Scene 1 - Page 2

scriptures, and never for a single day did
he cross this circle. After his death a serious difficulty
arose--how cremate him within the limits of the 49 cubits and yet
outside the house? At length the priests decided that though we
could not go beyond the scriptural number, the only way out of
the difficulty was to reverse the figure and make it 94 cubits;
only thus could we cremate him outside the house without
violating the sacred books. My word, that was strict observance!
Ours is indeed no common country.

BHAVADATTA. And yet, though Janardan comes from the very same
soil, he thinks it wise to declare that open highways are best
for a country.

[Enter GRANDFATHER with a band of boys]

GRANDFATHER. Boys, we will have to vie with the wild breeze of
the south to-day--and we are not going to be beaten. We will
sing till we have flooded all streets with our mirth and song.

SONG.

The southern gate is unbarred. Come, my spring, come!
Thou wilt swing at the swing of my heart, come, my spring,
come!
Come in the lisping leaves, in the youthful surrender of
flowers;
Come in the flute songs and the wistful sighs of the woodlands!
Let your unfastened robe wildly flap in the drunken wind!
Come, my spring, come!

[Exeunt.]

[Enter a band of CITIZENS]

FIRST CITIZEN. After all, one cannot help wishing that the King
had allowed himself to be seen at least this one day. What a
great pity, to live in his kingdom and yet not to have seen him
for a single day!

SECOND CITIZEN. If you only knew the real meaning of all this
mystery! I could tell you if you would keep a secret.

FIRST CITIZEN. My dear fellow, we both live in the same quarter
of the town, but have you ever known me letting out any man s
secret? Of course, that matter of your brother's finding a
hidden fortune while digging for a well--well, you know well
enough why I had to give it out. You know all the facts.

SECOND CITIZEN. Of course I know. And it is because I know that
I ask, could you keep a secret if I tell you? It may mean
ruination to us all, you know, if you once let it out.

THIRD CITIZEN. You are a nice man, after all, Virupaksha! Why
are you so anxious to bring down a disaster which as yet only may
happen? Who will be responsible for keeping your secret all his
life?

VIRUPAKSHA. It is only because the topic came up--well, then, I
shall not say anything. I am not the man to say things for
nothing. You had yourself brought up the question that the King
never showed himself; and I only remarked that it was not for
nothing that the King shut himself up from the public gaze.

FIRST CITIZEN. Pray do tell us why, Virupaksha.