The King of the Dark Chamber Part 15

KOSHALA. With what intention?

GRANDFATHER. He has summoned you all to come to him.

KANCHI. Summoned us, indeed? In what terms has he been pleased to summon us?

GRANDFATHER. You can take his call in any way you like--there is none to prevent you--he is prepared to make all kinds of welcome to suit your various tastes.

VIRAT. But who are you?

GRANDFATHER. I am one of his generals.

KANCHI. Generals? It is a lie! Do you think of frightening us?

Do you imagine that I cannot see through your disguise? We all know you well--and you pose as a "general" before us!

GRANDFATHER. You have recognised me to perfection. Who is so unworthy as I to bear my King's commands? And yet it is he who has invested me with these robes of a general and sent me here: he has chosen me before greater generals and mightier warriors.

KANCHI. All right, we shall go to observe the proprieties and amenities on a fitting occasion--but at present we are in the midst of a pressing engagement. He will have to wait till this little function is over.

GRANDFATHER. When he sends out his call he does not wait.

KOSHALA. I shall obey his call; I am going at once.

VIDARBHA. Kanchi, I cannot agree with you in your proposal to wait till this function is over. I am going.

KALINGA. You are older than I am--I shall follow you.

PANCHALA. Look behind you, Prince of Kanchi, your regal umbrella is lying in the dust: you have not noticed when your umbrella-holder has stolen away.

KANCHI. All right, general. I too am going--but not to do him homage. I go to fight him on the battle-ground.

GRANDFATHER. You will meet my King in the field of battle: that is no mean place for your reception.

VIRAT. Look here, friends, perhaps we are all flying before an imagined terror--it looks as if the King of Kanchi will have the best of it.

PANCHALA. Possibly, when the fruit is so near the hand, it is cowardly and foolish to go away without plucking it.

KALINGA. It is better to join the King of Kanchi. He cannot be without a definite plan and purpose when he is doing and daring so much.

XVI

[SUDARSHANA and SURANGAMA]

SUDARSHANA. The fight is over now. When will the King come?

SURANGAMA. I do not know myself: I am also looking forward to his coming.

SUDARSHANA. I feel such a throb of joy, Surangama, that my breast is positively aching. But I am dying with shame too; how shall I show my face to him?

SURANGAMA. Go to him in utmost humility and resignation, and all shame will vanish in a moment.

SUDARSHANA. I cannot help confessing that I have met with my uttermost defeat for all the rest of my life. But pride made me claim the largest share in his love so long. Every one used to say I had such wonderful beauty, such graces and virtues; every one used to say that the King showed unlimited kindness towards me--this is what makes it difficult for me to bend my heart in humility before him.

SURANGAMA. This difficulty, my Queen, will pa.s.s off.

SUDARSHANA. Oh, yes, it will pa.s.s--the day has arrived for me to humble myself before the whole world. But why does not the King come to take me back? What more is he waiting for yet?

SURANGAMA. Have I not told you my King is cruel and hard--very hard indeed?

SUDARSHANA. Go out, Surangama, and bring me news of him.

SURANGAMA. I do not know where I should go to get any news of him. I have asked Grandfather to come; perhaps when he comes we shall hear something from him.

SUDARSHANA. Alack, my evil fate! I have been reduced to asking others to hear about my own King!

[Transciber's note: Alack should probably be replaced with Alas.]

[Enter GRANDFATHER]

SUDARSHANA. I have heard that you are my King's friend, so accept my obeisance and give me your blessings.

GRANDFATHER. What are you doing, Queen? I never accept anybody's obeisance. My relation with every one is only that of comradeship.

SUDARSHANA. Smile on me, then--give me good news. Tell me when the King is coming to take me back.

GRANDFATHER. You ask me a hard question, indeed! I hardly understand yet the ways of my friend. The battle is over, but no one can tell where he is gone.

SUDARSHANA. Is he gone away, then?

GRANDFATHER. I cannot find any trace of him here.

SUDARSHANA. Has he gone? And do you call such a person your friend?

GRANDFATHER. That is why he gets people's abuse as well as suspicion. But my King simply does not mind it in the least.

SUDARSHANA. Has he gone away? Oh, oh, how hard, how cruel, how cruel! He is made of stone, he is hard as adamant! I tried to move him with my own bosom--my breast is torn and bleeding--but him I could not move an inch! Grandfather, tell me, how can you manage with such a friend?

GRANDFATHER. I have known him now--I have known him through my griefs and joys--he can make me weep no more now.

SUDARSHANA. Will he not let me know him also?

GRANDFATHER. Why, he will, of course. Nothing else will satisfy him.

SUDARSHANA. Very well, I shall see how hard he can be! I shall stay here near the window without saying a word; I shall not move an inch; let me see if he will not come!