Chapter 59 "The King of Darkness"-1

(India) Tagore first act a title.A few travelers and a city guard. First Passenger Hi, sir! Guardsman, what are you going to do? Passenger B Which road shall we take?We are all foreigners.Please tell us which street we should take. Guardsmen, where are you going? Third Passenger We're going to the place where the celebration is held, you know.Which way is better? Either way is equally easy for the city defenders.Every road leads there.Just keep going, you won't miss the place. (below) First passenger, listen to what this fool says: "All roads lead there!" So what's the use of all these streets?

Second Passenger You don't have to be so angry, man, a country is free to do things its own way.To mention the roads in our country—well, it’s as if there are none; the alleys are flat, small, winding, and they are like a maze of car marks.Our king doesn't believe in highways; he thinks streets are but ways for the common people to escape from his country.Here it is just the opposite; no one disturbs your way; no one forbids you wherever you want to go; yet the people never want to leave the country.If there were such streets in our country, we would have run away long ago. FIRST PASSENGER My dear Canadan, I always find there is a great defect in your character.

What's wrong with Canadan? Passenger 1 is the country you always love to attack you.Why do you think that a thoroughfare will be good for the country?Hey, Candia, here's a man who really believes the highway is the savior of a country. I don't need to repeat Kandiya Bavadata, but Ganardan's inborn cleverness will bring him disaster one day.If the king comes, and hears what our good friend says, he'll make it so that he's dead without even the undertaker. People in Bavada can't help feeling that living in the country is a burden; you can't live alone in these streets--rubbing shoulders with strangers day and night makes you always want to take a bath.And no one can tell what kind of people you meet on this public road—huh!

Kandia is all Kanadan coaxing us to come to this precious country!There is no one else in our family like him.Of course you know my father; he was a great man, if there were ever a godly man in the world, he would be one.All his life he abided by the prohibition of the scriptures, always stayed within a circle of forty-nine cubits, and never went out of this circle for a day. Within nineteen cubits, cremated him outside the house again?At last the mages decided that, though we could not go beyond this number, the only solution was to reverse the number and make it ninety-four cubits; cremated.

My God, this is really strict rules!Our country is no ordinary country. Bavadatta, although Kanadan was from that place, he thought it wise to declare that "the best roads are for the country." Enter the old man and a group of children. Grandpa and children, we must race against a strong south wind today—we must not lose, and we must sing until our laughter and singing drown all the streets.Song you want to swing on my heart, come, my spring, come! Come in the sound of rustling leaves, come in the youthful wandering of flowers; come in the sound of flute and song, come in the sad sigh of the forest.

Let your open robe flutter in the drunken wind! Come, my spring, come! Enter a group of citizens. First Citizen After all, we must wish our king to be seen by us this day at least.What a pity to live in his country and not see him a day! Second Citizen If only you knew the details of all these mysteries!If you can keep it a secret I can tell you. First Citizen Good man, we all live in the same district, did you hear me tell someone's secret?Of course, that time about your brother digging the well and turning up some money--well, you see why I have to say it.You know all these facts.

Second Citizen Of course I know.I ask you because I know, if I tell you, can you keep it a secret?You know, if you let the secret out, we're all screwed. Third Citizen You are a good man after all, Virupaksa!Why do you have to bring disaster that "maybe" will happen?Who's going to promise to keep your secret forever? Virupaksana is just because the subject has been raised -- well, then, I will say nothing.I'm not one to talk casually.You raise the question yourself that the king never comes out; I only say that there is a reason why the king locks himself up from all eyes.

First citizen please tell us why, Virupaksa. Of course it doesn't matter that Virupaksa told you -- because we are all good friends, aren't we?Nothing can go wrong. (whispers) The king—yes—was too ugly, so he decided not to let his people see him. First Citizen!That's why!That must be the reason.We're always guessing... In all countries the sight of a king makes the soul tremble like a frightened willow leaf; but why has no one seen our king?Even if he only comes out to hang us all, we can be sure that our king is not a fraud.Ultimately, Virupaksa's explanation makes a lot of sense.

The third citizen has no reason at all--I don't believe a word of it. What are you saying, Virupaksha, Vishu, do you mean that I am a liar? Veshu I didn't say that - but I can't accept your theory.Sorry, I can't help but be a little rude or stubborn. Virupaksa No wonder you can't take my word for it - you think you are so good that you can go against the opinion of your parents and elders.How long do you think you'd be in this country if the king wasn't always hiding?You are not much better than the worst foreigner. Veshu, my dear pillar of Orthodoxy!Do you think the king will cut off your tongue immediately and feed it to the dogs?You have the guts to say our king is ugly!

