ACT THE THIRD
THE HOLE IN THE WALL
[Enter Chārudatta's servant, Vardhamānaka.]
Vardh. A MASTER, kindly and benevolent,
His servants love, however poor he be.
The purse-proud, with a will on harshness bent,
Pays service in the coin of cruelty. 1
And again:
A bullock greedy for a feast of corn
You never can prevent;
A wife who wants her lord to wear a horn
You never can prevent;
A man who loves to gamble night and morn
You never can prevent;
And blemishes[1] that with a man are born
You never can prevent. 2
It is some time since Chārudatta went to the concert. It is past midnight, and still he does not come. I think I will go into the outer hall and take a nap. [He does so.]
[Enter Chārudatta and Maitreya.]
Chārudatta. How beautifully Rebhila sang! The lute is indeed a pearl, a pearl not of the ocean.
Gently the anxious lover's heart befriending,
Consoling when true lovers may not meet,
To love-lorn souls the dearest comforts sending,
It adds to sweetest love its more of sweet. 3
Maitreya. Well then, let's go into the house.
Chārudatta. But how wonderfully Master Rebhila sang!
- ↑ This refers to Chārudatta's generosity, which continues after his wealth has vanished.
