rive at the truth? I know what I will do. I will become
invisible, and place myself near those two maidens who are tending the
plants in the garden. [_Descends and takes her station_.

_Enter a Maiden, who stops in front of a mango-tree and gazes at the
blossom. Another Maiden is seen behind her_.

FIRST MAIDEN.--Hail to thee, lovely harbinger of spring! The varied
radiance of thy opening flowers Is welcome to my sight. I bid thee hail,
Sweet mango, soul of this enchanting season.

SECOND MAIDEN.--Parabaitika, what are you saying there to yourself?

FIRST MAIDEN.--Dear Madhukarika, am I not named after the Koeil?[41] and
does not the Koeil sing for joy at the first appearance of the
mango-blossom?

SECOND MAIDEN [_approaching hastily, with transport_].--What! is spring
really come?

FIRST MAIDEN.--Yes, indeed, Madhukarika, and with it the season of joy,
love, and song.

SECOND MAIDEN.--Let me lean upon you, dear, while I stand on tip-toe and
pluck a blossom of the mango, that I may present it as an offering to
the god of love.

FIRST MAIDEN.--Provided you let me have half the reward which the god
will bestow in return.

SECOND MAIDEN.--To be sure you shall, and that without asking. Are we
not one in heart and soul, though divided in body? [_Leans on her friend
and plucks a mango-blossom._] Ah! here is a bud just bursting into
flower. It diffuses a delicious perfume, though not yet quite expanded.
[_Joining her hands reverentially_.

God of the bow, who with spring's choicest flowers
Dost point thy five unerring shafts; to thee
I dedicate this blossom; let it serve
To barb thy truest arrow; be its mark
Some youthful heart that pines to be beloved.

[_Throws down a mango-blossom._

CHAMBERLAIN [_entering in a hurried manner, angrily_].--Hold there,
thoughtless woman. What are you about breaking off those mango-blossoms,
when the King has forbidden the celebration of the spring festival?

BOTH MAIDENS [_alarmed_].--Pardon us, kind sir, we have heard nothing of
it.

CHAMBERLAIN.--You have heard nothing of it? Why, all the vernal plants
and shrubs, and the very birds that lodge in their branches, show more
respect to the King's order than you do.
Yon mango-blossoms, though long since expanded,
Gather no down upon their tender crests;
The flower still lingers in the amaranth,
Imprisoned in its bud; the tuneful Koeil,
Though winter's chil