The affair of the merchant's death has quite upset our royal
master, and caused him sad distress. Would it not be better to
fetch the worthy Ma[t.]havya from the Palace of Clouds to comfort
him?

VETRAVATI.

A very good idea.

[_Exit_.

KING.

Alas! the shades of my forefathers are even now beginning to be
alarmed, lest at my death they may be deprived of their funeral
libations.

No son remains in King Dushyanta's place
To offer sacred homage to the dead
Of Puru's noble line; my ancestors
Must drink these glistening tears, the last libation[99]
A childless man can ever hope to make them.

[_Falls down in an agony of grief_.

CHATURIKA. [_Looking at him in consternation_.

Great King, compose yourself.

SANUMATI. [_Aside_.

Alas! alas! though a bright light is shining near him, he is
involved in the blackest darkness, by reason of the veil that
obscures his sight. I will now reveal all, and put an end to his
misery. But no; I heard the mother of the great Indra[100], when
she was consoling [S']akoontala, say that the gods will soon bring
about a joyful union between husband and wife, being eager for
the sacrifice which will be celebrated in their honour on the
occasion. I must not anticipate the happy moment, but will return
at once to my dear friend and cheer her with an account of what I
have seen and heard. [_Rises aloft and disappears_.

A VOICE BEHIND THE SCENES.

Help! help! to the rescue!

KING.

[_Recovering himself. Listening_.

Ha! I heard a cry of distress, and in Ma[t.]havya's voice too. What
ho there!

VETRAVATI. [_Entering_.

Your friend is in danger; save him, great King.

KING.

Who dares insult the worthy Ma[t.]havya?

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 nay 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 BEH