Bewitching eyes that found my heart, You surely see It could no longer live apart, Nor faithless be.

I bear Love's arrows as I can; Wound not with doubt a wounded man.

_a.n.u.suya_. But, your Majesty, we hear that kings have many favourites.

You must act in such a way that our friend may not become a cause of grief to her family.

_King_. What more can I say?

Though many queens divide my court, But two support the throne; Your friend will find a rival in The sea-girt earth alone.

_The two friends_. We are content. (SHAKUNTALA _betrays her joy_.) _Priyamvada_ (_aside to_ a.n.u.sUYA). Look, a.n.u.suya! See how the dear girl's life is coming back moment by moment--just like a peahen in summer when the first rainy breezes come.

_Shakuntala_. You must please ask the king's pardon for the rude things we said when we were talking together.

_The two friends_ (_smiling_). Anybody who says it was rude, may ask his pardon. n.o.body else feels guilty.

_Shakuntala_. Your Majesty, pray forgive what we said when we did not know that you were present. I am afraid that we say a great many things behind a person's back.

_King_ (_smiling_).

Your fault is pardoned if I may Relieve my weariness By sitting on the flower-strewn couch Your fevered members press.

_Priyamvada_. But that will not be enough to satisfy him.

_Shakuntala_ (_feigning anger_). Stop! You are a rude girl. You make fun of me when I am in this condition.

_a.n.u.suya_ (_looking out of the arbour_). Priyamvada, there is a little fawn, looking all about him. He has probably lost his mother and is trying to find her. I am going to help him.

_Priyamvada_. He is a frisky little fellow. You can't catch him alone.

I'll go with you. (_They start to go_.)

_Shakuntala_. I will not let you go and leave me alone.

_The two friends_ (_smiling_). You alone, when the king of the world is with you! (_Exeunt_.)

_Shakuntala_. Are my friends gone?

_King_ (_looking about_). Do not be anxious, beautiful Shakuntala.

Have you not a humble servant here, to take the place of your friends?

Then tell me:

Shall I employ the moistened lotus-leaf To fan away your weariness and grief?

Or take your lily feet upon my knee And rub them till you rest more easily?

_Shakuntala_. I will not offend against those to whom I owe honour.

(_She rises weakly and starts to walk away_.) _King_ (_detaining her_). The day is still hot, beautiful Shakuntala, and you are feverish.

Leave not the blossom-dotted couch To wander in the midday heat, With lotus-petals on your breast, With fevered limbs and stumbling feet.

(_He lays his hand upon her_.)

_Shakuntala_. Oh, don't! Don't! For I am not mistress of myself. Yet what can I do now? I had no one to help me but my friends.

_King_. I am rebuked.

_Shakuntala_. I was not thinking of your Majesty. I was accusing fate.

_King_. Why accuse a fate that brings what you desire?

_Shakuntala_. Why not accuse a fate that robs me of self-control and tempts me with the virtues of another?

_King_ (_to himself_).

Though deeply longing, maids are coy And bid their wooers wait; Though eager for united joy In love, they hesitate.

Love cannot torture them, nor move Their hearts to sudden mating; Perhaps they even torture love By their procrastinating.

(SHAKUNTALA _moves away_.)

_King_. Why should I not have my way? (_He approaches and seizes her dress_.)

_Shakuntala_. Oh, sir! Be a gentleman. There are hermits wandering about.

_King_. Do not fear your family, beautiful Shakuntala. Father Kanva knows the holy law. He will not regret it.

For many a hermit maiden who By simple, voluntary rite Dispensed with priest and witness, yet Found favour in her father's sight.

(_He looks about_.) Ah, I have come into the open air. (_He leaves_ SHAKUNTALA _and retraces his steps_.) _Shakuntala_ (_takes a step, then turns with an eager gesture_).

O King, I cannot do as you would have me. You hardly know me after this short talk. But oh, do not forget me.

_King_.

When evening comes, the shadow of the tree Is cast far forward, yet does not depart; Even so, beloved, wheresoe'er you be, The thought of you can never leave my heart.

_Shakuntala_ (_takes a few steps. To herself_). Oh, oh! When I hear him speak so, my feet will not move away. I will hide in this amaranth hedge and see how long his love lasts. (_She hides and waits_.)

_King_. Oh, my beloved, my love for you is my whole life, yet you leave me and go away without a thought.

Your body, soft as siris-flowers, Engages pa.s.sion's utmost powers; How comes it that your heart is hard As stalks that siris-blossoms guard?

_Shakuntala_. When I hear this, I have no power to go.

_King_. What have I to do here, where she is not? (_He gazes on the ground_.) Ah, I cannot go.

The perfumed lotus-chain That once was worn by her Fetters and keeps my heart A hopeless prisoner. (_He lifts it reverently_.)

_Shakuntala_ (_looking at her arm_). Why, I was so weak and ill that when the lotus-bracelet fell off, I did not even notice it.