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.

MA[T.]HAVYA. [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.

MA[T.]HAVYA.

Then may the King live for ever!

[Moves off.

KING.

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

MA[T.]HAVYA.

Say on, then.

KING.

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

MA[T.]HAVYA.

In eating something nice, I hope.

KING.

You shall know at some future time.

MA[T.]HAVYA.

No time better than the present.

KING.

What ho, there!

WARDER. [Entering.

What are your Majesty’s commands?

KING.

O Raivatika, bid the General of the forces attend.

WARDER.

I will, Sire.

[Exit and re-enters with the GENERAL.]

Come forward, General; his Majesty is looking towards you, and has some order to give you.

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 midday 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 Ma[T.]Havya here has been disparaging the
chase, till he has taken away all my relish for it.

GENERAL. [Aside to MA[T.]HAVYA.