[Enter Maitreya, with Rohasena.]
Maitreya. Make haste, my boy, make haste! Your father is being led to his death.
Rohasena. My father! oh, my father!
Maitreya. Oh, my friend! Where must I behold you now?
Chārudatta. [Perceives his son and his friend.] Alas, my son! Alas, Maitreya! [Mournfully.] Ah, woe is me!
Long, too long, shall I thirst in vain
Through all my sojourn dread;
This vessel[86] small will not contain
The water for the dead.17
What may I give my son? [He looks at himself, and perceives the sacrificial cord.] Ah, this at least is mine.
The precious cord that Brahmans hold
Is unadorned with pearls and gold;
Yet, girt therewith, they sacrifice
To gods above and fathers[87] old.18
[He gives Rohasena the cord.]
Goha. Come, Chārudatta! Come, man!