PRIEST.

I will provide an asylum for the lady in my own house until the birth of her child; and my reason, if you ask me, is this:  Soothsayers have predicted that your first-born will have universal dominion.  Now, if the hermit’s daughter bring forth a son with the discus or mark of empire in the lines of his hand[84], you must admit her immediately into your royal apartments with great rejoicings; if not, then determine to send her back as soon as possible to her father.

KING.  I bow to the decision of my spiritual advisor.

PRIEST.

Daughter, follow me.

[S’]AKOONTALA.

O divine earth, open and receive me into thy bosom!

[Exit [S’]AKOONTALA weeping, with the PRIEST and the HERMITS. The KING remains absorbed in thinking of her, though the curse still clouds his recollection.

A VOICE BEHIND THE SCENES.

A miracle! a miracle!

KING.

[Listening.

What has happened now?

PRIEST. [Entering with an air of astonishment.

Great Prince, a stupendous prodigy has just occurred.

KING.

What is it?

PRIEST.

May it please your Majesty, so soon as Kanwa’s pupils had departed, [S’]akoontala, her eyes all bathed in tears, with outstretched arms, bewailed her cruel fate—­

KING.

Well, well, what happened then?

PRIEST.

  When suddenly a shining apparition,
  In female shape, descended from the skies,
  Near the nymph’s pool, and bore her up to heaven.

[All remain motionless with astonishment.

KING.

My good priest, from the very first I declined having anything to do with this matter.  It is now all over, and we can never, by our conjectures, unravel the mystery; let it rest; go, seek repose.

PRIEST.

[Looking at the KING.

Be it so.  Victory to the King!

[Exit.

KING.

Vetravati, I am tired out; lead the way to the bedchamber.

WARDER.

This way, Sire.

[They move away.

KING.

Do what I will, I cannot call to mind
That I did e’er espouse the sage’s daughter;
Therefore I have disowned her; yet ’tis strange
How painfully my agitated heart
Bears witness to the truth of her assertion,
And makes me credit her against my judgment.

[Exeunt.

* * * * *

PRELUDE TO ACT VI.

SCENE.—­A Street.

Enter the King’s brother-in-law as SUPERINTENDENT of the city police; and with him TWO CONSTABLES, dragging a poor FISHERMAN, who has his hands tied behind his back.