SPRING FESTIVAL
But comes great Murari!—resistless his hand—
He comes and he slays, and he wins his own right!"[1]
The mid-day hour struck in the Palace, and crowds of people from distant villages were pouring into the town. But Nobo Kumar stood thoughtful for a while. At last he turned towards Gokul Das and spoke:
"What means this lay, Gokul Das?"
"It means that the old servants of Birnagar House are still faithful to old memories. That need not ruffle my Master; there never has been a time within these ten years when they have not conspired against us. But Gokul Das has his eyes open, and his Master is safe."
"But I would know more of these boys—and of those who sent them to defy me even at the Palace gate. Find them out, Gokul Das, for my soul is troubled."
But the boys had disappeared amidst the crowds of pleasure-seekers who were surging into the town from all parts, and no trace of them could be found. Nobo Kumar retired into the Palace thoughtful and morose, and did not witness the bonfires and the festivities of the evening.
- ↑ Murari is a name of Krishna. As an infant he escaped from Mathura when Kansa ordered the slaughter of the innocents. And he returned as a young man and slew the tyrant.
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