headsman is neither so wanton nor so cruel as King Pālaka. That I may be happy in the other world, I ask to see the face of my son. _Headsmen._ So be it. _A voice behind the scenes._ My father! oh, my father! [_Chārudatta hears the words, and mournfully repeats his request._] _Headsmen._ Citizens, make way a moment. Let the noble Chārudatta look upon the face of his son. [_Turning to the back of the stage._] This way, sir! Come on, little boy! P. 261.15] [_Enter Maitreya, with Rohasena._] _Maitreya._ Make haste, my boy, make haste! Your father is being led to his death. _Rohasena._ My father! oh, my father! _Maitreya._ Oh, my friend! Where must I behold you now? _Chārudatta._ [_Perceives his son and his friend._] Alas, my son! Alas, Maitreya! [_Mournfully._] Ah, woe is me! Long, too long, shall I thirst in vain Through all my sojourn dread; This vessel[86] small will not contain The water for the dead. 17 What may I give my son? [_He looks at himself, and perceives the sacrificial cord._] Ah, this at least is mine. The precious cord that Brahmans hold Is unadorned with pearls and gold; Yet, girt therewith, they sacrifice To gods above and fathers[87] old. 18 [_He gives Rohasena the cord._] _Goha._ Come, Chārudatta! Come, man! _Ahīnta._ Man, do you name the noble Chārudatta's name, and forget the title? Remember: In happy hours, in death, by night, by day, Roving as free as a yet unbroken colt, Fate wanders on her unrestricted way. 19 And again: Life will depart his body soon; Shall our reproaches bow his head? Although eclipse may seize the moon, We worship while it seems but dead. 20 _Rohasena._ Oh, headsmen, where are you leading my father? [161.10. S. _Chārudatta._ My darling,