The King of the Dark Chamber: Scene 20

Scene 20

XX

[The Dark Chamber]

SUDARSHANA. Lord, do not give me back the honour which you once
did turn away from me! I am the servant of your feet--I only
seek the privilege of serving you.

KING. Will you be able to bear me now?

SUDARSHANA. Oh yes, yes, I shall. Your sigh repelled me because
I had sought to find you in the pleasure garden, in my Queen's
chambers: there even your meanest servant looks handsomer than
you. That fever of longing has left my eyes for ever. You are
not beautiful, my lord--you stand beyond all comparisons!

KING. That which can be comparable with me lies within yourself.

SUDARSHANA. If this be so, then that too is beyond comparison.
Your love lives in me--you are mirrored in that love, and you see
your face reflected in me: nothing of this mine, it is all yours,
O lord!

KING. I open the doors of this dark room to-day--the game is
finished here! Come, come with me now, come outside--into the
light!

SUDARSHANA. Before I go, let me bow at the feet of my lord of
darkness, my cruel, my terrible, my peerless one!

THE END.

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