FIRST ATTENDANT.
Let the young lion go, like a dear child, and I will give you something else to play with.
CHILD.
Where is it? Give it me first.
[Stretches out his hand.
KING. [Looking at his hand.
How's that? His hand exhibits one of those mystic marks[84] which are the sure prognostic of universal empire. See! His fingers stretched in eager expectation To grasp the wished-for toy, and knit together By a close-woven web, in shape resemble A lotus blossom, whose expanding petals The early dawn has only half unfolded.
SECOND ATTENDANT.
We shall never pacify him by mere words, dear Suvratá. Be kind enough to go to my cottage, and you will find there a plaything belonging to Márkandeya, one of the hermit's children. It is a peacock made of china-ware, painted in many colours. Bring it here for the child.