62 INTRODUCTION. O woman and thou art a monarch. Trouble not yourself about me. Krisna—So strange, my poor woman, that you have forgotten everything on coming to this place | If one goes from one place to another, does one forget all about oneself? Chandrā–Yes, O King, this is but too true. The town of Mathura has surely some oblivious effect on one's memory. One forgets everything about one's former self by coming here. Kri na-Let that pass. I will ask you one question. Why did you repeat the name of Rādhā? How could you know her? Chandrā–Thou must know, O King, that we are all worshippers of Rādhā. Krisha—Very well, good woman, I am pleased with you. Ask some reward of me. What you seek will be yours. Chandrā–What gifts would Your Majesty want to offer me? Krisna—Why, I can reward you with gold, silver and precious stones. Chandrā–People of the place where I live count not gold, silver or stones as precious at all. The Tree of Plenty grows in my native place. There things, highly valued elsewhere, are obtained at the mere asking. We are not wont to seek for wealth, save one very precious jewel of ours that is lost, and about this I have come to appeal to thee, O King. Krisna—Say what it is. Chandrā–Our princess had purchased a precious jewel. She wore it on her bosom, and valued it above her life. A man from Kansa's court went one day and robbed her of it. The princess is almost mad with grief. She has sent me to thee that thou mayest help to bring the thief to justice. Krisna—If the thief is in my kingdom and the article is proved to be yours, surely you will get it. Chandrā–We know not for certain, where the thief is now, but he was once caught and executed a bond that is with me. The maker of this bond is probably here. If I can find him out, what help may I expect from thee, O King f Krisna—Forsooth, I shall extract the value of the loss from him even if I needs must sell all his goods to do so.
