Page:Stories of India's Gods & Heroes.djvu/62

52 Kaikeyi on the joyful matter of the day now dawning. Through the lovely pleasure-grounds he passed, and came to her favourite apartment; but the couch whereon she loved to recline was empty, nor in all the bower could he spy aught of her graceful form. Then stood before him the damsel Manthara, and with folded hands told him, trembling, that the queen had sought the mourning-chamber in a passion of woe. Much moved, the king sought out the afflicted queen, and conjured her to declare the cause of her trouble. But Kaikeyi would tell nought till he had solemnly promised, as of old, to grant her boon; and he, distraught by the sight of her sorrow, swore by all the merit he had ever gained to grant what she asked, even were it the very heart in his breast.

Then the queen, her heart swelling with triumph to see him thus beguiled, replied, "Be all the gods my witnesses! Let sun, moon, and stars, the earth and all that therein is, take note of this oath and my demand! Remember, O King, how to me alone thou didst owe thy life, when stricken from the demon fray; and how thou swarest me a boon. I claim it now; and if thou refuse, I die this day. Let Rama depart forthwith, and for fourteen years dwell as a hermit in the woods; and let Bharat, my son, rule in his stead."

Scarce crediting the witness of his senses, the king stood amazed, as a deer in the presence of a tigress, marvelling whether some dream were upon him or some frenzy had smitten his mind. Then, as doubt departed, and the vile truth stood out inevitable, a cry of shame and horror broke from him, and he fell swooning to the ground. Scarce coming to him-