Translations Of Shakuntala And Other Works Part 3

_Actress_. True. What shall we do first?

_Director_. First, you must sing something to please the ears of the audience.

_Actress_. What season of the year shall I sing about? _Director_.

Why, sing about the pleasant summer which has just begun. For at this time of year

A mid-day plunge will temper heat; The breeze is rich with forest flowers; To slumber in the shade is sweet; And charming are the twilight hours.

_Actress_ (_sings_).

The siris-blossoms fair, With pollen laden, Are plucked to deck her hair By many a maiden, But gently; flowers like these Are kissed by eager bees.

_Director_. Well done! The whole theatre is captivated by your song, and sits as if painted. What play shall we give them to keep their good-will?

_Actress_. Why, you just told me we were to give a new play called _Shakuntala and the ring_.

_Director_. Thank you for reminding me. For the moment I had quite forgotten.

Your charming song had carried me away As the deer enticed the hero of our play.

(_Exeunt ambo_.)

ACT I

THE HUNT

(_Enter, in a chariot, pursuing a deer_, KING DUSHYANTA, _bow and arrow in hand; and a charioteer_.)

_Charioteer_ (_Looking at the king and the deer_). Your Majesty,

I see you hunt the spotted deer With shafts to end his race, As though G.o.d Shiva should appear In his immortal chase.

_King_. Charioteer, the deer has led us a long chase. And even now

His neck in beauty bends As backward looks he sends At my pursuing car That threatens death from far.

Fear shrinks to half the body small; See how he fears the arrow's fall!

The path he takes is strewed With blades of gra.s.s half-chewed From jaws wide with the stress Of fevered weariness.

He leaps so often and so high, He does not seem to run, but fly.

(_In surprise_.) Pursue as I may, I can hardly keep him in sight.

_Charioteer_. Your Majesty, I have been holding the horses back because the ground was rough. This checked us and gave the deer a lead. Now we are on level ground, and you will easily overtake him.

_King_. Then let the reins hang loose.

_Charioteer_. Yes, your Majesty. (_He counterfeits rapid motion_.) Look, your Majesty!

The lines hang loose; the steeds unreined Dart forward with a will.

Their ears are p.r.i.c.ked; their necks are strained; Their plumes lie straight and still.

They leave the rising dust behind; They seem to float upon the wind.

_King_ (_joyfully_). See! The horses are gaining on the deer.

As onward and onward the chariot flies, The small flashes large to my dizzy eyes.

What is cleft in twain, seems to blur and mate; What is crooked in nature, seems to be straight.

Things at my side in an instant appear Distant, and things in the distance, near.

_A voice behind the scenes_. O King, this deer belongs to the hermitage, and must not be killed.

_Charioteer_ (_listening and looking_). Your Majesty, here are two hermits, come to save the deer at the moment when your arrow was about to fall.

_King_ (_hastily_). Stop the chariot.

_Charioteer_. Yes, your Majesty. (_He does so. Enter a hermit with his pupil_.)

_Hermit_ (_lifting his hand_). O King, this deer belongs to the hermitage.

Why should his tender form expire, As blossoms perish in the fire?

How could that gentle life endure The deadly arrow, sharp and sure?

Restore your arrow to the quiver; To you were weapons lent The broken-hearted to deliver, Not strike the innocent.

_King_ (_bowing low_). It is done. (_He does so_.)

_Hermit_ (_joyfully_). A deed worthy of you, scion of Puru's race, and shining example of kings. May you beget a son to rule earth and heaven.

_King_ (_bowing low_). I am thankful for a Brahman's blessing.

_The two hermits_. O King, we are on our way to gather firewood. Here, along the bank of the Malini, you may see the hermitage of Father Kanva, over which Shakuntala presides, so to speak, as guardian deity.

Unless other deities prevent, pray enter here and receive a welcome.

Besides,

Beholding pious hermit-rites Preserved from fearful harm, Perceive the profit of the scars On your protecting arm.

_King_. Is the hermit father there?

_The two hermits_. No, he has left his daughter to welcome guests, and has just gone to Somatirtha, to avert an evil fate that threatens her.

_King_. Well, I will see her. She shall feel my devotion, and report it to the sage.

_The two hermits_. Then we will go on our way. (_Exit hermit with pupil_.)

_King_. Charioteer, drive on. A sight of the pious hermitage will purify us.

_Charioteer_. Yes, your Majesty. (_He counterfeits motion again_.)