Reading section 34

PRIYAMVADÁ.--She is wishing that as the jasmine is united to a suitable tree, so, in like manner, she may obtain a husband worthy of her.

ŚAKOONTALÁ.--Speak for yourself, girl; this is the thought in your own mind. [_Continues watering the flowers_.

KING.--Would that my union with her were permissible! and yet I hardly dare hope that the maiden is sprung from a caste different from that of the Head of the hermitage. But away with doubt:-- That she is free to wed a warrior-king My heart attests. For, in conflicting doubts, The secret promptings of the good man's soul Are an unerring index of the truth.

However, come what may, I will ascertain the fact.

ŚAKOONTALÁ [_in a flurry_].--Ah! a bee, disturbed by the sprinkling of the water, has left the young jasmine, and is trying to settle on my face. [_Attempts to drive it away_.

KING [_gazing at her ardently_].--Beautiful! there is something charming even in her repulse. Where'er the bee his eager onset plies, Now here, now there, she darts her kindling eyes: What love hath yet to teach, fear teaches now, The furtive glances and the frowning brow. [_In a tone of envy_. Ah happy bee! how boldly dost thou try To steal the lustre from her sparkling eye; And in thy circling movements hover near, To murmur tender secrets in her ear; Or, as she coyly waves her hand, to sip Voluptuous nectar from her lower lip! While rising doubts my heart's fond hopes destroy, Thou dost the fulness of her charms enjoy.

ŚAKOONTALÁ.--This impertinent bee will not rest quiet. I must move elsewhere. [_Moving a few steps off, and casting a glance around_.] How now! he is following me here. Help! my dear friends, help! deliver me from the attacks of this troublesome insect.

PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYÁ.--How can we deliver you? Call Dushyanta to your aid. The sacred groves are under the king's special protection.

KING.--An excellent opportunity for me to show myself. Fear not--[_Checks himself when the words are half-uttered._ _Aside_.] But stay, if I introduce myself in this manner, they will know me to be the King. Be it so, I will accost them, nevertheless.

ŚAKOONTALÁ [_moving a step or two further off_].--What! it still persists in following me.

KING [_advancing hastily_].--When mighty Puru's offspring sways the earth, And o'er the wayward holds his threatening rod, Who dares molest the gentle maids that keep Their holy vigils here in Kanwa's grove?

[_All look at the King, and are embarrassed_.

ANASÚYÁ.--Kind Sir, no outrage has been committed; only our dear friend here was teased by the attacks of a troublesome bee. [_Points to Śakoontalá_.

KING [_turning to Śakoontalá_].--I trust all is well with your devotional rites?

[_Śakoontalá stands confused and silent_.

ANASÚYÁ.--All is well, indeed, now that we are honored by the reception of a distinguished guest. Dear Śakoontalá, go, bring from the hermitage an offering of flowers, rice, and fruit. This water that we have brought with us will serve to bathe our guest's feet.

KING.--The rites of hospitality are already performed; your truly kind words are the best offering I can receive.

PRIYAMVADÁ.--At least be good enough, gentle Sir, to sit down awhile, and rest yourself on this seat shaded by the leaves of the Sapta-parna tree.

KING.--You, too, must all be fatigued by your employment.

ANASÚYÁ.--Dear Śakoontalá, there is no impropriety in our sitting by the side of our guest: come, let us sit down here.

[_All sit down together_.

ŚAKOONTALÁ [_aside_].--How is it that the sight of this man has made me sensible of emotions inconsistent with religious vows?

KING [_gazing at them all by turns_].--How charmingly your friendship is in keeping with the equality of your ages and appearance!

PRIYAMVADÁ [_aside to Anasúyá_].--Who can this person be, whose lively yet dignified manner, and polite conversation, bespeak him a man of high rank?

ANASÚYÁ.--I, too, my dear, am very curious to know. I will ask him myself. [_Aloud_]. Your kind words, noble Sir, fill me with confidence, and prompt me to inquire of what regal family our noble guest is the ornament? what country is now mourning his absence? and what induced a person so delicately nurtured to expose himself to the fatigue of visiting this grove of penance?

ŚAKOONTALÁ [_aside_].--Be not troubled, O my heart, Anasúyá is giving utterance to thy thoughts.

KING [_aside_].--How now shall I reply? shall I make myself known, or shall I still disguise my real rank? I have it; I will answer her thus. [_Aloud_]. I am the person charged by his majesty, the descendant of Puru, with the administration of justice and religion; and am come to this sacred grove to satisfy myself that the rites of the hermits are free from obstruction.

ANASÚYÁ.--The hermits, then, and all the members of our religious society have now a guardian.

[_Śakoontalá gazes bashfully at the King_.

PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYÁ [_perceiving the state of her feelings, and of the King's. Aside to Śakoontalá_].--Dear Śakoontalá, if father Kanwa were but at home to-day------

ŚAKOONTALÁ [_angrily_].--What if he were?

PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYÁ.--He would honor this our distinguished guest with an offering of the most precious of his possessions.

ŚAKOONTALÁ.--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 honor.

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, Viśwámitra, whose family name is Kaúsika.

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.

ANASÚYÁ.--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 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.

ANASÚYÁ.--Just so.

KING.--It is quite intelligible. How could a mortal to such charms give birth? The lightning's radiance flashes not from earth.

[_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 further.

[_Śakoontalá makes a chiding gesture with her finger_.

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, Whose eyes, in lustre vieing with her own, Return her gaze of sisterly affection?

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.

KING [_aside_].--His intention may be easily carried into effect. Be hopeful, O my heart, thy harrowing doubts Are past and gone; that which thou didst believe To be as unapproachable as fire, Is found a glittering gem that may be touched.

ŚAKOONTALÁ [_pretending anger_].--Anasúyá, I shall leave you.

ANASÚYÁ.--Why so?

ŚAKOONTALÁ.--That I may go and report this impertinent Priyamvadá to the venerable matron, Gautamí.[34]

ANASÚYÁ.--Surely, dear friend, it would not be right to leave a distinguished guest before he has received the rights of hospitality, and quit his presence in this wilful manner.

[_Śakoontalá, without answering a word, moves away_.