C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
Specimen of Drama
By Indian Literature
S
Charioteer—Yes.
Sansthānaka—Is the car there?
Charioteer—Yes.
Sansthānaka—Are the car-oxen there?
Charioteer—Yes.
Sansthānaka—Are you there too?
Charioteer[laughing]—Yes, great sir, I too am here.
Sansthānaka—Then drive the car in here.
Charioteer—How can I?
Sansthānaka—Through this gap, where the wall has fallen.
Charioteer—Great sir, the oxen will be killed, the car will be broken, and I, your servant, shall perish.
Sansthānaka—Hey? Remember that I am the King’s brother-in-law. If the oxen are killed, I will buy more; if the car is broken, I will have another made; if you perish, I will get another Charioteer…. But do me a favor.
Charioteer—Willingly, if it does not involve a sin.
Sansthānaka—Clever man! Not a taint of sin.
Charioteer—Speak, then.
Sansthānaka—Kill this woman.
Charioteer—If I should kill this innocent woman, this ornament of the town, on what boat can I pass over the stream that leads to heaven?
Sansthānaka—I will furnish you a boat. And you must consider that no one will see you in this garden if you kill her….
Charioteer—And I will put them on.
Sansthānaka—I will have a chair of gold made for you.
Charioteer—And I will sit on it.
Sansthānaka—I will give you the leavings of my dinner.
Charioteer—And I will swallow them.
Sansthānaka—I will set you over all my servants.
Charioteer—And I will be a lord.
Sansthānaka—Very well, then, regard my words.
Charioteer—Great sir, I will do anything—only not sin.
Sansthānaka—Not a taint of sin.
Charioteer—Speak then, great sir.
Sansthānaka—Kill this woman.
Charioteer—Be merciful, great sir: I have brought her here by accident.
Sansthānaka—Slave! have I no power over you?
Charioteer—You have power over my body, great sir, but not over my good conduct. Be merciful, I am frightened to death.
Sansthānaka—What are you afraid of, if you are my servant?
Charioteer—Of the next world, great sir.