KING [returning to his former seat in the arbor.  Sighing].—­Alas! how
many are the obstacles to the accomplishment of our wishes! 
    Albeit she did coyly turn away
    Her glowing cheek, and with her fingers guard
    Her pouting lips, that murmured a denial
    In faltering accents, she did yield herself
    A sweet reluctant captive to my will,
    As eagerly I raised her lovely face: 
    But ere with gentle force I stole the kiss,
    Too envious Fate did mar my daring purpose. 
Whither now shall I betake myself?  I will tarry for a brief space in
this bower of creepers, so endeared to me by the presence of my beloved
Sakoontala.
          [Looking round. 
    Here printed on the flowery couch I see
    The fair impression of her slender limbs;
    Here is the sweet confession of her love,
    Traced with her nail upon the lotus leaf—­
    And yonder are the withered lily stalks
    That graced her wrist.  While all around I view
    Things that recall her image, can I quit
    This bower, e’en though its living charm be fled?

A VOICE [in the air].—­Great King,
    Scarce is our evening sacrifice begun,
    When evil demons, lurid as the clouds
    That gather round the dying orb of day,
    Cluster in hideous troops, obscene and dread,
    About our altars, casting far and near
    Terrific shadows, while the sacred fire
    Sheds a pale lustre o’er their ghostly shapes.

KING.—­I come to the rescue, I come.
          [Exit.

[38] Kama, the Hindoo Cupid, or god of love.  He has five arrows, each tipped with the blossom of a flower, which pierce the heart through the five senses.

[39] A marriage without the usual ceremonies is called Gandharva.  It was supposed to be the form of marriage prevalent among the nymphs of Indra’s heaven.

PRELUDE TO ACT FOURTH

Scene.—­The Garden of the Hermitage

Enter Priyamvada and Anasuya in the act of gathering flowers.

ANASUYA.—­Although, dear Priyamvada, it rejoices my heart to think that Sakoontala has been happily united to a husband in every respect worthy of her, by the form of marriage prevalent among Indra’s celestial musicians, nevertheless, I cannot help feeling somewhat uneasy in my mind.

PRIYAMVADA.—­How so?

ANASUYA.—­You know that the pious King was gratefully dismissed by the hermits on the successful termination of their sacrificial rites.  He has now returned to his capital, leaving Sakoontala under our care; and it may be doubted whether, in the society of his royal consorts, he will not forget all that has taken place in this hermitage of ours.

PRIYAMVADA.—­On that score be at ease.  Persons of his noble nature are not so destitute of all honorable feeling.  I confess, however, that there is one point about which I am rather anxious.  What, think you, will father Kanwa say when he hears what has occurred?