IND THE SCENES.

Halloo there! my dear friend; help! help!

KING. [_Advancing with rapid strides_.

Fear nothing--

THE SAME VOICE BEHIND THE SCENES.

Fear nothing, indeed! How can I help fearing when some monster is
twisting back my neck, and is about to snap it as he would a
sugar-cane?

KING. [_Looking round_.
What ho there! my bow!

SLAVE. [_Entering with a bow_.

Behold your bow, Sire, and your arm-guard.

[_The_ KING _snatches up the bow and arrows_.

ANOTHER VOICE BEHIND THE SCENES.

Here, thirsting for thy life-blood, will I slay thee,
As a fierce tiger rends his struggling prey.
Call now thy friend Dushyanta to thy aid;
His bow is mighty to defend the weak;
Yet all its vaunted power shall be as nought.

KING. [_With fury_.

What! dares he defy me to my face? Hold there, monster! Prepare
to die, for your time is come.

[_Stringing his bow_.]

Vetravati, lead the way to the terrace.

VETRAVATI.

This way, Sire.

[_They advance in haste_.

KING. [_Looking on every side_.

How's this? there is nothing to be seen.

A VOICE BEHIND THE SCENES.

Help! Save me! I can see you, though you cannot see me. I am like
a mouse in the claws of a cat; my life is not worth a minute's
purchase.

KING.

Avaunt, monster! You may pride yourself on the
magic that renders you invisible, but my arrow shall
find you out. Thus do I fix a shaft
That shall discern between an impious demon,
And a good Brahman; bearing death to thee,
To him deliverance--even as the swan
Distinguishes the milk from worthless water[101].

[_Takes aim_.

_Enter_ MATALI[102] _holding_ MA[T.]HAVYA, _whom he releases_.

MATALI.

Turn thou thy deadly arrows on the demons;
Such is the will of Indra; let thy bow
Be drawn against the enemies of the gods;
But on thy friends cast only looks of favour.

KING. [_Putting back his arrow_.

What, Matali! Welcome, most noble charioteer of the mighty Indra.

MA[T.]HAVYA.

So, here is a monster who thought as little about slaughtering me
as if I had been a bullock for sacrifice, and you must e'en greet
him with a welcome.

MATALI.