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Behind the scenes. Not fear, when a monster has caught me by the nape of my neck, and means to snap my backbone as he would snap a sugar-cane!

Dushm. [Darting his eyes round.] Hola! my bow

Ward. Here are our great hero's arms.

[Dushmanta takes his bow and an arrow.

Behind the scenes. Here I stand; and, thirsting for thy fresh blood, will slay thee struggling as a tyger slays a calf.—Where now is thy protector, Dushmanta, who grasps his bow to defend the oppressed?

Dushm. [Wrathfully.] The demon names me with defiance.—Stay, thou basest of monsters.—Here am I, and thou shalt not long exist.—[Raising his bow.]—Show the way, Párvatáyana, to the stairs of the terrace.

Cham. This way, great king!—

[All go out hastily.

Dushm. [Looking round.] Ah! the place is deserted.

Behind the scenes. Save me, oh! save me.—I see thee, my friend, but thou canst not discern me, who, like a mouse in the claws of a cat, have no hope of life.

Dushm. But this arrow shall distinguish thee from thy foe, in spight of the magick which