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
_Charudatta._ 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. [_Charudatta seats himself._]
_Sansthanaka._ [_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._ Charudatta, have you any attachment, or affection, or friendship, with this lady's daughter?
_Judge._ This lady. [_He indicates Vasantasena's mother._]
_Charudatta._ [_Rising._] Madam, I salute you.
_Mother._ Long life to you, my son! [_Aside._] So this is Charudatta. My daughter's youth is in good hands.
_Judge._ Sir, is the courtezan your friend? [_Charudatta betrays his embarrassment._]
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
_Gild-warden and Clerk._ Speak, Charudatta. Do not be ashamed. This is a lawsuit.
_Charudatta._ [_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.
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.
_Charudatta._ Officer, with whom have I a lawsuit?
_Charudatta._ A lawsuit with you is unendurable!
_Sansthanaka._ Well, well, woman-murderer! You murder a woman like Vasantasena who used to wear a hundred gems, and now you try deceitful deceivings to hide it!
_Judge._ Enough of him, good Charudatta. Speak the truth. Is the courtezan your friend?
_Gild-warden and Clerk._ How did she go? When did she go? Who accompanied her?
_Charudatta._ [_Aside._] Shall I say that she went unobserved?