therefore, a remedy for her misfortune at her own command. PRIYAMVADÁ. Come, dear Anasúyá, let us proceed with our religious duties. PRIYAMVADÁ. [They walk round. [Looking off the stage. See, Anasúyá, there sits our dear friend, motionless as a statue, resting her face on her left hand, her whole mind absorbed in thinking of her absent husband. She can pay no attention to herself, much less to a stranger. ANASÚYÁ. Priyamvadá, let this affair never pass our lips. We must spare our dear friend's feelings. Her constitution is too delicate to bear much emotion. PRIYAMVADÁ. I agree with you. Who would think of watering a tender jasmine with hot water? ACT IV. SCENE.-The Neighbourhood of the Hermitage. Enter one of KANWA'S PUPILS just arisen from his couch at the dawn of day. PUPIL. My master, the venerable Kanwa, who is but lately returned from his pilgrimage, has ordered me to ascertain how the time goes. I have therefore come into the open air to see if it be still dark. [Walking and looking about.] Oh! the dawn has already broken. Lo! in one quarter of the sky, the Moon, Lord of the herbs and night-expanding flowers, Sinks towards his bed behind the western hills; While in the east, preceded by the Dawn, His blushing charioteer 59, the glorious Sun Begins his course, and far into the gloom Casts the first radiance of his orient beams. Hail! co-eternal orbs, that rise to set, And set to rise again; symbols divine Of man's reverses, life's vicissitudes. And now, While the round Moon withdraws his looming disc In sorrow for his loss, bequeathing nought And yields her heart a prey to anxious grief. Little as I know of the ways of the world, I cannot help thinking that King Dushyanta is treating Sakoontalá very improperly. PUPIL. Well, I must let my revered preceptor know that it is time to offer the burnt oblation. ANASÚYÁ. [Exit. I am broad awake, but what shall I do? I have no energy to go about my usual occupations. and feet seem to have lost their power. My hands Well, Love has gained his object; and Love only is to blame for having induced our dear friend, in the innocence of her heart, to confide in such a perfidious man. Possibly, however, the imprecation of Durvásas may be already taking effect. Indeed, I cannot otherwise account for the King's strange conduct, in allowing so long a time to elapse without even a letter; and that, too, after so many promises and protestations. I cannot think what to do unless we send him the ring which was to be the token of recognition. But which of these austere hermits could we ask to be the bearer of it? Then, again, Father Kanwa has just returned from his pilgrimage; and how am I to inform him of Śakoontala's marriage to King Dushyanta, and her expectation of becoming soon a mother? I never could bring myself to tell him, even if I felt that Śakoontalá had been in fault, which she certainly has not. What is to be done? Quick quick! Anasúyá! come and assist in the joyful preparations for Śakoontala's departure to her husband's palace. ANASUYA. My dear girl, what can you mean? PRIYAMVADÁ. Listen, now, and I will tell you all about it. I went just now to Śakoontalá, to inquire whether she had slept comfortably— Well, well; go on. ANASÚYÁ. PRIYAMVADÁ. She was sitting with her face bowed down to the very ground with shame, when Father Kanwa entered, and, embracing her, of his own accord offered “ The her his congratulations. I give thee joy, my child,' he said, we have had an auspicious omen. priest who offered the oblation dropped it into the very centre of the sacred fire 61, though thick smoke obstructed his vision. Henceforth thou wilt cease to be an object of compassion. This very day I purpose sending thee, under the charge of certain trusty hermits, to the King's palace; and shall deliver thee into the hands of thy husband, as I would commit knowledge to the keeping of a wise and faithful student.' ANASÚYÁ. Who, then, informed the holy father of what passed in his absence? PRIYAMVADÁ. As he was entering the sanctuary of the consecrated fire, an invisible being chanted a verse in celestial strains. ANASÚYÁ. Indeed! pray repeat it. [With astonishment. PRIYAMVADÁ, [Repeating the verse. Glows in thy daughter King Dushyanta's glory, As in the sacred tree the mystic fire 62; Let worlds rejoice to hear the welcome story, And may the son immortalize the sire. |