Maid.  Your Majesty, I hope that Pingalika and the other maids did not catch poor Madhavya with the picture in his hands.

King.  Go, Chaturika.  Reprove the queen in my name for not controlling her servants.

Maid.  Yes, your Majesty. (Exit.)

The voice.  Help, help!

King.  The Brahman’s voice seems really changed by fear.  Who waits without? (Enter the chamberlain.)

Chamberlain.  Your Majesty commands?

King.  See why poor Madhavya is screaming so.

Chamberlain.  I will see. (He goes out, and returns trembling.)

King.  Parvatayana, I hope it is nothing very dreadful.

Chamberlain.  I hope not.

King.  Then why do you tremble so?  For

  Why should the trembling, born
  Of age, increasing, seize
  Your limbs and bid them shake
  Like fig-leaves in the breeze?

Chamberlain.  Save your friend, O King!

King.  From what?

Chamberlain.  From great danger.

King.  Speak plainly, man.

Chamberlain.  On the Cloud Balcony, open to the four winds of heaven—­

King.  What has happened there?

Chamberlain.

  While he was resting on its height,
  Which palace peacocks in their flight
  Can hardly reach, he seemed to be
  Snatched up—­by what, we could not see.

King (rising quickly).  My very palace is invaded by evil creatures.  To be a king, is to be a disappointed man.

  The moral stumblings of mine own,
  The daily slips, are scarcely known;
  Who then that rules a kingdom, can
  Guide every deed of every man?

The voice.  Hurry, hurry!

King (hears the voice and quickens his steps).  Have no fear, my friend.

The voice.  Have no fear!  When something has got me by the back of the neck, and is trying to break my bones like a piece of sugar-cane!

King (looks about).  A bow! a bow! (Enter a Greek woman with a bow.)

Greek woman.  A bow and arrows, your Majesty.  And here are the finger-guards. (The king takes the bow and arrows.)

Another voice behind the scenes.

  Writhe, while I drink the red blood flowing clear
  And kill you, as a tiger kills a deer;
  Let King Dushyanta grasp his bow; but how
  Can all his kingly valour save you now?

King (angrily).  He scorns me, too!  In one moment, miserable demon, you shall die. (Stringing his bow.) Where is the stairway, Parvatayana?

Chamberlain.  Here, your Majesty. (All make haste.)

King (Looking about).  There is no one here.

The Clown’s voice.  Save me, save me!  I see you, if you can’t see me.  I am a mouse in the claws of the cat.  I am done for. King.  You are proud of your invisibility.  But shall not my arrow see you?  Stand still.  Do not hope to escape by clinging to my friend.