SAKOONTALA.—­Nay, touch me not.  I will not incur the censure of those
whom I am bound to respect.
          [Rises and attempts to go.]

KING.—­Fair one, the heat of noon has not yet subsided, and thy body is
still feeble. 
    How canst thou quit thy fragrant couch of flowers,
    And from thy throbbing bosom cast aside
    Its covering of lotus leaves, to brave
    With weak and fainting limbs the noon-day heat?

[Forces her to turn back.]

SAKOONTALA.—­Infringe not the rules of decorum, mighty descendant of
Puru.  Remember, though I love you, I have no power to dispose of myself.

KING.—­Why this fear of offending your relations, timid maid?  When your
venerable foster-father hears of it, he will not find fault with you.  He
knows that the law permits us to be united without consulting him. 
    In Indra’s heaven, so at least ’tis said,
    No nuptial rites prevail,[39] nor is the bride
    Led to the altar by her future spouse;
    But all in secret does the bridegroom plight
    His troth, and each unto the other vow
    Mutual allegiance.  Such espousals, too,
    Are authorized on earth, and many daughters
    Of royal saints thus wedded to their lords,
    Have still received their father’s benison.

SAKOONTALA.—­Leave me, leave me; I must take counsel with my female friends.

KING.--I will leave thee when------

SAKOONTALA.—­When?

KING.—­When I have gently stolen from thy lips
    Their yet untasted nectar, to allay
    The raging of my thirst, e’en as the bee
    Sips the fresh honey from the opening bud.
          [Attempts to raise her face.  Sakoontala tries to prevent him.

A VOICE [behind the scenes].—­The loving birds, doomed by fate to nightly separation, must bid farewell to each other, for evening is at hand.

SAKOONTALA [in confusion].—­Great Prince, I hear the voice of the matron Gautami.  She is coming this way, to inquire after my health.  Hasten and conceal yourself behind the branches.

KING.—­I will. [Conceals himself.

Enter Gautami with a vase in her hand, preceded by two attendants.

ATTENDANTS.—­This way, most venerable Gautami.

GAUTAMI [approaching Sakoontala].—­My child, is the fever of thy limbs allayed?

SAKOONTALA.—­Venerable mother, there is certainly a change for the better.

GAUTAMI.—­Let me sprinkle you with this holy water, and all your ailments will depart. [Sprinkling Sakoontala on the head.] The day is closing, my child; come, let us go to the cottage.
          [They all move away.

SAKOONTALA [aside].—­Oh my heart! thou didst fear to taste of happiness when it was within thy reach.  Now that the object of thy desires is torn from thee, how bitter will be thy remorse, how distracting thine anguish! [Moving on a few steps and stopping.  Aloud.] Farewell! bower of creepers, sweet soother of my sufferings, farewell! may I soon again be happy under thy shade.
          [Exit reluctantly with the others.