WARDER--[_entering_].--Sire, the chariot is ready, and only waits to
conduct you to victory. But here is a messenger named Karabhaka, just
arrived from your capital, with a message from the Queen, your mother.
KING--[_respectfully_].--How say you? a messenger from the venerable
Queen?
WARDER.--Even so.
KING.--Introduce him at once.
WARDER.--I will, Sire. [_Goes out, and re-enters with Karabhaka_.]
Behold the King! Approach.
KARABHAKA.--Victory to the King! The Queen-mother bids me say that in
four days from the present time she intends celebrating a solemn
ceremony for the advancement and preservation of her son. She expects
that your Majesty will honor her with your presence on that occasion.
KING.--This places me in a dilemma. Here, on the one hand, is the
commission of these holy men to be executed; and, on the other, the
command of my revered parent to be obeyed. Both duties are too sacred to
be neglected. What is to be done?
MATHAVYA.--You will have to take up an intermediate position between the
two, like King Trisanku, who was suspended between heaven and earth,
because the sage Viswamitra commanded him to mount up to heaven, and the
gods ordered him down again.
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