, I am beginning to
talk almost as wildly. [_Aloud_.] Look, it is only a painted bee.

KING.--Painted? impossible!

SANUMATI [_aside_].--Even I did not perceive it; how much less should
he?

KING.--Oh! my dear friend, why were you so ill-natured as to tell me the
truth?
While, all entranced, I gazed upon her picture,
My loved one seemed to live before my eyes,
Till every fibre of my being thrilled
With rapturous emotion. Oh! 'twas cruel
To dissipate the day-dream, and transform
The blissful vision to a lifeless image.
[_Sheds tears_.

SANUMATI [_aside_].--Separated lovers are very difficult to please; but
he seems more difficult than usual.

KING.--Alas! my dear Mathavya, why am I doomed to be the victim of
perpetual disappointment?
Vain is the hope of meeting her in dreams,
For slumber night by night forsakes my couch:
And now that I would fain assuage my grief
By gazing on her portrait here before me,
Tears of despairing love obscure my sight.

SANUMATI [_aside_],--You have made ample amends for the wrong you did
Sakoontala in disowning her.

CHATURIKA [_entering_].--Victory to the King! I was coming along with
the box of colors in my hand------

KING.--What now?

CHATURIKA.--When I met the Queen Vasumati, attended by Taralika. She
insisted on taking it from me, and declared she would herself deliver it
into your Majesty's hands.

MATHAVYA.--By what luck did you contrive to escape her?

CHATURIKA.--While her maid was disengaging her mantle, which had caught
in the branch of a shrub, I ran away.

KING.--Here, my good friend, take the picture and conceal it. My
attentions to the Queen have made her presumptuous. She will be here in
a minute.

MATHAVYA.--Conceal the picture! conceal myself, you mean. [_Getting up
and taking the picture_.] The Queen has a bitter draught in store for
you, which you will have to swallow as Siva did the poison at the
Deluge. When you are well quit of her, you may send and call me from the
Palace of Clouds,[42] where I shall take refuge.
[_Exit, running_.

SANUMATI [_aside_].--Although the King's affections are transferred to
another object, yet he respects his previous attachments. I fear his
love must be somewhat fickle.

VETRAVATI [_entering with a despatch in her hand_].--Victory to the
King!

KING.---Vetravati, did you observe the Queen Vasumati coming in this
direction?

VETRAVATI.--I did; but