my well-braced bow
Against the timid deer; nor e'er again
With well-aimed arrows can I think to harm
These her beloved associates, who enjoy
The privilege of her companionship;
Teaching her tender glances in return.

MA[T.]HAVYA. [_Looking in the King's face_.

I may as well speak to the winds, for any attention you pay to my
requests. I suppose you have something on your mind, and are
talking it over to yourself.

KING. [_Smiling_.

I was only thinking that I ought not to disregard a friend's
request.

MA[T.]HAVYA.

Then may the King live for ever!

[_Moves off_.

KING.

Stay a moment, my dear friend. I have something else to say to
you.

MA[T.]HAVYA.

Say on, then.

KING.

When you have rested, you must assist me in another business
which will give you no fatigue.

MA[T.]HAVYA.

In eating something nice, I hope.

KING.

You shall know at some future time.

MA[T.]HAVYA.

No time better than the present.

KING.

What ho, there!

WARDER. [_Entering_.

What are your Majesty's commands?

KING.

O Raivatika, bid the General of the forces attend.

WARDER.

I will, Sire.

[_Exit and re-enters with the_ GENERAL.]

Come forward, General; his Majesty is looking towards you, and
has some order to give you.

GENERAL. [_Looking at the_ KING.

Though hunting is known to produce ill effects, my royal master
has derived only benefit from it. For

Like the majestic elephant that roams
O'er mountain wilds, so does the King display
A stalwart frame, instinct with vigorous life.
His brawny arms and manly chest are scored
By frequent passage of the sounding string;
Unharmed he bears the midday sun; no toil
His mighty spirit daunts; his sturdy limbs,
Stripped of redundant flesh, relinquish nought
Of their robust proportions, but appear
In muscle, nerve, and sinewy fibre cased.

[_Approaching the_ KING.

Victory to the King! We have tracked the wild beasts to their
lairs in the forest. Why delay, when everything is ready?

KING.

My friend Ma[T.]Havya here has been disparaging the
chase, till he has taken away all my relish for it.

GENERAL. [_Aside to_ MA[T.]HAVYA.

Persevere i