FIRST CONSTABLE.--Jánuka, my fingers itch to strike the first blow at this royal victim here. We must kill him with all the honors, you know. I long to begin binding the flowers round his head. [_Pretends to strike a blow at the fisherman_. FISHERMAN.--Your honor surely will not put an innocent man to a cruel death. SECOND CONSTABLE [_looking_].--There's our Superintendent at last, I declare. See, he is coming towards us with a paper in his hand. We shall soon know the King's command; so prepare, my fine fellow, either to become food for the vultures, or to make acquaintance with some hungry cur. SUPERINTENDENT [_entering_].--Ho, there, Súchaka! set the fisherman at liberty, I tell you. His story about the ring is all correct. SÚCHAKA.--Oh! very good, sir; as you please. SECOND CONSTABLE.--The fellow had one foot in hell, and now here he is in the land of the living. [_Releases him_. FISHERMAN [_bowing to the Superintendent_].--Now, master, what think you of my way of getting a livelihood? SUPERINTENDENT.--Here, my good man, the King desired me to present you with this purse. It contains a sum of money equal to the full value of the ring. [_Gives him the money_. FISHERMAN [_taking it and bowing_].--His Majesty does me too great honor. SÚCHAKA.--You may well say so. He might as well have taken you from the gallows to seat you on his state elephant. JÁNUKA.--Master, the King must value the ring very highly, or he would never have sent such a sum of money to this ragamuffin. SUPERINTENDENT.--I don't think he prizes it as a costly jewel so much as a memorial of some person he tenderly loves. The moment it was shown to him he became much agitated, though in general he conceals his feelings. SÚCHAKA.--Then you must have done a great service------ JÁNUKA.--Yes, to this husband of a fish-wife. [_Looks enviously at the fisherman_. FISHERMAN.--Here's half the money for you, my masters. It will serve to purchase the flowers you spoke of, if not to buy me your good-will. JÁNUKA.--Well, now, that's just as it should be. SUPERINTENDENT.--My good fisherman, you are an excellent fellow, and I begin to feel quite a regard for you. Let us seal our first friendship over a glass of good liquor. Come along to the next wine-shop and we'll drink your health. ALL.--By all means. [_Exeunt._ ACT SIXTH Scene.--The Garden of the Palace _The nymph Sánumatí is seen descending in a celestial car_.