[_Exeunt_.

* * * * *

PRELUDE TO ACT VI.

SCENE.--_A Street_.

_Enter the King's brother-in-law as_ SUPERINTENDENT _of the city
police; and with him_ TWO CONSTABLES, _dragging a poor_
FISHERMAN, _who has his hands tied behind his back_.

BOTH THE CONSTABLES. [_Striking the prisoner_.

Take that for a rascally thief that you are; and now tell us, sirrah,
where you found this ring--aye, the King's own signet-ring. See, here
is the royal name engraved on the setting of the jewel.

FISHERMAN. [_With a gesture of alarm_.

Mercy! kind sirs, mercy! I did not steal it; indeed I did not.

FIRST CONSTABLE.

Oh! then I suppose the King took you for some fine Brahman, and
made you a present of it?

FISHERMAN.

Only hear me. I am but a poor fisherman, living at Sakravatara--

SECOND CONSTABLE.

Scoundrel, who ever asked you, pray, for a history of your birth
and parentage?

SUPERINTENDENT. [_To one of the_ CONSTABLES.

Suchaka, let the fellow tell his own story from the beginning.
Don't interrupt him.

BOTH CONSTABLES.

As you please, master. Go on, then, sirrah, and say what you've
got to say.

FISHERMAN.

You see in me a poor man, who supports his family by catching
fish with nets, hooks, and the like.

SUPERINTENDENT. [_Laughing_.

A most refined occupation, certainly[85]!

FISHERMAN.

Blame me not for it, master,

The father's occupation, though despised
By others, casts no shame upon the son,
And he should not forsake it[86]. Is the priest
Who kills the animal for sacrifice
Therefore deemed cruel? Sure a low-born man
May, though a fisherman, be tender-hearted.

SUPERINTENDENT.

Well, well; go on with your story.

FISHERMAN.

One day I was cutting open a large carp[87] I had just hooked,
when the sparkle of a jewel caught my eye, and what should I find
in the fish's maw but that ring! Soon afterwards, when I was
offering it for sale, I was seized by your honours. Now you know
everything. Whether you kill me, or whether you let me go, this
is the true account of how the ring came into my possession.

SUPERINTENDENT. [_To one of the_ CONSTABLES.

Well, Januka, the rascal emits such a fishy odour that I have no
doubt of his being a fisherman; but we must inquire a little more
closely into this queer story about th