Reading section 38

ANASÚYÁ.--I quite agree with you.

PRIYAMVADÁ [_aloud_].--We wish you joy, dear Śakoontalá. Your affections are fixed on an object in every respect worthy of you. The noblest river will unite itself to the ocean, and the lovely Mádhaví-creeper clings naturally to the Mango, the only tree capable of supporting it.

KING.--Why need we wonder if the beautiful constellation Viśákhá pines to be united with the Moon.

ANASÚYÁ.--By what stratagem can we best secure to our friend the accomplishment of her heart's desire, both speedily and secretly?

PRIYAMVADÁ.--The latter point is all we have to think about. As to "speedily," I look upon the whole affair as already settled.

ANASÚYÁ.--How so?

PRIYAMVADÁ.--Did you not observe how the King betrayed his liking by the tender manner in which he gazed upon her, and how thin he has become the last few days, as if he had been lying awake thinking of her?

KING [_looking at himself_].--Quite true! I certainly am becoming thin from want of sleep:-- As night by night in anxious thought I raise This wasted arm to rest my sleepless head, My jewelled bracelet, sullied by the tears That trickle from my eyes in scalding streams, Slips towards my elbow from my shrivelled wrist. Oft I replace the bauble, but in vain; So easily it spans the fleshless limb That e'en the rough and corrugated skin, Scarred by the bow-string, will not check its fall.

PRIYAMVADÁ [_thoughtfully_].--An idea strikes me, Anasúyá. Let Śakoontalá write a love-letter; I will conceal it in a flower, and contrive to drop it in the King's path. He will surely mistake it for the remains of some sacred offering, and will, in all probability, pick it up.

ANASÚYÁ.--A very ingenious device! It has my entire approval; but what says Śakoontalá?

ŚAKOONTALÁ.--I must consider before I can consent to it.

PRIYAMVADÁ.--Could you not, dear Śakoontalá, think of some pretty composition in verse, containing a delicate declaration of your love?

ŚAKOONTALÁ.--Well, I will do my best; but my heart trembles when I think of the chances of a refusal.

KING [_with rapture_].--Too timid maid, here stands the man from whom Thou fearest a repulse; supremely blessed To call thee all his own. Well might he doubt His title to thy love; but how couldst thou Believe thy beauty powerless to subdue him?

PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYÁ.--You undervalue your own merits, dear Śakoontalá. What man in his senses would intercept with the skirt of his robe the bright rays of the autumnal moon, which alone can allay the fever of his body?

ŚAKOONTALÁ [_smiling_].--Then it seems I must do as I am bid. [_Sits down and appears to be thinking._]

KING.--How charming she looks! My very eyes forget to wink, jealous of losing even for an instant a sight so enchanting. How beautiful the movement of her brow, As through her mind love's tender fancies flow! And, as she weighs her thoughts, how sweet to trace The ardent passion mantling in her face!

ŚAKOONTALÁ.--Dear girls, I have thought of a verse, but I have no writing-materials at hand.

PRIYAMVADÁ.--Write the letters with your nail on this lotus leaf, which is smooth as a parrot's breast.

ŚAKOONTALÁ [_after writing the verse_].--Listen, dear friends, and tell me whether the ideas are appropriately expressed.

PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYÁ.--We are all attention.

ŚAKOONTALÁ [_reads_].-- I know not the secret thy bosom conceals, Thy form is not near me to gladden my sight; But sad is the tale that my fever reveals, Of the love that consumes me by day and by night.

KING [_advancing hastily towards her_].-- Nay, Love does but warm thee, fair maiden--thy frame Only droops like the bud in the glare of the noon; But me he consumes with a pitiless flame, As the beams of the day-star destroy the pale moon.

PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYÁ [_looking at him joyfully, and rising to salute him_].--Welcome, the desire of our hearts, that so speedily presents itself!

[_Śakoontalá makes an effort to rise._]

KING.--Nay, trouble not thyself, dear maiden, Move not to do me homage; let thy limbs Still softly rest upon their flowery couch, And gather fragrance from the lotus stalks Bruised by the fevered contact of thy frame.

ANASÚYÁ.--Deign, gentle Sir, to seat yourself on the rock on which our friend is reposing.

[_The King sits down. Śakoontalá is confused._]

PRIYAMVADÁ.--Anyone may see at a glance that you are deeply attached to each other. But the affection I have for my friend prompts me to say something of which you hardly require to be informed.

