They approach_.

_Sakoontala is seen seated, with women surrounding her, occupied in the
manner described_.

FIRST WOMAN [_to Sakoontala_].--My child, may'st thou receive the title
of "Chief-queen," and may thy husband delight to honor thee above all
others!

SECOND WOMAN.--My child, may'st thou be the mother of a hero!

THIRD WOMAN.--My child, may'st thou be highly honored by thy lord!

[_Exeunt all the women, excepting Gautami, after blessing Sakoontala._

PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA [_approaching_].--Dear Sakoontala, we are come to
assist you at your toilet, and may a blessing attend it!

SAKOONTALA.--Welcome, dear friends, welcome. Sit down here.

PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA [_taking the baskets containing the bridal
decorations, and sitting down_].--Now, then, dearest, prepare to let us
dress you. We must first rub your limbs with these perfumed unguents.

SAKOONTALA.--I ought indeed to be grateful for your kind offices, now
that I am so soon to be deprived of them. Dear, dear friends, perhaps I
shall never be dressed by you again. [_Bursts into tears_.

PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA.--Weep not, dearest, tears are out of season on
such a happy occasion.

[_They wipe away her tears and begin to dress her_.

PRIYAMVADA.--Alas! these simple flowers and rude ornaments which our
hermitage offers in abundance, do not set off your beauty as it
deserves.

_Enter two young Hermits, bearing costly presents_.

BOTH HERMITS.--Here are ornaments suitable for a queen.

[_The women look at them in astonishment_.

GAUTAMI.--Why, Narada, my son, whence came these?

FIRST HERMIT.--You owe them to the devotion of Father Kanwa.

GAUTAMI.--Did he create them by the power of his own mind?

SECOND HERMIT.--Certainly not; but you shall hear. The venerable sage
ordered us to collect flowers for Sakoontala from the forest-trees; and
we went to the wood for that purpose, when
Straightway depending from a neighboring tree
Appeared a robe of linen tissue, pure
And spotless as a moon-beam--mystic pledge
Of bridal happiness; another tree
Distilled a roseate dye wherewith to stain
The lady's feet; and other branches near
Glistened with rare and costly ornaments.
While, 'midst the leaves, the hands of forest-nymphs,
Vying in beauty with the opening buds,
Presented us with sylvan offerings.

PRIYAMVADA [_looking at Sakoontala_].--The wood-nymphs have done you
h