CHAMBERLAIN.—­Alas! to what an advanced period of life have I attained! 
    Even this wand betrays the lapse of years;
    In youthful days ’twas but a useless badge
    And symbol of my office; now it serves
    As a support to prop my tottering steps.

Ah me!  I feel very unwilling to announce to the King that a deputation of young hermits from the sage Kanwa has arrived, and craves an immediate audience.  Certainly, his majesty ought not to neglect a matter of sacred duty, yet I hardly like to trouble him when he has just risen from the judgment-seat.  Well, well; a monarch’s business is to sustain the world, and he must not expect much repose; because—­

    Onward, forever onward, in his car
    The unwearied Sun pursues his daily course,
    Nor tarries to unyoke his glittering steeds. 
    And ever moving speeds the rushing Wind
    Through boundless space, filling the universe
    With his life-giving breezes.  Day and night,
    The King of Serpents on his thousand heads
    Upholds the incumbent earth; and even so,
    Unceasing toil is aye the lot of kings,
    Who, in return, draw nurture from their subjects.

I will therefore deliver my message. [Walking on and looking about.]
Ah! here comes the King:—­

    His subjects are his children; through the day,
    Like a fond father, to supply their wants,
    Incessantly he labors; wearied now,
    The monarch seeks seclusion and repose—­
    E’en as the prince of elephants defies
    The sun’s fierce heat, and leads the fainting herd
    To verdant pastures, ere his wayworn limbs
    He yields to rest beneath the cooling shade.

[Approaching.] Victory to the King!  So please your majesty, some hermits who live in a forest near the Snowy Mountains have arrived here, bringing certain women with them.  They have a message to deliver from the sage Kanwa, and desire an audience.  I await your Majesty’s commands.

KING [respectfully].—­A message from the sage Kanwa, did you say?

CHAMBERLAIN.—­Even so, my liege.

KING.—­Tell my domestic priest, Somarata, to receive the hermits with due honor, according to the prescribed form.  He may then himself introduce them into my presence.  I will await them in a place suitable for the reception of such holy guests.

CHAMBERLAIN.—­Your Majesty’s commands shall be obeyed. [Exit.

KING [rising and addressing the Warder].—­Vetravati, lead the way to the chamber of the consecrated fire.

WARDER.—­This way, Sire.

KING [walking on, with the air of one oppressed by the cares of
government].—­People are generally contented and happy when they have
gained their desires; but kings have no sooner attained the object of
their aspirations than all their troubles begin. 
    ’Tis a fond thought