ther them up_.

PRIYAMVADA [_reentering_].--Well, dear Anasuya, I have done my best; but
what living being could succeed in pacifying such a cross-grained,
ill-tempered old fellow? However, I managed to mollify him a little.

ANASUYA [_smiling_].--Even a little was much for him. Say on.

PRIYAMVADA.--When he refused to turn back, I implored his forgiveness in
these words: "Most venerable sage, pardon, I beseech you, this first
offence of a young and inexperienced girl, who was ignorant of the
respect due to your saintly character and exalted rank."

ANASUYA.--And what did he reply?

PRIYAMVADA.--"My word must not be falsified; but at the sight of the
ring of recognition the spell shall cease." So saying, he disappeared.

ANASUYA.--Oh! then we may breathe again; for now I think of it, the King
himself, at his departure, fastened on Sakoontala's finger, as a token
of remembrance, a ring on which his own name was engraved. She has,
therefore, a remedy for her misfortune at her own command.

PRIYAMVADA.--Come, dear Anasuya, let us proceed with our religious
duties. [_They walk away_.

PRIYAMVADA [_looking off the stage_].--See, Anasuya, there sits our dear
friend, motionless as a statue, resting her face on her left hand, her
whole mind absorbed in thinking of her absent husband. She can pay no
attention to herself, much less to a stranger.

ANASUYA.--Priyamvada, let this affair never pass our lips. We must spare
our dear friend's feelings. Her constitution is too delicate to bear
much emotion.

PRIYAMVADA.--I agree with you. Who would think of watering a tender
jasmine with hot water?

ACT FOURTH

Scene.--The Neighborhood of the Hermitage

_Enter one of Kanwa's pupils, just arisen from his couch at the dawn of
day_.

PUPIL.--My master, the venerable Kanwa, who is but lately returned from
his pilgrimage, has ordered me to ascertain how the time goes. I have
therefore come into the open air to see if it be still dark. [_Walking
and looking about_.] Oh! the dawn has already broken.
Lo! in one quarter of the sky, the Moon,
Lord of the herbs and night-expanding flowers,
Sinks towards his bed behind the western hills;
While in the east, preceded by the Dawn,
His blushing charioteer, the glorious Sun
Begins his course, and far into the gloom
Casts the first radiance of his orient beams,
Hail! co-eternal orbs, that rise to set,
And set to rise again; symbols