SAKOONTALA.—­That I may go and report this impertinent Priyamvada to the venerable matron, Gautami.[34]

ANASUYA.—­Surely, dear friend, it would not be right to leave a distinguished guest before he has received the rights of hospitality, and quit his presence in this wilful manner.

          [Sakoontala, without answering a word, moves away.

KING [making a movement to arrest her departure, but checking himself. 
Aside].—­Ah! a lover’s feelings betray themselves by his gestures. 
    When I would fain have stayed the maid, a sense
    Of due decorum checked my bold design: 
    Though I have stirred not, yet my mien betrays
    My eagerness to follow on her steps.

PRIYAMVADA [holding Sakoontala back].—­Dear Sakoontala, it does not become you to go away in this manner.

SAKOONTALA [frowning].—­Why not, pray?

PRIYAMVADA.—­You are under a promise to water two more shrubs for me. 
When you have paid your debt, you shall go, and not before.
          [Forces her to turn back.

KING.—­Spare her this trouble, gentle maiden.  The exertion of watering
the shrubs has already fatigued her. 
    The water-jar has overtasked the strength
    Of her slim arms; her shoulders droop, her hands
    Are ruddy with the glow of quickened pulses;
    E’en now her agitated breath imparts
    Unwonted tremor to her heaving breast;
    The pearly drops that mar the recent bloom
    Of the Sirisha pendant in her ear,
    Gather in clustering circles on her cheek;
    Loosed is the fillet of her hair:  her hand
    Restrains the locks that struggle to be free. 
Suffer me, then, thus to discharge the debt for you.

[Offers a ring to Priyamvada.  Both the maidens, reading the name Dushyanta on the seal, look at each other with surprise.

KING.—­Nay, think not that I am King Dushyanta.  I am only the king’s officer, and this is the ring which I have received from him as my credentials.

PRIYAMVADA.—­The greater the reason you ought not to part with the ring from your finger.  I am content to release her from her obligation at your simple request. [With a smile.] Now, Sakoontala my love, you are at liberty to retire, thanks to the intercession of this noble stranger, or rather of this mighty prince.

SAKOONTALA [aside].—­My movements are no longer under my own control. [Aloud.] Pray, what authority have you over me, either to send me away or keep me back?

KING [gazing at Sakoontala.  Aside].—­Would I could ascertain whether
she is affected towards me as I am towards her!  At any rate, my hopes
are free to indulge themselves.  Because,
    Although she mingles not her words with mine,
    Yet doth her listening ear drink in my speech;
    Although her eye shrinks from my ardent gaze,
    No form but mine attracts its timid glances.