Viru Paksa Hey, Vishu, can't you keep your mouth shut? Wei Shu, I don't need to say who should shut up more. First Citizen Silence, my dear friends—it's a little bad... Seems like they're going to put me in danger too at last.I'm not here. They get off. A group of people shouted to pull the old man on. Citizen B, Grandpa, I remembered something today... What's the matter with Grandpa? Second Citizen Every country is sending its people to this assembly this year, but everyone asks, "Everything is good and beautiful here—but where is your King?" We don't know how to answer.This is a great shortcoming that everyone in our country feels.

Grandpa, you said "shortcomings"?Come on, the whole country is full of kings!You can call him a "shortcoming"!He made each of us kings. (sings) We are all kings in my king's land. Otherwise, how can we hope to meet him in our hearts! We do what we will, but we do his will; We are not chained to the feet of the slave-lord king with dreadful chains. If not, how can we hope to meet him in our hearts! My king respects each of us, so he respects himself. "Insignificance" cannot confine us within its walls of "inauthentic." If not, how can we hope to meet him in our hearts! We try to make our own way so that we come at last to His way. We shall never be lost in the abyss of night. If not, how can we hope to meet him in our hearts! Third Citizen But, verily, I can't bear to be said so strangely about the King, simply because he has not been seen in public. What a queer first citizen!Anyone who slanders me will be punished, and no one can stop those villains who want to slander the king. Grandpa's slander won't hurt the king.The flame of the lamp comes from the sun, and you can blow it out with one breath, but if all the people in the world blow on the sun, its brilliance will remain the same. Enter Veshu and Virupaksha. Grandpa Wei Shu is here!Well, this man goes around telling people that the king doesn't come out because he's too ugly. Grandpa, why does this make you angry, Weishu?His king must be ugly, otherwise how could there be an ugly face like Virupaksa in other kingdoms?He took his own image in the mirror to impersonate the king. Grandpa Virupaksa, I do not name that person, but there is no one who does not believe the person who told me those words. Grandpa, who is more authoritative than yourself? Virupaksha But I can prove it to you... First Citizen This man is beyond ridiculous!It's not enough for him to have the cheek to create this terrible rumor, he still needs to measure his rumors with arrogance! Why didn't second citizen let him measure his length on the ground? Why is the old man in such a hurry, my friend?The poor fellow will come to this festival singing the ugly face of the king.Go with him, Virupaksa, and you will find many people who will believe your words.May you be happy with them. (Bottom) Foreigners and others go up again. It seems to me, Kandia, that these people have no king at all.They thought of a way to keep the secret from leaking out. Candia you are right, I think.We all know that the most dazzling thing in any country is the king, and of course the king would not let go of the opportunity to dazzle himself. Kanadan But you see that the country is in order here-how can this be explained without a king? Bavada Tower This is the wisdom you get from living so long under a king!If there is already order and coordination, is there still a need for a king? The people of Kanadan gathered in celebrations to have fun. Do you think they would gather like this in an anarchic country? Bavadata, my dear Kanadan, you always avoid the subject.Order and normalcy were not in question, and it was evident that people were congregating at the celebration: none of this was difficult. But where is the king?have you seen himTell me about this. Kanadan I would say this: from your experience, even with a king there is chaos and anarchy in the country: but what do we see here? Kandia, you are sophistrying again.Why can't you give a straight answer to