KANWA. It is natural enough that your affection should make you view it in this light. [Walking pensively on.] As for me, I am quite surprised at myself. Now that I have fairly dismissed her to her husband's house, my mind is easy; for, indeed, A daughter is a loan--a precious jewel Lent to a parent till her husband claim her. [Exeunt. Hark! my dear friend, listen a minute, and you will hear sweet sounds proceeding from the music-room. Some one is singing a charming air. Who can it be? Oh! I know. The queen Hansapadiká is practising her notes, that she may greet you with a new song. Hush! Let me listen. KING. A VOICE SINGS BEHIND THE SCENES. How often hither didst thou rove, KING. A most impassioned strain, truly! Do MÁTHAVYA. you understand the meaning of the words? She means to reprove me, because I once paid her great attention, and have lately deserted her for the queen Vasumatí. Go, my dear fellow, and tell Hansapadiká from me that I take her delicate reproof as it is intended. MÁTHAVYA. Very well. [Rising from his seat.] But stay-I don't much relish being sent to bear the brunt of her jealousy. The chances are that she will have me seized by the hair of the head and beaten to a jelly. I would as soon expose myself, after a vow of celibacy, to the seductions of a lovely nymph, as encounter the fury of a jealous woman. KING. Go, go; you can disarm her wrath by a civil speech; but give her my message. MÁTHAVYA. What must be must be, I suppose. KING. [Exit. [Aside. Strange that song has filled me with a most peculiar sensation. A melancholy feeling has come over me, and I seem to yearn after some long-forgotten object of affection. Singular, indeed! but Not seldom in our happy hours of ease, When thought is still, the sight of some fair form, Will stir strange fancies, thrilling all the soul [Remains pensive and sad. Enter the CHAMBERLAIN 75, named Vátáyana. CHAMBERLAIN. Alas! to what an advanced period of life have I attained! Even this wand betrays the lapse of years; As a support to prop my tottering steps. Ah me! I feel very unwilling to announce to the King that a deputation of young hermits from the sage Kanwa has arrived, and craves an immediate audience. Certainly, his Majesty ought not to neglect a matter of sacred duty, yet I hardly like to trouble him when he has just risen from the judgment-seat. Well, well; a monarch's business is to sustain the world, and he must not expect much repose; be cause Onward, for ever onward, in his car The unwearied Sun pursues his daily course, Who, in return, draw nurture form their subjects. I will therefore deliver my message. [Walking on and look ing about.] Ah! here comes the King. His subjects are his children; through the day, The sun's fierce heat, and leads the fainting herd To verdant pastures, ere his way worn limbs He yields to rest beneath the cooling shade. [Approaching.] Victory to the King! So please your Majesty, some hermits who live in a forest near the Snowy Mountains have arrived here, bringing certain. women with them. They have a message to deliver |