_Darduraka._ [_Aside._] I have made an enemy of the influential gambling-master Māthura. I had better not stay here. Besides, my good friend Sharvilaka told me that a young herdsman named Aryaka has been designated by a soothsayer as our future king. Now everybody in my condition is running after him. I think I will join myself to him. [_Exit._ _Shampooer._ [_Trembles as he walks away and looks about him._] Here is a house where somebody has left the side-door open. I will go in. [_He enters and perceives Vasantasenā._] Madam, I throw myself upon your protection. _Vasantasenā._ He who throws himself upon my protection shall be safe. Close the door, girl. [_The maid does so._] _Vasantasenā._ What do you fear? _Shampooer._ A creditor, madam. _Vasantasenā._ You may open the door now, girl. _Shampooer._ [_To himself._] Ah! Her reasons for not fearing a creditor are in proportion to her innocence. The proverb is right: The man who knows his strength and bears a load Proportioned to that strength, not more nor less, Is safe from stumbling and from sore distress, Although he wander on a dreary road. 14 That means me. _Māthura._ [_Wiping his eyes. To the gambler._] Pay, pay! _Gambler._ While we were quarreling with Darduraka, sir, the man escaped. _Māthura._ I broke that shampooer's nose for him with my fist Come on! Let's trace him by the blood. [_They do so._] _Gambler._ He went into Vasantasenā's house, sir. _Māthura._ Then that is the end of the gold-pieces. _Gambler._ Let's go to court and lodge a complaint. P. 67.1] _Māthura._ The swindler would leave the house and escape. No, we must besiege him and so capture him. * * * * * [_Vasantasenā gives Madanikā a sign._] _Madanikā._ Whence are you, sir? or who are you, sir? or whose son are you, sir? or what is your business, sir? or what are you afraid of? _Shampooer._ Listen, madam. My birthplace is Pātaliputra, madam. I am the son of a householder. I practise the trade of a shampooer. _Vasantasenā._ It is a very dainty art, sir, which you have mastered. _Shampooer._ Madam, as an art I mastered it. It has now become a mere trade. _Madanikā._ Your answers are most disconsolate, sir. Pray continue. _Shampooer._ Yes, madam. When I was at home, I used to hear travelers tell tales, and I wanted to see new countries, and so I came here. And when I had come here to Ujjayinī, I became the servant of a noble gentleman. Such a handsome, courteous gentleman! When he gave money away, he did not boast; when he was injured, he forgot it. To cut a long story short: he was so courteous that he regarded his own person as the possession of others, and had compassion on all who sought his protection. _Madanikā._ Who may it be that adorns Ujjayinī with the virtues which he has stolen from the object of my mistress' desires? _Vasantasenā._ Good, girl, good! I had the same thought in mind.