Bavada Tower's question - have you seen, or have you not seen the king? Have you ever seen it? They get off. A group of people sang on.So I see him everywhere; he is in my eyeball, so I see him everywhere. I went to hear his voice at a distance, but alas, I did not hear it! I heard it in my own singing when I came back. Who are you, looking for him from door to door like a beggar! Come to my heart and see his face in my tears! Lieutenant A, go away!Y'all stay off the street! First citizen, you, who do you think you are?Surely you were not born with such swagger, my friend? —Why should we go away, my dear magistrate?Why should we move away?Are we street dogs or something? Second Courtesy Our king is coming this way. Is second citizen the king?Which king? First Lieutenant Our king, the king of this country. First Citizen What, is this fellow crazy?Who ever heard of these yelling fellows hugging our king when he came out? King Yi, the ceremonial official, no longer avoided his people, and he himself was going to preside over the celebration. Second Citizen Is it true, brother? Lieutenant B, look, his flag is hanging over there. Second citizen, yes, there is indeed a flag over there. Lieutenant B, do you see the red velvet flower painted on it? Second citizen is right, right, that is really a brocade flower! ——What a bright red flower! First ceremonial officer, you trust us now, don't you? Second Citizen I never said I didn't believe it.It's that Gomba guy who caused the trouble, did I say a word? First ceremonial officer Perhaps, his belly is big, but it's empty; the loudest is an empty barrel, you know. Lieutenant B, who is he?Is it your home? Citizen B is not, he is the cousin of our village chief's father-in-law, and he doesn't live in the same district of our village. It turns out that Li Guanyi is like this: he looks like someone's father-in-law's seventh party brother, and his views seem to bear the sign of Uncle Yue. Gomba Alas, my friends, there have been painful accidents before that have wrung my poor heart into such a state.That is, a few days ago, the king went to parade in the street, so many drums and banners made the city a mess... Did I do anything to please him?I gave him many gifts, and I followed him like a beggar—at last I found the resources of my gifts too overwhelming.But how did all this extravagance and pomp come about in the end?When the common people asked him for rewards, he couldn't find an auspicious day in the almanac to give out rewards, although every day is auspicious when we pay taxes! Second ceremonial officer Are you implying that our king is like the false king you describe? Courtesy Officer Mr. Uncle Yue, it's time for you to bid farewell to Aunt Yue. Gomba I beg you, gentlemen, don't be angry.I'm a wretch--I'm sorry, sirs; I'll do anything if you let me go.I'll go as far as you want me to go. Lieutenant B All right, come here and line up.The king is coming—we're going to clear the way. Exit the officers of ceremony. Second Citizen My dear Gomba, your mouth will kill you one day. Gumba Madhav, my friend, it's not my mouth that's bad, it's my bad luck.When the fake king came out, I didn't say a word, but my innocence couldn't stop me from kicking my own foot.Now, maybe the real king has come, but I am full of rebellious words.This is luck, my dear friend! Madhav I believe so, and obey the king as usual-whether he is true or not.If we know a few kings, we can tell the truth from the fake!It's like throwing a stone in the dark—you're almost sure to hit the target.Just obey him and respect him as usual—if he is the real king, everything will be fine; if not, what harm is there? I don't care if the stones thrown by Gomba are nothing more than stones.And most of what we throw out is valuables; here, as elsewhere, squandering makes you poor, my friend. Madhav look!The king is coming!Oh, what a king!What a character, what a pretty face!Who has seen such a beautiful person--as white as a lotus, as soft as cream!How is it, Gomba?what do you think now Gomba he's good