Sakountala 1

SHAKUNTALA by Kalidasa Translated by Arthur W. Ryder Modified by Antihubris.com A PLA !N S"#"N A$TS %RAMAT!S P"RS&N' KING DUSHYANTA. BHARATA, nicknamed All-tamer, i! !on. "ADHA#YA, a clo$n, i! com%anion. Hi! c arioteer. RAI#ATAKA, a door-kee%er. BHADRAS&NA, a 'eneral. KARABHAKA, a !er(ant. )AR#ATAYANA, a c am*erlain. S+"ARATA, a c a%lain. KAN#A, ermit ,at er. i! %u%il!SHARNGARA#A SHARAD#ATA HARITA DUR#ASAS, an ira!ci*le !a'e. T e c ie, o, %olice. %olicemenSU.HAKA /ANUKA A ,i! erman. SHAKUNTA0A, ,o!ter-c ild o, Kan(a. er ,riend!ANUSUYA )RIYA"#ADA GAUTA"I, ermit-mot er. KASHYA)A, ,at er o, t e 'od!. ADITI, mot er o, t e 'od!. "ATA0I, c arioteer o, ea(en1! kin'. GA0A#A, a %u%il in ea(en. "ISHRAK&SHI, a ea(enl2 n2m% . Sta'e-director and actre!! 3in t e %rolo'ue4, ermit! and ermit-$omen, t$o court %oet!, %alace attendant!, in(i!i*le ,airie!. T e ,ir!t ,our act! %a!! in Kan(a1! ,ore!t ermita'e5 act! ,i(e and !i6 in t e kin'1! %alace5 act !e(en on a ea(enl2 mountain. T e time i! %er a%! !e(en 2ear!. SHAKUNTALA PR&L&(U" )"N"%!$T!&N UP&N TH" AU%!"N$"

&IGHT ,orm! a! S i(a, lord o, all and kin'And t e!e are $ater, ,ir!t created t in'5 And ,ire, $ ic !%eed! t e !acri,ice *e'un5 T e %rie!t5 and time1! di(ider!, moon and !un5 T e all-em*racin' et er, %at o, !ound5 T e eart , $ erein all !eed! o, li,e are ,ound5 And air, t e *reat o, li,e- ma2 e dra$ near, Re(ealed in t e!e, and *le!! t o!e 'at ered ere. The sta*e+director. &nou' o, t i!7 3Turnin' to$ard t e dre!!in'-room.4 "adam, i, 2ou are read2, %ra2 come ere. 3&nter an actre!!.4 Actress. Here I am, !ir. 8 at am I to do9 %irector. +ur audience i! (er2 di!criminatin', and $e are to o,,er t em a ne$ %la2, called S akuntala and t e rin' o, reco'nition, $ritten *2 t e ,amou! Kalida!a. &(er2 mem*er o, t e ca!t mu!t *e on i! mettle. Actress. Your arran'ement! are %er,ect. Not in' $ill 'o $ron'. %irector 3!milin'4. To tell t e trut , madam, Until t e $i!e are !ati!,ied, I cannot ,eel t at !kill i! ! o$n5 T e *e!t-trained mind re:uire! !u%%ort, And doe! not tru!t it!el, alone. Actress. True. 8 at ! all $e do ,ir!t9 %irector. ;ir!t, 2ou mu!t !in' !omet in' to %lea!e t e ear! o, t e audience. Actress. 8 at !ea!on o, t e 2ear ! all I !in' a*out9 %irector. 8 2, !in' a*out t e %lea!ant !ummer $ ic *e'un. ;or at t i! time o, 2ear A mid-da2 %lun'e $ill tem%er eat5 T e *ree=e i! ric $it ,ore!t ,lo$er!5 To !lum*er in t e ! ade i! !$eet5 And c armin' are t e t$ili' t our!. Actress ,sin*s-. T e !iri!-*lo!!om! ,air, 8it %ollen laden, Are %lucked to deck er air B2 man2 a maiden, But 'entl25 ,lo$er! like t e!e Are ki!!ed *2 ea'er *ee!. %irector. 8ell done7 T e $ ole t eatre i! ca%ti(ated *2 2our !on', and !it! a! i, %ainted. 8 at %la2 ! all $e 'i(e t em to kee% t eir 'ood-$ill9 Actress. 8 2, 2ou <u!t told me $e $ere to 'i(e a ne$ %la2 called S akuntala and t e rin'. a! <u!t

Sakountala >

%irector. T ank 2ou ,or remindin' me. ;or t e moment I ad :uite ,or'otten. Your c armin' !on' ad carried me a$a2 A! t e deer enticed t e ero o, our %la2. 3&6eunt am*o.4 A$T ! TH" HUNT 3Enter, in a chariot, pursuing a deer, KING DUSHYANTA, bow and arrow in hand; and a charioteer.4 Charioteer 3looking at the king and the deer4. Your "a<e!t2, I !ee 2ou unt t e !%otted deer 8it ! a,t! to end i! race, A! t ou' God S i(a ! ould a%%ear In i! immortal c a!e. King. . arioteer, t e deer a! led u! a lon' c a!e. And e(en no$ Hi! neck in *eaut2 *end! A! *ack$ard look! e !end! At m2 %ur!uin' car T at t reaten! deat ,rom ,ar. ;ear ! rink! to al, t e *od2 !mall5 See o$ e ,ear! t e arro$1! ,all7 T e %at e take! i! !tre$ed8it *lade! o, 'ra!! al,-c e$ed ;rom <a$! $ide $it t e !tre!!+, ,e(ered $earine!!.He lea%! !o o,ten and !o i' ,He doe! not !eem to run, *ut ,l2. (In surprise.4 )ur!ue a! I ma2, I can ardl2 kee% im in !i' t. Charioteer. Your "a<e!t2, I a(e *een oldin' t e or!e! *ack *ecau!e t e 'round $a! rou' . T i! c ecked u! and 'a(e t e deer a lead. No$ $e are on le(el 'round, and 2ou $ill ea!il2 o(ertake im. King. T en let t e rein! an' loo!e. Charioteer. Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. 3He counterfeits rapid motion.4 0ook, 2our "a<e!t27 T e line! an' loo!e5 t e !teed! unreined Dart ,or$ard $it a $ill. %. ? T eir ear! are %ricked5 t eir neck! are !trained5 T eir %lume! lie !trai' t and !till. T e2 lea(e t e ri!in' du!t *e ind5 T e2 !eem to ,loat u%on t e $ind. King 3joyfully4. See7 T e or!e! are 'ainin' on t e deer. A! on$ard and on$ard t e c ariot ,lie!, T e !mall ,la! e! lar'e to m2 di==2 e2e!. 8 at i! cle,t in t$ain, !eem! to *lur and mate5 8 at i! crooked in nature, !eem! to *e !trai' t. T in'! at m2 !ide in an in!tant a%%ear Di!tant, and t in'! in t e di!tance, near.

!oice behind the scenes. + Kin', t i! deer *elon'! to t e ermita'e, and mu!t not *e killed. Charioteer 3listening and looking4. Your "a<e!t2, ere are t$o ermit!, come to !a(e t e deer at t e moment $ en 2our arro$ $a! a*out to ,all. King 3hastily4. Sto% t e c ariot. Charioteer, Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. 3He does so" Enter a hermit with his pupil.4 Hermit 3lifting his hand4. + Kin', t i! deer *elon'! to t e ermita'e. 8 2 ! ould i! tender ,orm e6%ire, A! *lo!!om! %eri! in t e ,ire9 Ho$ could t at 'entle li,e endure T e deadl2 arro$, ! ar% and !ure9 Re!tore 2our arro$ to t e :ui(er5To 2ou $ere $ea%on! lent T e *roken- earted to deli(er,Not !trike t e innocent. King 3bowing low4. It i! done. 3He does so.4 Hermit 3joyfully4. A deed $ort 2 o, 2ou, !cion o, )uru1! race, and ! inin' e6am%le o, kin'!. "a2 2ou *e'et a !on to rule eart and ea(en. King 3bowing low4. I am t ank,ul ,or a Bra man1! *le!!in'. #he two hermits. + Kin', $e are on our $a2 to 'at er ,ire$ood. Here, alon' t e *ank o, t e "alini, 2ou ma2 !ee t e ermita'e o, ;at er Kan(a, o(er $ ic S akuntala %re!ide!, !o to !%eak, a! 'uardian deit2. Unle!! ot er dutie! %re(ent, %ra2 enter ere and recei(e a $elcome. Be!ide!, Be oldin' %iou! ermit-rite! )re!er(ed ,rom ,ear,ul arm, )ercei(e t e %ro,it o, t e !car! +n 2our %rotectin' arm. King. I! t e ermit ,at er t ere9 #he two hermits. No, e a! le,t i! dau' ter to $elcome 'ue!t!, and a! <u!t 'one to Somatirt a, to a(ert an e(il ,ate t at t reaten! er. King. 8ell, I $ill !ee er. S e ! all ,eel m2 de(otion, and re%ort it to t e !a'e. #he two hermits. T en $e $ill 'o on our $a2. 3E$it hermit with pupil.4 King. . arioteer, dri(e on. A !i' t o, t e %iou! ermita'e $ill %uri,2 u!. Charioteer. Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. 3He counterfeits motion again.4 King 3looking about4. +ne $ould kno$, $it out *ein' told, t at t i! i! t e %recinct o, a %iou! 'ro(e. Charioteer. Ho$ !o9 King. Do 2ou not !ee9 8 2, ere Are rice-'rain!, dro%%ed ,rom *ill! o, %arrot c ick! Beneat t e tree!5 and %oundin'-!tone! $ ere !tick! A little almond-oil5 and tru!t,ul deer T at do not run a$a2 a! $e dra$ near5 And ri(er-%at ! t at are *e!%rinkled 2et ;rom tricklin' ermit-'arment!, clean and $et.

Sakountala @

8it a !o,t, *lue lotu!-lea,. Be!ide!, T e root! o, tree! are $a! ed *2 man2 a !tream T at *ree=e! ru,,le5 and t e ,lo$er!1 red 'leam I! dimmed *2 %iou! !moke5 and ,earle!! ,a$n! "o(e !o,tl2 on t e clo!e-cro%%ed ,ore!t la$n!. Charioteer. It i! all true. King 3after a little4. 8e mu!t not di!tur* t e ermita'e. Sto% ere $ ile I di!mount. Charioteer. I am oldin' t e rein!. Di!mount, 2our "a<e!t2. King 3dismounts and looks at himself4. +ne ! ould $ear mode!t 'arment! on enterin' a ermita'e. Take t e!e <e$el! and t e *o$. 3He gi!es them to the charioteer.4 Be,ore I return ,rom m2 (i!it to t e ermit!, a(e t e or!e!1 *ack! $et do$n. Charioteer. Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. 3E$it.4 King 3walking and looking about4. T e ermita'e7 8ell, I $ill enter. 3 s he does so, he feels a throbbing in his arm.4 A tran:uil !%ot7 8 2 ! ould I t rill9 0o(e cannot enter t ere Yet to ine(ita*le t in'! Door! o%en e(er2$ ere.-!oice behind the scenes. T i! $a2, 'irl!7 King 3listening4. I t ink I ear !ome one to t e ri' t o, t e 'ro(e. I mu!t ,ind out. 3He walks and looks about.4 A , ere are ermit-'irl!, $it $aterin'-%ot! <u!t *i' enou' ,or t em to andle. T e2 are comin' in t i! direction to $ater t e 2oun' tree!. T e2 are c armin'7 T e cit2 maid!, ,or all t eir %ain!, Seem not !o !$eet and 'ood5 +ur 'arden *lo!!om! 2ield to t e!e ;lo$er-c ildren o, t e $ood. I $ill dra$ *ack into t e ! ade and $ait ,or t em. 3He stands, ga%ing toward them" Enter SHAKUNTA0A, as described, and her two friends.4 &irst friend. It !eem! to me, dear, t at ;at er Kan(a care! more ,or t e ermita'e tree! t an e doe! ,or 2ou. You are delicate a! a <a!mine *lo!!om, 2et e tell! 2ou to ,ill t e trenc e! a*out t e tree!. 'hakuntala. + , it i!n1t ;at er1! *iddin' !o muc . I ,eel like a real !i!ter to t em. 3'he waters the trees.4 (riyam!ada. S akuntala, $e a(e $atered t e tree! t at *lo!!om in t e !ummer-time. No$ let1! !%rinkle t o!e $ o!e ,lo$erin'-time i! %a!t. T at $ill *e a *etter deed, *ecau!e $e ! all not *e $orkin' ,or a re$ard. 'hakuntala. 8 at a %rett2 idea7 3'he does so.4 King 3to himself4. And t i! i! Kan(a1! dau' ter, S akuntala. 3In surprise.4 T e 'ood ;at er doe! $ron' to make er $ear t e ermit1! dre!! o, *ark. T e !a'e $ o 2oke! er artle!! c arm 8it %iou! %ain and 'rie,, 8ould tr2 to cut t e tou' e!t (ine 8ell, I $ill !te% *e ind a tree and !ee o$ ! e act! $it er ,riend!. 3He conceals himself.4 'hakuntala. + , Anu!u2a7 )ri2am(ada a! ,a!tened t i! *ark dre!! !o ti' t t at it urt!. )lea!e loo!en it. 3ANUSUYA does so.4 (riyam!ada 3laughing4. You ad *etter *lame 2our o$n *uddin' c arm! ,or t at. King. S e i! :uite ri' t. Beneat t e *arken dre!! U%on t e ! oulder tied, In maiden lo(eline!! Her 2oun' *rea!t !eem! to ide, A! $ en a ,lo$er amidT e lea(e! *2 autumn to!!ed--)ale, $it ered lea(e!--lie! id,And al, it! 'race i! lo!t. Yet in trut t e *ark dre!! i! not an enem2 to er *eaut2. It !er(e! a! an added ornament. ;or T e meane!t (e!ture 'lo$! +n *eaut2 t at enc ant!T e lotu! lo(elier ! o$! Amid dull $ater-%lant!5 T e moon in added !%lendourS ine! ,or it! !%ot o, dark5Yet more t e maiden !lender. arm! in er dre!! o, *ark. 'hakuntala 3looking ahead4. + , 'irl!, t at man'o-tree i! tr2in' to tell me !omet in' $it i! *ranc e! t at mo(e in t e $ind like ,in'er!. I mu!t 'o and !ee im. 3'he does so.4 (riyam!ada. T ere, S akuntala, !tand ri' t $ ere 2ou are a minute. 'hakuntala. 8 29 (riyam!ada. 8 en I !ee 2ou t ere, it look! a! i, a (ine $ere clin'in' to t e man'o-tree. 'hakuntala. I !ee $ 2 t e2 call 2ou t e ,latterer. King. But t e ,latter2 i! true. Her arm! are tender ! oot!5 er li%! Are *lo!!om! red and $arm5 Be$itc in' 2out *e'in! to ,lo$er In *eaut2 on er ,orm. nusuya. + , S akuntala7 Here i! t e <a!mine-(ine t at 2ou named 0i' t o, t e Gro(e. S e a! c o!en t e man'o-tree a! er u!*and. 'hakuntala 3approaches and looks at it, joyfully4. 8 at a %rett2 %air t e2 make. T e <a!mine ! o$! er 2out in er ,re! ,lo$er!, and t e man'o-tree ! o$! i! !tren't in i! ri%enin' ,ruit. 3'he stands ga%ing at them.4 (riyam!ada 3smiling4. Anu!u2a, do 2ou kno$ $ 2 S akuntala look! !o ard at t e 0i' t o, t e Gro(e9 nusuya. No. 8 29 (riyam!ada. S e i! t inkin' o$ t e 0i' t o, t e Gro(e a! ,ound a 'ood tree, and o%in' t at ! e $ill meet a ,ine lo(er.

