Who will believe the truth?
Suspicion now is sure.
This world will show no ruth
To the inglorious poor. 24
Alas! If envious fate before
Has wooed my wealth alone,
Why should she seek my store
Of virtue as her own? 25
Maitreya. I intend to deny the whole thing. Who gave anybody anything? who received anything from anybody? who was a witness?
Chārudatta. And shall I tell a falsehood now?
No! I will beg until I earn
The wherewithal my debt to pay.
Ignoble falsehood I will spurn,
That steals the character away. 26
Radanikā. I will go and tell his good wife. [She goes out, returning with Chārudatta's wife.]
Wife. [Anxiously.] Oh! Is it true that my lord is uninjured, and Maitreya too?
Radanikā. It is true, mistress. But the gems which belong to the courtezan have been stolen. [Chārudatta's wife swoons.] O my good mistress! Come to yourself!
Wife. [Recovering.] Girl, how can you say that my lord is uninjured? Better that he were injured in body than in character. For now the people of Ujjayinī will say that my lord committed this crime because of his poverty. [She looks up and sighs.] Ah, mighty Fate! The destinies of the poor, uncertain as the water-drops which fall upon a lotus-leaf, seem to thee but playthings. There remains to me this one necklace, which I brought with me from my mother's house. But my lord would be too proud to accept it. Girl, call Maitreya hither.