looking - yes, I think he might be a real king. Madhav looked as if he was sculpted to be a king. As an ordinary person, he was too beautiful and tender. Your Majesty the False King. Madhav Prosperity and victory are yours, O King!We have stood here since the early morning to pay our respects to your majesty.Please don't forget us in your favor, Your Majesty. Gomba is getting more and more mysterious.I'm going to ask Grandpa to go. (below) a group of people on. People A King, King!Come on, hurry up, the king has passed through here. Second people, don't forget me, king, I am Vivagadata, the grandson of Udayadata in Kusharivastu.I came as soon as I heard you come—I had no time to hear what was said; all the loyalty in me ran to you, my lord, and loyalty brought me. The common people are talking nonsense!I came before you—before the rooster crowed.where were you thenO King, I am Badurasna of Vikura Mastari.Please remember me! False kings, your faithfulness pleases me. Majesty Vivagadata, we have some grievances to complain to you; to whom can we complain when we cannot reach you? False king, your pain will surely be appeased. (below) It's not okay to pull behind, boys—if we're crowded with everyone, the king won't recognize us. People B, look over there, look at what the fool Naru Tanna is doing!He put us on both sides, pushed forward himself, and now he is fanning the king with palm leaves! Really Madhav!Okay, okay, this guy's thick skin is really scary.People, people, you must throw this guy out-is he worthy to stand by the king's side? Madhav, do you think the king can't see through him?His loyalty is a little too ostentatious and false. People A nonsense!Kings don't see hypocrites the way we do--I wouldn't be surprised if the king admired the fool for fanning him so hard. Enter Gongba and Grandpa. Gumba I tell you - he just walked down this street. Does the old man have to be a king like this? Not Gombana, he didn't walk past unnoticed, and it wasn't just one or two people, but thousands of people on both sides of the street saw it with their own eyes. That's why the old man made the matter even more suspicious.How often will our king dazzle the eyes of the people with luxurious guards of honor?He is not an earth-shattering cross-border king. Gongbata may do this during this important festival, no one can say for sure. Grandpa, yes, it can be decided!My king has no hallucinations, no strange tempers, like the bluebells. Gomba But, old man, if only I could describe him!He was so soft, so delicate, like a wax doll!I really want to block the sun for him and protect him with my whole body. Grandpa fool, you are such a precious donkey!My king is a wax doll!You come to protect him! Gongba said seriously, Grandpa, he is a transcendent god, a miracle of beauty, among the masses, I can't find another person who can compare with him. Grandfather Your eyes will never catch my king's presence if he will.He doesn't stand out from the crowd -- he's one of the people, he mingles with the common people. Gomba, didn't I tell you I saw his flag? Grandpa, what do you see on his flag? A brocade flower is painted on the Gomba—it is so red that it dazzles the eye. On the flag of my grandfather, my king, a lotus flower is painted with an arrow stone inside. Everyone in Gongba said: The king has come to the celebration.Everyone says so. Grandfather, of course, he was at the meeting; but he had no marshal, no army, no page, no band or torch to follow him. Gomba then no one can recognize him. Grandpa may be recognized by some people. Those in Gomba who could recognize him—whatever they asked, would the king give it? Grandpa But they won't ask for anything.A beggar will never recognize a king.In the eyes of the little beggar, the big beggar seemed like a king.Fool, the man who came out to beg you in gold and red today—you make him your king! ... Oh, here comes my mad friend, come, my brethren!We can't pass our days in babbling--now let's have some crazy games, some wild fun! Enter Madman. (singing) Golden