Sakountala A

'hakuntala. T at1! $ at 2ou $ant ,or 2our!el,. 3'he tips her watering)pot.4 nusuya. 0ook, S akuntala7 Here i! t e !%rin'-cree%er t at ;at er Kan(a tended $it i! o$n and!--<u!t a! e did 2ou. You are ,or'ettin' er. 'hakuntala. I1d ,or'et m2!el, !ooner. 3'he goes to the creeper and looks at it, joyfully.4 8onder,ul7 8onder,ul7 )ri2am(ada, I a(e !omet in' %lea!ant to tell 2ou. )ri2am(ada. 8 at i! it, dear9 'hakuntala. It i! out o, !ea!on, *ut t e !%rin'-cree%er i! co(ered $it *ud! do$n to t e (er2 root. #he two friends 3running up4. Reall29 'hakuntala. +, cour!e. .an1t 2ou !ee9 (riyam!ada 3looking at it joyfully4. And I a(e !omet in' %lea!ant to tell 2ou. You are to *e married !oon. 'hakuntala 3snappishly4. You kno$ t at1! <u!t $ at 2ou $ant ,or 2our!el,. (riyam!ada. I1m not tea!in'. I reall2 eard ;at er Kan(a !a2 t at t i! ,lo$erin' (ine $a! to *e a !2m*ol o, 2our comin' a%%ine!!. nusuya. )ri2am(ada, t at i! $ 2 S akuntala $ater! t e !%rin'-cree%er !o lo(in'l2. 'hakuntala. S e i! m2 !i!ter. 8 2 ! ouldn1t I 'i(e er $ater9 3'he tips her watering)pot.4 King. "a2 I o%e t at ! e i! t e ermit1! dau' ter *2 a mot er o, a di,,erent ca!te9 But it mu!t *e !o. Surel2, ! e ma2 *ecome a $arrior1! *ride5 &l!e, $ 2 t e!e lon'in'! in an one!t mind9 T e motion! o, a *lamele!! eart decide +, ri' t and $ron', $ en rea!on lea(e! u! *lind. Yet I $ill learn t e $ ole trut . 'hakuntala 3e$citedly4. + , o 7 A *ee a! le,t t e <a!mine-(ine and i! ,l2in' into m2 ,ace. 3'he shows herself annoyed by the bee.4 King 3ardently4. A! t e *ee a*out er ,lie!, S$i,tl2 er *e$itc in' e2e! Turn to $atc i! ,li' t. S e i! %racti!in' to-da2 .o:uetr2 and 'lance!1 %la2 Not ,rom lo(e, *ut ,ri' t. 3*ealously.4 &a'er *ee, 2ou li' tl2 !kim +Ber t e e2elid1! trem*lin' rim To$ard t e c eek a:ui(er. Gentl2 *u==in' round er c eek, 8 i!%erin' in er ear, 2ou !eek Secret! to deli(er. 8 ile er and! t at $a2 and t i! Strike at 2ou, 2ou !teal a ki!!,0o(e1! all, one2maker.I kno$ not in' *ut er name,Not er ca!te, nor $ ence ! e came-- You, m2 ri(al, take er.

'hakuntala. + , 'irl!7 Sa(e me ,rom t i! dread,ul *ee7 #he two friends 3smiling4. 8 o are $e, t at $e ! ould !a(e 2ou9 .all u%on Du! 2anta. ;or %iou! 'ro(e! are in t e %rotection o, t e kin'. King. A 'ood o%%ortunit2 to %re!ent m2!el,. Ha(e no--3He checks himself" side.4 No, t e2 $ould !ee t at I am t e kin'. I %re,er to a%%ear a! a 'ue!t. 'hakuntala. He doe!n1t lea(e me alone7 I am 'oin' to run a$a2. 3'he takes a step and looks about.4 + , dear7 + , dear7 He i! ,ollo$in' me. )lea!e !a(e me. King 3hastening forward4. A 7 A kin' o, )uru1! mi' t2 line . a!ti!e! ! amele!! c url!5 8 at in!olent i! e $ o *ait! T e!e artle!! ermit-'irl!9 3#he girls are a little flurried on seeing the king.4 nusuya. It i! not in' (er2 dread,ul, !ir. But our ,riend 3indicating SHAKUNTA0A4 $a! tea!ed and ,ri' tened *2 a *ee. King 3to SHAKUNTA0A4. I o%e t e!e %iou! da2! are a%%2 one!. 3SHAKUNTA0A1S eyes drop in embarrassment.4 nusuya. Ye!, no$ t at $e recei(e !uc a di!tin'ui! ed 'ue!t. (riyam!ada. 8elcome, !ir. Go to t e cotta'e, S akuntala, and *rin' ,ruit. T i! $ater $ill do to $a! t e ,eet. King. Your courteou! $ord! are enou' to make me ,eel at ome. nusuya. T en, !ir, %ra2 !it do$n and re!t on t i! ! ad2 *enc . King. You, too, are !urel2 $earied *2 2our %iou! ta!k. )ra2 *e !eated a moment. (riyam!ada 3aside to SHAKUNTA0A4. "2 dear, $e mu!t *e %olite to our 'ue!t. S all $e !it do$n9 3#he three girls sit.4 'hakuntala 3to herself4. + , $ 2 do I a(e !uc ,eelin'! $ en I !ee t i! man9 T e2 !eem $ron' in a ermita'e. King 3looking at the girls4. It i! deli' t,ul to !ee 2our ,riend! i%. ;or 2ou are all 2oun' and *eauti,ul. (riyam!ada 3aside to ANUSUYA4. 8 o i! e, dear9 8it i! m2!ter2, and i! di'nit2, and i! courte!29 He act! like a kin' and a 'entleman. nusuya. I am curiou! too. I am 'oin' to a!k im. 3 loud.4 Sir, 2ou are !o (er2 courteou! t at I make *old to a!k 2ou !omet in'. 8 at ro2al ,amil2 do 2ou adorn, !ir9 8 at countr2 i! 'rie(in' at 2our a*!ence9 8 2 doe! a 'entleman !o delicatel2 *red !u*mit to t e $ear2 <ourne2 into our %iou! 'ro(e9 'hakuntala 3aside4. Be *ra(e, m2 eart. Anu!u2a !%eak! 2our (er2 t ou' t!. King 3aside4. S all I tell at once $ o I am, or conceal it9 3He reflects.4 T i! $ill do. 3 loud.4 I am a !tudent o, Scri%ture. It i! m2 dut2 to !ee <u!tice done in t e citie! o, t e kin'. And I a(e come to t i! ermita'e on a tour o, in!%ection. nusuya. T en $e o, t e ermita'e a(e !ome one to take care o, u!. 3SHAKUNTA0A shows embarrassment.4 #he two friends 3obser!ing the demeanour of the pair. side to SHAKUNTA0A4. + , S akuntala7 I, onl2 ;at er $ere ere to-da2.

Sakountala C

'hakuntala. 8 at $ould e do9 #he two friends. He $ould make our di!tin'ui! ed 'ue!t a%%2, i, it took i! mo!t %reciou! trea!ure. 'hakuntala 3feigning anger4. Go a$a27 You mean !omet in'. I1ll not li!ten to 2ou. King. I too $ould like to a!k a :ue!tion a*out 2our ,riend. #he two friends. Sir, 2our re:ue!t i! a ,a(our to u!. King. ;at er Kan(a li(e! a li,elon' ermit. Yet 2ou !a2 t at 2our ,riend i! i! dau' ter. Ho$ can t at *e9 nusuya. 0i!ten, !ir. T ere i! a ma<e!tic ro2al !a'e named Kau! ika-----King. A , 2e!. T e ,amou! Kau! ika. nusuya. Kno$, t en, t at e i! t e !ource o, our ,riend1! *ein'. But ;at er Kan(a i! er real ,at er, *ecau!e e took care o, er $ en ! e $a! a*andoned. King. You $aken m2 curio!it2 $it t e $ord Da*andoned.D "a2 I ear t e $ ole !tor29 nusuya. 0i!ten, !ir. "an2 2ear! a'o, t at ro2al !a'e $a! leadin' a li,e o, !tern au!teritie!, and t e 'od!, *ecomin' !tran'el2 <ealou!, !ent t e n2m% "enaka to di!tur* i! de(otion!. King. Ye!, t e 'od! ,eel t i! <ealou!2 to$ard t e au!teritie! o, ot er!. And t en-----nusuya. T en in t e lo(el2 !%rin'-time e !a$ er into6icatin' *eaut2------ 3S e !to%! in em*arra!!ment.4 King. T e re!t i! %lain. Surel2, ! e i! t e dau' ter o, t e n2m% . nusuya. Ye!. King. It i! a! it ! ould *e. To *eaut2 !uc a! t i! No $oman could 'i(e *irt 5 T e :ui(erin' li' tnin' ,la! I! not a c ild o, eart . 3SHAKUNTA0A hangs her head in confusion.4 King 3to himself4. A , m2 $i! e! *ecome o%e!. (riyam!ada 3looking with a smile at SHAKUNTA0A4. Sir, it !eem! a! i, 2ou ad more to !a2. 3SHAKUNTA0A threatens her friend with her finger.4 King. You are ri' t. Your %iou! li,e intere!t! me, and I a(e anot er :ue!tion. (riyam!ada. Do not e!itate. 8e ermit %eo%le !tand read2 to an!$er all demand!. King. "2 :ue!tion i! t i!Doe! ! e, till marria'e onl2, kee% er (o$ A! ermit-maid, t at ! ame! t e $a2! o, lo(e9 +r mu!t er !o,t e2e! e(er !ee, a! no$, So,t e2e! o, ,riendl2 deer in %eace,ul 'ro(e9 (riyam!ada. Sir, $e are under *ond! to lead a li,e o, (irtue. But it i! er ,at er1! $i! to 'i(e er to a !uita*le lo(er. King 3joyfully to himself4. + eart, 2our $i! i! $on7 All dou*t at la!t i! done5 T e t in' 2ou ,eared a! ,ire, I! t e <e$el o, 2our de!ire.

'hakuntala 3pettishly4. Anu!u2a, I1m 'oin'. nusuya. 8 at ,or9 'hakuntala. I am 'oin' to tell "ot er Gautami t at )ri2am(ada i! talkin' non!en!e. 3'he rises.4 nusuya. "2 dear, $e ermit %eo%le cannot ne'lect to entertain a di!tin'ui! ed 'ue!t, and 'o $anderin' a*out. 3SHAKUNTA0A starts to walk away without answering.4 King 3aside4. S e i! 'oin'7 3He starts up as if to detain her, then checks his desires.4 A t ou' t i! a! (i(id a! an act, to a lo(er. T ou' nurture, con:uerin' nature, old! "e *ack, it !eem! A! ad I !tarted and returned In $akin' dream!. (riyam!ada 3approaching SHAKUNTA0A4. You dear, %ee(i! 'irl7 You mu!tn1t 'o. 'hakuntala 3turns with a frown4. 8 2 not9 (riyam!ada. You o$e me t e $aterin' o, t$o tree!. You can 'o $ en 2ou a(e %aid 2our de*t. 3'he forces her to come back.4 King. It i! %lain t at ! e i! alread2 $earied *2 $aterin' t e tree!. See7 Her ! oulder! droo%5 er %alm! are reddened 2et5 Euick *reat ! are !tru''lin' in er *o!om ,air5 T e *lo!!om oBer er ear an'! lim%l2 $et5 +ne and re!train! t e loo!e, di! e(elled air. I t ere,ore remit er de*t. 3He gi!es the two friends a ring" #hey take it, read the name engra!ed on it, and look at each other.4 King. "ake no mi!take. T i! i! a %re!ent--,rom t e kin'. (riyam!ada. T en, !ir, 2ou ou' t not to %art $it it. Your $ord i! enou' to remit t e de*t. nusuya. 8ell, S akuntala, 2ou are !et ,ree *2 t i! kind 'entleman--or rat er, *2 t e kin' im!el,. 8 ere are 2ou 'oin' no$9 'hakuntala 3to herself4. I $ould ne(er lea(e im i, I could el% m2!el,. (riyam!ada. 8 2 don1t 2ou 'o no$9 'hakuntala. I am not 2our !er(ant an2 lon'er. I $ill 'o $ en I like. King 3looking at SHAKUNTA0A. #o himself4. Doe! ! e ,eel to$ard me a! I do to$ard er9 At lea!t, t ere i! 'round ,or o%e. Alt ou' ! e doe! not !%eak to me, S e li!ten! $ ile I !%eak5 Her e2e! turn not to !ee m2 ,ace, But not in' el!e t e2 !eek. !oice behind the scenes. Hermit!7 Hermit!7 )re%are to de,end t e creature! in our %iou! 'ro(e. Kin' Du! 2anta i! untin' in t e nei' *our ood.

Sakountala ?

