GENERAL [looking at the King].—­Though hunting is known to produce ill
effects, my royal master has derived only benefit from it.  For
    Like the majestic elephant that roams
    O’er mountain wilds, so does the King display
    A stalwart frame, instinct with vigorous life. 
    His brawny arms and manly chest are scored
    By frequent passage of the sounding string;
    Unharmed he bears the mid-day sun; no toil
    His mighty spirit daunts; his sturdy limbs,
    Stripped of redundant flesh, relinquish nought
    Of their robust proportions, but appear
    In muscle, nerve, and sinewy fibre cased.
[Approaching the King.] Victory to the King!  We have tracked the wild
beasts to their lairs in the forest.  Why delay, when everything is
ready?

KING.—­My friend Mathavya here has been disparaging the chase, till he has taken away all my relish for it.

GENERAL [aside to Mathavya].—­Persevere in your opposition, my good
fellow; I will sound the King’s real feelings, and humor him
accordingly. [Aloud].  The blockhead talks nonsense, and your Majesty,
in your own person, furnishes the best proof of it.  Observe, Sire, the
advantage and pleasure the hunter derives from the chase. 
    Freed from all grosser influences, his frame
    Loses its sluggish humors, and becomes
    Buoyant, compact, and fit for bold encounter. 
    ’Tis his to mark with joy the varied passions,
    Fierce heats of anger, terror, blank dismay,
    Of forest animals that cross his path. 
    Then what a thrill transports the hunter’s soul,
    When, with unerring course, his driven shaft
    Pierces the moving mark!  Oh! ’tis conceit
    In moralists to call the chase a vice;
    What recreation can compare with this?

MATHAVYA [angrily].—­Away! tempter, away!  The King has recovered his senses, and is himself again.  As for you, you may, if you choose, wander about from forest to forest, till some old bear seizes you by the nose, and makes a mouthful of you.

KING.—­My good General, as we are just now in the neighborhood of a
consecrated grove, your panegyric upon hunting is somewhat ill-timed,
and I cannot assent to all you have said.  For the present,
    All undisturbed the buffaloes shall sport
    In yonder pool, and with their ponderous horns
    Scatter its tranquil waters, while the deer,
    Couched here and there in groups beneath the shade
    Of spreading branches, ruminate in peace. 
    And all securely shall the herd of boars
    Feed on the marshy sedge; and thou, my bow,
    With slackened string enjoy a long repose.

GENERAL.—­So please your Majesty, it shall be as you desire.