_First woman_. Look, All-tamer. Here is the bird, the _shakunta_.

Isn't the _shakunta_ lovely?

_Boy_ (_looks about_). Where is my mamma? (_The two women burst out laughing_.)

_First woman_. It sounded like her name, and deceived him. He loves his mother.

_Second woman_. She said: "See how pretty the peac.o.c.k is." That is all.

_King_ (_to himself_). His mother's name is Shakuntala! But names are alike. I trust this hope may not prove a disappointment in the end, like a mirage.

_Boy_. I like this little peac.o.c.k, sister. Can it fly? (_He seizes the toy_.) _First woman_ (_looks at the boy. Anxiously_), Oh, the amulet is not on his wrist.

_King_. Do not be anxious, mother. It fell while he was struggling with the lion cub. (_He starts to pick it up_.)

_The two women_. Oh, don't, don't! (_They look at him_.) He has touched it! (_Astonished, they lay their hands on their bosoms, and look at each other_.)

_King_. Why did you try to prevent me?

_First woman_. Listen, your Majesty. This is a divine and most potent charm, called the Invincible. Marichi's holy son gave it to the baby when the birth-ceremony was performed. If it falls on the ground, no one may touch it except the boy's parents or the boy himself.

_King_. And if another touch it?

_First woman_. It becomes a serpent and stings him.

_King_. Did you ever see this happen to any one else?

_Both women_. More than once.

_King_ (_joyfully_). Then why may I not welcome my hopes fulfilled at last? (_He embraces the boy_.)

_Second woman_. Come, Suvrata. Shakuntala is busy with her religious duties. We must go and tell her what has happened. (_Exeunt ambo_.)

_Boy_. Let me go. I want to see my mother.

_King_. My son, you shall go with me to greet your mother.

_Boy_. Dushyanta is my father, not you.

_King_ (_smiling_). You show I am right by contradicting me. (_Enter_ SHAKUNTALA, _wearing her hair in a single braid_.)

_Shakuntala_ (_doubtfully_). I have heard that All-tamer's amulet did not change when it should have done so. But I do not trust my own happiness. Yet perhaps it is as Mishrakeshi told me. (_She walks about_.)

_King_ (_looking at_ SHAKUNTALA. _With plaintive joy_). It is she. It is Shakuntala.

The pale, worn face, the careless dress, The single braid, Show her still true, me pitiless, The long vow paid.

_Shakuntala_ (_seeing the king pale with remorse. Doubtfully_). It is not my husband. Who is the man that soils my boy with his caresses?

The amulet should protect him. _Boy_ (_running to his mother_).

Mother, he is a man that belongs to other people. And he calls me his son.

_King_. My darling, the cruelty I showed you has turned to happiness.

Will you not recognise me?

_Shakuntala_ (_to herself_). Oh, my heart, believe it. Fate struck hard, but its envy is gone and pity takes its place. It is my husband.

_King_.

Black madness flies; Comes memory; Before my eyes My love I see.

Eclipse flees far; Light follows soon; The loving star Draws to the moon.

_Shakuntala_. Victory, victo--(_Tears choke her utterance_.)

_King_.

The tears would choke you, sweet, in vain; My soul with victory is fed, Because I see your face again-- No jewels, but the lips are red.

_Boy_. Who is he, mother?

_Shakuntala_. Ask fate, my child. (_She weeps_.)

_King_.

Dear, graceful wife, forget; Let the sin vanish; Strangely did madness strive Reason to banish.

Thus blindness works in men, Love's joy to shake; Spurning a garland, lest It prove a snake. (_He falls at her feet_.)

_Shakuntala_. Rise, my dear husband. Surely, it was some old sin of mine that broke my happiness--though it has turned again to happiness.

Otherwise, how could you, dear, have acted so? You are so kind. (_The king rises_.) But what brought back the memory of your suffering wife? _King_. I will tell you when I have plucked out the dart of sorrow.

'Twas madness, sweet, that could let slip A tear to burden your dear lip; On graceful lashes seen to-day, I wipe it, and our grief, away. (_He does so_.)

_Shakuntala_ (_sees more clearly and discovers the ring_). My husband, it is the ring!

_King_. Yes. And when a miracle recovered it, my memory returned.

_Shakuntala_. That was why it was so impossible for me to win your confidence.

_King_. Then let the vine receive her flower, as earnest of her union with spring.

_Shakuntala_. I do not trust it. I would rather you wore it.

(_Enter_ MATALI)

_Matali_. I congratulate you, O King, on reunion with your wife and on seeing the face of your son.

_King_. My desires bear sweeter fruit because fulfilled through a friend. Matali, was not this matter known to Indra?

_Matali_ (_smiling_.) What is hidden from the G.o.ds? Come. Marichi's holy son, Kashyapa, wishes to see you.