T e du!t i! or!e!1 oo,! a(e rai!ed, Red a! t e e(enin' !k2, ;all! like a locu!t-!$arm on *ou' ! 8 ere an'in' 'arment! dr2. King 3aside4. Ala!7 "2 !oldier! are di!tur*in' t e %iou! 'ro(e in t eir !earc ,or me. #he !oice behind the scenes. Hermit!7 Hermit!7 Here i! an ele% ant $ o i! terri,2in' old men, $omen, and c ildren. +ne tu!k i! !%lintered *2 a cruel *lo$ A'ain!t a *lockin' tree5 i! 'ait i! !lo$, ;or countle!! ,etterin' (ine! im%ede and clin'5 He %ut! t e deer to ,li' t5 !ome e(il t in' He !eem!, t at come! our %eace,ul li,e to mar, ;leein' in terror ,rom t e ro2al car. 3#he girls listen and rise an$iously.4 King. I a(e o,,ended !adl2 a'ain!t t e ermit!. I mu!t 'o *ack. #he two friends. Your Honour, $e are ,ri' tened *2 t i! alarm o, t e ele% ant. )ermit u! to return to t e cotta'e. nusuya 3to SHAKUNTA0A4. S akuntala dear, "ot er Gautami $ill *e an6iou!. 8e mu!t urr2 and ,ind er. 'hakuntala 3feigning lameness4. + , o 7 I can ardl2 $alk. King. You mu!t 'o (er2 !lo$l2. And I $ill take %ain! t at t e ermita'e i! not di!tur*ed. #he two friends. Your onour, $e ,eel a! i, $e kne$ 2ou (er2 $ell. )ra2 %ardon our ! ortcomin'! a! o!te!!e!. "a2 $e a!k 2ou to !eek *etter entertainment ,rom u! anot er time9 King. You are too mode!t. I ,eel onoured *2 t e mere !i' t o, 2ou. 'hakuntala. Anu!u2a, m2 ,oot i! cut on a ! ar% *lade o, 'ra!!, and m2 dre!! i! cau' t on an amarant t$i'. 8ait ,or me $ ile I loo!en it. 3'he casts a lingering glance at the king, and goes out with her two friends.4 King 3sighing4. T e2 are 'one. And I mu!t 'o. T e !i' t o, S akuntala a! made me dread t e return to t e cit2. I $ill make m2 men cam% at a di!tance ,rom t e %iou! 'ro(e. But I cannot turn m2 o$n t ou' t! ,rom S akuntala. It i! m2 *od2 lea(e! m2 lo(e, not I5 "2 *od2 mo(e! a$a2, *ut not m2 mind5 ;or *ack to er m2 !tru''lin' ,ancie! ,l2 0ike !ilken *anner! *orne a'ain!t t e $ind. 3E$it.4 A$T !! TH" S"$R"T 3Enter the clown.4 Clown 3sighing4. Damn7 Damn7 Damn7 I1m tired o, *ein' ,riend! $it t i! !%ortin' kin'. DT ere1! a deer7D e ! out!, DT ere1! a *oar7D And o,, e c a!e! on a !ummer noon t rou' $ood! $ ere ! ade i! ,e$ and ,ar *et$een. 8e drink ot, !tinkin' $ater ,rom t e mountain !tream!, ,la(oured $it lea(e!--na!t27 At odd time! $e 'et a little te%id meat to eat. And t e or!e! and t e ele% ant! make !uc a noi!e t at I can1t e(en *e com,orta*le at ni' t. T en t e unter! and t e *irdc a!er!--damn Bem--$ake me u% *ri' t and earl2. T e2 do make an ear-!%littin' rum%u! $ en t e2 !tart ,or t e $ood!. But e(en t at i!n1t t e $ ole mi!er2. T ere1! a ne$ %im%le

'ro$in' on t e old *oil. He le,t u! *e ind and $ent untin' a deer. And t ere in a ermita'e t e2 !a2 e ,ound--o , dear7 o , dear7 e ,ound a ermit-'irl named S akuntala. Since t en e a!n1t a t ou' t o, 'oin' *ack to to$n. I la2 a$ake all ni' t, t inkin' a*out it. 8 at can I do9 8ell, I1ll !ee m2 ,riend $ en e i! dre!!ed and *eauti,ied. 3He walks and looks about.4 Hello7 Here e come!, $it i! *o$ in i! and, and i! 'irl in i! eart. He i! $earin' a $reat o, $ild ,lo$er!7 I1ll %retend to *e all knocked u%. )er a%! I can 'et a re!t t at $a2. 3He stands, leaning on his stag" Enter the king, as described.4 King 3to himself4. Alt ou' m2 darlin' i! not li' tl2 $on, S e !eemed to lo(e me, and m2 o%e! are *ri' t5 T ou' lo(e *e *alked ere <o2 *e $ell *e'un, A common lon'in' i! it!el, deli' t. 3'miling.4 T u! doe! a lo(er decei(e im!el,. He <ud'e! i! lo(e1! ,eelin'! *2 i! o$n de!ire!. Her 'lance $a! lo(in'--*ut 1t$a! not ,or me5 Her !te% $a! !lo$--1t$a! 'race, not co:uetr25 Her !%eec $a! ! ort--to er detainin' ,riend. In t in'! like t e!e lo(e read! a !el,i! end7 Clown 3standing as before4. 8ell, kin', I can1t mo(e m2 and. I can onl2 'reet 2ou $it m2 (oice. King 3looking and smiling4. 8 at make! 2ou lame9 Clown. Good7 You it a man in t e e2e, and t en a!k im $ 2 t e tear! come. King. I do not under!tand 2ou. S%eak %lainl2. Clown. 8 en a reed *end! o(er like a unc *ack, do 2ou *lame t e reed or t e ri(er-current9 King. T e ri(er-current, o, cour!e. Clown. And 2ou are to *lame ,or m2 trou*le!. King. Ho$ !o9 Clown. It1! a ,ine t in' ,or 2ou to ne'lect 2our ro2al dutie! and !uc a !ure <o*--to li(e in t e $ood!7 8 at1! t e 'ood o, talkin'9 Here I am, a Bra man, and m2 <oint! are all ! aken u% *2 t i! eternal runnin' a,ter $ild animal!, !o t at I can1t mo(e. )lea!e *e 'ood to me. 0et u! a(e a re!t ,or <u!t one da2. King 3to himself4. He !a2! t i!. And I too, $ en I remem*er Kan(a1! dau' ter, a(e little de!ire ,or t e c a!e. ;or T e *o$ i! !trun', it! arro$ near5 And 2et I cannot *end T at *o$ a'ain!t t e ,a$n! $ o ! are So,t 'lance! $it t eir ,riend. Clown 3obser!ing the king4. He mean! more t an e !a2!. I mi' t a! $ell $ee% in t e $ood!. King 3smiling4. 8 at more could I mean9 I a(e *een t inkin' t at I ou' t to take m2 ,riend1! ad(ice. Clown 3cheerfully4. 0on' li,e to 2ou, t en. 3He unstiffens.4 King. 8ait. Hear me out. Clown. 8ell, !ir9 King. 8 en 2ou are re!ted, 2ou mu!t *e m2 com%anion in

Sakountala F

anot er ta!k--an ea!2 one. Clown. .ru! in' a ,e$ !$eetmeat!9 King. I $ill tell 2ou %re!entl2. Clown. )ra2 command m2 lei!ure. King. 8 o !tand! $it out9 3Enter the door)keeper.4 +oor)keeper. I a$ait 2our "a<e!t21! command!. King. Rai(ataka, !ummon t e 'eneral. +oor)keeper. Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. 3He goes out, then returns with the general.4 ;ollo$ me, !ir. T ere i! i! "a<e!t2, li!tenin' to our con(er!ation. Dra$ near, !ir. ,eneral 3obser!ing the king, to himself4. Huntin' i! declared to *e a !in, 2et it *rin'! not in' *ut 'ood to t e kin'. See7 He doe! not eed t e cruel !tin' +, i! recoilin', t$an'in' !trin'5 T e mid-da2 !un, t e dri%%in' !$eat A,,ect im not, nor make im ,ret5 Hi! ,orm, t ou' !ine$2 and !%are, I! mo!t !2mmetricall2 ,air5 No mountain-ele% ant could *e "ore ,illed $it (ital !tren't t an e. 3He approaches.4 #ictor2 to 2our "a<e!t27 T e ,ore!t i! ,ull o, deer-track!, and *ea!t! o, %re2 cannot *e ,ar o,,. 8 at *etter occu%ation could $e a(e9 King. B adra!ena, m2 ent u!ia!m i! *roken. "ad a(2a a! *een %reac in' a'ain!t untin'. ,eneral 3aside to the clown4. Stick to it, ,riend "ad a(2a. I $ill umour t e kin' a moment. 3 loud.4 Your "a<e!t2, e i! a c atterin' idiot. Your "a<e!t2 ma2 <ud'e *2 i! o$n ca!e $ et er untin' i! an e(il. .on!iderT e unter1! ,orm 'ro$! !ine$2, !tron', and li' t5 He learn!, ,rom *ea!t! o, %re2, o$ $rat and ,ri' t A,,ect t e mind5 i! !kill e lo(e! to mea!ure 8it mo(in' tar'et!. BTi! li,e1! c ie,e!t %lea!ure. Clown 3angrily4. Get out7 Get out $it 2our !trenuou! li,e7 T e kin' a! come to i! !en!e!. But 2ou, 2ou !on o, a !la(e$enc , can 'o c a!in' ,rom ,ore!t to ,ore!t, till 2ou ,all into t e <a$! o, !ome old *ear t at i! lookin' ,or a deer or a <ackal. King. B adra!ena, I cannot take 2our ad(ice, *ecau!e I am in t e (icinit2 o, a ermita'e. So ,or to-da2 T e ornGd *u,,alo ma2 ! ake T e tur*id $ater o, t e lake5 %. >H S ade-!eekin' deer ma2 c e$ t e cud, Boar! tram%le !$am%-'ra!! in t e mud5 T e *o$ I *end in untin', ma2 &n<o2 a li!tle!! olida2. ,eneral. Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. King. Send *ack t e arc er! $ o a(e 'one a ead. And ,or*id t e !oldier! to (e6 t e ermita'e, or e(en to a%%roac it. Remem*erT ere lurk! a idden ,ire in eac Reli'iou! ermit-*o$er5

.ool !un-!tone! kindle i, a!!ailed B2 an2 ,orei'n %o$er. ,eneral. Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. Clown. No$ $ill 2ou 'et out $it 2our !trenuou! li,e9 3E$it general.4 King 3to his attendants4. 0a2 a!ide 2our untin' dre!!. And 2ou, Rai(ataka, return to 2our %o!t o, dut2. -ai!ataka. Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. 3E$it.4 Clown. You a(e 'ot rid o, t e (ermin. No$ *e !eated on t i! ,lat !tone, o(er $ ic t e tree! !%read t eir cano%2 o, ! ade. I can1t !it do$n till 2ou do. King. 0ead t e $a2. Clown. ;ollo$ me. 3#hey walk about and sit down.4 King. ;riend "ad a(2a, 2ou do not kno$ $ at (i!ion i!. You a(e not !een t e ,aire!t o, all o*<ect!. Clown. I !ee 2ou, ri' t in ,ront o, me. King. Ye!, e(er2 one t ink! im!el, *eauti,ul. But I $a! !%eakin' o, S akuntala, t e ornament o, t e ermita'e. Clown 3to himself4. I mu!tn1t add ,uel to t e ,lame. 3 loud.4 But 2ou can1t a(e er *ecau!e ! e i! a ermit-'irl. 8 at i! t e u!e o, !eein' er9 King. ;ool7 And i! it !el,i! lon'in' t en, T at dra$! our !oul! on i' T rou' e2e! t at a(e ,or'ot to $ink, A! t e ne$ moon clim*! t e !k29 Be!ide!, Du! 2anta1! t ou' t! d$ell on no ,or*idden o*<ect. Clown. 8ell, tell me a*out er. King. S%run' ,rom a n2m% o, ea(en 8anton and 'a2, 8 o !%urned t e *le!!in' 'i(en, Goin' er $a25 B2 t e !tern ermit taken In er mo!t need-So ,ell t e *lo!!om ! aken, ;lo$er on a $eed. Clown 3laughing4. You are like a man $ o 'et! tired o, 'ood date! and lon'! ,or !our tamarind. All t e %earl! o, t e %alace are 2our!, and 2ou $ant t i! 'irl7 King. "2 ,riend, 2ou a(e not !een er, or 2ou could not talk !o. Clown. S e mu!t *e c armin' i, ! e !ur%ri!e! 2ou. King. + , m2 ,riend, ! e need! not man2 $ord!. S e i! God1! (i!ion, o, %ure t ou' t .om%o!ed in Hi! creati(e mind5 Hi! re(erie! o, *eaut2 $rou' t T e %eerle!! %earl o, $omankind. So %la2! m2 ,anc2 $ en I !ee Ho$ 'reat i! God, o$ lo(el2 ! e. Clown. Ho$ t e $omen mu!t ate er7 King. T i! too i! in m2 t ou' t.

