King.  It is plain that she is already wearied by watering the trees.  See!

  Her shoulders droop; her palms are reddened yet;
    Quick breaths are struggling in her bosom fair;
  The blossom o’er her ear hangs limply wet;
    One hand restrains the loose, dishevelled hair.

I therefore remit her debt. (He gives the two friends a ring.  They take it, read the name engraved on it, and look at each other.)

King.  Make no mistake.  This is a present—­from the king.

Priyamvada.  Then, sir, you ought not to part with it.  Your word is enough to remit the debt.

Anusuya.  Well, Shakuntala, you are set free by this kind gentleman—­or rather, by the king himself.  Where are you going now?

Shakuntala (to herself).  I would never leave him if I could help myself.

Priyamvada.  Why don’t you go now?

Shakuntala.  I am not your servant any longer.  I will go when I like.

King (looking at SHAKUNTALA. To himself).  Does she feel toward me as I do toward her?  At least, there is ground for hope.

  Although she does not speak to me,
    She listens while I speak;
  Her eyes turn not to see my face,
    But nothing else they seek.

A voice behind the scenes.  Hermits!  Hermits!  Prepare to defend the creatures in our pious grove.  King Dushyanta is hunting in the neighbourhood.

  The dust his horses’ hoofs have raised,
    Red as the evening sky,
  Falls like a locust-swarm on boughs
    Where hanging garments dry.

King (aside).  Alas!  My soldiers are disturbing the pious grove in their search for me. The voice behind the scenes.  Hermits!  Hermits!  Here is an elephant who is terrifying old men, women, and children.

  One tusk is splintered by a cruel blow
  Against a blocking tree; his gait is slow,
  For countless fettering vines impede and cling;
  He puts the deer to flight; some evil thing
  He seems, that comes our peaceful life to mar,
  Fleeing in terror from the royal car.

(The girls listen and rise anxiously.)

King.  I have offended sadly against the hermits.  I must go back.

The two friends.  Your Honour, we are frightened by this alarm of the elephant.  Permit us to return to the cottage.

Anusuya (to SHAKUNTALA).  Shakuntala dear, Mother Gautami will be anxious.  We must hurry and find her.

Shakuntala (feigning lameness).  Oh, oh!  I can hardly walk.

King.  You must go very slowly.  And I will take pains that the hermitage is not disturbed.

The two friends.  Your honour, we feel as if we knew you very well.  Pray pardon our shortcomings as hostesses.  May we ask you to seek better entertainment from us another time?