See where thy partner sits on yonder flower,
And waits for thee ere she will sip its dew.
SÁNUMATÍ. [Aside.
A most polite way of warning him off!
MÁ[T.]HAVYA.
You'll find the obstinate creature is not to be sent about his business so easily as you think.
KING.
Dost thou presume to disobey? Now hear me:—
An thou but touch the lips of my beloved,
Sweet as the opening blossom, whence I quaffed
In happier days love's nectar, I will place thee
Within the hollow of yon lotus cup,
And there imprison thee for thy presumption.
MÁ[T.]HAVYA.
He must be bold indeed not to show any fear when you threaten him with such an awful punishment. [Smiling, aside.] He is stark mad, that's clear; and I believe, by keeping him company, I am beginning to talk almost as wildly. [Aloud.] Look, it is only a painted bee.