deer!Oh, yes, that phantom that always eludes my fast legs! Oh, he shone like lightning and vanished, wild wanderer of the wilderness!When you approach him, he immediately runs away, leaving a cloud of dust in front of your eyes! But I roam in search of the golden deer, though perhaps I shall never catch him in the wilderness!Oh, I wandered through woods and nameless lands like a restless prodigal, never turning back. You all go to the market to buy, and come home laden with goods; O, I know not when and where That unforgiving high-altitude gale, Touched me and kissed me! I sowed everything for what would never be mine!You think my cries and tears are for what I've lost! With a laugh and a song in my heart, I leave sorrow far behind: Oh, I wandered Through woods and nameless lands--Could never once turn the prodigal's head! second act Sudarshana light, light!Where is the light?Are the lights never lit in this house? Queen Surangama, all your other rooms are lit—do you never want to escape from a bright room to such a dark room? Sudarshana Why is this room always so dark?Surenga Surengama: If you don’t do this, you don’t know what is light and what is darkness. Sudarshana's living in this dark room gradually made your speech seem vague and strange——I don't understand your words, Surangama.But tell me, where is this house in the palace?I don't recognize the entrance or the way out of the house. The house of Surenjiama is built very deep, in the heart of the earth.This house was built especially for you by the king. Sudarshana he has no shortage of houses - why did he build a dark room especially for me? Surangama You can meet other guests in the bright room; but only in this dark room can you meet your host. Sudarshana Can't, can't, I can't live without light—I'm restless in this stuffy darkness.Surangama, if you can bring in a lamp, I will reward you with this necklace. Surengama I can't do this, Queen.How can I bring light where he wants to keep darkness forever? Sudarshana's strange loyalty!But didn't the king punish your father? Surengama Yes, there is such a thing.My father gambled a lot.In the past, all young people in the country always came to my father's house-drinking and gambling. Don't you feel very wronged when Sudashana was king and exiled your father? Surengama, this incident makes me very angry.I was on the way to degradation and ruin; and when the way was blocked for me, I seemed to be thrown aside, without support, help, and shade.I roared like a caged animal—in my helpless rage, I wanted to tear everyone to pieces! Sudarshana So where does your loyalty to the king come from? Surengama, how can I tell?Perhaps it is because he is so ruthless that I can rely on him! Sudashana When did your emotions change? Surengama I can't tell you - I don't know either.One day all the rebellion in me knew it was defeated, and then my whole nature fell prostrate in humble obedience to the dust of the earth.Then I saw... I saw that he was as unique in beauty as in terror. Oh, I'm saved, I'm saved. Sudashana tell me, Surangama, I beg you, what does the king look like? I haven't seen him for a day.He came to me in darkness and left me in darkness.I don't know how many people I've asked -- but their answers were all vague -- as if they were hiding something. Surengama tells you the truth, queen, I can't say what he looks like.No—he's not what people usually call pretty. Sudarshana, are you really saying that?Not pretty! Surengama No, queen, he is not beautiful.This is because he is not beautiful, he is so wonderful, so transcendent, so incredible! Sudarshana I don't quite understand your words - although I like to hear you mention him. But I must see him anyway.I can't even remember the day I married him.I heard from my mother that before I got married, a sage said, "The one who marries your daughter is unparalleled in the world." I don't know how many times I asked my mother to describe his appearance to me, but she only agreed vaguely, saying that she couldn't tell—she saw him from behind the veil, very