ge. I will now go in.

[_Entering and feeling a throbbing sensation in his arm_.

Serenest peace is in this calm retreat,
By passion's breath unruffled; what portends
My throbbing arm[18]? Why should it whisper here
Of happy love? Yet everywhere around us
Stand the closed portals of events unknown.

A VOICE BEHIND THE SCENES.

This way, my dear companions; this way.

KING. [_Listening_.

Hark! I hear voices to the right of yonder grove
of trees. I will walk in that direction.

[_Walking and looking about_.]

Ah! here are the maidens of the hermitage coming this way to
water the shrubs, carrying water-pots proportioned to their
strength.

[_Gazing at them_.]

How graceful they look!

In palaces such charms are rarely ours;
The woodland plants outshine the garden flowers.

I will conceal myself in this shade and watch them.

[_Stands gazing at them_.

_Enter [S']AKOONTALA, with her two female companions, employed in
the manner described_.

[S']AKOONTALA

This way, my dear companions; this way.

ANASUYA.

Dear [S']akoontala, one would think that father Kanwa had more
affection for the shrubs of the hermitage even than for you,
seeing he assigns to you, who are yourself as delicate as the
fresh-blown jasmine, the task of filling with water the trenches
which encircle their roots.

[S']AKOONTALA.

Dear Anasuya, although I am charged by my good father with this
duty, yet I cannot regard it as a task. I really feel a sisterly
love for these plants.

[_Continues watering the shrubs_.

KING.

Can this be the daughter of Kanwa? The saintly man, though
descended from the great Kasyapa, must be very deficient in
judgment to habituate such a maiden to the life of a recluse.

The sage who would this form of artless grace
Inure to penance, thoughtlessly attempts
To cleave in twain the hard acacia's stem[19]
With the soft edge of a blue lotus-leaf.

Well! concealed behind this tree, I will watch her without
raising her suspicions.

[_Conceals himself_.

[S']AKOONTALA.

Good Anasuya, Priyamvada has drawn this bark-dress too tightly
about my chest. I pray thee, loosen it a little.

ANASUYA.

I will.