The King of the Dark Chamber | Page 2

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.
VIRUPAKSHA. Of course I don't mind telling you--for we are all good

friends, aren't we? There can be no harm. (With a low voice.) The
King--is--hideous to look at, so he has made up his mind never to show
himself to his subjects.
FIRST CITIZEN. Ha! that's it! It must be so. We have always
wondered ... why, the mere sight of a King in all countries makes one's
soul quake like an aspen leaf with fear; but why should our King never
have been seen by any mortal soul? Even if he at least came out and
consigned us all to the gibbet, we might be sure that our King was no
hoax. After all, there is much in Virupaksha's explanation that sounds
plausible enough.
THIRD CITIZEN. Not a bit--I don't believe in a syllable of it.
VIRUPAKSHA. What, Vishu, do you mean to say that I am a liar?
VISHU. I don't exactly mean that--but I cannot accept your theory.
Excuse me, I cannot help if I seem a bit rude or churlish.
VIRUPAKSHA. Small wonder that you can't believe my words--you
who think yourself sage enough to reject the opinions of your parents
and superiors. How long do you think you could have stayed in this
country if the King did not remain in hiding? You are no better than a
flagrant heretic.
VISHU. My dear pillar of orthodoxy! Do you think any other King
would have hesitated to cut off your tongue and make it food for dogs?
And you have the face to say that our King is horrid to look at!
VIRUPAKSHA. Look here, Vishu. will you curb your tongue?
VISHU. It would be superfluous to point out whose tongue needs the
curbing.
FIRST CITIZEN. Hush, my dear friends--this looks rather bad.... It
seems as if they are resolved to put me in danger as well. I am not
going to be a party to all this.[Exit.]
[Enter a number of men, dragging in GRANDFATHER, in boisterous
exuberance]
SECOND CITIZEN. Grandpa, something strikes me to-day ...