The King of the Dark Chamber: Scene 6

Scene 6

ROHINI. What is the matter? I cannot make out what is all this!
[To the GARDENERS.] Where are you all going away in such a hurry?

FIRST GARDENER. We are going out of the garden.

ROHINI. Where?

SECOND GARDENER. We do not know where--the King has called us.

ROHINI. Why, the King is in the garden. Which King has called
you?

FIRST GARDENER. We cannot say.

SECOND GARDENER. The King we have been serving all our life, of
course.

ROHINI. Will you all go?

FIRST GARDENER. Yes, all--we have to go instantly. Otherwise we
might get into trouble. [They go out.]

ROHINI. I cannot understand their words.... I am afraid. They
are scampering off like wild animals that fly just before the
bank of a river breaks down into the water.

[Enter KING OF KOSHALA]

KOSHALA. Rohini, do you know where your King and Kanchi have
gone?

ROHINI. They are somewhere in the garden, but I could not tell
you where.

KOSHALA. I cannot really understand their intentions. I have
not done well to put my trust in Kanchi. [Exit.]

ROHINI. What is this dark affair going on amongst these kings?
Something dreadful is going to happen soon. Shall I too be drawn
into this affair? [Enter AVANTI]

AVANTI. Rohini, do you know where the other princes are?

ROHINI. It is difficult to say which of them is where. The King
of Koshala just passed by in this direction.

AVANTI. I am not thinking of Koshala. Where are your King and
Kanchi?

ROHINI. I have not seen them for a long time.

AVANTI. Kanchi is always avoiding us. He is certainly planning
to deceive us all. I have not done well to put my hand in this
imbroglio. Friend, could you kindly tell me any way out of this
garden?

ROHINI. I have none.

AVANTI. Is there no man here who will show me the way out?

ROHINI. The servants have all left the garden.

AVANTI. Why did they do so?

ROHINI. I could not exactly understand what they meant. They
said the King had commanded them to leave the garden at once.

AVANTI. King? Which King? Rohini They could not say exactly.

AVANTI. This does not sound well. I shall have to find a way
out at any cost. I cannot stay here a single moment more. [Goes
out hurriedly.]

ROHINI. Where shall I find the King? When I gave him the
flowers the Queen had sent, he did not seem much interested in me
at the time; but ever since that hour he has been showering gifts
and presents on me. This causeless generosity makes me more
afraid.... Where are the birds flying at such an hour of the
night? What has frightened them all of a sudden? This is not
the usual time of their flight, certainly, ... Why is the
Queen's pet deer running that way? Chapata! Chapata! She does
not even hear my call. I have never seen a night like this! The
horizon on every side suddenly becomes red, like a madman's eye!
The sun seems to be setting at this untimely hour on all sides at
the same time. What madness of the Almighty is this! ... Oh, I
am frightened! ... Where shall I find the King?

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