Hindu literature Part 52

MaTHAVYA [_smiling_].--This pa.s.sion of yours for a rustic maiden, when you have so many gems of women at home in your palace, seems to me very like the fancy of a man who is tired of sweet dates, and longs for sour tamarinds as a variety.

KING.--You have not seen her, or you would not talk in this fashion.

MaTHAVYA.--I can quite understand it must require something surpa.s.singly attractive to excite the admiration of such a great man as you.

KING.--I will describe her, my dear friend, in a few words-- Man's all-wise Maker, wishing to create A faultless form, whose matchless symmetry Should far transcend Creation's choicest works, Did call together by his mighty will, And garner up in his eternal mind, A bright a.s.semblage of all lovely things:-- And then, as in a picture, fashion them Into one perfect and ideal form.

Such the divine, the wondrous prototype, Whence her fair shape was moulded into being.

MaTHAVYA.--If that's the case, she must indeed throw all other beauties into the shade.

KING.--To my mind she really does.

This peerless maid is like a fragrant flower, Whose perfumed breath has never been diffused; A tender bud, that no profaning hand Has dared to sever from its parent stalk; A gem of priceless water, just released Pure and unblemished from its glittering bed.

Or may the maiden haply be compared To sweetest honey, that no mortal lip Has sipped; or, rather to the mellowed fruit Of virtuous actions in some former birth, Now brought to full perfection? Lives the man Whom bounteous heaven has destined to espouse her?

MaTHAVYA.--Make haste, then, to her aid; you have no time to lose, if you don't wish this fruit of all the virtues to drop into the mouth of some greasy-headed rustic of devout habits.

KING.--The lady is not her own mistress, and her foster-father is not at home.

MaTHAVYA.--Well, but tell me, did she look at all kindly upon you?

KING.--Maidens brought up in a hermitage are naturally shy and reserved; but for all that, She did look towards me, though she quick withdrew Her stealthy glances when she met my gaze; She smiled upon me sweetly, but disguised With maiden grace the secret of her smiles.

Coy love was half unveiled; then, sudden checked By modesty, left half to be divined.

MaTHAVYA.--Why, of course, my dear friend, you never could seriously expect that at the very first sight she would fall over head and ears in love with you, and without more ado come and sit in your lap.

KING.--When we parted from each other, she betrayed her liking for me by clearer indications, but still with the utmost modesty.

Scarce had the fair one from my presence pa.s.sed, When, suddenly, without apparent cause, She stopped, and counterfeiting pain, exclaimed, "My foot is wounded by this p.r.i.c.kly gra.s.s."

Then glancing at me tenderly, she feigned Another charming pretext for delay, Pretending that a bush had caught her robe, And turned as if to disentangle it.

MaTHAVYA.--I trust you have laid in a good stock of provisions, for I see you intend making this consecrated grove your game-preserve, and will be roaming here in quest of sport for some time to come.

KING.--You must know, my good fellow, that I have been recognized by some of the inmates of the hermitage. Now I want the a.s.sistance of your fertile invention, in devising some excuse for going there again.

MaTHAVYA.--There is but one expedient that I can suggest. You are the King, are you not?

KING.--What then?

MaTHAVYA.--Say you have come for the sixth part of their grain, which they owe you for tribute.

KING.--No, no, foolish man; these hermits pay me a very different kind of tribute, which I value more than heaps of gold or jewels; observe, The tribute which my other subjects bring Must moulder into dust, but holy men Present me with a portion of the fruits Of penitential services and prayers-- A precious and imperishable gift.

A VOICE [_behind the scenes_].--We are fortunate; here is the object of our search.

KING [_listening],_--Surely those must be the voices of hermits, to judge by their deep tones.

WARDER [_entering],_--Victory to the King! two young hermits are in waiting outside, and solicit an audience of your Majesty.

KING.--Introduce them immediately.

WARDER.--I will, my liege. [_Goes out, and reenters with two young Hermits_.] This way, Sirs, this way.

[_Both the Hermits look at the King_

FIRST HERMIT.--How majestic is his mien, and yet what confidence it inspires! But this might be expected in a king whose character and habits have earned for him a t.i.tle only one degree removed from that of a Saint.

In this secluded grove, whose sacred joys All may partic.i.p.ate, he deigns to dwell Like one of us; and daily treasures up A store of purest merit for himself, By the protection of our holy rites.

In his own person wondrously are joined Both majesty and saintlike holiness:-- And often chanted by inspired bards, His hallowed t.i.tle of "Imperial Sage"

Ascends in joyous accents to the skies.

SECOND HERMIT.--Bear in mind, Gautama, that this is the great Dushyanta, the friend of Indra.

FIRST HERMIT.--What of that?

SECOND HERMIT.--Where is the wonder if his nervous arm, Puissant and ma.s.sive as the iron bar That binds a castle-gateway, singly sways The sceptre of the universal earth, E'en to its dark-green boundary of waters?

Or if the G.o.ds, beholden to his aid In their fierce warfare with the powers of h.e.l.l, Should blend his name with Indra's in their songs Of victory, and gratefully accord No lower meed of praise to his braced bow, Than to the thunders of the G.o.d of heaven?

BOTH THE HERMITS [_approaching_].--Victory to the King!

KING [_rising from his seat_].--Hail to you both!

BOTH THE HERMITS.--Heaven bless your Majesty!

[_They offer fruits_.

KING [_respectfully receiving the offering_].--Tell me, I pray you, the object of your visit.

BOTH THE HERMITS.--The inhabitants of the hermitage having heard of your Majesty's sojourn in our neighborhood, make this humble pet.i.tion.

KING.--What are their commands?

BOTH THE HERMITS.--In the absence of our Superior, the great Sage Kanwa, evil demons are disturbing our sacrificial rites.[36] Deign, therefore, accompanied by your charioteer, to take up your abode in our hermitage for a few days.

KING.--I am honored by your invitation.

MaTHAVYA [_aside_].--Most opportune and convenient, certainly!

KING [_smiling_].--Ho! there, Raivataka! Tell the charioteer from me to bring round the chariot with my bow.

WARDER.--I will, Sire. [_Exit._

BOTH THE HERMITS [_joyfully_].--Well it becomes the King by acts of grace To emulate the virtues of his race.

Such acts thy lofty destiny attest; Thy mission is to succor the distressed.

KING [_bowing to the Hermits_].--Go first, reverend Sirs, I will follow you immediately.

BOTH THE HERMITS.--May victory attend you! [_Exeunt._

KING.--My dear Mathavya, are you not full of longing to see Sakoontala?

MaTHAVYA.--To tell you the truth, though I was just now brimful of desire to see her, I have not a drop left since this piece of news about the demons.