Hindu literature Part 49

However, come what may, I will ascertain the fact.

SAKOONTALa [_in a flurry_].--Ah! a bee, disturbed by the sprinkling of the water, has left the young jasmine, and is trying to settle on my face. [_Attempts to drive it away_.

KING [_gazing at her ardently_].--Beautiful! there is something charming even in her repulse.

Where'er the bee his eager onset plies, Now here, now there, she darts her kindling eyes: What love hath yet to teach, fear teaches now, The furtive glances and the frowning brow.

[_In a tone of envy_.

Ah happy bee! how boldly dost thou try To steal the l.u.s.tre from her sparkling eye; And in thy circling movements hover near, To murmur tender secrets in her ear; Or, as she coyly waves her hand, to sip Voluptuous nectar from her lower lip!

While rising doubts my heart's fond hopes destroy, Thou dost the fulness of her charms enjoy.

SAKOONTALa.--This impertinent bee will not rest quiet. I must move elsewhere. [_Moving a few steps off, and casting a glance around_.] How now! he is following me here. Help! my dear friends, help! deliver me from the attacks of this troublesome insect.

PRIYAMVADa AND ANASuYa.--How can we deliver you? Call Dushyanta to your aid. The sacred groves are under the king's special protection.

KING.--An excellent opportunity for me to show myself. Fear not--[_Checks himself when the words are half-uttered._ _Aside_.] But stay, if I introduce myself in this manner, they will know me to be the King. Be it so, I will accost them, nevertheless.

SAKOONTALa [_moving a step or two further off_].--What! it still persists in following me.

KING [_advancing hastily_].--When mighty Puru's offspring sways the earth, And o'er the wayward holds his threatening rod, Who dares molest the gentle maids that keep Their holy vigils here in Kanwa's grove?

[_All look at the King, and are embarra.s.sed_.

ANASuYa.--Kind Sir, no outrage has been committed; only our dear friend here was teased by the attacks of a troublesome bee.

[_Points to Sakoontala_.

KING [_turning to Sakoontala_].--I trust all is well with your devotional rites?

[_Sakoontala stands confused and silent_.

ANASuYa.--All is well, indeed, now that we are honored by the reception of a distinguished guest. Dear Sakoontala, go, bring from the hermitage an offering of flowers, rice, and fruit. This water that we have brought with us will serve to bathe our guest's feet.

KING.--The rites of hospitality are already performed; your truly kind words are the best offering I can receive.

PRIYAMVADa.--At least be good enough, gentle Sir, to sit down awhile, and rest yourself on this seat shaded by the leaves of the Sapta-parna tree.

KING.--You, too, must all be fatigued by your employment.

ANASuYa.--Dear Sakoontala, there is no impropriety in our sitting by the side of our guest: come, let us sit down here.

[_All sit down together_.

SAKOONTALa [_aside_].--How is it that the sight of this man has made me sensible of emotions inconsistent with religious vows?

KING [_gazing at them all by turns_].--How charmingly your friendship is in keeping with the equality of your ages and appearance!

PRIYAMVADa [_aside to Anasuya_].--Who can this person be, whose lively yet dignified manner, and polite conversation, bespeak him a man of high rank?

ANASuYa.--I, too, my dear, am very curious to know. I will ask him myself. [_Aloud_]. Your kind words, n.o.ble Sir, fill me with confidence, and prompt me to inquire of what regal family our n.o.ble guest is the ornament? what country is now mourning his absence? and what induced a person so delicately nurtured to expose himself to the fatigue of visiting this grove of penance?

SAKOONTALa [_aside_].--Be not troubled, O my heart, Anasuya is giving utterance to thy thoughts.

KING [_aside_].--How now shall I reply? shall I make myself known, or shall I still disguise my real rank? I have it; I will answer her thus.

[_Aloud_]. I am the person charged by his majesty, the descendant of Puru, with the administration of justice and religion; and am come to this sacred grove to satisfy myself that the rites of the hermits are free from obstruction.

ANASuYa.--The hermits, then, and all the members of our religious society have now a guardian.

[_Sakoontala gazes bashfully at the King_.

PRIYAMVADa AND ANASuYa [_perceiving the state of her feelings, and of the King's. Aside to Sakoontala_].--Dear Sakoontala, if father Kanwa were but at home to-day------

SAKOONTALa [_angrily_].--What if he were?

PRIYAMVADa AND ANASuYa.--He would honor this our distinguished guest with an offering of the most precious of his possessions.

SAKOONTALa.--Go to! you have some silly idea in your minds. I will not listen to such remarks.

KING.--May I be allowed, in my turn, to ask you maidens a few particulars respecting your friend?

PRIYAMVADa AND ANASuYa.--Your request, Sir, is an honor.

KING.--The sage Kanwa lives in the constant practice of austerities.

How, then, can this friend of yours be called his daughter?

ANASuYa.--I will explain to you, Sir. You have heard of an ill.u.s.trious sage of regal caste, Viswamitra, whose family name is Kausika.

KING.--I have.

ANASuYa.--Know that he is the real father of our friend. The venerable Kanwa is only her reputed father. He it was who brought her up, when she was deserted by her mother.

KING.--"Deserted by her mother!" My curiosity is excited; pray let me hear the story from the beginning.

ANASuYa.--You shall hear it, Sir. Some time since, this sage of regal caste, while performing a most severe penance on the banks of the river G.o.davari, excited the jealousy and alarm of the G.o.ds; insomuch that they despatched a lovely nymph named Menaka to interrupt his devotions.

KING.--The inferior G.o.ds, I am aware, are jealous of the power which the practice of excessive devotion confers on mortals.

ANASuYa.--Well, then, it happened that Viswamitra, gazing on the bewitching beauty of that nymph at a season when, spring being in its glory------ [_Stops short, and appears confused_.

KING.--The rest may be easily divined. Sakoontala, then, is the offspring of the nymph.

ANASuYa.--Just so.

KING.--It is quite intelligible.

How could a mortal to such charms give birth?

The lightning's radiance flashes not from earth.

[_Sakoontala remains modestly seated with downcast eyes.

[Aside_]. And so my desire has really scope for its indulgence. Yet I am still distracted by doubts, remembering the pleasantry of her female companions respecting her wish for a husband.

PRIYAMVADa [_looking with a smile at Sakoontala, and then turning towards the King_].--You seem desirous, Sir, of asking something further.