KING.—­I am all attention.

MATALI.—­There is a race of giants, the descendants of Kalanemi, whom the gods find difficult to subdue.

KING.—­So I have already heard from Narada.

MATALI.—­Heaven’s mighty lord, who deigns to call thee “friend,”
    Appoints thee to the post of highest honor,
    As leader of his armies; and commits
    The subjugation of this giant brood
    To thy resistless arms, e’en as the sun
    Leaves the pale moon to dissipate the darkness.

Let your Majesty, therefore, ascend at once the celestial car of Indra; and, grasping your arms, advance to victory.

KING.—­The mighty Indra honors me too highly by such a mark of distinction.  But tell me, what made you act thus towards my poor friend Mathavya?

MATALI.—­I will tell you.  Perceiving that your Majesty’s spirit was
completely broken by some distress of mind under which you were
laboring, I determined to rouse your energies by moving you to anger. 
Because
    To light a flame, we need but stir the embers;
    The cobra, when incensed, extends his head
    And springs upon his foe; the bravest men
    Display their courage only when provoked.

KING [aside to Mathavya].—­My dear Mathavya, the commands of the great
Indra must not be left unfulfilled.  Go you and acquaint my minister,
Pisuna, with what has happened, and say to him from me, Dushyanta to thy
care confides his realm—­
    Protect with all the vigor of thy mind
    The interests of my people; while my bow
    Is braced against the enemies of heaven.

MATHAVYA.—­I obey. [Exit.

MATALI.—­Ascend, illustrious Prince.
          [The King ascends the car.  Exeunt.

[41] The Koeil is the Indian cuckoo.  It is sometimes called Parabhrita (nourished by another) because the female is known to leave her eggs in the nest of the crow to be hatched.  The bird is a great favorite with the Indian poets, as the nightingale with Europeans.

[42] Palace of King Dushyanta, so-called because it was as lofty as the clouds.

ACT SEVENTH

Scene.—­The Sky

Enter King Dushyanta and Matali in the car of Indra, moving in the air.

KING.—­My good Matali, it appears to me incredible that I can merit such a mark of distinction for having simply fulfilled the behests of the great Indra.

MATALI [smiling].—­Great Prince, it seems to me that neither of you is
satisfied with himself—­
    You underrate the service you have rendered,
    And think too highly of the god’s reward: 
    He deems it scarce sufficient recompense
    For your heroic deeds on his behalf.