my place in the ceremony, and act the part of a son to
the Queen.

MATHAVYA.--With the greatest pleasure in the world; but don't suppose
that I am really coward enough to have the slightest fear of those
trumpery demons.

KING [_smiling_].--Oh! of course not; a great Brahman like you could not
possibly give way to such weakness.

MATHAVYA.--You must let me travel in a manner suitable to the King's
younger brother.

KING.--Yes, I shall send my retinue with you, that there may be no
further disturbance in this sacred forest.

MATHAVYA [_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
Mathavya, 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 Sakoontala, 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.

MATHAVYA.--Don't distress yourself; I quite understand.

[_Exeunt._

[36] The religious rites of holy men were often disturbed by certain
evil spirits called Rakshasas, who were the determined enemies of piety
and devotion.

[37] Vishnu, the Preserver, was one of the three principal gods.

PRELUDE TO ACT THIRD

Scene.--The Hermitage

_Enter a young Brahman, carrying bundles of Kusa-grass for the use of
the sacrificing priests_.

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 Kusa-grass, to be strewn round the altar. [_Walking and
looking about; then addressing someone 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 Sakoontala is suffe