The King of the Dark Chamber: Scene 18

Scene 18

XVIII

[The Street. GRANDFATHER and KANCHI]

GRANDFATHER. What, Prince of Kanchi, you here!

KANCHI. Your King has sent me on the road.

GRANDFATHER. That is a settled habit with him.

KANCHI. And now, no one can get a glimpse of him.

GRANDFATHER. That too is one of his amusements.

KANCHI. But how long more will he elude me like this? When
nothing could make me acknowledge him as my King, he came all of
a sudden like a terrific tempest--God knows from where--and
scattered my men and horses and banners in one wild tumult: but
now, when I am seeking the ends of the earth to pay him my humble
homage, he is nowhere to be seen.

GRANDFATHER. But however big an Emperor he may be, he has to
submit to him that yields. But why have you come out at night,
Prince?

KANCHI. I still cannot get rid of the feeling of a secret dread
of being laughed at by people when they see me meekly doing my
homage to your King, acknowledging my defeat.

GRANDFATHER. Such indeed is the people. What would move others
to tears only serves to move their empty laughter.

KANCHI. But you too are on the road, Grandfather.

GRANDFATHER. This is my jolly pilgrimage to the land of losing
everything.

SINGS.

  I am waiting with my all in the hope of losing everything.
  I am watching at the roadside for him who turns one out into
    the open road,
  Who hides himself and sees, who loves you unknown to you,
  I have given my heart in secret love to him,
  I am waiting with my all in the hope of losing everything.

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