242 The Honey-Makers 



Charudatta, a Brahman who has impoverished himself 

 by his munificence, says to his friend, — 



" I do not, trust me, grieve for my lost wealth : 



But that the guest no longer seeks the dwelling, 

 Whence wealth has vanished, does, I own, afflict me. 

 Like the ungrateful bees, who wanton fly 



The elephant's broad front, when thick congeals 

 The dried-up dew, they visit me no more." 



In the same play in the description of a house of many 

 courts we read the following : — 



" The flute here breathes the soft hum of the bee, whilst 

 here a damsel holds the vina in her lap, and frets its wires 

 with her finger-nails ; some damsels are singing like so 

 many bees intoxicated with flowery nectar ; others are 

 practising the graceful dance, and others are employed in 

 reading plays and poems. The place is hung with water 

 jars, suspended to catch the cooling breeze." 



" How bravely the old garden looks," says Charudatta's 

 servant as he conducts his master hither, and Charudatta 

 replies : — 



" 'T is true ; like wealthy merchants are the trees 



Who spread in clustering flowers the choicest wares ; 

 Amongst them lustily the bees are straying 

 To gather tribute for the royal hive." 



Charudatta, in court, accused of murder, says: — 



" When first the flower unfolds, as flock the bees 

 To drink the honeyed dew, so mischiefs crowd 

 The entrance opened by man's falling fortune." 



Defending himself later, he says : — 



" For me — you know me — would I pluck a flower, 

 I draw the tender creeper gently to me. 

 Nor rudely rob it of its clustering beauty. 

 How think you then ? — could I with violent hands 

 Tear from their lovely seat those jetty locks. 

 More glossy than the black bee's wing ? " 



