The King of the Dark Chamber: Scene 16

Scene 16

XVI

[SUDARSHANA and SURANGAMA]

SUDARSHANA. The fight is over now. When will the King come?

SURANGAMA. I do not know myself: I am also looking forward to
his coming.

SUDARSHANA. I feel such a throb of joy, Surangama, that my
breast is positively aching. But I am dying with shame too; how
shall I show my face to him?

SURANGAMA. Go to him in utmost humility and resignation, and all
shame will vanish in a moment.

SUDARSHANA. I cannot help confessing that I have met with my
uttermost defeat for all the rest of my life. But pride made me
claim the largest share in his love so long. Every one used to
say I had such wonderful beauty, such graces and virtues; every
one used to say that the King showed unlimited kindness towards
me--this is what makes it difficult for me to bend my heart in
humility before him.

SURANGAMA. This difficulty, my Queen, will pass off.

SUDARSHANA. Oh, yes, it will pass--the day has arrived for me to
humble myself before the whole world. But why does not the King
come to take me back? What more is he waiting for yet?

SURANGAMA. Have I not told you my King is cruel and hard--very
hard indeed?

SUDARSHANA. Go out, Surangama, and bring me news of him.

SURANGAMA. I do not know where I should go to get any news of
him. I have asked Grandfather to come; perhaps when he comes we
shall hear something from him.

SUDARSHANA. Alack, my evil fate! I have been reduced to asking
others to hear about my own King!

[Transciber's note: Alack should probably be replaced with Alas.]

[Enter GRANDFATHER]

SUDARSHANA. I have heard that you are my King's friend, so
accept my obeisance and give me your blessings.

GRANDFATHER. What are you doing, Queen? I never accept
anybody's obeisance. My relation with every one is only that of
comradeship.

SUDARSHANA. Smile on me, then--give me good news. Tell me when
the King is coming to take me back.

GRANDFATHER. You ask me a hard question, indeed! I hardly
understand yet the ways of my friend. The battle is over, but no
one can tell where he is gone.

SUDARSHANA. Is he gone away, then?

GRANDFATHER. I cannot find any trace of him here.

SUDARSHANA. Has he gone? And do you call such a person your
friend?

GRANDFATHER. That is why he gets people's abuse as well as
suspicion. But my King simply does not mind it in the least.

SUDARSHANA. Has he gone away? Oh, oh, how hard, how cruel, how
cruel! He is made of stone, he is hard as adamant! I tried to
move him with my own bosom--my breast is torn and bleeding--but
him I could not move an inch! Grandfather, tell me, how can you
manage with such a friend?

GRANDFATHER. I have known him now--I have known him through my
griefs and joys--he can make me weep no more now.

SUDARSHANA. Will he not let me know him also?

GRANDFATHER. Why, he will, of course. Nothing else will satisfy
him.

SUDARSHANA. Very well, I shall see how hard he can be! I shall
stay here near the window without saying a word; I shall not move
an inch; let me see if he will not come!

GRANDFATHER. You are young still--you can afford to wait for
him; but to me, an old man, a moment's loss is a week. I must
set out to seek him whether I succeed or not.[Exit.]

SUDARSHANA. I do not want him--I will not seek him! Surangama,
I have no need of your King! Why did he fight with the princes?
Was it for me at all? Did he want to show off his prowess and
strength? Go away from here--I cannot bear your sight. He has
humbled me to the dust, and is not satisfied still!

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