Hindu literature Part 56

Albeit she did coyly turn away Her glowing cheek, and with her fingers guard Her pouting lips, that murmured a denial In faltering accents, she did yield herself A sweet reluctant captive to my will, As eagerly I raised her lovely face: But ere with gentle force I stole the kiss, Too envious Fate did mar my daring purpose.

Whither now shall I betake myself? I will tarry for a brief s.p.a.ce in this bower of creepers, so endeared to me by the presence of my beloved Sakoontala.

[_Looking round_.

Here printed on the flowery couch I see The fair impression of her slender limbs; Here is the sweet confession of her love, Traced with her nail upon the lotus leaf-- And yonder are the withered lily stalks That graced her wrist. While all around I view Things that recall her image, can I quit This bower, e'en though its living charm be fled?

A VOICE [_in the air_].--Great King, Scarce is our evening sacrifice begun, When evil demons, lurid as the clouds That gather round the dying orb of day, Cl.u.s.ter in hideous troops, obscene and dread, About our altars, casting far and near Terrific shadows, while the sacred fire Sheds a pale l.u.s.tre o'er their ghostly shapes.

KING.--I come to the rescue, I come.

[_Exit._

[38] Kama, the Hindoo Cupid, or G.o.d of love. He has five arrows, each tipped with the blossom of a flower, which pierce the heart through the five senses.

[39] A marriage without the usual ceremonies is called Gandharva. It was supposed to be the form of marriage prevalent among the nymphs of Indra's heaven.

PRELUDE TO ACT FOURTH

Scene.--The Garden of the Hermitage

_Enter Priyamvada and Anasuya in the act of gathering flowers_.

ANASuYa.--Although, dear Priyamvada, it rejoices my heart to think that Sakoontala has been happily united to a husband in every respect worthy of her, by the form of marriage prevalent among Indra's celestial musicians, nevertheless, I cannot help feeling somewhat uneasy in my mind.

PRIYAMVADa.--How so?

ANASuYa.--You know that the pious King was gratefully dismissed by the hermits on the successful termination of their sacrificial rites. He has now returned to his capital, leaving Sakoontala under our care; and it may be doubted whether, in the society of his royal consorts, he will not forget all that has taken place in this hermitage of ours.

PRIYAMVADa.--On that score be at ease. Persons of his n.o.ble nature are not so dest.i.tute of all honorable feeling. I confess, however, that there is one point about which I am rather anxious. What, think you, will father Kanwa say when he hears what has occurred?

ANASuYa.--In my opinion, he will approve the marriage.

PRIYAMVADa.--What makes you think so?

ANASuYa.--From the first, it was always his fixed purpose to bestow the maiden on a husband worthy of her; and since heaven has given her such a husband, his wishes have been realized without any trouble to himself.

PRIYAMVADa [_looking at the flower-basket_].--We have gathered flowers enough for the sacred offering, dear Anasuya.

ANASuYa.--Well, then, let us now gather more, that we may have wherewith to propitiate the guardian-deity of our dear Sakoontala.

PRIYAMVADa.--By all means. [_They continue gathering_.

A VOICE [_behind the scenes_].--Ho there! See you not that I am here?

ANASuYa [_listening_].--That must be the voice of a guest announcing his arrival.

PRIYAMVADa.--Surely, Sakoontala is not absent from the cottage.

[_Aside_.] Her heart at least is absent, I fear.

ANASuYa.--Come along, come along; we have gathered flowers enough.

[_They move away_.

THE SAME VOICE [_behind the scenes_].--Woe to thee, maiden, for daring to slight a guest like me!

Shall I stand here unwelcomed; even I, A very mine of penitential merit, Worthy of all respect? Shalt thou, rash maid, Thus set at nought the ever sacred ties Of hospitality? and fix thy thoughts Upon the cherished object of thy love, While I am present? Thus I curse thee, then-- He, even he of whom thou thinkest, he Shall think no more of thee; nor in his heart Retain thine image. Vainly shalt thou strive To waken his remembrance of the past; He shall disown thee, even as the sot, Roused from his midnight drunkenness, denies The words he uttered in his revellings.

PRIYAMVADa.--Alas! alas! I fear a terrible misfortune has occurred.

Sakoontala, from absence of mind, must have offended some guest whom she was bound to treat with respect. [_Looking behind the scenes_.] Ah! yes; I see, and no less a person than the great sage Durvasas, who is known to be most irascible. He it is that has just cursed her, and is now retiring with hasty strides, trembling with pa.s.sion, and looking as if nothing could turn him. His wrath is like a consuming fire.

ANASuYa.--Go quickly, dear Priyamvada, throw yourself at his feet, and persuade him to come back, while I prepare a propitiatory offering for him, with water and refreshments.

PRIYAMVADa.--I will. [_Exit._

ANASuYa [_advancing hastily a few steps and stumbling_].--Alas! alas!

this comes of being in a hurry. My foot has slipped and my basket of flowers has fallen from my hand.

[_Stays to gather them up_.

PRIYAMVADa [_reentering_].--Well, dear Anasuya, I have done my best; but what living being could succeed in pacifying such a cross-grained, ill-tempered old fellow? However, I managed to mollify him a little.

ANASuYa [_smiling_].--Even a little was much for him. Say on.

PRIYAMVADa.--When he refused to turn back, I implored his forgiveness in these words: "Most venerable sage, pardon, I beseech you, this first offence of a young and inexperienced girl, who was ignorant of the respect due to your saintly character and exalted rank."

ANASuYa.--And what did he reply?

PRIYAMVADa.--"My word must not be falsified; but at the sight of the ring of recognition the spell shall cease." So saying, he disappeared.

ANASuYa.--Oh! then we may breathe again; for now I think of it, the King himself, at his departure, fastened on Sakoontala's finger, as a token of remembrance, a ring on which his own name was engraved. She has, therefore, a remedy for her misfortune at her own command.

PRIYAMVADa.--Come, dear Anasuya, let us proceed with our religious duties. [_They walk away_.

PRIYAMVADa [_looking off the stage_].--See, Anasuya, there sits our dear friend, motionless as a statue, resting her face on her left hand, her whole mind absorbed in thinking of her absent husband. She can pay no attention to herself, much less to a stranger.

ANASuYa.--Priyamvada, let this affair never pa.s.s our lips. We must spare our dear friend's feelings. Her const.i.tution is too delicate to bear much emotion.

PRIYAMVADa.--I agree with you. Who would think of watering a tender jasmine with hot water?

ACT FOURTH

Scene.--The Neighborhood of the Hermitage

_Enter one of Kanwa's pupils, just arisen from his couch at the dawn of day_.

PUPIL.--My master, the venerable Kanwa, who is but lately returned from his pilgrimage, has ordered me to ascertain how the time goes. I have therefore come into the open air to see if it be still dark. [_Walking and looking about_.] Oh! the dawn has already broken.