And now he felt these pictures grow daily more different
from those he used to paint.
This troubled him, and he sought in vain for an explanation
till one day he started up from work in horror, the
eyes of the god he had just drawn were those of the
minister, and so were the lips.
He tore up the picture, crying, “My revenge
has returned on my head!”
31
The General came before the silent and angry King
and saluting him said: “The village is
punished, the men are stricken to dust, and the women
cower in their unlit homes afraid to weep aloud.”
The High Priest stood up and blessed the King and
cried: “God’s mercy is ever upon
you.”
The Clown, when he heard this, burst out laughing
and startled the court. The King’s frown
darkened.
“The honour of the throne,” said the minister,
“is upheld by the King’s prowess and the
blessing of Almighty God.”
Louder laughed the Clown, and the King growled,—“Unseemly
mirth!”
“God has showered many blessings upon your head,”
said the Clown; “the one he bestowed on me was
the gift of laughter.”
“This gift will cost you your life,” said
the King, gripping his sword with his right hand.
Yet the Clown stood up and laughed till he laughed
no more.
A shadow of dread fell upon the Court, for they heard
that laughter echoing in the depth of God’s
silence.
32
THE MOTHER’S PRAYER
Prince Duryodhana, the son of the blind Kaurava
King Dhritarashtra, and of Queen Gandhari, has played
with his cousins the Pandava Kings for their kingdom,
and won it by fraud.
You have compassed your end.
Success is mine!
Are you happy?
I am victorious.
I ask you again, what happiness have you in winning
the undivided kingdom?
Sire, a Kshatriya thirsts not after happiness but
victory, that fiery wine pressed from seething jealousy.
Wretchedly happy we were, like those inglorious stains
that lie idly on the breast of the moon, when we lived
in peace under the friendly dominance of our cousins.
Then these Pandavas milked the world of its wealth,
and allowed us a share, in brotherly tolerance.
Now that they own defeat and expect banishment, I am
no longer happy but exultant.
Wretch, you forget that both Pandavas and Kauravas
have the same forefathers.