KING.--Do not hesitate to speak out, my good girl. If you omit to say what is in your mind, you may be sorry for it afterwards.

PRIYAMVADÁ.--Is it not your special office as a King to remove the suffering of your subjects who are in trouble?

KING.--Such is my duty, most assuredly.

PRIYAMVADÁ.--Know, then, that our dear friend has been brought to her present state of suffering entirely through love for you. Her life is in your hands; take pity on her and restore her to health.

KING.--Excellent maiden, our attachment is mutual. It is I who am the most honored by it.

ŚAKOONTALÁ [_looking at Priyamvadá_].--What do you mean by detaining the King, who must be anxious to return to his royal consorts after so long a separation?

KING.--Sweet maiden, banish from thy mind the thought That I could love another. Thou dost reign Supreme, without a rival, in my heart, And I am thine alone: disown me not, Else must I die a second deadlier death-- Killed by thy words, as erst by Káma's shafts.

ANASÚYÁ.--Kind Sir, we have heard it said that kings have many favorite consorts. You must not, then, by your behavior towards our dear friend, give her relations cause to sorrow for her.

KING.--Listen, gentle maiden, while in a few words I quiet your anxiety. Though many beauteous forms my palace grace, Henceforth two things alone will I esteem The glory of my royal dynasty;-- My sea-girt realm, and this most lovely maid.

PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYÁ.--We are satisfied by your assurances.

PRIYAMVADÁ [_glancing on one side_],--See, Anasúyá, there is our favorite little fawn running about in great distress, and turning its eyes in every direction as if looking for its mother; come, let us help the little thing to find her.

[_Both move away._]

ŚAKOONTALÁ.--Dear friends, dear friends, leave me not alone and unprotected. Why need you both go?

PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYÁ.--Unprotected! when the Protector of the world is at your side. [_Exeunt._]

ŚAKOONTALÁ.--What! have they both really left me?

KING.--Distress not thyself, sweet maiden. Thy adorer is at hand to wait upon thee. Oh, let me tend thee, fair one, in the place Of thy dear friends; and, with broad lotus fans, Raise cooling breezes to refresh thy frame; Or shall I rather, with caressing touch, Allay the fever of thy limbs, and soothe Thy aching feet, beauteous as blushing lilies?

ŚAKOONTALÁ.--Nay, touch me not. I will not incur the censure of those whom I am bound to respect. [_Rises and attempts to go._]

KING.--Fair one, the heat of noon has not yet subsided, and thy body is still feeble. How canst thou quit thy fragrant couch of flowers, And from thy throbbing bosom cast aside Its covering of lotus leaves, to brave With weak and fainting limbs the noon-day heat?

[_Forces her to turn back._]

ŚAKOONTALÁ.--Infringe not the rules of decorum, mighty descendant of Puru. Remember, though I love you, I have no power to dispose of myself.

KING.--Why this fear of offending your relations, timid maid? When your venerable foster-father hears of it, he will not find fault with you. He knows that the law permits us to be united without consulting him. In Indra's heaven, so at least 'tis said, No nuptial rites prevail,[39] nor is the bride Led to the altar by her future spouse; But all in secret does the bridegroom plight His troth, and each unto the other vow Mutual allegiance. Such espousals, too, Are authorized on earth, and many daughters Of royal saints thus wedded to their lords, Have still received their father's benison.

ŚAKOONTALÁ.--Leave me, leave me; I must take counsel with my female friends.

KING.--I will leave thee when------

ŚAKOONTALÁ.--When?

KING.--When I have gently stolen from thy lips Their yet untasted nectar, to allay The raging of my thirst, e'en as the bee Sips the fresh honey from the opening bud. [_Attempts to raise her face. Śakoontalá tries to prevent him_.

A VOICE [_behind the scenes_].--The loving birds, doomed by fate to nightly separation, must bid farewell to each other, for evening is at hand.

ŚAKOONTALÁ [_in confusion_].--Great Prince, I hear the voice of the matron Gautamí. She is coming this way, to inquire after my health. Hasten and conceal yourself behind the branches.

KING.--I will. [_Conceals himself_.

_Enter Gautamí with a vase in her hand, preceded by two attendants_.

ATTENDANTS.--This way, most venerable Gautamí.

GAUTAMÍ [_approaching Śakoontalá_].--My child, is the fever of thy limbs allayed?