_Chārudatta._ [_Walks about and looks before him._] Upon the withered tree, a crow Turns to the sun; His left eye falls on me. Ah, woe! My doubt is done. 11 [_He looks in another direction._] But see! a snake! His eye is fixed upon me; and his back Flashes like antimony's lustrous black; His long tongue quivers; four white fangs appear; His belly swells and coils. He slumbered here, This prince of serpents, till I crossed his path, And now he darts upon me in his wrath. 12 [143.21. S. And more than this: I slip, although the ground has felt no rain; My left eye, and my left arm throb again; Another bird is screaming overhead; All bodes a cruel death, and hope is fled. 13 Surely, the gods will grant that all may yet be well. _Beadle._ Follow me, sir. Here is the court-room. Pray enter. _Chārudatta._ [_Enters and looks about._] How wonderfully splendid is the court-room. For it seems an ocean, Whose waters are the king's advisers, deep In thought; as waves and shells it seems to keep The attorneys; and as sharks and crocodiles It has its spies that stand in waiting files; Its elephants and horses[83] represent The cruel ocean-fish on murder bent; As if with herons of the sea, it shines With screaming pettifoggers' numerous lines; While in the guise of serpents, scribes are creeping Upon its statecraft-trodden shore: the court The likeness of an ocean still is keeping, To which all harmful-cruel beasts resort. 14 Come! [_As he enters, he strikes his head against the door. Reflectively._] Alas! This also? My left eye throbs; a raven cries; A serpent coils athwart my path. My safety now with heaven lies. 15 But I must enter. [_He does so._] P. 238.16] _Judge._ This is Chārudatta. A countenance like his, with clear-cut nose, Whose great, wide-opened eye frank candor shows, Is not the home of wantonness; With elephants, with horses, and with kine, The outer form is inner habit's sign; With men no less. 16 _Chārudatta._ My greetings to the officers of justice. Officials, I salute you. _Judge._ [_Betraying his agitation._] You are very welcome, sir. My good beadle, give the gentleman a seat. _Beadle._ [_Brings a seat._] Here is a seat. Pray be seated, sir. [_Chārudatta seats himself._] _Sansthānaka._ [_Angrily._] You're here, are you, you woman-murderer? Well! Thish is a fine trial, thish is a jusht trial, where they give a sheat to thish woman-murderer. [_Haughtily._] But it's all right. They can give it to him. _Judge._ Chārudatta, have you any attachment, or affection, or friendship, with this lady's daughter? _Chārudatta._ What lady? _Judge._ This lady. [_He indicates Vasantasenā's mother._]