XVIII
[The Street. GRANDFATHER and KANCHI]
GRANDFATHER.
What, Prince of Kanchi, you here!
KANCHI.
Your King has sent me on the road.
GRANDFATHER.
That is a settled habit with him.
KANCHI.
And now, no one can get a glimpse of him.
GRANDFATHER.
That too is one of his amusements.
KANCHI.
But how long more will he elude me like this? When nothing could make me
acknowledge him as my King, he came all of a sudden like a terrific
tempest—God knows from where—and scattered my men and horses and
banners in one wild tumult: but now, when I am seeking the ends of the earth to
pay him my humble homage, he is nowhere to be seen.
GRANDFATHER.
But however big an Emperor he may be, he has to submit to him that yields. But
why have you come out at night, Prince?
KANCHI.
I still cannot get rid of the feeling of a secret dread of being laughed at by
people when they see me meekly doing my homage to your King, acknowledging my
defeat.
GRANDFATHER.
Such indeed is the people. What would move others to tears only serves to move
their empty laughter.
KANCHI.
But you too are on the road, Grandfather.
GRANDFATHER.
This is my jolly pilgrimage to the land of losing everything.
Sings.
I am waiting with my all in the hope of losing everything.
I am watching
at the roadside for him who turns one out into the open road,
Who hides
himself and sees, who loves you unknown to you,
I have given my heart in
secret love to him,
I am waiting with my all in the hope of losing
everything.