_Chārudatta._ [_Rising._] Madam, I salute you. _Mother._ Long life to you, my son! [_Aside._] So this is Chārudatta. My daughter's youth is in good hands. _Judge._ Sir, is the courtezan your friend? [_Chārudatta betrays his embarrassment._] _Sansthānaka._ He tries to hide the deed he did; He lies, from shame or fear; He murdered her, of her got rid For gold, and thinks the deed is hid; Not sho his mashter here. 17 [145.18. S. _Gild-warden and Clerk._ Speak, Chārudatta. Do not be ashamed. This is a lawsuit. _Chārudatta._ [_In embarrassment._] Officials, how can I testify that a courtezan is my friend? But at worst, it is youth that bears the blame, not character. _Judge._ The case is hard; then banish shame, Though it oppress your heart; Speak truth with fortitude, and aim To set deceit apart. 18 Do not be embarrassed. The conduct of the case puts the question. _Chārudatta._ Officer, with whom have I a lawsuit? _Sansthānaka._ [_Arrogantly._] With me! _Chārudatta._ A lawsuit with you is unendurable! _Sansthānaka._ Well, well, woman-murderer! You murder a woman like Vasantasenā who used to wear a hundred gems, and now you try deceitful deceivings to hide it! _Chārudatta._ You are a fool. _Judge._ Enough of him, good Chārudatta. Speak the truth. Is the courtezan your friend? _Chārudatta._ She is. _Judge._ Sir, where is Vasantasenā? _Chārudatta._ She has gone home. _Gild-warden and Clerk._ How did she go? When did she go? Who accompanied her? _Chārudatta._ [_Aside._] Shall I say that she went unobserved? _Gild-warden and Clerk._ Speak, sir. _Chārudatta._ She went home. What more shall I say? _Sansthānaka._ She was enticed into my old garden Pushpakaranda, and was shtrangled for her money. Now will you shay that she went home? _Chārudatta._ Man, you are crazy. The very clouds of heaven wet not you; Your lips are like the blue-jay's wing-tip worn, Yes, full as fickle with their speech untrue, And like the winter lotus lustre-lorn. 19 P. 241.19] _Judge._ [_Aside._] Take the Himalayan hills within your hand, And swim from ocean strand to ocean strand, And hold within your grasp the fleeting wind: Then may you think that Chārudatta sinned. 20 [_Aloud._] This is the noble Chārudatta. How could he commit this crime? [_He repeats the verse_ "A countenance like his:" _page 141._] _Sansthānaka._ Why thish partiality in a lawshuit? _Judge._ Away, you fool! Illiterate, you gloss the Sacred Law, And still your tongue uninjured find? The midday sun with steadfast eye you saw, And are not straightway stricken blind? You thrust your hand into the blazing fire, And draw it forth, unscathed and sound? Drag Chārudatta's virtue in the mire, Nor sink beneath this yawning ground? 21