And see!
Scared by the royal chariot in its course,
With headlong haste an elephant invades
The hallowed precincts of our sacred grove;
Himself the terror of the startled deer,
And an embodied hindrance to our rites.
The hedge of creepers clinging to his feet,
Feeble obstruction to his mad career,
Is dragged behind him in a tangled chain;
And with terrific shock one tusk he drives
Into the riven body of a tree,
Sweeping before him all impediments.
KING [_aside_].--Out upon it! my retinue are looking for me, and are
disturbing this holy retreat. Well! there is no help for it; I must go
and meet them.
PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA.--Noble Sir, we are terrified by the accidental
disturbance caused by the wild elephant. Permit us to return into the
cottage.
KING [_hastily_].--Go, gentle maidens. It shall be our care that no
injury happen to the hermitage. [_All rise up_.
PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA.--After such poor hospitality we are ashamed to
request the honor of a second visit from you.
KING.--Say not so.
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