_Radanikā._ Yes, mistress. [_She approaches Maitreya._] Maitreya, my lady summons you. _Maitreya._ Where is she? _Radanikā._ Here. Come! _Maitreya._ [_Approaching._] Heaven bless you! _Wife._ I salute you, sir. Sir, will you look straight in front of you? _Maitreya._ Madam, here stands a man who looks straight in front of him. _Wife._ Sir, you must accept this. _Maitreya._ Why? _Wife._ I have observed the Ceremony of the Gems. And on this occasion one must make as great a present as one may to a Brahman. This I have not done, therefore pray accept this necklace. _Maitreya._ [_Receiving the necklace._] Heaven bless you! I will go and tell my friend. _Wife._ You must not do it in such a way as to make me blush, Maitreya. [_Exit._ _Maitreya._ [_In astonishment._] What generosity! * * * * * _Chārudatta._ How Maitreya lingers! I trust his grief is not leading him to do what he ought not. Maitreya, Maitreya! _Maitreya._ [_Approaching._] Here I am. Take that. [_He displays the necklace._] _Chārudatta._ What is this? _Maitreya._ Why, that is the reward you get for marrying such a wife. _Chārudatta._ What! my wife takes pity on me? Alas, now am I poor indeed! When fate so robs him of his all, That on her pity he must call, The man to woman's state doth fall, The woman is the man. 27 But no, I am not poor. For I have a wife Whose love outlasts my wealthy day; In thee a friend through good and ill; And truth that naught could take away: Ah! this the poor man lacketh still. 28 [55.9. S. Maitreya, take the necklace and go to Vasantasenā. Tell her in my name that we have gambled away the golden casket, forgetting that it was not our own, that we trust she will accept this necklace in its place. _Maitreya._ But you must not give away this necklace, the pride of the four seas, for that cheap thing that was stolen before we had a bite or a drink out of it. _Chārudatta._ Not so, my friend. She showed her trust in leaving us her treasure; The price of confidence has no less measure. 29 Friend, I conjure you by this gesture, not to return until you have delivered it into her hands. Vardhamānaka, do you speedily Fill up the opening with the selfsame bricks; Thus will I thwart the process of the law, For the blemish of so great a scandal sticks. 30 And, friend Maitreya, you must show your pride by not speaking too despondently. _Maitreya._ How can a poor man help speaking despondently? _Chārudatta._ Poor I am not, my friend. For I have a wife Whose love outlasts my wealthy day; In thee a friend through good and ill; And truth that naught could take away: Ah, this the poor man lacketh still. (28)