Sakountala I

S e !eem! a ,lo$er $ o!e ,ra'rance none a! ta!ted, A 'em uncut *2 $orkman1! tool, A *ranc no de!ecratin' and! a(e $a!ted, ;re! one2, *eauti,ull2 cool. No man on eart de!er(e! to ta!te er *eaut2, Her *lamele!! lo(eline!! and $ort ,Unle!! e a! ,ul,illed man1! %er,ect dut2-- And i! t ere !uc a one on eart 9 Clown. "arr2 er :uick, t en, *e,ore t e %oor 'irl ,all! into t e and! o, !ome oil2- eaded ermit. King. S e i! de%endent on er ,at er, and e i! not ere. Clown. But o$ doe! ! e ,eel to$ard 2ou9 King. "2 ,riend, ermit-'irl! are *2 t eir (er2 nature timid. And 2et 8 en I $a! near, ! e could not look at me5 S e !miled--*ut not to me--and al, denied it5 S e $ould not ! o$ er lo(e ,or mode!t2, Yet did not tr2 !o (er2 ard to ide it. Clown. Did 2ou $ant er to clim* into 2our la% t e ,ir!t time ! e !a$ 2ou9 King. But $ en ! e $ent a$a2 $it er ,riend!, ! e almo!t ! o$ed t at ! e lo(ed me. 8 en ! e ad ardl2 le,t m2 !ide, DI cannot $alk,D t e maiden cried, And turned er ,ace, and ,ei'ned to ,ree T e dre!! not cau' t u%on t e tree. Clown. S e a! 'i(en 2ou !ome memorie! to c e$ on. I !u%%o!e t at i! $ 2 2ou are !o in lo(e $it t e %iou! 'ro(e. King. "2 ,riend, t ink o, !ome %rete6t under $ ic $e ma2 return to t e ermita'e. Clown. 8 at %rete6t do 2ou need9 Aren1t 2ou t e kin'9 King. 8 at o, t at9 Clown. .ollect t e ta6e! on t e ermit!1 rice. King. ;ool7 It i! a (er2 di,,erent ta6 $ ic t e!e ermit! %a2-one t at out$ei' ! ea%! o, 'em!. T e $ealt $e take ,rom common men, 8a!te! $ ile $e c eri! 5 T e!e ! are $it u! !uc oline!! A! neBer can %eri! . .oices behind the scenes. A , $e a(e ,ound im. King 3listening4. T e (oice! are 'ra(e and tran:uil. T e!e mu!t *e ermit!. 3Enter the door)keeper.4 +oor)keeper. #ictor2, + Kin'. T ere are t$o ermit-2out ! at t e 'ate. King. Bid t em enter at once. +oor)keeper. Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. 3He goes out, then returns with the youths.4 ;ollo$ me. &irst youth 3looking at the king4. A ma<e!tic %re!ence, 2et it in!%ire! con,idence. Nor i! t i! $onder,ul in a kin' $ o i! al, a !aint. ;or to im

T e !%lendid %alace !er(e! a! ermita'e5 Hi! ro2al 'o(ernment, coura'eou!, !a'e, Add! dail2 to i! merit5 it i! 'i(en To im to $in a%%lau!e ,rom c oir! o, ea(en 8 o!e ant em! to i! 'lor2 ri!e and !$ell, )roclaimin' im a kin', and !aint a! $ell. 'econd youth. "2 ,riend, i! t i! Du! 2anta, ,riend o, Indra9 &irst youth. It i!. 'econd youth. Nor i! it $onder,ul t at one $ o!e arm "i' t *olt a cit2 'ate, ! ould kee% ,rom arm T e $ ole *road eart dark-*elted *2 t e !ea5 ;or $ en t e 'od! in ea(en $it demon! ,i' t, Du! 2anta1! *o$ and Indra1! $ea%on *ri' t Are t eir reliance ,or t e (ictor2. #he two youths 3approaching4. #ictor2, + Kin'7 King 3rising4. I !alute 2ou. #he two youths. All ail7 3#hey offer fruit.4 King 3recei!ing it and bowing low4. "a2 I kno$ t e rea!on o, 2our comin'9 #he two youths. T e ermit! a(e learned t at 2ou are ere, and t e2 re:ue!t-----King. T e2 command rat er. #he two youths. T e %o$er! o, e(il di!tur* our %iou! li,e in t e a*!ence o, t e ermit-,at er. 8e t ere,ore a!k t at 2ou $ill remain a ,e$ ni' t! $it 2our c arioteer to %rotect t e ermita'e. King. I ! all *e mo!t a%%2 to do !o. Clown 3to the king4. You rat er !eem to like *ein' collared t i! $a2. King. Rai(ataka, tell m2 c arioteer to dri(e u%, and to *rin' t e *o$ and arro$!. -ai!ataka. Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. 3E$it.4 #he two youths. T ou art a $ort 2 !cion o, T e kin'! $ o ruled our nation And ,ound, de,endin' t o!e in need, T eir true!t con!ecration. King. )ra2 'o *e,ore. And I $ill ,ollo$ !trai' t$a2. #he two youths. #ictor2, + Kin'7 3E$eunt.4 King. "ad a(2a, a(e 2ou no curio!it2 to !ee S akuntala9 Clown. I did a(e an unendin' curio!it2, *ut t i! talk a*out t e %o$er! o, e(il a! %ut an end to it. King. Do not ,ear. You $ill *e $it me. Clown. I1ll !tick clo!e to 2our c ariot-$ eel. 3Enter the door) keeper.4 +oor)keeper. Your "a<e!t2, t e c ariot i! read2, and a$ait! 2our de%arture to (ictor2. But one Kara* aka a! come ,rom t e cit2, a me!!en'er ,rom t e :ueen-mot er. King 3re!%ect,ull24. Sent *2 m2 mot er9 +oor)keeper. Ye!. King. 0et im enter.

Sakountala J

+oor)keeper 3goes out and returns with KARABHAKA4. Kara* aka, ere i! i! "a<e!t2. You ma2 dra$ near. Karabhaka 3approaching and bowing low4. #ictor2 to 2our "a<e!t2. T e :ueen-mot er !end! er command!-----King. 8 at are er command!9 Karabhaka. S e %lan! to end a ,a!tin' ceremon2 on t e ,ourt da2 ,rom to-da2. And on t at occa!ion er dear !on mu!t not ,ail to $ait u%on er. King. +n t e one !ide i! m2 dut2 to t e ermit!, on t e ot er m2 mot er1! command. Neit er ma2 *e di!re'arded. 8 at i! to *e done9 Clown 3laughing4. Sta2 al,-$a2 *et$een, like Tri! anku. Kin'. In trut , I am %er%le6ed. T$o incon!i!tent dutie! !e(er "2 mind $it cruel ! ock, A! $ en t e current o, a ri(er I! !%lit u%on a rock. 3He reflects.4 "2 ,riend, t e :ueen-mot er a! al$a2! ,elt to$ard 2ou a! to$ard a !on. Do 2ou return, tell er $ at dut2 kee%! me ere, and 2our!el, %er,orm t e o,,ice! o, a !on. Clown. You don1t t ink I am a,raid o, t e de(il!9 King 3smiling4. + mi' t2 Bra man, $ o could !u!%ect it9 Clown. But I $ant to tra(el like a %rince. King. I $ill !end all t e !oldier! $it 2ou, ,or t e %iou! 'ro(e mu!t not *e di!tur*ed. Clown 3strutting4. A a7 0ook at t e eir-a%%arent7 King 3to himself4. T e ,ello$ i! a c atter*o6. He mi' t *etra2 m2 lon'in' to t e ladie! o, t e %alace. Good, t en7 3He takes the clown by the hand" loud.4 ;riend "ad a(2a, m2 re(erence ,or t e ermit! dra$! me to t e ermita'e. Do not t ink t at I am reall2 in lo(e $it t e ermit-'irl. /u!t t inkA kin', and a 'irl o, t e calm ermit-'ro(e, Bred $it t e ,a$n!, and a !tran'er to lo(e7 T en do not ima'ine a !eriou! :ue!t5 T e li' t $ord! I uttered $ere !%oken in <e!t. Clown. + , I under!tand t at $ell enou' . 3E$eunt ambo.4 A$T !!! TH" L&#"+MAK!N( 3Enter a pupil, with sacred grass for the sacrifice.4 (upil 3with meditati!e astonishment4. Ho$ 'reat i! t e %o$er o, Kin' Du! 2anta7 Since i! arri(al our rite! a(e *een undi!tur*ed. He doe! not need to *end t e *o$5 ;or e(er2 e(il t in', A$aitin' not t e arro$, ,lee! ;rom t e t$an'in' o, t e !trin'. 8ell, I $ill take t i! !acred 'ra!! to t e %rie!t!, to !tre$ t e altar. 3He walks and looks about, then speaks to some one not !isible.4 )ri2am(ada, ,or $ om are 2ou carr2in' t i! cu!cu!!al(e and t e ,i*rou! lotu!-lea(e!9 3He listens.4 8 at do 2ou !a29 T at S akuntala a! *ecome !eriou!l2 ill ,rom t e eat, and t at t e!e t in'! are to relie(e er !u,,erin'9 Gi(e er t e

*e!t o, care, )ri2am(ada. S e i! t e (er2 li,e o, t e ermit,at er. And I $ill 'i(e Gautami t e ol2 $ater ,or er. 3E$it" Enter the lo!elorn king.4 King 3with a meditati!e sigh4. I kno$ t at !tern reli'ion1! %o$er Kee%! 'uardian $atc m2 maiden oBer5 Yet all m2 eart ,lo$! !trai' t to er 0ike $ater to t e (alle2-,loor. + , mi' t2 0o(e, t ine arro$! are made o, ,lo$er!. Ho$ can t e2 *e !o ! ar%9 3He recalls something.4 A , I under!tand. S i(a1! de(ourin' $rat !till *urn! in t ee, A! *urn! t e eternal ,ire *eneat t e !ea5 &l!e o$ could!t t ou, t 2!el, lon' !ince con!umed, Kindle t e ,ire t at ,lame! !o rut le!!l29 Indeed, t e moon and t ou in!%ire con,idence, onl2 to decei(e t e o!t o, lo(er!. T 2 ! a,t! are *lo!!om!5 coolne!! !tream! ;rom moon-ra2!- t u! t e %oet! !in'5 But to t e lo(elorn, ,al!e ood !eem! To lurk in !uc ima'inin'5 T e moon dart! ,ire ,rom ,ro!t2 *eam!5 T 2 ,lo$er2 arro$! cut and !tin'. And 2et I, 0o(e $ill trou*le er 8 o!e 'reat e2e! madden me, I 'reet im una,raid, T ou' $ounded cea!ele!!l2. + mi' t2 'od, $ilt t ou not ! o$ me merc2 a,ter !uc re%roac e!9 8it tenderne!! unendin' I c eri! ed t ee $ en !mall, In (ain--t 2 *o$ i! *endin'5 +n me t ine arro$! ,all. "2 care ,or t ee to !uc a %li' t Ha! *rou' t me5 and it !er(e! me ri' t. I a(e dri(en o,, t e %o$er! o, e(il, and t e ermit! a(e di!mi!!ed me. 8 ere ! all I 'o no$ to re!t ,rom m2 $earine!!9 3He sighs.4 T ere i! no re!t ,or me e6ce%t in !eein' er $ om I lo(e. 3He looks up.4 S e u!uall2 !%end! t e!e our! o, midda2 eat $it er ,riend! on t e (ine-$reat ed *ank! o, t e "alini. I $ill 'o t ere. 3He walks and looks about.4 I *elie(e t e !lender maiden a! <u!t %a!!ed t rou' t i! corridor o, 2oun' tree!. ;or T e !tem! ,rom $ ic ! e 'at ered ,lo$er! Are !till un ealed5 T e !a% $ ere t$i'! $ere *roken o,, I! uncon'ealed.

Sakountala 1H

3He feels a bree%e stirring.4 T i! i! a %lea!ant !%ot, $it t e $ind amon' t e tree!. 0im*! t at lo(e1! ,e(er !ei=e!, T eir ,er(ent $elcome %a2 To lotu!-,ra'rant *ree=e! T at *ear t e ri(er-!%ra2. 3He studies the ground.4 A , S akuntala mu!t *e in t i! reed2 *o$er. ;or In $ ite !and at t e door;re! ,oot%rint! a%%ear,T e toe li' tl2 outlined,T e eel dee% and clear. I $ill ide amon' t e *ranc e!, and !ee $ at a%%en!. 3He does so" *oyfully.4 A , m2 e2e! a(e ,ound t eir ea(en. Here i! t e darlin' o, m2 t ou' t!, l2in' u%on a ,lo$er-!tre$n *enc o, !tone, and attended *2 er t$o ,riend!. I $ill ear $ at t e2 !a2 to eac ot er. 3He stands ga%ing" Enter SHAKUNTA0A with her two friends.4 #he two friends 3fanning her4. Do 2ou ,eel *etter, dear, $ en $e ,an 2ou $it t e!e lotu!-lea(e!9 'hakuntala 3wearily4. + , are 2ou ,annin' me, m2 dear 'irl!9 3#he two friends look sorrowfully at each other.4 King. S e i! !eriou!l2 ill. 3+oubtfully.4 I! it t e eat, or i! it a! I o%e9 3+ecidedly.4 It mu!t *e !o. 8it !al(e u%on er *rea!t, 8it loo!ened lotu!-c ain, "2 darlin', !ore o%%re!!ed, I! lo(el2 in er %ain. T ou' lo(e and !ummer eat "a2 $ork an e:ual $oe,No maiden !eem! !o !$eet 8 en !ummer la2! er lo$. (riyam!ada 3aside to ANUSUYA4. Anu!u2a, !ince ! e ,ir!t !a$ t e 'ood kin', ! e a! *een 'reatl2 trou*led. I do not *elie(e er ,e(er a! an2 ot er cau!e. nusuya. I !u!%ect 2ou are ri' t. I am 'oin' to a!k er. "2 dear, I mu!t a!k 2ou !omet in'. You are in a i' ,e(er. King. It i! too true. Her lotu!-c ain! t at $ere a! $ ite A! moon*eam! ! inin' in t e ni' t, Betra2 t e ,e(er1! a$,ul %ain, And ,adin', ! o$ a darker !tain. 'hakuntala 3half rising.4 8ell, !a2 $ ate(er 2ou like. nusuya. S akuntala dear, 2ou a(e not told u! $ at i! 'oin' on in 2our mind. But I a(e eard old, romantic !torie!, and I can1t el% t inkin' t at 2ou are in a !tate like t at o, a lad2 in lo(e. )lea!e tell u! $ at urt! 2ou. 8e a(e to under!tand t e di!ea!e *e,ore $e can e(en tr2 to cure it. King. Anu!u2a e6%re!!e! m2 o$n t ou' t!. 'hakuntala. It urt! me terri*l2. I can1t tell 2ou all at once. (riyam!ada. Anu!u2a i! ri' t, dear. 8 2 do 2ou ide 2our trou*le9 You are $a!tin' a$a2 e(er2 da2. You are not in' *ut a *eauti,ul ! ado$. King. )ri2am(ada i! ri' t. See7

Her c eek! 'ro$ t in5 er *rea!t and ! oulder! ,ail5 Her $ai!t i! $ear2 and er ,ace i! %aleS e ,ade! ,or lo(e5 o , %iti,ull2 !$eet7 A! (ine-lea(e! $it er in t e !corc in' eat. 'hakuntala 3sighing4. I could not tell an2 one el!e. But I ! all *e a *urden to 2ou. T e t$o ,riend!. T at i! $ 2 $e in!i!t on kno$in', dear. Grie, mu!t *e ! ared to *e endured. King. To ,riend! $ o ! are er <o2 and 'rie, S e tell! $ at !orro$ laid er ere5 S e turned to look er lo(e a'ain 8 en ,ir!t I !a$ er--2et I ,ear7 'hakuntala. &(er !ince I !a$ t e 'ood kin' $ o %rotect! t e %iou! 'ro(e 3'he stops and fidgets.4 #he two friends. Go on, dear. 'hakuntala. I lo(e im, and it make! me ,eel like t i!. #he two friends. Good, 'ood7 You a(e ,ound a lo(er $ort 2 o, 2our de(otion. But o, cour!e, a 'reat ri(er al$a2! run! into t e !ea. King 3joyfully4. I a(e eard $ at I lon'ed to ear. BT$a! lo(e t at cau!ed t e *urnin' %ain5 BTi! lo(e t at ea!e! it a'ain5 A! $ en, u%on a !ultr2 da2, Rain *reak!, and $a! e! 'rie, a$a2. 'hakuntala. T en, i, 2ou t ink *e!t, make t e 'ood kin' take %it2 u%on me. I, not, remem*er t at I $a!. King. Her $ord! end all dou*t. (riyam!ada 3aside to ANUSUYA4. Anu!u2a, ! e i! ,ar 'one in lo(e and cannot endure an2 dela2. nusuya. )ri2am(ada, can 2ou t ink o, an2 !c eme *2 $ ic $e could carr2 out er $i! e! :uickl2 and !ecretl29 )ri2am(ada. 8e mu!t %lan a*out t e D!ecretl2.D T e D:uickl2D i! not ard. nusuya. Ho$ !o9 (riyam!ada. 8 2, t e 'ood kin' ! o$! i! lo(e ,or er in i! tender 'lance!, and e a! *een $a!tin' a$a2, a! i, e $ere lo!in' !lee%. King. It i! :uite true. T e ot tear!, ,lo$in' do$n m2 c eek All ni' t on m2 !u%%ortin' arm And on it! 'olden *racelet, !eek To !tain t e 'em! and do t em arm, T e *racelet !li%%in' oBer t e !car! U%on t e $a!ted arm, t at ! o$"2 deed! in untin' and in $ar!, All ni' t i! mo(in' to and ,ro. (riyam!ada 3reflecting4. 8ell, ! e mu!t $rite im a lo(eletter. And I $ill ide it in a *unc o, ,lo$er! and !ee t at it 'et! into t e kin'1! and a! i, it $ere a relic o, t e !acri,ice.

