s it?

PRIEST.--May it please your Majesty, so soon as Kanwa's pupils had
departed,
Sakoontala, her eyes all bathed in tears,
With outstretched arms bewailed her cruel fate--

KING.--Well, well, what happened then?

PRIEST.--When suddenly a shining apparition, In female shape, descended
from the skies, Near the nymphs' pool, and bore her up to heaven.

[_All remain motionless with astonishment_.

KING.--My good priest, from the very first I declined having anything to
do with this matter. It is now all over, and we can never, by our
conjectures, unravel the mystery; let it rest; go, seek repose.

PRIEST [_looking at the King_].--Be it so. Victory to the King! [_Exit._

KING.--Vetravati, I am tired out; lead the way to the bed-chamber.

WARDER.--This way, Sire. [_They move away_.

KING.--Do what I will, I cannot call to mind
That I did e'er espouse the sage's daughter--
Therefore I have disowned her; yet 'tis strange
How painfully my agitated heart
Bears witness to the truth of her assertion,
And makes me credit her against my judgment.
[_Exeunt._

PRELUDE TO ACT SIXTH

Scene.--A Street

_Enter the King's brother-in-law as Superintendent of the city police;
and with him two Constables, dragging a poor fisherman, who has his
hands tied behind his back_.

BOTH THE CONSTABLES [_striking the prisoner_].--Take that for a rascally
thief that you are; and now tell us, sirrah, where you found this
ring--aye, the King's own signet-ring. See, here is the royal name
engraved on the setting of the jewel.

FISHERMAN [_with a gesture of alarm_].--Mercy! kind sirs, mercy! I did
not steal it; indeed I did not.

FIRST CONSTABLE.--Oh! then I suppose the King took you for some fine
Brahman, and made you a present of it?

FISHERMAN.--Only hear me. I am but a poor fisherman, living at
Sakravatara------

SECOND CONSTABLE.--Scoundrel, who ever asked you, pray, for a history of
your birth and parentage?

SUPERINTENDENT [_to one of the Constables_].--Suchaka, let the fellow
tell his own story from the beginning. Don't interrupt him.

BOTH CONSTABLES.--As you please, master. Go on, then, sirrah, and say
what you've got to say.

FISHERMAN.--You see in me a poor man, who supports his family by
catching fish with nets, hooks, and the like.

SUPERINTENDENT [_laughing_].--A most refined occupation, certainly!

FISHERMAN.--Blame me not for it, master.
The father