Sharvilaka. [Prepares to strike down Radanikā, but first takes a look.] What! a woman? Good! I go. [Exit.
Radanikā. [Recoiling in terror.] Oh, oh, a thief has cut a hole in the wall of our house and is escaping. I must go and wake Maitreya. [She approaches Maitreya.] Oh, Maitreya, get up, get up! A thief has cut a hole in the wall of our house and has escaped.
Maitreya. [Rising.] What do you mean, wench? "A hole in the wall has cut a thief and has escaped"?
Radanikā. Poor fool! Stop your joking. Don't you see it?
Maitreya. What do you mean, wench? "It looks as if a second door had been thrown open"? Get up, friend Chārudatta, get up! A thief has made a hole in the wall of our house and has escaped.
Chārudatta. Yes, yes! A truce to your jests!
Maitreya. But it isn't a jest. Look!
Chārudatta. Where?
Maitreya. Why, here.
Chārudatta. [Gazing.] What a very remarkable hole!
The bricks are drawn away below, above;
The top is narrow, but the center wide;
As if the great house-heart had burst with pride,
Fearing lest the unworthy share its love. 22
To think that science should be expended on a task like this!
Maitreya. My friend, this hole must have been made by one of two men; either by a stranger, or else for practice by a student of the science of robbery. For what man here in Ujjayinī does not know how much wealth there is in our house?
Chārud. Stranger he must have been who made the breach,
His customed harvest in my house to reap;
He has not learned that vanished riches teach
