THE NÁGÁNANDA.
61
Mitrávasu.
O Sunanda, why are you come? (Doorkeeper whispers in his ear.) O prince, my father has sent for me.
Jímútaváhana.
Go, then.
Mitrávasu.
The prince should not stay too long in this ill-omened region.
[Exit.
Jímútaváhana.
I will descend from this mountain peak and look at the searshore. (Walks about.)
Behind the scenes.
Alas! my darling son, Śankhachúda, how can I endure to see thee slain to-day?
Jímútaváhana (after hearing this).
Ha! a cry of distress as if from a woman! Who can it be? of what is she afraid? I will try to know.
[Walks about.
Then enters Śankhachúda, followed by an Old Woman, crying, and a Servant with a pair of garments for one completely veiled.
Old Woman (with tears).
Alas! my son, Śankhachúda, how can I endure to see you slain this day? (Taking hold of his chin.[1]) Deprived of this moonface, Hades will become midnight.
- ↑ The Nágas are generally represented in old sculptures as bearing the human form, but with a snake attached to their backs and the hooded head rising behind their necks.
