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howbeit, 'tis thus I prepare me to welcome him. (Draws his sword.) Methinks the firm-seated earth trembles at the tread of this stalwart and crested warrior!

Enter Vakasura.

Who goes there?

Vak. May victory ever sit on the banner of the lord of the Asuras! I am one of his Majesty's liege-men.

Asur. Ah! my lord Vakásura? Good time of day unto your Excellency!

Vak. Good morrow! How fares it with thee, honest soldier?

Asur. Excellent well, an't please your Valour. Your Excellency is welcome to this wilderness! I pray you, what news, my lord?

Vak. Ah! my brave comrade, we've just escaped absolute destruction!

Asur. How, my lord?

Vak. The sage Sucra[1] was about to abandon us and ours for ever!

Asur. May the God we worship, forbid so dire a calamity! But I pray you, wherefore, my lord?

Vak. Our sweet Princess Sermistá in some girlish quarrel, threw Devayáni, the sage's daughter, into a pit. When this reached the ears of the Priest, he grew fiery hot with rage! I tell thee, brave Asura, 'twas a miracle the flame, thus kindled, did not consume us and ours to ashes!

Asur. True, my lord. But this is strange! 'Tis reported abroad that the sage's fair daughter is as dear to our sweet Princess as her own life!

Vak. Ah, well. But they're both young and both beautiful, and youth and beauty make women heedless!

Asur. I pray you, proceed, my lord!

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