MESSENGER.
Your Highness, you will remember that the princess is in her father’s house.
KANCHI.
A daughter may stay in her father’s home only so long as she remains unmarried.
MESSENGER.
But her connections with her father’s family remain intact still.
KANCHI.
She has abjured all such relations now.
MESSENGER.
Such relationship can never be abjured, Your Highness, on this side of death: it may remain in abeyance at times, but can never be wholly broken up.
KANCHI.
If the King chooses not to give up his daughter to me on peaceful terms, our Kshatriya code of righteousness will oblige me to employ force. You may take this as my last word.
MESSENGER.
Your Highness, do not forget that our King too is bound by the same code. It is idle to expect that he will deliver up his daughter by merely hearing your threats.
KANCHI.
Tell your King that I have come prepared for such an answer. [MESSENGER goes out.]
SUVARNA.
King of Kanchi, it seems to me that we are daring too much.
KANCHI.
What pleasure would there be in this adventure if it were otherwise?