vaguely.But if he is the best of men, how can I sit still without seeing him? Surangama, don't you feel that there is a breeze blowing? Sudasha that gust of wind?where is it? Suren Jiama, haven't you smelled a light fragrance? Sudarshana doesn't have it, I don't smell it. The door of Surengama opened...he came, the king came in. How did you know when Sudashana came? Surengama I can't say: I seem to hear his footsteps in my heart.As maid of honor in his dark chamber, I have developed a sense - I don't have to see to feel. Sudarshana I wish I felt the same way, Surangama! Surangama, you will definitely have it in the future, queen... this feeling will wake up in your heart one day.Your longing to see him makes you restless, so that all your thoughts are tense and turned in that direction.After your frenetic restlessness is over, everything is easy. Why is Sudashana so easy for you, a court lady, but so difficult for me, a queen? Surengamana is because I am only a slave and there are no difficulties to hinder me.On the first day, when he handed over this room to me, he said, "Surengama, you will always tidy up this room for me; this is all your work." At that time I didn't say, I didn't even think, "Oh, give me the job of lighting the lamps in each house." No, when I put all my thoughts into my work, a kind of power was in my heart Awakening grows and dominates me without resistance... Heh, here he comes! . . . He was standing in front of the outer door.Owner!O king! (Singing outside) Open your door.I am waiting. The day's work of passing light from dawn to darkness is done. The evening star rose. Have you picked the flowers, braided your hair, and dressed in white for the night? The cattle and sheep return to the shed, and the birds return to their nests. The crossing roads leading to the districts merged into one in the darkness. open your door.I am waiting. King Surengama, who can shut your door against you?The door wasn't locked or bolted either—it would fly wide at the touch of your finger.Don't you even touch it?You won't come in if I don't open the door?Song If I fall asleep in the dust and can't hear your call, will you wait until I wake up? Will not the thunder of your wheels shake the earth? Wouldn't you just push the door open and come into your own home uninvited? Go then, queen, and open the door for him: otherwise he won't come in. Sudarshana I can't see well in the dark - I don't know where the door is.You know everything here, go and open the door for me. Surengama opened the door, bowed to the king, and went down.The king is always invisible in the play. Sudashana, why don't you let me see you in the light? King, so you would like to see me among all things in broad daylight!Why not make me the only thing you can feel in the dark? Sudarshana But I must see you—I long to see your face. King, you will not bear my face—it will give you only a deep, great pain. Sudashana, how can you say I can't stand your face?Oh, even in the dark I can feel how sweet and wonderful you are!How could I be afraid of you in the light?Please tell me, can you see me in the dark? King Yes, I can see. Sudarshana what do you see? King, I see the darkness of the infinite heavens, turned into life and being by the power of my love, dragging the light of the stars to myself, and transforming myself into an image of flesh and blood.In this image, there are eternal thoughts and efforts, endless unspoken wishes, countless gifts from countless seasons! Am I so wonderful, so beautiful, Sudarshana?My heart swells with joy and pride when I ask you to say this.But how can I believe the wonderful things you tell me?I didn't find it on me! King Your own mirror does not shine - it annihilates you, confines you, makes you small and ordinary.But if you could see your shadow in my heart, how beautiful and majestic you look!In my mind you are no longer the everyday mortal you think you are - you are my second me. Sudashana, please teach me how to see with your eyes!In your eyes, is there no darkness in the world?I get