KING.—­Deceive not the lady, my good hermit, by any such expectations. 
    The moon expands the lotus of the night,
    The rising sun awakes the lily; each
    Is with his own contented.  Even so
    The virtuous man is master of his passions,
    And from another’s wife averts his gaze.

SARNGARAVA.—­Since thy union with another woman has rendered thee oblivious of thy marriage with Sakoontala, whence this fear of losing thy character for constancy and virtue?

KING [to the Priest],—­You must counsel me, revered sir, as to my
course of action.  Which of the two evils involves the greater or less
sin? 
    Whether by some dark veil my mind be clouded,
    Or this designing woman speak untruly,
    I know not.  Tell me, must I rather be
    The base disowner of my wedded wife,
    Or the defiling and defiled adulterer?

PRIEST [after deliberation].—­You must take an intermediate course.

KING.—­What course, revered sir?  Tell me at once.

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, 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 adviser.

PRIEST.—­Daughter, follow me.

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

[Exit Sakoontala 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,
    Sakoontala, 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 nymphs’ 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 bed-chamber.