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54
THE NÁGÁNANDA.

Jímútaváhana (on seeing Mitrávasu).

Pray, be seated.

[Mitrávasu takes a seat, keeping his eyes fixed on him.


Jímútaváhana (looking steadily at him).

O Mitrávasu! you seem vexed.


Mitrávasu.

Who would be put out by one so despicable as Matanga?


Jímútaváhana.

What has Matanga been doing?


Mitrávasu.

Assuredly to his own destruction, he has attacked your kingdom.


Jímútaváhana (with joy, to himself).

Oh! would that it were true!


Mitrávasu.

Therefore let the prince deign to give orders for his destruction. What need of talking long about it? As soon as, at thy command, the Siddhas are gone hence to battle, making the day dark by clouding the sun, as if it were the rainy season, with their heaven-traversing chariots crowding on every side,—your monarchy, whose zemindars are temporarily bowing through fear of this haughty enemy, will at once be regained. What need though of great multitudes? By me, single-handed, shining with an aureole of rays from the quickly-drawn sword, behold