Vasantasenā. Is who?
Maid. Is the king's brother-in-law, Sansthānaka.
Vasantasenā. [Indignantly.] Go! and never come again on such an errand.
Maid. Do not be angry, mistress. I was only sent with the message.
Vasantasenā. But it is the message which makes me angry.
Maid. But what shall I tell your mother?
Vasantasenā. Tell my mother never to send me another such message, unless she wishes to kill me.
Maid. As you will. [Exit.] [Enter Sharvilaka.]
Sharv. Blame for my sin I laid upon the night;
I conquered sleep and watchmen of the king;
But darkness wanes, and in the sun's clear light
My light is like the moon's—a faded thing. 1
And again:
Whoever cast at me a passing look,
Or neared me, anxious, as they quickly ran,
All such my laden soul for foes mistook;
For sin it was wherein man's fear began. 2
Well, it was for Madanikā's sake that I did the deed of sin.
I paid no heed to any one who talked with serving-men;
The houses ruled by women-folk these I avoided most;
And when policemen seemed to have me almost in their ken,
I stood stock-still and acted just exactly like a post.
A hundred such manœuvres did I constantly essay,
And by such means succeeded in turning night to day. 3
[He walks about.]
Vasantasenā. Girl, lay this picture on my sofa and come back at once with a fan.
Madanikā. Yes, mistress. [Exit with the picture.
Sharvilaka. This is Vasantasenā's house. I will enter. [He does so.]
