SAKOONTALÁ. [Angrily. What if he were ? PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYÁ. He would honour this our distinguished guest with an offering of the most precious of his possessions. SAKOONTALÁ. Go to! you have some silly idea in your minds. I will not listen to such remarks. KING. May I be allowed, in my turn, to ask you maidens a few particulars respecting your friend? PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYá. Your request, Sir, is an honour. KING. The sage Kanwa lives in the constant practice of austerities. How, then, can this friend of yours be called his daughter? ANASÚYÁ. I will explain to you, Sir. You have heard of an illustrious sage of regal caste, Viswamitra, whose family name is Kausika 27. KING. I have. ANASÚYÁ. Know that he is the real father of our friend. The venerable Kanwa is only her reputed father. He it was who brought her up, when she was deserted by her mother. KING. 'Deserted by her mother!' My curiosity is excited; pray let me hear the story from the beginning. ANASUYA. You shall hear it, Sir. Some time since, this sage of regal caste, while performing a most severe penance on the banks of the river Godávarí, excited the jealousy and alarm of the gods; insomuch that they despatched a lovely nymph named Menaká to interrupt his devotions. KING. The inferior gods, I am aware, are jealous 28 of the power which the practice of excessive devotion confers on mortals. ANASÚYÁ. Well, then, it happened that Viśwámitra, gazing on the bewitching beauty of that nymph at a season when, spring being in its glory [Stops short, and appears confused. KING. The rest may be easily divined. Śakoontalá, then, is the offspring of the nymph. Just so. ANASÚYÁ. KING. It is quite intelligible. How could a mortal to such charms give birth? [ŚAKOONTALÁ remains modestly seated with downcast eyes. [Aside.] And so my desire has really scope for its indulgence. Yet I am still distracted by doubts, remembering the pleasantry of her female companions respecting her wish for a husband. PRIYAMVADÁ. [Looking with a smile at ŚAKOONTALÁ, and then turning towards the KING. You seem desirous, Sir, of asking something [ŚAKOONTALÁ makes a chiding gesture with her finger. further. KING. You conjecture truly. I am so eager to hear the particulars of your friend's history, that I have still another question to ask. PRIYAMVADÁ. Scruple not to do so. Persons who lead the life of hermits may be questioned unreservedly. KING. I wish to ascertain one point respecting your friend Will she be bound by solitary vows Opposed to love, till her espousals only? Or ever dwell with these her cherished fawns, PRIYAMVADÁ. Hitherto, Sir, she has been engaged in the practice of religious duties, and has lived in subjection to her foster-father; but it is now his fixed intention to give her away in marriage to a husband worthy of her. His intention may be easily carried into effect. Is found a glittering gem that may be touched. Anasúyá, I shall leave you. [Pretending anger. Why so? ANASÚYÁ. SAKOONTALA. That I may go and report this impertinent Priyam vadá to the venerable matron, Gautamí 29. ANASÚYÁ. Surely, dear friend, it would not be right to leave a distinguished guest before he has received the rites of hospitality, and quit his presence in this wilful manner. [ŚAKOONTALA, without answering a word, moves away. KING. [Making a movement to arrest her departure, but checking himself. Aside. Ah! a lover's feelings betray themselves by his gestures. When I would fain have stayed the maid, a sense PRIYAMVADÁ. [Holding SAKOONTALá back. Dear Śakoontalá, it does not become you to go away in this manner. SAKOONTALA. Why not, pray? PRIYAMVADÁ. [Frowning. You are under a promise to water two more shrubs When you have paid your debt, you shall for me. go, and not before. KING. [Forces her to turn back. Spare her this trouble, gentle maiden. The exer |