Enter a MAIDEN, who stops in front of a mango-tree, and gazes at the blossom. Another MAIDEN is seen behind her. FIRST MAIDEN. Hail to thee, lovely harbinger of spring! SECOND MAIDEN. Parabhṛitiká, what are you saying there to yourself? FIRST MAIDEN. Dear Madhukariká, am I not named after the Koïl 90? and does not the Koïl sing for joy at the first appearance of the mango-blossom? SECOND MAIDEN. [Approaching hastily, with transport. What! is spring really come? FIRST MAIDEN. Yes, indeed, Madhukariká, and with it the season of joy, love, and song. SECOND MAIDEN. Let me lean upon you, dear, while I stand on tiptoe and pluck a blossom of the mango, that I may present it as an offering to the god of love. FIRST MAIDEN. Provided you let me have half the reward which the god will bestow in return. SECOND MAIDEN. To be sure you shall, and that without asking. Are we not one in heart and soul, though divided in body? [Leans on her friend and plucks a mango-blossom.] Ah! here is a bud just bursting into flower. It diffuses a delicious perfume, though not yet quite expanded. [Joining her hands reverentially. God of the bow, who with spring's choicest flowers Dost point thy five unerring shafts 91; to thee I dedicate this blossom; let it serve To barb thy truest arrow; be its mark Some youthful heart that pines to be beloved. [Throws down a mango-blossom. CHAMBERLAIN. [Entering in a hurried manner, angrily. Hold there, thoughtless woman. What are you about, breaking off those mango-blossoms, when the King has forbidden the celebration of the spring festival? Pardon us, kind Sir, we have heard nothing of it. CHAMBERLAIN. You have heard nothing of it? Why, all the vernal plants and shrubs, and the very birds that lodge in their branches, show more respect to the King's order than you do. Yon mango-blossoms, though long since expanded, 92 The flower still lingers in the amaranth 92, BOTH MAIDENS. The mighty power of King Dushyanta is not to be disputed. FIRST MAIDEN. It is but a few days since Mitrávasu, the King's brother-in-law, sent us to wait upon his Majesty; and, during the whole of our sojourn here, we have been entrusted with the charge of the royal pleasuregrounds. We are therefore strangers in this place, and heard nothing of the order till you informed us of it. CHAMBERLAIN. Well then, now you know it, take care you don't continue your preparations. BOTH MAIDENS. But tell us, kind Sir, why has the King prohibited the usual festivities? We are curious to hear, if we may. Men are naturally fond of festive entertainments. There must be some good reason for the prohibition. CHAMBERLAIN. The whole affair is now public; why should I not speak of it? Has not the gossip about the King's rejection of Sakoon talá reached your ears yet? BOTH MAIDENS. Oh yes, we heard the story from the King's brotherin-law, as far, at least, as the discovery of the ring. CHAMBERLAIN. Then there is little more to tell you. As soon as the King's memory was restored by the sight of his own ring, he exclaimed: Yes, it is all true. I remember now my secret marriage with Sakoontalá. When I repudiated her, I had lost my recollection!' Ever since that moment, he has yielded himself a prey to the bitterest remorse. He loathes his former pleasures; he rejects The daily homage of his ministers; On his lone couch he tosses to and fro, L Courting repose in vain. Whene'er he meets SÁNUMATÍ. To me this account is delightful. CHAMBERLAIN. [Aside. In short, the King is so completely out of his mind that the festival has been prohibited. BOTH MAIDENS. Perfectly right. A VOICE BEHIND THE SCENES. The King! the King! This way, Sire, this way. Oh! here comes his Majesty in this direction. Pass on, maidens; attend to your duties. BOTH MAIDENS. We will, sir. [Exeunt. Enter King DUSHYANTA, dressed in deep mourning, attended by his Jester, MATHAVYA, and preceded by VETRAVATÍ. Well, noble forms are certainly pleasing, under all varieties of outward circumstances. The King's person |