“KING”.
Princes, these heavy jokes are not worthy of a king.
KANCHI.
Those who will jest properly with you are near at hand. General!
“KING”.
No more, I entreat you. I can see plainly I owe homage to you all. The head is bowing down of itself—there is no need for the application of any sharp methods to lay it low. So here I do my obeisance to you all. If you kindly allow me to escape I shall not inflict my presence long on you.
KANCHI.
Why should you escape? We will make you king of this place—let us carry our joke to its legitimate finish. Have you got any following?
“KING”.
I have. Every one who sees me in the streets flocks after me. When I had a meagre retinue at first every one regarded me with suspicion, but now with the increasing crowd their doubts are waning and dissolving. The crowd is being hypnotised by its own magnitude. I have not got to do anything now.
KANCHI.
That’s excellent! From this moment we all promise to help and stand by you. But you will have to do us one service in return.
“KING”.
Your commands and the crown you are putting on my head will be equally binding and sacred to me.
KANCHI.
At present we want nothing more than a sight of the Queen Sudarshana. You will have to see to this.
“KING”.
I shall spare no pains for that.
KANCHI.
We cannot put much faith on your pains—you will be solely directed by our instructions. But now you can go and join the festivities in the royal arbour with all possible splendour and magnificence.[They go out.]