ear Sakoontala delighted to ramble.

KING.--You shall hear------
I wish to see the Malini portrayed,
Its tranquil course by banks of sand impeded--
Upon the brink a pair of swans: beyond,
The hills adjacent to Himalaya,
Studded with deer; and, near the spreading shade
Of some large tree, where 'mid the branches hang
The hermits' vests of bark, a tender doe,
Rubbing its downy forehead on the horn
Of a black antelope, should be depicted.

MATHAVYA [_aside_].--Pooh! if I were he, I would fill up the vacant
spaces with a lot of grizzly-bearded old hermits.

KING.--My dear Mathavya, there is still a part of Sakoontala's dress
which I purposed to draw, but find I have omitted.

MATHAVYA.--What is that?

SANUMATI [_aside_].--Something suitable, I suppose, to the simple attire
of a young and beautiful girl dwelling in a forest.

KING.--A sweet Sirisha blossom should be twined
Behind her ear, its perfumed crest depending
Towards her cheek; and, resting on her bosom,
A lotus-fibre necklace, soft and bright
As an autumnal moon-beam, should be traced.

MATHAVYA.--Pray, why does the Queen cover her lips with the tips of her
fingers, bright as the blossom of a lily, as if she were afraid of
something? [_Looking more closely_.] Oh! I see; a vagabond bee, intent
on thieving the honey of flowers, has mistaken her mouth for a rose-bud,
and is trying to settle upon it.

KING.--A bee! drive off the impudent insect, will you?

MATHAVYA.--That's your business. Your royal prerogative gives you power
over all offenders.

KING.--Very true. Listen to me, thou favorite guest of flowering plants;
why give thyself the trouble of hovering here? See where thy partner
sits on yonder flower, And waits for thee ere she will sip its dew.

SANUMATI [_aside_].--A most polite way of warning him off!

MATHAVYA.--You'll find the obstinate creature is not to be sent about
his business so easily as you think.

KING.--Dost thou presume to disobey? Now hear me--
An thou but touch the lips of my beloved,
Sweet as the opening blossom, whence I quaffed
In happier days love's nectar, I will place thee
Within the hollow of yon lotus cup,
And there imprison thee for thy presumption.

MATHAVYA.--He must be bold indeed not to show any fear when you threaten
him with such an awful punishment. [_Smiling, aside_.] He is stark mad,
that's clear; and I believe, by keeping him company