t thou? that he is conversing with Aditi and
some of the wives of the great sages, and that they are
questioning him respecting the duties of a faithful wife?

KING. [_Listening_.

Then we must await the holy father's leisure.

MATALI. [_Looking at the_ KING.

If your Majesty will rest under the shade, at the foot of this
A[s']oka-tree [118], I will seek an opportunity of announcing your
arrival to Indra's reputed father.

KING.

As you think proper.

[_Remains under the tree_.

MATALI.

Great King, I go. [_Exit_.

KING. [_Feeling his arm throb_.

Wherefore this causeless throbbing, O mine arm[18]?
All hope has fled for ever; mock me not
With presages of good, when happiness
Is lost, and nought but misery remains.

A VOICE BEHIND THE SCENES.

Be not so naughty. Do you begin already to show a refractory
spirit?

KING. [_Listening_.

This is no place for petulance. Who can it be whose behaviour
calls for such a rebuke?

[_Looking in the direction of the sound and smiling_.]

A child, is it? closely attended by two holy women. His
disposition seems anything but child-like. See!

He braves the fury of yon lioness
Suckling its savage offspring, and compels
The angry whelp to leave the half-sucked dug,
Tearing its tender mane in boisterous sport.

_Enter a_ CHILD, _attended by_ TWO WOMEN _of the hermitage, in
the manner described_.

CHILD.

Open your mouth, my young lion, I want to count your teeth.

FIRST ATTENDANT.

You naughty child, why do you tease the animals? Know you not
that we cherish them in this hermitage as if they were our own
children? In good sooth, you have a high spirit of your own, and
are beginning already to do justice to the name Sarva-damana
('All-taming'), given you by the hermits.

KING.

Strange! My heart inclines towards the boy with almost as much
affection as if he were my own child. What can be the reason? I
suppose my own childlessness makes me yearn towards the sons of
others.

SECOND ATTENDANT.

This lioness will certainly attack you if you do not release her
whelp.

CHILD. [_Laughing_.

Oh! indeed! let her come. Much I fear her, to be sure!