scared when I think about it.True and strong to me, darkness as death--is it nothing to you?So how can we be one in this place?Can't, can't, it's impossible; there's a fence between us; not here, no, not here, I'd like to find you, see you where I see birds and beasts and wood and stone and earth— —The king is fine, you can look for it—but no one will point you to me. You must, if you can, recognize Me for yourself.But even if someone pretends to point me out to you, how can you be sure he's telling the truth? Sudarshana I will know you, I will recognize you.I will recognize you in a million and I will not be mistaken. The king is well, then to-night at the celebration of the Spring Festival of the Full Moon, you shall find me in the high turret of the palace—seek me with your own eyes in the crowd. Sudarshana will you be among them? King I will appear here and there in the crowd time and time again.Surengama! Enter Surengama. What is your order, Surengama?Owner? King Tonight is the full moon festival in spring. Surengama What should I do tonight? The king today is a holiday day, not a work day.The amusement garden is at its busiest time - you are going to my party. Surengama, I obey your orders, master. The king and queen would like to see me with her own eyes tonight. Where will Queen Surengama see you? The king is where the music is sweetest, where the air is laden with pollen--in the happy woods of silver light and shadow. What can Surenjiama see in the hide-and-seek of light and darkness?There the wind is wild and restless, and everything dances and dances swiftly—doesn't it dazzle the eye? The king and queen are curious to find me. Sudagama's curiosity will come back crying in vain!Song, they fly away, restless wandering eyes, wild birds of the woods! But their time will come, and their flying time will end, when seductive music will pursue them and pierce their hearts. Ouch, the wild birds are flying into the wild! third act In front of the amusement park, enter Avanti, Kosala, Kang Qi and the princes. Won't the king here in Avanti receive us? What is Kang Qi's way of governing the country?The king held a celebration meeting in the woods, and even the humblest and most ordinary people could go in casually! Koshara he should have a place prepared especially for us. If Kang Qi has not prepared such a place, we will force him to build one for us. All these things of Koshara make it natural to wonder whether these people have a king at all--it seems that there is a kind of nonsense that confuses us. Avanti can say this about kings, but Queen Sudarshana in this palace is by no means a nonsense. Koshara is why I am here.I don't care if I see the One that is never seen, but it would be a foolish mistake to run back without seeing the One that is so worth seeing. KONZI So let's make a plan. The Avanti Project is the best thing, as long as you don't get involved. Kang Qi didn't think so, who are those annoying guys coming here? Cough, who are you? Enter Grandpa and the children. Grandpa, we are nothing but a happy singing team. Avanti's introduction is superfluous.But you can stay away and don't disturb us. Grandpa, we have never bothered about the need for space: we can afford as many berths as you want.What we don't satisfy is that those requesting competitors never had a reason to compete.Isn't it, my little friends? (they sing) We have nothing, really nothing at all! We are happy to sing "Floating Like Like"! There are those who build high walls for their houses on the swamps of the sands. We stood in front of them and sang "Floating Like Like". Pickpockets fly around us, pampering us with greedy eyes. We shook our empty pockets and sang "Floating Like Like". When Death, the dominatrix, slipped by our door we flicked our fingers at her face, and we sang "Floating, Floating, Floating," loud and joyful in unison. Kang Qi, look over there, Kosala, who is it that comes here?Is it a pantomime?Someone came out pretending to be a king. The king here in Koshara may tolerate such farce, but we will not. Avanti, he might be some kind of village chief. Kang Qi, which country is your king from? First Guard He is the king of this land.He's going to preside over the celebration. Guards exit. Kosala what!The king of this country is out to meet! Avanti really!