The King! the King! This way, Sire, this way.
CHAMBERLAIN. [Listening.
Oh! here comes his Majesty in this direction. Pass on, maidens; attend to your duties.
BOTH MAIDENS.
We will, sir.
[Exeunt.
Enter King DUSHYANTA, dressed in deep mourning, attended his Jester, MÁ[T.]HAVYA, and preceded by VETRAVATÍ.
CHAMBERLAIN. [Gazing at the KING.
Well, noble forms are certainly pleasing, under all varieties of outward circumstances. The King's person is as charming as ever, notwithstanding his sorrow of mind.
Though but a single golden bracelet spans
His wasted arm; though costly ornaments
Have given place to penitential weeds;
Though oft-repeated sighs have blanched his lips,
And robbed them of their bloom; though sleepless care
And carking thought have dimmed his beaming eye;
Yet does his form, by its inherent lustre,
Dazzle the gaze; and, like a priceless gem
Committed to some cunning polisher,
Grow more effulgent by the loss of substance.