46
THE NÁGÁNANDA.
Girl (with a smile).
Whatever you wish.
[Tastes, and gives it back.
Parasite
(presenting the cup to the Vidúshaka).
This cup, with its contents specially flavoured by contact with the lips of Navamáliká, has never before been tasted, except by Śekharaka. Drink, therefore. What greater honour could I show you?
Vidúshaka (with a very forced smile).
O Śekharaka, I am a Brahman.
Parasite.
If so, where is your ninefold thread?[1]
Vidúshaka.
It was dragged and broken by that slave.
Girl (laughingly).
Recite to us, then, some verses of the Vedas.
Vidúshaka.
O lady, what have the smell of wine and verses of the Vedas in common?[2] However, I have no wish to argue with you. The Brahman falls at your feet.
[Offers to fall at her feet.
