_Maitreya._ [_Talking in his sleep._] Look, man. I see something like a hole in the wall. I see something like a thief. You had better take this golden casket. [49.7. S _Sharvilaka._ I wonder if the man has discovered that I have entered, and is showing off his poverty in order to make fun of me. Shall I kill him, or is the poor devil talking in his sleep? [_He takes a look._] But see! This thing wrapped in a ragged bath-clout, now that I inspect it by the light of my candle, is in truth a jewel-casket Suppose I take it. But no! It is hardly proper to rob a man of good birth, who is as poor as I am. I go. _Maitreya._ My friend, by the wishes of cows and Brahmans[49] I conjure you to take this golden casket. _Sharvilaka._ One may not disregard the sacred wish of a cow and the wish of a Brahman. I will take it. But look! There burns the candle. I keep about me a moth for the express purpose of extinguishing candles. I will let him enter the flame. This is his place and hour. May this moth which I here release, depart to flutter above the flame in varying circles. The breeze from the insect's wings has translated the flame into accursèd darkness. Or shall I not rather curse the darkness brought by me upon my Brahmanic family? For my father was a man who knew the four Vedas, who would not accept a gift; and I, Sharvilaka, his son, and a Brahman, I am committing a crime for the sake of that courtezan girl Madanikā. Now I will grant the Brahman's wish. [_He reaches out for the casket._] _Maitreya._ How cold your fingers are, man! _Sharvilaka._ What carelessness! My fingers are cold from touching water. Well, I will put my hand in my armpit [_He warms his left hand and takes the casket._] _Maitreya._ Have you got it? _Sharvilaka._ I could not refuse a Brahman's request. I have it. P. 80.9] _Maitreya._ Now I shall sleep as peacefully as a merchant who has sold his wares. _Sharvilaka._ O great Brahman, sleep a hundred years! Alas that a Brahman family should thus be plunged in darkness for the sake of Madanikā, a courtezan! Or better, I myself am thus plunged in darkness. A curse on poverty, I say! 'T is stranger to the manly will; This act that shuns the light of day I curse indeed, but do it still. 19 Well then, I must go to Vasantasenā's house to buy Madanikā's freedom. [_He walks about and looks around him._] Ah, I think I hear footsteps. I hope they are not those of policemen. Never mind. I will pretend to be a pillar, and wait. But after all, do policemen exist for me, for Sharvilaka? Why, I am