The King of the Dark Chamber/Act 6
VI
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
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 on 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?