Sakountala 11

nusuya. It i! a %rett2 %lan, dear, and it %lea!e! me. 8 at doe! S akuntala !a29 'hakuntala. I !u%%o!e I mu!t o*e2 order!. (riyam!ada. T en com%o!e a %rett2 little lo(e-!on', $it a int o, 2our!el, in it. 'hakuntala. I1ll tr2. But m2 eart trem*le!, ,or ,ear e $ill de!%i!e me. King. Here !tand! t e ea'er lo(er, and 2ou %ale ;or ,ear le!t e di!dain a lo(e !o kindT e !eeker ma2 ,ind ,ortune, or ma2 ,ail5 But o$ could ,ortune, !eekin', ,ail to ,ind9 And a'ainT e ardent lo(er come!, and 2et 2ou ,ear 0e!t e di!dain lo(e1! tri*ute, $ere it *rou' t, %. @1 T e o%e o, $ ic a! led i! ,oot!te%! ere-)earl! need not !eek, ,or t e2 t em!el(e! are !ou' t. #he two friends. You are too mode!t a*out 2our o$n c arm!. 8ould an2*od2 %ut u% a %ara!ol to kee% o,, t e !oot in' autumn moonli' t9 'hakuntala 3smiling4. I !u%%o!e I ! all a(e to o*e2 order!. 3'he meditates.4 King. It i! onl2 natural t at I ! ould ,or'et to $ink $ en I !ee m2 darlin'. ;or +ne clin'in' e2e*ro$ li,ted, A! ,ittin' $ord! ! e !eek!, Her ,ace re(eal! er %a!!ion ;or me in 'lo$in' c eek!. 'hakuntala. 8ell, I a(e t ou' t out a little !on'. But I a(en1t an2t in' to $rite $it . (riyam!ada. Here i! a lotu!-lea,, 'lo!!2 a! a %arrot1! *rea!t. You can cut t e letter! in it $it 2our nail!. S akuntala. No$ li!ten, and tell me $ et er it make! !en!e. #he two friends. )lea!e. 'hakuntala 3reads4. I kno$ not i, I read 2our eart ari' t5 8 2, %itile!!, do 2ou di!tre!! me !o9 I onl2 kno$ t at lon'in' da2 and ni' t To!!e! m2 re!tle!! *od2 to and ,ro, T at 2earn! ,or 2ou, t e !ource o, all it! $oe. King 3ad!ancing4. T ou' 0o(e torment! 2ou, !lender maid, Yet e con!ume! me :uite, A! da2li' t ! ut! ni' t-*loomin' ,lo$er! And !la2! t e moon outri' t. #he two friends 3percei!e the king and rise joyfully4. 8elcome to t e $i! t at i! ,ul,illed $it out dela2. 3SHAKUNTA0A tries to rise.4 King. Do not tr2 to ri!e, *eauti,ul S akuntala.

Your lim*! ,rom $ ic t e !tren't i! ,led, T at cru! t e *lo!!om! o, 2our *ed And *rui!e t e lotu!-lea(e!, ma2 *e )ardoned a *reac o, courte!2. 'hakuntala 3sadly to herself4. + , m2 eart, 2ou $ere !o im%atient, and no$ 2ou ,ind no an!$er to make. nusuya. Your "a<e!t2, %ra2 do t i! !tone *enc t e onour o, !ittin' u%on it. 3SHAKUNTA0A edges away.4 King 3seating himself4. )ri2am(ada, I tru!t 2our ,riend1! illne!! i! not dan'erou!. (riyam!ada 3smiling4. A remed2 i! *ein' a%%lied and it $ill !oon *e *etter. It i! %lain, !ir, t at 2ou and ! e lo(e eac ot er. But I lo(e er too, and I mu!t !a2 !omet in' o(er a'ain. King. )ra2 do not e!itate. It al$a2! cau!e! %ain in t e end, to lea(e un!aid $ at one lon'! to !a2. (riyam!ada. T en li!ten, !ir. King. I am all attention. (riyam!ada. It i! t e kin'1! dut2 to !a(e ermit-,olk ,rom all !u,,erin'. I! not t at 'ood Scri%ture9 King. T ere i! no te6t more ur'ent. (riyam!ada. 8ell, our ,riend a! *een *rou' t to t i! !ad !tate *2 er lo(e ,or 2ou. 8ill 2ou not take %it2 on er and !a(e er li,e9 King. 8e c eri! t e !ame de!ire. I ,eel it a 'reat onour. 'hakuntala 3with a jealous smile4. + , don1t detain t e 'ood kin'. He i! !e%arated ,rom t e court ladie!, and e i! an6iou! to 'o *ack to t em. King. Be$itc in' e2e! t at ,ound m2 eart, You !urel2 !ee It could no lon'er li(e a%art, Nor ,ait le!! *e. I *ear 0o(e1! arro$! a! I can5 8ound not $it dou*t a $ounded man. nusuya. But, 2our "a<e!t2, $e ear t at kin'! a(e man2 ,a(ourite!. You mu!t act in !uc a $a2 t at our ,riend ma2 not *ecome a cau!e o, 'rie, to er ,amil2. King. 8 at more can I !a29 T ou' man2 :ueen! di(ide m2 court, But t$o !u%%ort t e t rone5 Your ,riend $ill ,ind a ri(al in T e !ea-'irt eart alone. #he two friends. 8e are content. 3SHAKUNTA0A betrays her joy.4 (riyam!ada 3aside to ANUSUYA4. 0ook, Anu!u2a7 See o$ t e dear 'irl1! li,e i! comin' *ack moment *2 moment--, <u!t like a %ea en in !ummer $ en t e ,ir!t rain2 *ree=e! come. 'hakuntala. You mu!t %lea!e a!k t e kin'1! %ardon ,or t e rude t in'! $e !aid $ en $e $ere talkin' to'et er. #he two friends 3smiling4. An2*od2 $ o !a2! it $a! rude, ma2 a!k i! %ardon. No*od2 el!e ,eel! 'uilt2.

Sakountala 1>

'hakuntala. Your "a<e!t2, %ra2 ,or'i(e $ at $e !aid $ en $e did not kno$ t at 2ou $ere %re!ent. I am a,raid t at $e !a2 a 'reat man2 t in'! *e ind a %er!on1! *ack. King 3smiling4. Your ,ault i! %ardoned i, I ma2 Relie(e m2 $earine!! B2 !ittin' on t e ,lo$er-!tre$n couc Your ,e(ered mem*er! %re!!. (riyam!ada. But t at $ill not *e enou' to !ati!,2 im. 'hakuntala 3feigning anger4. Sto%7 You are a rude 'irl. You make ,un o, me $ en I am in t i! condition. nusuya 3looking out of the arbour4. )ri2am(ada, t ere i! a little ,a$n, lookin' all a*out im. He a! %ro*a*l2 lo!t i! mot er and i! tr2in' to ,ind er. I am 'oin' to el% im. (riyam!ada. He i! a ,ri!k2 little ,ello$. You can1t catc im alone. I1ll 'o $it 2ou. 3#hey start to go.4 'hakuntala. I $ill not let 2ou 'o and lea(e me alone. #he two friends 3smiling4. You alone, $ en t e kin' o, t e $orld i! $it 2ou7 3E$eunt.4 'hakuntala. Are m2 ,riend! 'one9 King 3looking about4. Do not *e an6iou!, *eauti,ul S akuntala. Ha(e 2ou not a um*le !er(ant ere, to take t e %lace o, 2our ,riend!9 T en tell meS all I em%lo2 t e moi!tened lotu!-lea, To ,an a$a2 2our $earine!! and 'rie,9 +r take 2our lil2 ,eet u%on m2 knee And ru* t em till 2ou re!t more ea!il29 'hakuntala. I $ill not o,,end a'ain!t t o!e to $ om I o$e onour. 3'he rises weakly and starts to walk away.4 King 3detaining her4. T e da2 i! !till ot, *eauti,ul S akuntala, and 2ou are ,e(eri! . 0ea(e not t e *lo!!om-dotted couc To $ander in t e midda2 eat, 8it lotu!-%etal! on 2our *rea!t, 8it ,e(ered lim*! and !tum*lin' ,eet. 3He lays his hand upon her.4 'hakuntala. + , don1t7 Don1t7 ;or I am not mi!tre!! o, m2!el,. Yet $ at can I do no$9 I ad no one to el% me *ut m2 ,riend!. King. I am re*uked. 'hakuntala. I $a! not t inkin' o, 2our "a<e!t2. I $a! accu!in' ,ate. King. 8 2 accu!e a ,ate t at *rin'! $ at 2ou de!ire9 'hakuntala. 8 2 not accu!e a ,ate t at ro*! me o, !el,-control and tem%t! me $it t e (irtue! o, anot er9 King 3to himself4. T ou' dee%l2 lon'in', maid! are co2 And *id t eir $ooer! $ait5 T ou' ea'er ,or united <o2 In lo(e, t e2 e!itate. 0o(e cannot torture t em, nor mo(e T eir eart! to !udden

matin'5)er a%! t e2 e(en torture lo(e B2 t eir %rocra!tinatin'. 3SHAKUNTA0A mo!es away.4 King. 8 2 ! ould I not a(e m2 $a29 3He approaches and sei%es her dress.4 'hakuntala. + , !ir7 Be a 'entleman. T ere are ermit! $anderin' a*out. King. Do not ,ear 2our ,amil2, *eauti,ul S akuntala. ;at er Kan(a kno$! t e ol2 la$. He $ill not re'ret it. ;or man2 a ermit maiden $ o B2 !im%le, (oluntar2 rite Di!%en!ed $it %rie!t and $itne!!, 2et ;ound ,a(our in er ,at er1! !i' t. 3He looks about.4 A , I a(e come into t e o%en air. 3He lea!es SHAKUNTA0A and retraces his steps.4 'hakuntala 3takes a step, then turns with an eager gesture4. + Kin', I cannot do a! 2ou $ould a(e me. You ardl2 kno$ me a,ter t i! ! ort talk. But o , do not ,or'et me. King. 8 en e(enin' come!, t e ! ado$ o, t e tree I! ca!t ,ar ,or$ard, 2et doe! not de%art5 &(en !o, *elo(Gd, $ ere!oeBer 2ou *e, T e t ou' t o, 2ou can ne(er lea(e m2 eart. 'hakuntala 3takes a few steps" #o herself4. + , o 7 8 en I ear im !%eak !o, m2 ,eet $ill not mo(e a$a2. I $ill ide in t i! amarant ed'e and !ee o$ lon' i! lo(e la!t!5 3'he hides and waits.4 King. + , m2 *elo(ed, m2 lo(e ,or 2ou i! m2 $ ole li,e, 2et 2ou lea(e me and 'o a$a2 $it out a t ou' t. Your *od2, !o,t a! !iri!-,lo$er!, &n'a'e! %a!!ion1! utmo!t %o$er!5 Ho$ come! it t at 2our eart i! ard A! !talk! t at !iri!-*lo!!om! 'uard9 'hakuntala. 8 en I ear t i!, I a(e no %o$er to 'o. King. 8 at a(e I to do ere, $ ere ! e i! not9 3He ga%es on the ground.4 A , I cannot 'o. T e %er,umed lotu!-c ain T at once $a! $orn *2 er ;etter! and kee%! m2 eart A o%ele!! %ri!oner. 3He lifts it re!erently.4 'hakuntala 3looking at her arm4. 8 2, I $a! !o $eak and ill t at $ en t e lotu!-*racelet ,ell o,,, I did not e(en notice it. King 3laying the lotus)bracelet on his heart4. A 7 +nce, dear, on 2our !$eet arm it la2, And on m2 eart ! all e(er !ta25 T ou' 2ou di!dain to 'i(e me <o2, I ,ind it in a li,ele!! to2. 'hakuntala. I cannot old *ack a,ter t at. I $ill u!e t e

