BOTH THE HERMITS [approaching].—­Victory to the King!

KING [rising from his seat].—­Hail to you both!

BOTH THE HERMITS.—­Heaven bless your Majesty!

          [They offer fruits.

KING [respectfully receiving the offering].—­Tell me, I pray you, the object of your visit.

BOTH THE HERMITS.—­The inhabitants of the hermitage having heard of your
Majesty’s sojourn in our neighborhood, make this humble petition.

KING.—­What are their commands?

BOTH THE HERMITS.—­In the absence of our Superior, the great Sage Kanwa, evil demons are disturbing our sacrificial rites.[36] Deign, therefore, accompanied by your charioteer, to take up your abode in our hermitage for a few days.

KING.—­I am honored by your invitation.

MATHAVYA [aside].—­Most opportune and convenient, certainly!

KING [smiling].—­Ho! there, Raivataka!  Tell the charioteer from me to bring round the chariot with my bow.

WARDER.—­I will, Sire. [Exit.

BOTH THE HERMITS [joyfully].—­Well it becomes the King by acts of
grace
    To emulate the virtues of his race. 
    Such acts thy lofty destiny attest;
    Thy mission is to succor the distressed.

KING [bowing to the Hermits].—­Go first, reverend Sirs, I will follow you immediately.

BOTH THE HERMITS.—­May victory attend you! [Exeunt.

KING.—­My dear Mathavya, are you not full of longing to see Sakoontala?

MATHAVYA.—­To tell you the truth, though I was just now brimful of desire to see her, I have not a drop left since this piece of news about the demons.

KING.—­Never fear; you shall keep close to me for protection.

MATHAVYA.—­Well, you must be my guardian-angel, and act the part of a very Vishnu[37] to me.

WARDER—­[entering].—­Sire, the chariot is ready, and only waits to conduct you to victory.  But here is a messenger named Karabhaka, just arrived from your capital, with a message from the Queen, your mother.

KING—­[respectfully].—­How say you? a messenger from the venerable Queen?

WARDER.—­Even so.

KING.—­Introduce him at once.

WARDER.—­I will, Sire. [Goes out, and re-enters with Karabhaka.]
Behold the King!  Approach.

KARABHAKA.—­Victory to the King!  The Queen-mother bids me say that in four days from the present time she intends celebrating a solemn ceremony for the advancement and preservation of her son.  She expects that your Majesty will honor her with your presence on that occasion.

KING.—­This places me in a dilemma.  Here, on the one hand, is the commission of these holy men to be executed; and, on the other, the command of my revered parent to be obeyed.  Both duties are too sacred to be neglected.  What is to be done?