e_].--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.

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

[_Sakoontala gazes bashfully at the King_.

PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA [_perceiving the state of her feelings, and of
the King's. Aside to Sakoontala_].--Dear Sakoontala, if father Kanwa
were but at home to-day------

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

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

SAKOONTALA.--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?

PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA.--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?

ANASUYA.--I will explain to you, Sir. You have heard of an illustrious
sage of regal caste, Viswamitra, whose family name is Kausika.

KING.--I have.

ANASUYA.--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.

ANASUYA.--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
Godavari, excited the jealousy and alarm of the gods; insomuch that they
despatched a lovely nymph named Menaka 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.

ANASUYA.--Well, then, it happened that Viswamitra, 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. Sakoontala, then, is the
offspring of the nymph.

ANASUYA.--Just so.

KING.--It is quite intelligible.
How could a mortal