Sakountala 1@

*racelet a! an e6cu!e ,or m2 comin'. 3'he approaches.4 King 3seeing her" *oyfully4. T e :ueen o, m2 li,e7 A! !oon a! I com%lained, ,ate %ro(ed kind to me. No !ooner did t e t ir!t2 *ird 8it %arc in' t roat com%lain, T an ,ormin' cloud! in ea(en !tirred And !ent t e !treamin' rain. 'hakuntala 3standing before the king4. 8 en I $a! 'oin' a$a2, !ir, I remem*ered t at t i! lotu!-*racelet ad ,allen ,rom m2 arm, and I a(e come *ack ,or it "2 eart !eemed to tell me t at 2ou ad taken it. )lea!e 'i(e it *ack, or 2ou $ill *etra2 me, and 2our!el, too, to t e ermit!. King. I $ill re!tore it on one condition. 'hakuntala. 8 at condition9 King. T at I ma2 m2!el, %lace it $ ere it *elon'!. 'hakuntala 3to herself4. 8 at can I do9 3'he approaches.4 King. 0et u! !it on t i! !tone *enc . 3#hey walk to the bench and sit down.4 King 3taking SHAKUNTA0A1S hand4. A 7 8 en S i(a1! an'er *urned t e tree +, lo(e in :uenc le!! ,ire, Did ea(enl2 ,ate %re!er(e a ! oot To deck m2 eart1! de!ire9 'hakuntala 3feeling his touch4. Ha!ten, m2 dear, a!ten. King 3joyfully to himself4. No$ I am content. S e !%eak! a! a $i,e to er u!*and. 3 loud.4 Beauti,ul S akuntala, t e cla!% o, t e *racelet i! not (er2 ,irm. "a2 I ,a!ten it in anot er $a29 'hakuntala 3smiling4. I, 2ou like. King 3artfully delaying before he fastens it4. See, m2 *eauti,ul 'irl7 T e lotu!-c ain i! da==lin' $ ite A! i! t e !lender moon at ni' t. )er a%! it $a! t e moon on i' T at <oined er orn! and le,t t e !k2, Belie(in' t at 2our lo(el2 arm 8ould, more t an ea(en, en ance er c arm. 'hakuntala. I cannot !ee it. T e %ollen ,rom t e lotu! o(er m2 ear a! *lo$n into m2 e2e. King 3smiling4. 8ill 2ou %ermit me to *lo$ it a$a29 'hakuntala. I ! ould not like to *e an o*<ect o, %it2. But $ 2 ! ould I not tru!t 2ou9 King. Do not a(e !uc t ou' t!. A ne$ !er(ant doe! not tran!'re!! order!. 'hakuntala. It i! t i! e6a''erated courte!2 t at ,ri' ten! me. King 3to himself4. I ! all not *reak t e *ond! o, t i! !$eet !er(itude. 3He starts to raise her face to his. SHAKUNTA0A resists a little, then is passi!e.4 King. + , m2 *e$itc in' 'irl, a(e no ,ear o, me. 3SHAKUNTA0A darts a glance at him, then looks down" #he king raises her face" side.4

Her !$eetl2 trem*lin' li% 8it (ir'in in(itation )ro(oke! m2 !oul to !i% Deli' ted ,a!cination. 'hakuntala. You !eem !lo$, dear, in ,ul,illin' 2our %romi!e. King. T e lotu! o(er 2our ear i! !o near 2our e2e, and !o like it, t at I $a! con,u!ed. 3He gently blows her eye.4 'hakuntala. T ank 2ou. I can !ee :uite $ell no$. But I am a! amed not to make an2 return ,or 2our kindne!!. King. 8 at more could I a!k9 It ou' t to *e enou' ,or me To o(er round 2our ,ra'rant ,ace5 I! not t e lotu!- auntin' *ee .ontent $it %er,ume and $it 'race9 'hakuntala. But $ at doe! e do i, e i! not content9 King. T i!7 T i!7 3He draws her face to his.4 !oice behind the scenes. + ! eldrake *ride, *id 2our mate ,are$ell. T e ni' t i! come. 'hakuntala 3listening e$citedly4. + , m2 dear, t i! i! "ot er Gautami, come to in:uire a*out me. )lea!e ide amon' t e *ranc e!. 3#he king conceals himself" Enter GAUTA"I, with a bowl in her hand.4 ,autami. Here i! t e ol2 $ater, m2 c ild. 3S e !ee! SHAKUNTA0A and el%! er to ri!e.4 So ill, and all alone ere $it t e 'od!9 'hakuntala. It $a! <u!t a moment a'o t at )ri2am(ada. and Anu!u2a $ent do$n to t e ri(er. ,autami 3sprinkling SHAKUNTA0A with the holy water4. "a2 2ou li(e lon' and a%%2, m2 c ild. Ha! t e ,e(er 'one do$n9 3'he touches her.4 'hakuntala. T ere i! a di,,erence, mot er. ,autami. T e !un i! !ettin'. .ome, let u! 'o to t e cotta'e. 'hakuntala 3weakly rising" #o herself4. + , m2 eart, 2ou dela2ed $ en 2our de!ire came o, it!el,. No$ !ee $ at 2ou a(e done. 3'he takes a step, then turns around" loud.4 + *o$er t at took a$a2 m2 %ain, I *id 2ou ,are$ell until anot er *li!!,ul our. 3E$eunt SHAKUNTA0A and GAUTA"I.4 King 3ad!ancing with a sigh.4 T e %at to a%%ine!! i! !tre$n $it o*!tacle!. Her ,ace, adorned $it !o,t e2e-la! e!, Adora*le $it trem*lin' ,la! e! +, al,-denial, in memor2 lin'er!5 T e !$eet li%! 'uarded *2 er ,in'er!, T e ead t at droo%ed u%on er ! oulder-8 2 $a! I not a little *older9 8 ere ! all I 'o no$9 0et me !ta2 a moment in t i! *o$er $ ere m2 *elo(ed la2. 3He looks about.4 T e ,lo$er-!tre$n *ed $ ereon er *od2 to!!ed5 T e *racelet, ,allen ,rom er arm and lo!t5 T e dear lo(e-mi!!i(e, in t e lotu!-lea,

Sakountala 1A

.ut *2 er nail!- a!!ua'e m2 a*!ent 'rie, And occu%2 m2 e2e!--I a(e no %o$er, T ou' ! e i! 'one, to lea(e t e reed2 *o$er. 3He reflects.4 Ala!7 I did $ron' to dela2 $ en I ad ,ound m2 lo(e. So no$ I, ! e $ill 'rant me *ut one ot er meetin', I1ll not dela25 ,or a%%ine!! i! ,leetin'5 So %lan! m2 ,ooli! , !el,-de,eated eart5 But $ en ! e come!, I %la2 t e co$ard1! %art. !oice behind the scenes. + Kin'7 T e ,lame! ri!e ea(en$ard ,rom t e e(enin' altar5 And round t e !acri,ice!, *la=in' i' , ;le! -eatin' demon! !talk, like red cloud-ma!!e!, And ca!t colo!!al ! ado$! on t e !k2. King 3listens" -esolutely4, Ha(e no ,ear, ermit!. I am ere. 3E$it.4 A$T !# SHAKUNTALA.S %"PARTUR" S$"N" ! 3Enter the two friends, gathering flowers.4 nusuya. )ri2am(ada, dear S akuntala a! *een %ro%erl2 married *2 t e (oluntar2 ceremon2 and ! e a! a u!*and $ort 2 o, er. And 2et I am not :uite !ati!,ied. (riyam!ada. 8 2 not9 nusuya. T e !acri,ice i! o(er and t e 'ood kin' $a! di!mi!!ed to-da2 *2 t e ermit!. He a! 'one *ack to t e cit2 and t ere e i! !urrounded *2 undred! o, court ladie!. I $onder $ et er e $ill remem*er %oor S akuntala or not. (riyam!ada. You need not *e an6iou! a*out t at. Suc and!ome men are !ure to *e 'ood. But t ere i! !omet in' el!e to t ink a*out. I don1t kno$ $ at ;at er $ill a(e to !a2 $ en e come! *ack ,rom i! %il'rima'e and ear! a*out it. nusuya. I *elie(e t at e $ill *e %lea!ed. (riyam!ada. 8 29 nusuya. 8 2 not9 You kno$ e $anted to 'i(e i! dau' ter to a lo(er $ort 2 o, er. I, ,ate *rin'! t i! a*out o, it!el,, $ 2 ! ouldn1t ;at er *e a%%29 (riyam!ada. I !u%%o!e 2ou are ri' t. 3'he looks at her flower) basket.4 "2 dear, $e a(e 'at ered ,lo$er! enou' ,or t e !acri,ice. nusuya. But $e mu!t make an o,,erin' to t e 'od! t at $atc o(er S akuntala1! marria'e. 8e ad *etter 'at er more. (riyam!ada. #er2 $ell. 3#hey do so.4 !oice behind the scenes. 8 o $ill *id me $elcome9 nusuya 3listening4. "2 dear, it !ound! like a 'ue!t announcin' im!el,. (riyam!ada. 8ell, S akuntala i! near t e cotta'e. 3-eflecting.4 A , *ut to-da2 er eart i! ,ar a$a2. .ome, $e mu!t do $it t e ,lo$er! $e a(e. 3#hey start to walk away.4 #he !oice. Do 2ou dare de!%i!e a 'ue!t like me9

Becau!e 2our eart, *2 lo(in' ,ancie! *linded, Ha! !corned a 'ue!t in %iou! li,e 'ro$n old, Your lo(er ! all ,or'et 2ou t ou' reminded, +r t ink o, 2ou a! o, a !tor2 told. 3#he two girls listen and show dejection.4 (riyam!ada. + , dear7 T e (er2 t in' a! a%%ened. T e dear, a*!ent-minded 'irl a! o,,ended !ome $ort 2 man. nusuya 3looking ahead4. "2 dear, t i! i! no ordinar2 !ome*od2. It i! t e 'reat !a'e Dur(a!a!, t e ira!ci*le. See o$ e !tride! a$a27 (riyam!ada. Not in' *urn! like ,ire. Run, ,all at i! ,eet, *rin' im *ack, $ ile I am 'ettin' $ater to $a! i! ,eet. nusuya. I $ill. 3E$it.4 (riyam!ada 3stumbling4. T ere7 I !tum*led in m2 e6citement, and t e ,lo$er-*a!ket ,ell out o, m2 and. 3'he collects the scattered flowers. ANUSUYA returns.4 nusuya. "2 dear, e i! an'er incarnate. 8 o could a%%ea!e im9 But I !o,tened im a little. (riyam!ada. &(en t at i! a 'ood deal ,or im. Tell me a*out it. nusuya. 8 en e $ould not turn *ack, I ,ell at i! ,eet and %ra2ed to im. DHol2 !ir,D I !aid, Dremem*er er ,ormer de(otion and %ardon t i! o,,ence. Your dau' ter did not reco'ni!e 2our 'reat and ol2 %o$er to-da2.D (riyam!ada. And t en-----nusuya. T en e !aid- D"2 $ord! mu!t *e ,ul,illed. But t e cur!e ! all *e li,ted $ en er lo(er !ee! a 'em $ ic e a! 'i(en er ,or a token.D And !o e (ani! ed. (riyam!ada. 8e can *reat e a'ain. 8 en t e 'ood kin' $ent a$a2, e %ut a rin', en'ra(ed $it i! o$n name, on S akuntala1! ,in'er to remem*er im *2. T at $ill !a(e er. nusuya. .ome, $e mu!t ,ini! t e !acri,ice ,or er. 3#hey walk about.4 (riyam!ada 3ga%ing4. /u!t look, Anu!u2a7 T ere i! t e dear 'irl, $it er c eek re!tin' on er le,t and. S e look! like a %ainted %icture. S e i! t inkin' a*out im. Ho$ could ! e notice a 'ue!t $ en ! e a! ,or'otten er!el,9 nusuya. )ri2am(ada, $e t$o mu!t kee% t i! t in' to our!el(e!. 8e mu!t *e care,ul o, t e dear 'irl. You kno$ o$ delicate ! e i!. (riyam!ada. 8ould an2 one !%rinkle a <a!mine-(ine $it !caldin' $ater9 3E$eunt ambo.4 S$"N" !!.++Early Morning. 3Enter a pupil of KAN#A, just risen from sleep.4 (upil. ;at er Kan(a a! returned ,rom i! %il'rima'e, and a! *idden me ,ind out $ at time it i!. I $ill 'o into t e o%en air and !ee o$ muc o, t e ni' t remain!. 3He walks and looks about.4 See7 T e da$n i! *reakin'. ;or alread2 T e moon *e ind t e $e!tern mount i! !inkin'5 T e ea!tern !un i! eralded *2 da$n5 ;rom ea(en1! t$in li' t!, t eir ,all and 'lor2 linkin', Bra(e le!!on! o, !u*mi!!ion ma2 *e dra$n. And a'ainNi' t-*loomin' lilie!, $ en t e moon i! idden, Ha(e nau' t *ut memorie! o, *eaut2 le,t.

Sakountala 1C

Hard, ard to *ear7 Her lot $ om ea(en a! *idden To li(e alone, o, lo(e and lo(er re,t. And a'ain+n <u<u*e-tree! t e *lu! in' de$dro%! ,alter5 T e %eacock $ake! and lea(e! t e cotta'e t atc 5 A deer i! ri!in' near t e oo,-marked altar, And !tretc in', !tand!, t e da21! ne$ li,e to catc . And 2et a'ainT e moon t at to%%ed t e lo,tie!t mountain ran'e!, T at !le$ t e darkne!! in t e midmo!t !k2, I! ,allen ,rom ea(en, and all er 'lor2 c an'e!So i' to ri!e, !o lo$ at la!t to lie7 nusuya 3entering hurriedly" #o herself4. T at i! <u!t $ at a%%en! to t e innocent. S akuntala a! *een treated ! ame,ull2 *2 t e kin'. (upil. I $ill tell ;at er Kan(a t at t e our o, mornin' !acri,ice i! come. 3E$it.4 nusuya. T e da$n i! *reakin'. I am a$ake *ri' t and earl2. But $ at ! all I do no$ t at I am a$ake9 "2 and! re,u!e to attend to t e ordinar2 mornin' ta!k!. 8ell, let lo(e take it! cour!e. ;or t e dear, %ure-minded 'irl tru!ted im--t e traitor7 )er a%! it i! not t e 'ood kin'1! ,ault. It mu!t *e t e cur!e o, Dur(a!a!. +t er$i!e, o$ could t e 'ood kin' !a2 !uc *eauti,ul t in'!, and t en let all t i! time %a!! $it out e(en !endin' a me!!a'e9 3'he reflects.4 Ye!, $e mu!t !end im t e rin' e le,t a! a token. But $ om ! all $e a!k to take it9 T e ermit! are un!2m%at etic *ecau!e t e2 a(e ne(er !u,,ered. It !eemed a! i, er ,riend! $ere to *lame and !o, tr2 a! $e mi' t, $e could not tell ;at er Kan(a t at S akuntala $a! married to Du! 2anta and $a! e6%ectin' a *a*2. + , $ at ! all $e do9 3Enter )RIYA"#ADA.4 (riyam!ada. Hurr2, Anu!u2a, urr27 8e are 'ettin' S akuntala read2 ,or er <ourne2. nusuya 3astonished4. 8 at do 2ou mean, m2 dear9 (riyam!ada. 0i!ten. I <u!t $ent to S akuntala, to a!k i, ! e ad !le%t $ell. nusuya. And t en-----(riyam!ada. I ,ound er idin' er ,ace ,or ! ame, and ;at er Kan(a $a! em*racin' er and encoura'in' er. D"2 c ild,D e !aid, DI *rin' 2ou <o2. T e o,,erin' ,ell !trai' t in t e !acred ,ire, and au!%iciou! !moke ro!e to$ard t e !acri,icer. "2 %ain! ,or 2ou a(e %ro(ed like in!truction 'i(en to a 'ood !tudent5 t e2 a(e *rou' t me no re'ret. T i! (er2 da2 I ! all 'i(e 2ou an e!cort o, ermit! and !end 2ou to 2our u!*and.D nusuya. But, m2 dear, $ o told ;at er Kan(a a*out it9 (riyam!ada. A (oice ,rom ea(en t at recited a (er!e $ en e ad entered t e ,ire-!anctuar2. nusuya 3astonished4. 8 at did it !a29 (riyam!ada. 0i!ten. 3'peaking in good 'anskrit.4 Kno$, Bra man, t at 2our c ild, 0ike t e ,ire-%re'nant tree, Bear! kin'l2 !eed t at ! all *e *orn

