A most polite way of warning him off!

MA[T.]HAVYA.

You’ll find the obstinate creature is not to be sent about his business so easily as you think.

KING.

Dost thou presume to disobey?  Now hear me:—­

  An thou but touch the lips of my beloved,
  Sweet as the opening blossom, whence I quaffed
  In happier days love’s nectar, I will place thee
  Within the hollow of yon lotus cup,
  And there imprison thee for thy presumption.

MA[T.]HAVYA.

He must be bold indeed not to show any fear when you threaten him with such an awful punishment. [Smiling, aside.] He is stark mad, that’s clear; and I believe, by keeping him company, I am beginning to talk almost as wildly. [Aloud.] Look, it is only a painted bee.

KING.

Painted? impossible!

SANUMATI. [Aside.

Even I did not perceive it; how much less should he!

KING.

Oh! my dear friend, why were you so ill-natured as to tell me the truth?

  While all entranced, I gazed upon her picture,
  My loved one seemed to live before my eyes
  Till every fibre of my being thrilled
  With rapturous emotion.  Oh! ’twas cruel
  To dissipate the day-dream, and transform
  The blissful vision to a lifeless image.

[Sheds tears.

SANUMATI. [Aside.

Separated lovers are very difficult to please; but he seems more difficult than usual.

KING.

Alas! my dear Ma[T.]Havya, why am I doomed to be the victim of perpetual disappointment?

  Vain is the hope of meeting her in dreams,
  For slumber night by night forsakes my couch;
  And now that I would fain assuage my grief
  By gazing on her portrait here before me,
  Tears of despairing love obscure my sight.

SANUMATI. [Aside.

You have made ample amends for the wrong you did [S’]akoontala in disowning her.

CHATURIKA. [Entering.

Victory to the King!  I was coming along with the box of colours in my hand—­

KING.

What now?

CHATURIKA.

When I met the queen Vasumati, attended by Taralika.  She insisted on taking it from me, and declared she would herself deliver it into your Majesty’s hands.

MA[T.]HAVYA.

By what luck did you contrive to escape her?

CHATURIKA.

While her maid was disengaging her mantle, which had caught in the branch, of a shrub, I ran away.

KING.

Here, my good friend, take the picture and conceal it.  My attentions to the Queen have made her presumptuous.  She will be here in a minute.

MA[T.]HAVYA.