[_With a strut_.

Already I feel quite like a young prince.

KING. [_Aside_.

This is a giddy fellow, and in all probability he will let out
the truth about my present pursuit to the women of the palace.
What is to be done? I must say something to deceive him.

[_Aloud to_ MA[T.]HAVYA, _taking him by the hand_.]

Dear friend, I am going to the hermitage wholly and solely out of
respect for its pious inhabitants, and not because I have really
any liking for [S']akoontala, the hermit's daughter. Observe:--

What suitable communion could there be
Between a monarch and a rustic girl?
I did but feign an idle passion, friend,
Take not in earnest what was said in jest.

MA[T.]HAVYA.

Don't distress yourself; I quite understand.

[_Exeunt_.

* * * * *

PRELUDE TO ACT III.

SCENE.--_The Hermitage_.

_Enter a_ YOUNG BRAHMAN _carrying bundles of ku[S']a-grass for the
use of the sacrificing priest_.

YOUNG BRAHMAN.

How wonderful is the power of King Dushyanta! No sooner did he
enter our hermitage, than we were able to proceed with our
sacrificial rites, unmolested by the evil demons.

No need to fix the arrow to the bow;
The mighty monarch sounds the quivering string,
And, by the thunder of his arms dismayed,
Our demon foes are scattered to the wind.

I must now, therefore, make haste and deliver to the sacrificing
priests these bundles of Ku[s']a-grass, to be strewn round the
altar.

[_Walking and looking about; then addressing some one off the
stage_.]

Why, Priyamvada, for whose use are you carrying that ointment of
Usira-root and those lotus-leaves with fibres attached to them?

[_Listening for her answer_.]

What Say you?--that [S']akoontala is suffering from fever produced
by exposure to the sun, and that this ointment is to cool her
burning frame? Nurse her with care, then, Priyamvada, for she is
cherished by our reverend Superior as the very breath of his
nostrils[46]. I, for my part, will contrive that soothing waters,
hallowed in the sacrifice, he administered to her by the hands of
Gautami.

[_Exit_.

ACT III.

SCENE.--_The Sacred Grove_.

_Enter_ KING DUSHYANTA, _with the air of one in love_.

KING. [_Sighing thoughtfully_.