那么我们就只能看过他就回去了——不看那位快乐的王后了。 康齐你真以为那家伙说的是实话么？在这个国家里任何人都可以冒充国王。你还看不出那个人像一个扮成的国王——打扮得太过分了么？ 阿凡提可是他看去很漂亮——他的外表不是没有相当的使人看了舒服的地方。 康齐他也许会使你的眼睛舒服，但是你若再靠近一点就决不会看错的。你等着看，我怎样在你们大家面前把他揭穿吧。 假扮的国王上。 假王王子们，欢迎你们到我们国家来！我希望我的官员们已经好好地款待过你们了？ 王子们（假作谦恭）呵，是的，款待得十分周到。 康齐若有美中不足的话，我们很荣幸地见到了陛下，也就补上缺憾了。 假王我不在普通群众中出现，但是你们对我的忠诚和热爱，使我乐于和你们相见。 康齐陛下，我们真是难以负荷这么深重的恩典。 假王我恐怕不能在这里停留太久。 康齐我已经想到了：您并不看重这会见。 假王同时你们若是有什么请求——康齐我们有请求：但是我们愿意私下来谈。 假王（向侍从们）退后去点。 侍从们退下。 现在你们可以不客气地把愿望提出了。 康齐在我们这方面是没有什么顾忌的——我们只怕您会觉得有顾忌的必要。 假王呵，没有，在这一点上你们不必客气。 康齐那么，来吧，对我们叩头到地表示敬意吧。 假王看来我的仆人们在招待会上给你们斟的敬神酒斟得太多了。 康齐虚假的冒牌，是你自己喝了太多的烈酒了。你的头快和尘土接吻了。 假王王子们，开这么厉害的玩笑对一个国王是不相宜的。 康齐那能够和你开正式玩笑的人就在旁边。General! 假王不要吧，我求你们，你很清楚地知道我应该向你们致敬。我的头已经自己俯伏了下来。不必用厉害的方法使它低下去了。现在我向你们大家行礼。若是你们慈悲我，让我逃掉，我就不多打扰你们了。 康齐你为什么要逃呢？我们要使你作这地方的国王——让我们把这玩笑开到合法的结局吧。你有跟从你的群众么？ 假王有的。凡是在街上看到我的人都拥来跟在我后面。刚起头，当跟我的人很少的时候，大家都怀疑地看着我，现在跟随的人越来越多，他们的怀疑就减少而消失了，群众已被自己的数量催眠了。我现在不必再做什么工夫了。 康齐那好极了！从现在起我们都答应帮助你和你站在一起。 但是你要做一件事来报答我们。 假王你们的命令和你们加在我头上的王冠，对我是同样地神圣和有义务的。 康齐目前我们只不过要看到苏达沙那王后。你要当心这一件事。 假王我一定不辞辛苦地去做。 康齐我们不能太信任你的辛苦——你必须光听我们的指挥。但是现在你可以带着一切可能的富丽和排场，到王家林荫大路上去参加庆祝会去。 他们下，老爷爷和一群人上。 市民甲老爷爷，我忍不住要说——是的，还要重复它五百遍——就是说我们的国王是一个十足的骗子。 老爷爷为什么只重复五百遍呢？你不必训练这样勇敢的自制——如果这会增加你的快乐，你可以说上五千遍。 市民乙但是你不能永远保持着一个死谎。 老爷爷它已经使我活起来了，我的朋友。 市民丙我们要向世界宣告说我们的国王是一个大谎，最十足最空虚的影子！ 市民甲我们都要上房顶大喊说我们没有国王——若是他存在的话，随便他怎么办我们都行。 老爷爷他是不会做什么的。 市民乙我的儿子只有二十五岁，七天内发了高烧就短命而死。在一个贤王的统治之下，我会受到这样的灾祸么？ 老爷爷可是你还有两个儿子。我的五个孩子是一个接着一个地都丢掉了。 市民丙现在你怎么说呢？ 老爷爷怎么啦？难道因为我丢了孩子我就该把国王也丢了么？别把我当做这么一个大傻瓜。 市民甲当一个人饿着只要吃饭的时候，却在这里争论有没有国王的问题！国王会救助我们么？ 老爷爷老弟，你对啦，但是为什么不去寻找那个拥有所有粮食的国王呢？你在家里哭喊是一定得不到的。 市民乙你看看我们国王的公道吧！那个巴都拉森——你知道，当他一提到他的国王的时候他会感动成那个样子，——那个善感的白痴！他穷到这个地步，连蝙蝠到他家骚扰的时候都认为那是一个太不舒服的地方。 老爷爷看我！我日夜为我王劳作服役，可是我至今连一个铜元的酬劳也没有拿到。 市民丙现在，你怎样想呢？ 老爷爷我怎样想？我们给朋友报酬么？去吧，我的朋友，你若愿意你就可以说我们的国王并不存在，这也是我们庆祝这节日的一部分节目。 第四幕 苏达沙那王后和她的朋友罗希尼。 苏达沙那你也许会弄错，罗希尼，但是我是不会错的；难道我不是王后么？那个人，当然是国王。 罗希尼那位把那么高的光宠给您的人，不会不早把自己显示给您看。 苏达沙那仅是他的形象就使我像一只关在笼里的鸟一样地急躁。你仔细地去问过他是什么人了么？ 罗希尼是了，我问过了。我问的每一个人都说他是国王。 苏达沙那他是哪一国的国王呢？ 罗希尼我们国家的，这个土地的国王。 苏达沙那你确是指那头顶上撑着一个鲜花伞盖的那一位么？ 罗希尼就是他：就是旗上画着锦绒花的那一位。 苏达沙那当然我立刻就认出他来了，有疑惑的是你。 罗希尼我们总容易有错误，王后，我们不敢触犯您，万一我们说得不对呢。 苏达沙那苏任加玛在这里就好了！就没有疑惑的余地了。 罗希尼您觉得她比我们都聪明么？ 苏达沙那呵，不是，不过她会立刻认出他。 罗希尼我不能相信她会。她不过是假装认得他。若是她假装她认得国王，也没有人能给她考验。如果我们都像她那样地无耻，我们也就不难夸耀说我们和国王熟悉了。 苏达沙那不然，她从来没有夸耀过。 罗希尼那也完全是假的，整套的，总是比公开地夸说更持久一些。她很会耍种种的花招，因此我们总不能喜欢她。 苏达沙那不管你怎么说，如果她在这里我还是要问她的。 罗希尼好吧，王后。我去叫她来。若是王后必须依靠她来认出国王的话，她真是很幸运的。 苏达沙那呵，不是，不是为这个，我是愿意每一个人都说他是国王。 罗希尼不是每一个人都这样说了么？您听，人民欢呼的声音，都达到这么高的地方来了！ 苏达沙那那么做这一件事吧：把这些花放在荷叶上，送去给他。 罗希尼他若问是谁送的，我怎么说呢？ 苏达沙那你什么话也不用说——他会知道的。他以为我认不出他；我不能不让他晓得我已经找到了他就让他过去。 罗希尼拿花下。 苏达沙那今夜我的心颤动不宁，我从来没有这样感到过。满月的银光泛滥诸天，涌溢在四边像冒沫的酒……它像一个愿望、像一种醉意那样抓紧了我，来人呵，外面有谁？ 仆人上。 仆人王后有什么吩咐？ 苏达沙那你看见那些过节的少年们，在芒果林中的道路上边走边唱么？叫他们来，把他们带到我跟前来，我要听他们唱歌。 仆人下，带孩子们上。 今夜我的心身整个变成诗歌和音乐——但是这不可言说的曲调逃过了我的舌尖：你们替我唱吧！歌我的痛苦打击着我爱的琴弦轻轻地歌唱。 从我渴恋的眼里生出幻象飞到月明的天空。 林野深处的清香在我的魂梦中迷失了路途。 传到我耳边的低低的言语，我不知道是从哪里来的。 我脚镯上的铃儿和我的心跳应节地颤响。 苏达沙那好了，好了——我不能再听下去了！你们的歌把泪水充满了我的眼睛……一个幻想来到我心上——就是愿望永不能得到它的对象——它也永不必得到。是哪一位可爱的山林隐士，教给你们的歌呢？我眼里能够看到那位我耳中听到他的歌的人。呵，我真想——真想能在心的浓密的林野道路上热狂地漫游！亲爱的山庄少年们！ 我该怎么酬报你们呢？这串项链不过是珍宝——坚硬的石头——穿成的，它的坚硬会给你们痛苦——我没有像你们戴的花环那样的东西。 罗希尼上。 苏达沙那我没有做好——罗希尼，我没有做好。我不好意思问你这事情的经过。我刚体会到没有任何一只手能真正地赠送最巨大的礼物。可是，还把一切都说给我听吧。 罗希尼当我把花献给国王的时候，他似乎并不懂是怎么回事。 苏达沙那你真的这么说么？他没有懂得——！ 罗希尼没有，他像个玩偶似地坐在那里，一句话也不说。我觉得他不愿意显出他什么也不懂，因此他闭着嘴。 苏达沙那我多丢脸，我的无耻得到了应得的惩罚了。你为什么不把我的花拿回来呢？ 罗希尼我怎么能够呢？那位非常机灵的康齐王，坐在他的旁边，一下把一切都看在眼里了，他微微地一笑说：“皇上，苏达沙那王后以这花朵——春天的朋友，爱神的花朵，向您致敬。”国王似乎惊醒过来，说，“这是我今天的一切帝王光荣的冠冕。”我正惊疑失色地往回走，康齐王从国王颈上摘下项链来，对我说，“朋友，国王的项链送上给你，酬谢你给带来的幸运。” 苏达沙那什么，还得康齐来使他懂得这些！我好苦呵，今夜的庆祝会把我羞辱的门大大地敞开了！我还能希望什么呢？你不要管我吧，罗希尼；我要安静一会。 罗希尼下。 今天一个巨大的打击，把我的骄傲碎成微尘，可是……我不能从我心上抹去那个美丽迷人的人品！我的骄傲扫地无余了——我打败了，击溃了，完全无望了……我几乎不能背过脸去不看他。呵，这愿望总是屡次地回来——我想向罗希尼要她那项链！但是她会怎样想呢！罗希尼！ 罗希尼上。 罗希尼您有什么吩咐？ 苏达沙那为今天的辛苦，你应得什么酬劳呢？ 罗希尼我不求您给什么——但是我已经有了国王的赏赐，那是应得的。 苏达沙那那不是一件心甘情愿的礼物，是强夺来的报酬。我不喜欢看见你戴上这无情无意的赠礼。拿下来吧，如果你把它放在这里我就把我的镯子给你。拿这付镯子，走吧。 罗希尼下。 又是一次的败仗！我应当把这项链丢掉，但是我做不到！它像荆棘编的花环一样地扎着我——但是我不能把它扔掉。这是今夜节日之神给我送来的——这串羞辱的项链！