;or eart 1! %ro!%erit2. nusuya 3hugging )RIYA"#ADA4. I am !o 'lad, dear. But m2 <o2 i! al, !orro$ $ en I t ink t at S akuntala i! 'oin' to *e taken a$a2 t i! (er2 da2. (riyam!ada. 8e mu!t ide our !orro$ a! *e!t $e can. T e %oor 'irl mu!t *e made a%%2 to-da2. nusuya. 8ell, ere i! a cocoa-nut ca!ket, an'in' on a *ranc o, t e man'o-tree. I %ut ,lo$er-%ollen in it ,or t i! (er2 %ur%o!e. It kee%! ,re! , 2ou kno$. No$ 2ou $ra% it in a lotu!lea,, and I $ill 'et 2ello$ %i'ment and eart ,rom a !acred !%ot and *lade! o, %anic 'ra!! ,or t e a%%2 ceremon2. 3)RIYA"#ADA does so" E$it ANUSUYA.4 !oice behind the scenes. Gautami, *id t e $ort 2 S arn'ara(a and S arad(ata make read2 to e!cort m2 dau' ter S akuntala. (riyam!ada 3listening4. Hurr2, Anu!u2a, urr27 T e2 are callin' t e ermit! $ o are 'oin' to Ha!tina%ura. 3Enter ANUSUYA, with materials for the ceremony.4 nusuya. .ome, dear, let u! 'o. 3#hey walk about.4 (riyam!ada 3looking ahead4. T ere i! S akuntala. S e took t e ceremonial *at at !unri!e, and no$ t e ermit-$omen are 'i(in' er rice-cake! and $i! in' er a%%ine!!. 0et1! 'o to er. 3#hey do so" Enter SHAKUNTA0A with attendants as described, and GAUTA"I.4 'hakuntala. Hol2 $omen, I !alute 2ou. ,autami. "2 c ild, ma2 2ou recei(e t e a%%2 title D:ueen,D ! o$in' t at 2our u!*and onour! 2ou. Hermit)women. "2 dear, ma2 2ou *ecome t e mot er o, a ero. 3E$eunt all but GAUTA"I.4 #he two friends 3approaching4. Did 2ou a(e a 'ood *at , dear9 'hakuntala. Good mornin', 'irl!. Sit ere. #he two friends 3seating themsel!es4. No$ !tand !trai' t, $ ile $e 'o t rou' t e a%%2 ceremon2. 'hakuntala. It a! a%%ened o,ten enou' , *ut I ou' t to *e (er2 'rate,ul to-da2. S all I e(er *e adorned *2 m2 ,riend! a'ain9 3S e $ee%!.4 #he two friends. You ou' t not to $ee%, dear, at t i! a%%2 time. 3T e2 $i%e t e tear! a$a2 and adorn er.4 (riyam!ada. You are !o *eauti,ul, 2ou ou' t to a(e t e ,ine!t 'em!. It !eem! like .an in!ult to 'i(e 2ou t e!e ermita'e t in'!. 3Enter HARITA, a hermit)youth, with ornaments.4 Harita. Here are ornament! ,or our lad2. 3#he women look at them in astonishment.4 ,autami. Harita, m2 !on, $ ence come t e!e t in'!9 Harita. ;rom t e ol2 %o$er o, ;at er Kan(a. ,autami. A creation o, i! mind9 Harita. Not :uite. 0i!ten. ;at er Kan(a !ent u! to 'at er *lo!!om! ,rom t e tree! ,or S akuntala, and t en +ne tree *ore ,ruit, a !ilken marria'e dre!! T at ! amed t e moon in it! $ ite lo(eline!!5 Anot er 'a(e u! lac-d2e ,or t e ,eet5 ;rom ot er!, ,air2 and! e6tended, !$eet 0ike ,lo$erin' t$i'!, a! ,ar a! to t e $ri!t, And 'a(e u! 'em!, to adorn er a! $e li!t.

Sakountala 1?

Kan!a. + tree! o, t e %iou! 'ro(e, in $ ic t e ,airie! d$ell, (riyam!ada 3looking at SHAKUNTA0A4. A *ee ma2 *e *orn in a ole in a tree, *ut ! e like! t e one2 o, t e lotu!. ,autami. T i! 'raciou! ,a(our i! a token o, t e :ueenl2 a%%ine!! $ ic 2ou are to en<o2 in 2our u!*and1! %alace. 3SHAKUNTA0A shows embarrassment.4 Harita. ;at er Kan(a a! 'one to t e *ank o, t e "alini, to %er,orm i! a*lution!. I $ill tell im o, t e ,a(our ! o$n u! *2 t e tree!. 3E$it.4 nusuya. "2 dear, $e %oor 'irl! ne(er !a$ !uc ornament!. Ho$ ! all $e adorn 2ou9 3'he stops to think, and to look at the ornaments.4 But $e a(e !een %icture!. )er a%! $e can arran'e t em ri' t. 'hakuntala. I kno$ o$ cle(er 2ou are. 3#he two friends adorn her" Enter KAN#A, returning after his ablutions.4 Kan!a. S akuntala mu!t 'o to-da25 I mi!! er no$ at eart5 I dare not !%eak a lo(in' $ord +r c okin' tear! $ill !tart. "2 e2e! are dim $it an6iou! t ou' t5 0o(e !trike! me to t e li,e-And 2et I !tro(e ,or %iou! %eace-- I a(e no c ild, no $i,e. 8 at mu!t a ,at er ,eel, $ en comeT e %an'! o, %artin' ,rom i! c ild at ome9 3He walks about.4 #he two friends. T ere, S akuntala, $e a(e arran'ed 2our ornament!. No$ %ut on t i! *eauti,ul !ilk dre!!. 3SHAKUNTA0A rises and does so.4 ,autami. "2 c ild, ere i! 2our ,at er. T e e2e! $it $ ic e !eem! to em*race 2ou are o(er,lo$in' $it tear! o, <o2. You mu!t 'reet im %ro%erl2. 3SHAKUNTA0A makes a shamefaced re!erence.4 Kan!a. "2 c ild, 0ike S armi! t a, Ya2ati1! $i,e, 8in ,a(our mea!ured *2 2our $ort 5 And ma2 2ou *ear a kin'l2 !on 0ike )uru, $ o ! all rule t e eart . ,autami. "2 c ild, t i! i! not a %ra2er, *ut a *enediction. Kan!a. "2 dau' ter, $alk ,rom le,t to ri' t a*out t e ,ire! in $ ic t e o,,erin' a! <u!t *een t ro$n. 3 ll walk about.4 T e ol2 ,ire! around t e altar kindle, And at t eir mar'in! !acred 'ra!! i! %iled5 Beneat t eir !acri,icial odour! d$indle "i!,ortune!. "a2 t e ,ire! %rotect 2ou, c ild7 3SHAKUNTA0A walks about them from left to right.4 Kan!a. No$ 2ou ma2 !tart, m2 dau' ter. 3He glances about.4 8 ere are S arn'ara(a and S arad(ata9 3Enter the two pupils.4 #he two pupils. 8e are ere, ;at er. Kan!a. S arn'ara(a, m2 !on, lead t e $a2 ,or 2our !i!ter. 'harngara!a. ;ollo$ me. 3#hey all walk about.4 S e $ould not drink till ! e ad $et Your root!, a !i!ter1! dut2, Nor %luck 2our ,lo$er!5 ! e lo(e! 2ou 2et ;ar more t an !el,i! *eaut2. BT$a! ,e!ti(al in er %ure li,e8 en *uddin' *lo!!om! ! o$ed5And no$ ! e lea(e! 2ou a! a $i,e--+ , !%eed er on er road7 'harngara!a 3listening to the song of ko/l)birds4. ;at er, T e tree! are an!$erin' 2our %ra2er In cooin' cuckoo-!on', Biddin' S akuntala ,are$ell, T eir !i!ter ,or !o lon'. In!isible beings. "a2 lil2-dotted lake! deli' t 2our e2e5 "a2 ! ade-tree! *id t e eat o, noonda2 cea!e5 "a2 !o,t $ind! *lo$ t e lotu!-%ollen ni' 5 "a2 all 2our %at *e %lea!antne!! and %eace. 3 ll listen in astonishment.4 ,autami. "2 c ild, t e ,airie! o, t e %iou! 'ro(e *id 2ou ,are$ell. ;or t e2 lo(e t e ou!e old. )a2 re(erence to t e ol2 one!. 'hakuntala 3does so" side to )RIYA"#ADA4. )ri2am(ada, I lon' to !ee m2 u!*and, and 2et m2 ,eet $ill ardl2 mo(e. It i! ard, ard to lea(e t e ermita'e. (riyam!ada. You are not t e onl2 one to ,eel !ad at t i! ,are$ell. See o$ t e $ ole 'ro(e ,eel! at %artin' ,rom 2ou. T e 'ra!! dro%! ,rom t e ,eedin' doe5 T e %ea en !to%! er dance5 )ale, trem*lin' lea(e! are ,allin' !lo$, T e tear! o, clin'in' %lant!. 'hakuntala 3recalling something4. ;at er, I mu!t !a2 'ood-*2e to t e !%rin'-cree%er, m2 !i!ter amon' t e (ine!. Kan!a. I kno$ 2our lo(e ,or er. See7 Here ! e i! at 2our ri' t and. 'hakuntala 3approaches the !ine and embraces it4. #ine !i!ter, em*race me too $it 2our arm!, t e!e *ranc e!. I ! all *e ,ar a$a2 ,rom 2ou a,ter to-da2. ;at er, 2ou mu!t care ,or er a! 2ou did ,or me. Kan!a. "2 c ild, 2ou ,ound t e lo(er $ o Had lon' *een !ou' t *2 me5 No lon'er need I $atc ,or 2ou5 I1ll 'i(e t e (ine a lo(er true, T i! and!ome man'o-tree. And no$ !tart on 2our <ourne2.

Sakountala 1F

'hakuntala 3going to the two friends4. Dear 'irl!, I lea(e er in 2our care too. T e t$o ,riend!. But $ o $ill care ,or %oor u!9 3#hey shed tears.4 Kan!a. Anu!u2a7 )ri2am(ada7 Do not $ee%. It i! 2ou $ o ! ould c eer S akuntala. 3 ll walk about.4 'hakuntala. ;at er, t ere i! t e %re'nant doe, $anderin' a*out near t e cotta'e. 8 en ! e *ecome! a a%%2 mot er, 2ou mu!t !end !ome one to *rin' me t e 'ood ne$!. Do not ,or'et. Kan!a. I ! all not ,or'et, m2 c ild. 'hakuntala 3stumbling4. + , o 7 8 o i! it t at kee%! %ullin' at m2 dre!!, a! i, to inder me9 3'he turns round to see.4 Kan!a. It i! t e ,a$n $ o!e li%, $ en torn B2 ku! a-'ra!!, 2ou !oot ed $it oil5 T e ,a$n $ o 'ladl2 ni**led corn Held in 2our and5 $it lo(in' toil You a(e ado%ted im, and e 8ould ne(er lea(e 2ou $illin'l2. 'hakuntala. "2 dear, $ 2 ! ould 2ou ,ollo$ me $ en I am 'oin' a$a2 ,rom ome9 Your mot er died $ en 2ou $ere *orn and I *rou' t 2ou u%. No$ I am lea(in' 2ou, and ;at er Kan(a $ill take care o, 2ou. Go *ack, dear7 Go *ack7 3'he walks away, weeping.4 Kan!a. Do not $ee%, m2 c ild. Be *ra(e. 0ook at t e %at *e,ore 2ou. Be *ra(e, and c eck t e ri!in' tear! T at dim 2our lo(el2 e2e!5 Your ,eet are !tum*lin' on t e %at T at !o une(en lie!. 'harngara!a. Hol2 ;at er, t e Scri%ture declare! t at one ! ould accom%an2 a de%artin' lo(ed one onl2 to t e ,ir!t $ater. )ra2 'i(e u! 2our command! on t e *ank o, t i! %ond, and t en return. Kan!a. T en let u! re!t in t e ! ade o, t i! ,i'-tree. 3 ll do so.4 8 at command! $ould it *e ,ittin' ,or me to la2 on Kin' Du! 2anta9 3He reflects.4 nusuya. "2 dear, t ere i! not a li(in' t in' in t e $ ole ermita'e t at i! not 'rie(in' to-da2 at !a2in' 'ood-*2e to 2ou. 0ook7 T e ! eldrake doe! not eed i! mate 8 o call! *e ind t e lotu!-lea,5 He dro%! t e lil2 ,rom i! *ill And turn! on 2ou a 'lance o, 'rie,. Kan!a. Son S arn'ara(a, $ en 2ou %re!ent S akuntala to t e kin', 'i(e im t i! me!!a'e ,rom me. Remem*erin' m2 reli'iou! $ort , Your o$n i' race, t e lo(e %oured ,ort B2 er, ,or'et,ul o, er ,riend!, )a2 er $ at onour cu!tom lend!

