Hindu literature Part 55

SAKOONTALa [_after writing the verse_].--Listen, dear friends, and tell me whether the ideas are appropriately expressed.

PRIYAMVADa AND ANASuYa.--We are all attention.

SAKOONTALa [_reads_].-- I know not the secret thy bosom conceals, Thy form is not near me to gladden my sight; But sad is the tale that my fever reveals, Of the love that consumes me by day and by night.

KING [_advancing hastily towards her_].-- Nay, Love does but warm thee, fair maiden--thy frame Only droops like the bud in the glare of the noon; But me he consumes with a pitiless flame, As the beams of the day-star destroy the pale moon.

PRIYAMVADa AND ANASuYa [_looking at him joyfully, and rising to salute him_].--Welcome, the desire of our hearts, that so speedily presents itself!

[_Sakoontala makes an effort to rise._]

KING.--Nay, trouble not thyself, dear maiden, Move not to do me homage; let thy limbs Still softly rest upon their flowery couch, And gather fragrance from the lotus stalks Bruised by the fevered contact of thy frame.

ANASuYa.--Deign, gentle Sir, to seat yourself on the rock on which our friend is reposing.

[_The King sits down. Sakoontala is confused._]

PRIYAMVADa.--Anyone may see at a glance that you are deeply attached to each other. But the affection I have for my friend prompts me to say something of which you hardly require to be informed.

KING.--Do not hesitate to speak out, my good girl. If you omit to say what is in your mind, you may be sorry for it afterwards.

PRIYAMVADa.--Is it not your special office as a King to remove the suffering of your subjects who are in trouble?

KING.--Such is my duty, most a.s.suredly.

PRIYAMVADa.--Know, then, that our dear friend has been brought to her present state of suffering entirely through love for you. Her life is in your hands; take pity on her and restore her to health.

KING.--Excellent maiden, our attachment is mutual. It is I who am the most honored by it.

SAKOONTALa [_looking at Priyamvada_].--What do you mean by detaining the King, who must be anxious to return to his royal consorts after so long a separation?

KING.--Sweet maiden, banish from thy mind the thought That I could love another. Thou dost reign Supreme, without a rival, in my heart, And I am thine alone: disown me not, Else must I die a second deadlier death-- Killed by thy words, as erst by Kama's shafts.

ANASuYa.--Kind Sir, we have heard it said that kings have many favorite consorts. You must not, then, by your behavior towards our dear friend, give her relations cause to sorrow for her.

KING.--Listen, gentle maiden, while in a few words I quiet your anxiety.

Though many beauteous forms my palace grace, Henceforth two things alone will I esteem The glory of my royal dynasty;-- My sea-girt realm, and this most lovely maid.

PRIYAMVADa AND ANASuYa.--We are satisfied by your a.s.surances.

PRIYAMVADa [_glancing on one side_],--See, Anasuya, there is our favorite little fawn running about in great distress, and turning its eyes in every direction as if looking for its mother; come, let us help the little thing to find her.

[_Both move away._]

SAKOONTALa.--Dear friends, dear friends, leave me not alone and unprotected. Why need you both go?

PRIYAMVADa AND ANASuYa.--Unprotected! when the Protector of the world is at your side. [_Exeunt._]

SAKOONTALa.--What! have they both really left me?

KING.--Distress not thyself, sweet maiden. Thy adorer is at hand to wait upon thee.

Oh, let me tend thee, fair one, in the place Of thy dear friends; and, with broad lotus fans, Raise cooling breezes to refresh thy frame; Or shall I rather, with caressing touch, Allay the fever of thy limbs, and soothe Thy aching feet, beauteous as blushing lilies?

SAKOONTALa.--Nay, touch me not. I will not incur the censure of those whom I am bound to respect.

[_Rises and attempts to go._]

KING.--Fair one, the heat of noon has not yet subsided, and thy body is still feeble.

How canst thou quit thy fragrant couch of flowers, And from thy throbbing bosom cast aside Its covering of lotus leaves, to brave With weak and fainting limbs the noon-day heat?

[_Forces her to turn back._]

SAKOONTALa.--Infringe not the rules of decorum, mighty descendant of Puru. Remember, though I love you, I have no power to dispose of myself.

KING.--Why this fear of offending your relations, timid maid? When your venerable foster-father hears of it, he will not find fault with you. He knows that the law permits us to be united without consulting him.

In Indra's heaven, so at least 'tis said, No nuptial rites prevail,[39] nor is the bride Led to the altar by her future spouse; But all in secret does the bridegroom plight His troth, and each unto the other vow Mutual allegiance. Such espousals, too, Are authorized on earth, and many daughters Of royal saints thus wedded to their lords, Have still received their father's benison.

SAKOONTALa.--Leave me, leave me; I must take counsel with my female friends.

KING.--I will leave thee when------

SAKOONTALa.--When?

KING.--When I have gently stolen from thy lips Their yet untasted nectar, to allay The raging of my thirst, e'en as the bee Sips the fresh honey from the opening bud.

[_Attempts to raise her face. Sakoontala tries to prevent him_.

A VOICE [_behind the scenes_].--The loving birds, doomed by fate to nightly separation, must bid farewell to each other, for evening is at hand.

SAKOONTALa [_in confusion_].--Great Prince, I hear the voice of the matron Gautami. She is coming this way, to inquire after my health.

Hasten and conceal yourself behind the branches.

KING.--I will. [_Conceals himself_.

_Enter Gautami with a vase in her hand, preceded by two attendants_.

ATTENDANTS.--This way, most venerable Gautami.

GAUTAMi [_approaching Sakoontala_].--My child, is the fever of thy limbs allayed?

SAKOONTALa.--Venerable mother, there is certainly a change for the better.

GAUTAMi.--Let me sprinkle you with this holy water, and all your ailments will depart. [_Sprinkling Sakoontala on the head_.] The day is closing, my child; come, let us go to the cottage.

[_They all move away_.

SAKOONTALa [_aside_].--Oh my heart! thou didst fear to taste of happiness when it was within thy reach. Now that the object of thy desires is torn from thee, how bitter will be thy remorse, how distracting thine anguish! [_Moving on a few steps and stopping.

Aloud_.] Farewell! bower of creepers, sweet soother of my sufferings, farewell! may I soon again be happy under thy shade.

[_Exit reluctantly with the others_.

KING [_returning to his former seat in the arbor. Sighing_].--Alas! how many are the obstacles to the accomplishment of our wishes!