The flames rise heavenward from the evening altar; And round the sacrifices, blazing high, Flesh-eating demons stalk, like red cloud-ma.s.ses, And cast colossal shadows on the sky.

_King_ (_listens. Resolutely_). Have no fear, hermits. I am here.

(_Exit_.)

ACT IV

SHAKUNTALA'S DEPARTURE

SCENE I

(_Enter the two friends, gathering flowers_.)

_a.n.u.suya_. Priyamvada, dear Shakuntala has been properly married by the voluntary ceremony and she has a husband worthy of her. And yet I am not quite satisfied.

_Priyamvada_. Why not?

_a.n.u.suya_. The sacrifice is over and the good king was dismissed to-day by the hermits. He has gone back to the city and there he is surrounded by hundreds of court ladies. I wonder whether he will remember poor Shakuntala or not.

_Priyamvada_. You need not be anxious about that. Such handsome men are sure to be good. But there is something else to think about. I don't know what Father will have to say when he comes back from his pilgrimage and hears about it.

_a.n.u.suya_. I believe that he will be pleased.

_Priyamvada_. Why?

_a.n.u.suya_. Why not? You know he wanted to give his daughter to a lover worthy of her. If fate brings this about of itself, why shouldn't Father be happy?

_Priyamvada_. I suppose you are right. (_She looks at her flower-basket_.) My dear, we have gathered flowers enough for the sacrifice.

_a.n.u.suya_. But we must make an offering to the G.o.ds that watch over Shakuntala's marriage. We had better gather more.

_Priyamvada_. Very well. (_They do so_.)

_A voice behind the scenes_. Who will bid me welcome?

_a.n.u.suya_ (_listening_). My dear, it sounds like a guest announcing himself.

_Priyamvada_. Well, Shakuntala is near the cottage. (_Reflecting_.) Ah, but to-day her heart is far away. Come, we must do with the flowers we have. (_They start to walk away_.)

_The voice_.

Do you dare despise a guest like me?

Because your heart, by loving fancies blinded, Has scorned a guest in pious life grown old, Your lover shall forget you though reminded, Or think of you as of a story told.

(_The two girls listen and show dejection_.)

_Priyamvada_. Oh, dear! The very thing has happened. The dear, absent-minded girl has offended some worthy man.

_a.n.u.suya_ (_looking ahead_). My dear, this is no ordinary somebody. It is the great sage Durvasas, the irascible. See how he strides away!

_Priyamvada_. Nothing burns like fire. Run, fall at his feet, bring him back, while I am getting water to wash his feet.

_a.n.u.suya_. I will. (_Exit_.)

_Priyamvada_ (_stumbling_). There! I stumbled in my excitement, and the flower-basket fell out of my hand. (_She collects the scattered flowers_. a.n.u.sUYA _returns_.)

_a.n.u.suya_. My dear, he is anger incarnate. Who could appease him? But I softened him a little.

_Priyamvada_. Even that is a good deal for him. Tell me about it.

_a.n.u.suya_. When he would not turn back, I fell at his feet and prayed to him. "Holy sir," I said, "remember her former devotion and pardon this offence. Your daughter did not recognise your great and holy power to-day."

_Priyamvada_. And then----

_a.n.u.suya_. Then he said: "My words must be fulfilled. But the curse shall be lifted when her lover sees a gem which he has given her for a token." And so he vanished.

_Priyamvada_. We can breathe again. When the good king went away, he put a ring, engraved with his own name, on Shakuntala's finger to remember him by. That will save her.

_a.n.u.suya_. Come, we must finish the sacrifice for her. (_They walk about_.)

_Priyamvada_ (_gazing_). Just look, a.n.u.suya! There is the dear girl, with her cheek resting on her left hand. She looks like a painted picture. She is thinking about him. How could she notice a guest when she has forgotten herself?

_a.n.u.suya_. Priyamvada, we two must keep this thing to ourselves. We must be careful of the dear girl. You know how delicate she is.

_Priyamvada_. Would any one sprinkle a jasmine-vine with scalding water? (_Exeunt ambo_.)

SCENE II.--_Early Morning_

(_Enter a pupil of_ KANVA, _just risen from sleep_.)

_Pupil_. Father Kanva has returned from his pilgrimage, and has bidden me find out what time it is. I will go into the open air and see how much of the night remains. (_He walks and looks about_.) See! The dawn is breaking. For already

The moon behind the western mount is sinking; The eastern sun is heralded by dawn; From heaven's twin lights, their fall and glory linking, Brave lessons of submission may be drawn.

And again:

Night-blooming lilies, when the moon is hidden, Have naught but memories of beauty left.

Hard, hard to bear! Her lot whom heaven has bidden To live alone, of love and lover reft.

And again:

On jujube-trees the blushing dewdrops falter; The peac.o.c.k wakes and leaves the cottage thatch; A deer is rising near the hoof-marked altar, And stretching, stands, the day's new life to catch.

And yet again:

The moon that topped the loftiest mountain ranges, That slew the darkness in the midmost sky, Is fallen from heaven, and all her glory changes: So high to rise, so low at last to lie!