MATHAVYA [still in the same attitude].—­Ah, friend, my hands cannot move to greet you with the usual salutation.  I can only just command my lips to wish your majesty victory.

KING.—­Why, what has paralyzed your limbs?

MATHAVYA.—­You might as well ask me how my eye comes to water after you have poked your finger into it.

KING.—­I don’t understand you; speak more intelligibly.

MATHAVYA.—­Ah, my dear friend, is yonder upright reed transformed into a crooked plant by its own act, or by the force of the current?

KING.—­The current of the river causes it, I suppose.

MATHAVYA.—­Aye; just as you are the cause of my crippled limbs.

KING.—­How so?

MATHAVYA.—­Here are you living the life of a wild man of the woods in a savage, unfrequented region, while your state affairs are left to shift for themselves; and as for poor me, I am no longer master of my own limbs, but have to follow you about day after day in your chases after wild animals, till my bones are all crippled and out of joint.  Do, my dear friend, let me have one day’s rest.

KING [aside].—­This fellow little knows, while he talks in this
manner, that my mind is wholly engrossed by recollections of the
hermit’s daughter, and quite as disinclined to the chase as his own. 
    No longer can I bend my well-braced bow
    Against the timid deer; nor e’er again
    With well-aimed arrows can I think to harm
    These her beloved associates, who enjoy
    The privilege of her companionship;
    Teaching her tender glances in return.

MATHAVYA [looking in the King’s face].—­I may as well speak to the winds, for any attention you pay to my requests.  I suppose you have something on your mind, and are talking it over to yourself.

KING [smiling].—­I was only thinking that I ought not to disregard a friend’s request.

MATHAVYA.—­Then may the King live forever! [Moves off.

KING.—­Stay a moment, my dear friend.  I have something else to say to you.

MATHAVYA.—­Say on, then.

KING.—­When you have rested, you must assist me in another business, which will give you no fatigue.

MATHAVYA.—­In eating something nice, I hope.

KING.—­You shall know at some future time.

MATHAVYA.—­No time better than the present.

KING.—­What ho! there.

WARDER [entering].—­What are your Majesty’s commands?

KING.—­O Raivataka! bid the General of the forces attend.

WARDER.—­I will, Sire. [Exit and reenters with the General] Come forward, General; his Majesty is looking towards you, and has some order to give you.