The King of the Dark Chamber/Act 9
IX
The King of Kanya Kubja, father of Sudarshana, and his Minister
King of Kanya Kubja
I heard everything before her arrival.
Minister
The princess is waiting alone outside the city gates on the bank of the river. Shall I send people to welcome her home?
King of Kanya Kubja
What! She who has faithlessly left her husband—do you propose trumpeting her infamy and shame to every one by getting up a show for her?
Minister
Shall I then make arrangements for her residence at the palace?
King of Kanya Kubja
You will do nothing of the sort. She has left her place as the Empress of her own accord—here she will have to work as a maid-servant if she wants to stay in my house.
Minister
It will be hard and bitter to her, Your Highness.
King of Kanya Kubja
If I seek to save her from her sufferings, then I am not worthy to be her father.
Minister
I shall arrange everything as you wish, Your Highness.
King of Kanya Kubja
Let it be kept a secret that she is my daughter; otherwise we shall all be in an awful trouble.
Minister
Why do you fear such disaster, Your Highness?
King of Kanya Kubja
When woman swerves from the right path, then she appears fraught with the direst calamity. You do not know with what deadly fear this daughter of mine has inspired me—she is coming to my home laden with peril and danger.