Translations Of Shakuntala And Other Works Part 18

_Second poet_.

Vice bows before the royal rod; Strife ceases at your kingly nod; You are our strong defender.

Friends come to all whose wealth is sure, But you, alike to rich and poor, Are friend both strong and tender.

_King_ (_listening_). Strange! I was wearied by the demands of my office, but this renews my spirit.

_Clown_. Does a bull forget that he is tired when you call him the leader of the herd?

_King_ (_smiling_). Well, let us sit down. (_They seat themselves, and the retinue arranges itself. A lute is heard behind the scenes_.)

_Clown_ (_listening_). My friend, listen to what is going on in the music-room. Some one is playing a lute, and keeping good time. I suppose Lady Hansavati is practising.

_King_. Be quiet. I wish to listen.

_Chamberlain_ (_looks at the king_). Ah, the king is occupied. I must await his leisure. (_He stands aside_.)

_A song behind the scenes_.

You who kissed the mango-flower, Honey-loving bee, Gave her all your pa.s.sion's power, Ah, so tenderly!

How can you be tempted so By the lily, pet?

Fresher honey's sweet, I know; But can you forget?

_King_. What an entrancing song!

_Clown_. But, man, don't you understand what the words mean?

_King_ (_smiling_). I was once devoted to Queen Hansavati. And the rebuke comes from her. Friend Madhavya, tell Queen Hansavati in my name that the rebuke is a very pretty one.

_Clown_. Yes, sir. (_He rises_.) But, man, you are using another fellow's fingers to grab a bear's tail-feathers with. I have about as much chance of salvation as a monk who hasn't forgotten his pa.s.sions.

_King_. Go. Soothe her like a gentleman.

_Clown_. I suppose I must. (_Exit_.)

_King_ (_to himself_). Why am I filled with wistfulness on hearing such a song? I am not separated from one I love. And yet

In face of sweet presentment Or harmonies of sound, Man e'er forgets contentment, By wistful longings bound.

There must be recollections Of things not seen on earth, Deep nature's predilections, Loves earlier than birth.

(_He shows the wistfulness that comes from unremembered things_.)

_Chamberlain_ (_approaching_). Victory to your Majesty. Here are hermits who dwell in the forest at the foot of the Himalayas. They bring women with them, and they carry a message from Kanva. What is your pleasure with regard to them?

_King_ (_astonished_). Hermits? Accompanied by women? From Kanva?

_Chamberlain_. Yes.

_King_. Request my chaplain Somarata in my name to receive these hermits in the manner prescribed by Scripture, and to conduct them himself before me. I will await them in a place fit for their reception.

_Chamberlain_. Yes, your Majesty. (_Exit_.)

_King_ (_rising_). Vetravati, conduct me to the fire-sanctuary.

_Portress_. Follow me, your Majesty. (_She walks about_) Your Majesty, here is the terrace of the fire-sanctuary. It is beautiful, for it has just been swept, and near at hand is the cow that yields the milk of sacrifice. Pray ascend it.

_King_ (_ascends and stands leaning on the shoulder of an attendant_.) Vetravati, with what purpose does Father Kanva send these hermits to me?

Do leagued powers of sin conspire To balk religion's pure desire?

Has wrong been done to beasts that roam Contented round the hermits' home?

Do plants no longer bud and flower, To warn me of abuse of power?

These doubts and more a.s.sail my mind, But leave me puzzled, lost, and blind.

_Portress_. How could these things be in a hermitage that rests in the fame of the king's arm? No, I imagine they have come to pay homage to their king, and to congratulate him on his pious rule.

(_Enter the chaplain and the chamberlain, conducting the two pupils of_ KANVA, _with_ GAUTAMI _and_ SHAKUNTALA.)

_Chamberlain_. Follow me, if you please.

_Sharngarava_. Friend Sharadvata,

The king is n.o.ble and to virtue true; None dwelling here commit the deed of shame; Yet we ascetics view the worldly crew As in a house all lapped about with flame.

_Sharadvata_. Sharngarava, your emotion on entering the city is quite just. As for me,

Free from the world and all its ways, I see them spending worldly days As clean men view men smeared with oil, As pure men, those whom pa.s.sions soil, As waking men view men asleep, As free men, those in bondage deep.

_Chaplain_. That is why men like you are great.

_Shakuntala_ (_observing an evil omen_). Oh, why does my right eye throb?

_Gautami_. Heaven avert the omen, my child. May happiness wait upon you. (_They walk about_.)

_Chaplain_ (_indicating the king_). O hermits, here is he who protects those of every station and of every age. He has already risen, and awaits you. Behold him.

_Sharngarava_. Yes, it is admirable, but not surprising. For

Fruit-laden trees bend down to earth; The water-pregnant clouds hang low; Good men are not puffed up by power-- The unselfish are by nature so.

_Portress_. Your Majesty, the hermits seem to be happy. They give you gracious looks.

_King_ (_observing_ SHAKUNTALA). Ah!

Who is she, shrouded in the veil That dims her beauty's l.u.s.tre, Among the hermits like a flower Round which the dead leaves cl.u.s.ter?

_Portress_. Your Majesty, she is well worth looking at.

_King_. Enough! I must not gaze upon another's wife.