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you think, my king?
    AGNIMITRA : I’ve lost confidence in my favourite.
    GANADASA : So I’m still a dance master.
    The wise know when a teacher’s instruction is pure—
like gold in fire, it doesn’t tarnish in their presence. //9//
    DHARINI : Allow me to congratulate you, sir, for pleasing the judges.
    GANADASA : The queen’s favour is the source of my fortune. (
Looking at Gautama
) Gautama! Now tell us what you were thinking.
    GAUTAMA : A prayer for a brahmin should have been offered before presenting the first performance. She seems to have forgotten that.
    KAUSHIKI : Oh, what a dramatic observation! 42
    All laugh, even Malavika smiles
. 43
    AGNIMITRA
(
to himself
): My eyes seize the essence of my desire, by
    admiring her bright eyes, and her smiling face,
scarcely revealing her teeth
like a blooming lotus flower
with only a few filaments visible. //10//
    GANADASA : Great brahmin, isn’t this just a rehearsal? For, otherwise, how could we not honour those who are to be honoured?
    GAUTAMA : Silly me, like a chataka bird 44 thirsty for water in a sky of parched thunderclouds.
    KAUSHIKI : That’s it?
    GAUTAMA : Of course, fools like me depend on the opinions of the learned. Since Sister Kaushiki spoke well of her, I too would offer my congratulations.
(
So saying, he pulls a bracelet from the king’s wrist
.)
    DHARINI : Wait! How can you give the bracelet away without considering the other’s talents?
    GAUTAMA : Because it belongs to another.
    DHARINI
(
looking at the teacher
): Master Ganadasa, your student exemplifies your training.
    GANADASA : My dear, you may go now.
    Malavika exits along with her teacher.
    GAUTAMA
(
aside
): My clever mind can only help your majesty so much.
    AGNIMITRA : Enough with your analysis.
    I feel my eye’s fortune fade,
the festival of my heart end
and the door of pleasure close
when she disappears behind the curtain. //11//
    GAUTAMA
(
aside
): You’re a sick man in need of treatment.
    Enter Haradatta.
    HARADATTA : Your majesty, grant me favour and watch my performance.
    AGNIMITRA
(
to himself
): The point of watching has passed. (
Maintaining an appearance of politeness
) Well, of course. We’re very excited.
    HARADATTA : I’m honoured.
    Backstage.
    VAITALIKA : Victory, victory to the king! It’s almost midday . . .
    Swans close their eyes
in the leafy shade of lotus lakes,
and doves avoid their favourite mansion eaves
due to the extreme heat.
Thirsty peacocks flock around revolving waterwheels
to drink the splashing water drops,
and the Seven Horses 45 blaze
with all their rays together,
just like you with your royal virtues! //12//
    GAUTAMA : Yes, yes! It’s time for our lunch. Doctors advise that it’s unhealthy to miss regular mealtimes. What do you say?
    HARADATTA : There’s no need to say another word.
    AGNIMITRA : Well then, we’ll watch your performance tomorrow. Take some rest now, Master Haradatta.
    HARADATTA : As your majesty commands.
(
Exits
.)
    DHARINI : Have my husband take a bath.
    GAUTAMA : Yes, but first a quick lunch!
    KAUSHIKI
(
standing up
): Good health to the king.
(
Exits with the queen and her attendants.
)
    GAUTAMA : So, my friend, not only in beauty, but talent as well, Malavika is second to none.
    AGNIMITRA : Friend,
    The Creator made a poison-tipped arrow of love
when he joined natural beauty with charming skill. //13//
    Now what? You must think of something for me, my friend.
    GAUTAMA : And for me too, my lord! The inside of my belly burns like an oven in the market.
    AGNIMITRA : Of course, but be quick for the sake of your dear friend.
    GAUTAMA : I’ll seize the moment. But like moonlight veiled by gathering clouds, seeing her depends on the will of another. As for you, my lord, you’re like a bird hovering over a butcher shop—hungry for flesh but timid. It would help if you were patient while I work this out.
    AGNIMITRA : How can I remain calm when
    my heart is disenchanted
with every woman in the harem
and the fair-eyed one
is the