WARDER--[_entering_].--Sire, the chariot is ready, and only waits to conduct you to victory. But here is a messenger named Karabhaka, just arrived from your capital, with a message from the Queen, your mother. KING--[_respectfully_].--How say you? a messenger from the venerable Queen? WARDER.--Even so. KING.--Introduce him at once. WARDER.--I will, Sire. [_Goes out, and re-ënters with Karabhaka_.] Behold the King! Approach. KARABHAKA.--Victory to the King! The Queen-mother bids me say that in four days from the present time she intends celebrating a solemn ceremony for the advancement and preservation of her son. She expects that your Majesty will honor her with your presence on that occasion. KING.--This places me in a dilemma. Here, on the one hand, is the commission of these holy men to be executed; and, on the other, the command of my revered parent to be obeyed. Both duties are too sacred to be neglected. What is to be done? MÁTHAVYA.--You will have to take up an intermediate position between the two, like King Triśanku, who was suspended between heaven and earth, because the sage Viśwámitra commanded him to mount up to heaven, and the gods ordered him down again. KING.--I am certainly very much perplexed. For here, Two different duties are required of me In widely distant places; how can I In my own person satisfy them both? Thus is my mind distracted and impelled In opposite directions, like a stream That, driven back by rocks, still rushes on, Forming two currents in its eddying course. [_Reflecting_.] Friend Máthavya, as you were my playfellow in childhood, the Queen has always received you like a second son; go you, then, back to her and tell her of my solemn engagement to assist these holy men. You can supply my place in the ceremony, and act the part of a son to the Queen. MÁTHAVYA.--With the greatest pleasure in the world; but don't suppose that I am really coward enough to have the slightest fear of those trumpery demons. KING [_smiling_].--Oh! of course not; a great Bráhman like you could not possibly give way to such weakness. MÁTHAVYA.--You must let me travel in a manner suitable to the King's younger brother. KING.--Yes, I shall send my retinue with you, that there may be no further disturbance in this sacred forest. MÁTHAVYA [_with a strut_].--Already I feel quite like a young prince.