Persevere in your opposition, my good fellow; I will sound the
King’s real feelings, and humour him accordingly.

[Aloud.

The blockhead talks nonsense, and your Majesty in your own person furnishes the best proof of it.  Observe, Sire, the advantage and pleasure the hunter derives from the chase.

MA[T.]HAVYA. [Angrily.

Away! tempter, away!  The King has recovered his senses, and is himself again.  As for you, you may, if you choose, wander about from forest to forest, till some old bear seizes you by the nose, and makes a mouthful of you.

KING.

My good General, as we are just now in the neighbourhood of a consecrated grove, your panegyric upon hunting is somewhat ill-timed, and I cannot assent to all you have said.  For the present,

  All undisturbed the buffaloes shall sport
  In yonder pool, and with their ponderous horns
  Scatter its tranquil waters, while the deer,
  Couched here and there in groups beneath the shade
  Of spreading branches, ruminate in peace. 
  And all securely shall the herd of boars
  Feed on the marshy sedge; and thou, my bow,
  With slackened string, enjoy a long repose.

GENERAL.

So please your Majesty, it shall be as you desire.

KING.

Recall, then, the beaters who were sent in advance to surround the forest.  My troops must not be allowed to disturb this sacred retreat, and irritate its pious inhabitants.

  Know that within the calm and cold recluse
  Lurks unperceived a germ of smothered flame,
  All-potent to destroy; a latent fire
  That rashly kindled bursts with fury forth;
  As in the disc of crystal[35] that remains
  Cool to the touch, until the solar ray
  Falls on its polished surface, and excites
  The burning heat that lies within concealed.

GENERAL.

Your Majesty’s commands shall be obeyed.

MA[T.]HAVYA.

Off with you, you son of a slave!  Your nonsense won’t go down here, my fine fellow.

[Exit GENERAL.

KING. [Looking at his attendants.

Here, women, take my hunting-dress; and you, Raivatika, keep guard carefully outside.

ATTENDANTS.

We will, Sire.

[Exeunt.

MA[T.]HAVYA.

Now that you have got rid of these plagues, who have been buzzing about us like so many flies, sit down, do, on that stone slab, with the shade of the tree as your canopy, and I will seat myself by you quite comfortably.

KING.

Go you, and sit down first.

MA[T.]HAVYA.

Come along, then.

[Both walk on a little way, and seat themselves.

KING.

Ma[T.]Havya, it may be said of you that you have never beheld anything worth seeing; for your eyes have not yet looked upon the loveliest object in creation.