KING.—­Who dares insult the worthy Mathavya?

VETRAVATI.—­Some evil demon, invisible to human eyes, has seized him, and carried him to one of the turrets of the Palace of Clouds.

KING [rising].—­Impossible!  Have evil spirits power over my subjects,
even in my private apartments?  Well, well—­
    Daily I seem less able to avert
    Misfortune from myself, and o’er my actions
    Less competent to exercise control;
    How can I then direct my subjects’ ways,
    Or shelter them from tyranny and wrong?

A VOICE [behind the scenes].—­Halloo there! my dear friend; help! help!

KING [advancing with rapid strides].—­Fear nothing—­

THE SAME VOICE [behind the scenes].—­Fear nothing, indeed!  How can I help fearing when some monster is twisting back my neck, and is about to snap it as he would a sugarcane?

KING [looking round].—­What ho there! my bow.

SLAVE [entering with a bow].—­Behold your bow, Sire, and your arm-guard.

          [The king snatches up the bow and arrows.

ANOTHER VOICE [behind the scenes].—­Here, thirsting for thy life-blood, will I slay thee, As a fierce tiger rends his struggling prey.  Call now thy friend Dushyanta to thy aid; His bow is mighty to defend the weak; Yet all its vaunted power shall be as nought.

KING [with fury].—­What! dares he defy me to my face?  Hold there, monster!  Prepare to die, for your time is come. [Stringing his bow.] Vetravati, lead the way to the terrace.

VETRAVATI.—­This way, Sire. [They advance in haste.

KING [looking on every side].—­How’s this? there is nothing to be seen.

A VOICE [behind the scenes].—­Help!  Save me!  I can see you, though you cannot see me.  I am like a mouse in the claws of a cat; my life is not worth a moment’s purchase.

KING.—­Avaunt, monster!  You may pride yourself on the magic that renders
you invisible, but my arrow shall find you out.  Thus do I fix a shaft
    That shall discern between an impious demon
    And a good Brahman; bearing death to thee,
    To him deliverance—­even as the swan
    Distinguishes the milk from worthless water.
          [Takes aim.

          Enter Matali, holding Mathavya, whom he releases.

MATALI.—­Turn thou thy deadly arrows on the demons;
    Such is the will of Indra; let thy bow
    Be drawn against the enemies of the gods;
    But on thy friends cast only looks of favor.

KING [putting back his arrow].—­What, Matali!  Welcome, most noble charioteer of the mighty Indra.

MATHAVYA.—­So, here is a monster who thought as little about slaughtering me as if I had been a bullock for sacrifice, and you must e’en greet him with a welcome.

MATALI [smiling].—­Great Prince, hear on what errand Indra sent me into your presence.