To all 2our $i(e!. And $ at ,ate 'i(e! Be2ond, $ill %lea!e er relati(e!. 'harngara!a. I $ill not ,or'et 2our me!!a'e, ;at er. Kan!a 3turning to SHAKUNTA0A4. "2 c ild, I mu!t no$ 'i(e 2ou m2 coun!el. T ou' I li(e in t e ,ore!t, I a(e !ome kno$led'e o, t e $orld. 'harngara!a. True $i!dom, ;at er, 'i(e! in!i' t into e(er2t in'. Kan!a. "2 c ild, $ en 2ou a(e entered 2our u!*and1! ome, +*e2 2our elder!5 and *e (er2 kind To ri(al!5 ne(er *e %er(er!el2 *lind And an'r2 $it 2our u!*and, e(en t ou' e S ould %ro(e le!! ,ait ,ul t an a man mi' t *e5 Be a! courteou! to !er(ant! a! 2ou ma2, Not %u,,ed $it %ride in t i! 2our a%%2 da2T u! doe! a maiden 'ro$ into a $i,e5 But !el,-$illed $omen are t e cur!e o, li,e. But $ at doe! Gautami !a29 ,autami. T i! i! ad(ice !u,,icient ,or a *ride. 3#o SHAKUNTA0A.4 You $ill not ,or'et, m2 c ild. Kan!a. .ome, m2 dau' ter, em*race me and 2our ,riend!. 'hakuntala. + , ;at er7 "u!t m2 ,riend! turn *ack too9 Kan!a. "2 dau' ter, t e2 too mu!t !ome da2 *e 'i(en in marria'e. T ere,ore t e2 ma2 not 'o to court. Gautami $ill 'o $it 2ou. 'hakuntala 3throwing her arms about her father4. I am torn ,rom m2 ,at er1! *rea!t like a (ine !tri%%ed ,rom a !andal-tree on t e "ala*ar ill!. Ho$ can I li(e in anot er !oil9 3'he weeps.4 Kan!a. "2 dau' ter, $ 2 di!tre!! 2our!el, !o9 A no*le u!*and1! onoura*le $i,e, You are to !%end a *u!2, u!e,ul li,e In t e $orld1! e2e5 and !oon, a! ea!tern !kie! Brin' ,ort t e !un, ,rom 2ou t ere ! all ari!e A c ild, a *le!!in' and a com,ort !tron'-You $ill not mi!! me, deare!t dau' ter, lon'. 'hakuntala 3falling at his feet4. ;are$ell, ;at er. Kan!a. "2 dau' ter, ma2 all t at come to 2ou $ ic I de!ire ,or 2ou. 'hakuntala 3going to her two friends4. .ome, 'irl!7 &m*race me, *ot o, 2ou to'et er. #he two friends 3do so4. Dear, i, t e 'ood kin' ! ould %er a%! *e !lo$ to reco'ni!e 2ou, ! o$ im t e rin' $it i! o$n name en'ra(ed on it. 'hakuntala. Your dou*t! make m2 eart *eat ,a!ter. #he two friends. Do not *e a,raid, dear. 0o(e i! timid. 'harngara!a 3looking about4. ;at er, t e !un i! in midea(en. S e mu!t a!ten. 'hakuntala 3embracing KAN#A once more4. ;at er, $ en ! all I !ee t e %iou! 'ro(e a'ain9 Kan!a. "2 dau' ter, 8 en 2ou a(e ! ared ,or man2 2ear!

Sakountala 1I

T e kin'1! t ou' t! $it t e eart , 8 en to a !on $ o kno$! no ,ear! You ! all a(e 'i(en *irt , 8 en, tru!ted to t e !on 2ou lo(e,Your ro2al la*our! cea!e, .ome $it 2our u!*and to t e 'ro(eAnd end 2our da2! in %eace. ,autami. "2 c ild, t e our o, 2our de%arture i! !li%%in' *2. Bid 2our ,at er turn *ack. No, ! e $ould ne(er do t at. )ra2 turn *ack, !ir. Kan!a. . ild, 2ou interru%t m2 dutie! in t e %iou! 'ro(e. 'hakuntala. Ye!, ;at er. You $ill *e *u!2 in t e 'ro(e. You $ill not mi!! me. But o 7 I mi!! 2ou. Kan!a. Ho$ can 2ou t ink me !o indi,,erent9 3He sighs.4 "2 lonel2 !orro$ $ill not 'o, ;or !eed! 2ou !cattered ere Be,ore t e cotta'e door, $ill 'ro$5 And I ! all !ee t em, dear. Go. And %eace 'o $it 2ou. 3&6it SHAKUNTA0A, 0ith GAUTA"I, SHARNGARA#A, and SHARAD#ATA.4 #he two friends 3ga%ing long after her" 1ournfully4. + , o 7 S akuntala i! lo!t amon' t e tree!. Kan!a. Anu!u2a7 )ri2am(ada7 Your com%anion i! 'one. . oke do$n 2our 'rie, and ,ollo$ me. 3#hey start to go back.4 #he two friends. ;at er, t e 'ro(e !eem! em%t2 $it out S akuntala. Kan!a. So lo(e inter%ret!. 3He $alk! a*out, !unk in t ou' t.4 A 7 I a(e !ent S akuntala a$a2, and no$ I am m2!el, a'ain. ;or A 'irl i! eld in tru!t, anot er1! trea!ure5 To arm! o, lo(e m2 c ild to-da2 i! 'i(en5 And no$ I ,eel a calm and !acred %lea!ure5 I a(e re!tored t e %led'e t at came ,rom ea(en. 3E$eunt omnes.4 A$T # SHAKUNTALA.S R"/"$T!&N 3Enter a chamberlain.4 Chamberlain 3sighing4. Ala!7 To $ at a !tate am I reduced7 I once a!!umed t e !ta,, o, reed ;or cu!tom1! !ake alone, A! o,,icer to 'uard at need T e ladie! round t e t rone. But 2ear! a(e %a!!ed a$a2 and made It !er(e, m2 totterin' !te%! to aid. T e kin' i! $it in. I $ill tell im o, t e ur'ent *u!ine!! $ ic demand! i! attention. 3He takes a few steps.4 But $ at i! t e *u!ine!!9 3He recalls it.4 Ye!, I remem*er. .ertain ermit!, %u%il! o, Kan(a, de!ire to !ee i! "a<e!t2. Stran'e, !tran'e7 T e mind o, a'e i! like a lam%

8 o!e oil i! runnin' t in5 +ne moment it i! ! inin' *ri' t, T en darkne!! clo!e! in. 3He walks and looks about.4 Here i! i! "a<e!t2. He doe! not !eek--until a ,at er1! care I! ! o$n i! !u*<ect!--re!t in !olitude5 A! a 'reat ele% ant reek! not o, t e !un Until i! erd i! ! eltered in t e $ood. In trut , I e!itate to announce t e comin' o, Kan(a1! %u%il! to t e kin'. ;or e a! t i! moment ri!en ,rom t e t rone o, <u!tice. But kin'! are ne(er $ear2. ;or T e !un un2oke! i! or!e! ne(er5 Blo$! ni' t and da2 t e *ree=e5 S e! a u% old! t e $orld ,ore(erAnd kin'! are like to t e!e. 3He walks about" Enter the king, the clown, and retinue according to rank.4 King 3betraying the cares of office4. &(er2 one i! a%%2 on attainin' i! de!ire--e6ce%t a kin'. Hi! di,,icultie! increa!e $it i! %o$er. T u!Securit2 !la2! not in' *ut am*ition5 8it 'reat %o!!e!!ion!, trou*le! 'at er t ick5 )ain 'ro$!, not le!!en!, $it a kin'1! %o!ition, A! $ en one1! and mu!t old t e !un! ade1! !tick. #wo court poets behind the scenes. #ictor2 to 2our "a<e!t2. &irst poet. T e $orld 2ou dail2 'uard and *le!!, Not eedin' %ain or $earine!!5 T u! i! 2our nature made. A tree $ill *ra(e t e noonda2, $ en T e !un i! ,ierce, t at $ear2 men "a2 re!t *eneat it! ! ade. 'econd poet. #ice *o$! *e,ore t e ro2al rod5 Stri,e cea!e! at 2our kin'l2 nod5 You are our !tron' de,ender. ;riend! come to all $ o!e $ealt i! !ure, But 2ou, alike to ric and %oor, Are ,riend *ot !tron' and tender. King 3listening4. Stran'e7 I $a! $earied *2 t e demand! o, m2 o,,ice, *ut t i! rene$! m2 !%irit. Clown. Doe! a *ull ,or'et t at e i! tired $ en 2ou call im t e leader o, t e erd9 King 3smiling4. 8ell, let u! !it do$n. 3#hey seat themsel!es, and the retinue arranges itself" lute is heard behind the scenes.4 Clown 3listening4. "2 ,riend, li!ten to $ at i! 'oin' on in t e

Sakountala 1J

mu!ic-room. Some one i! %la2in' a lute, and kee%in' 'ood time. I !u%%o!e 0ad2 Han!a(ati i! %racti!in'. King. Be :uiet. I $i! to li!ten. Chamberlain 3looks at the king4. A , t e kin' i! occu%ied. I mu!t a$ait i! lei!ure. 3He stands aside.4 song behind the scenes. You $ o ki!!ed t e man'o-,lo$er, Hone2-lo(in' *ee, Ga(e er all 2our %a!!ion1! %o$er, A , !o tenderl27 %. C@ Ho$ can 2ou *e tem%ted !oB2 t e lil2, %et9;re! er one2 1! !$eet, I kno$5But can 2ou ,or'et9 King. 8 at an entrancin' !on'7 Clown. But, man, don1t 2ou under!tand $ at t e $ord! mean9 King 3smiling4. I $a! once de(oted to Eueen Han!a(ati. And t e re*uke come! ,rom er. ;riend "ad a(2a, tell Eueen Han!a(ati in m2 name t at t e re*uke i! a (er2 %rett2 one. Clown. Ye!, !ir. 3He rises.4 But, man, 2ou are u!in' anot er ,ello$1! ,in'er! to 'ra* a *ear1! tail-,eat er! $it . I a(e a*out a! muc c ance o, !al(ation a! a monk $ o a!n1t ,or'otten i! %a!!ion!. King. Go. Soot e er like a 'entleman. Clown. I !u%%o!e I mu!t. 3E$it.4 King 3to himself4. 8 2 am I ,illed $it $i!t,ulne!! on earin' !uc a !on'9 I am not !e%arated ,rom one I lo(e. And 2et In ,ace o, !$eet %re!entment +r armonie! o, !ound, "an eBer ,or'et! contentment, B2 $i!t,ul lon'in'! *ound. T ere mu!t *e recollection! +, t in'! not !een on eart ,Dee% nature1! %redilection!, 0o(e! earlier t an *irt . 3He ! o$! t e $i!t,ulne!! t at come! ,rom unremem*ered t in'!.4 Chamberlain 3approaching4. #ictor2 to 2our "a<e!t2. Here are ermit! $ o d$ell in t e ,ore!t at t e ,oot o, t e Himala2a!. T e2 *rin' $omen $it t em, and t e2 carr2 a me!!a'e ,rom Kan(a. 8 at i! 2our %lea!ure $it re'ard to t em9 King 3astonished4. Hermit!9 Accom%anied *2 $omen9 ;rom Kan(a9 Chamberlain. Ye!. King. Re:ue!t m2 c a%lain Somarata in m2 name to recei(e t e!e ermit! in t e manner %re!cri*ed *2 Scri%ture, and to conduct t em im!el, *e,ore me. I $ill a$ait t em in a %lace ,it ,or t eir rece%tion. Chamberlain. Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. 3E$it.4 King 3rising4. #etra(ati, conduct me to t e ,ire-!anctuar2. (ortress. ;ollo$ me, 2our "a<e!t2. 3'he walks about.4 Your "a<e!t2, ere i! t e terrace o, t e ,ire-!anctuar2. It i! *eauti,ul, ,or it a! <u!t *een !$e%t, and near at and i! t e

co$ t at 2ield! t e milk o, !acri,ice. )ra2 a!cend it. King 3ascends and stands leaning on the shoulder of an attendant.4 #etra(ati, $it $ at %ur%o!e doe! ;at er Kan(a !end t e!e ermit! to me9 Do lea'uGd %o$er! o, !in con!%ire To *alk reli'ion1! %ure de!ire9 Ha! $ron' *een done to *ea!t! t at roam .ontented round t e ermit!1 ome9 Do %lant! no lon'er *ud and ,lo$er, To $arn me o, a*u!e o, %o$er9 T e!e dou*t! and more a!!ail m2 mind, But lea(e me %u==led, lo!t, and *lind. (ortress. Ho$ could t e!e t in'! *e in a ermita'e t at re!t! in t e ,ame o, t e kin'1! arm9 No, I ima'ine t e2 a(e come to %a2 oma'e to t eir kin', and to con'ratulate im on i! %iou! rule. 3Enter the chaplain and the chamberlain, conducting the two pupils of KAN#A, 0ith GAUTA"I and SHAKUNTA0A.4 Chamberlain. ;ollo$ me, i, 2ou %lea!e. 'harngara!a. ;riend S arad(ata, T e kin' i! no*le and to (irtue true5 None d$ellin' ere commit t e deed o, ! ame5 Yet $e a!cetic! (ie$ t e $orldl2 cre$ A! in a ou!e all la%%ed a*out $it ,lame. 'harad!ata. S arn'ara(a, 2our emotion on enterin' t e cit2 i! :uite <u!t. A! ,or me, ;ree ,rom t e $orld and all it! $a2!, I !ee t em !%endin' $orldl2 da2! A! clean men (ie$ men !meared $it oil, A! %ure men, t o!e $ om %a!!ion! !oil, A! $akin' men (ie$ men a!lee%, A! ,ree men, t o!e in *onda'e dee%. Chaplain. T at i! $ 2 men like 2ou are 'reat. 'hakuntala 3obser!ing an e!il omen4. + , $ 2 doe! m2 ri' t e2e t ro*9 ,autami. Hea(en a(ert t e omen, m2 c ild. "a2 a%%ine!! $ait u%on 2ou. 3#hey walk about.4 Chaplain 3indicating the king4. + ermit!, ere i! e $ o %rotect! t o!e o, e(er2 !tation and o, e(er2 a'e. He a! alread2 ri!en, and a$ait! 2ou. Be old im. 'harngara!a. Ye!, it i! admira*le, *ut not !ur%ri!in'. ;or ;ruit-laden tree! *end do$n to eart 5 T e $ater-%re'nant cloud! an' lo$5 Good men are not %u,,ed u% *2 %o$er T e un!el,i! are *2 nature !o. (ortress. Your "a<e!t2, t e ermit! !eem to *e a%%2. T e2 'i(e 2ou 'raciou! look!. King 3obser!ing SHAKUNTA0A4. A 7 8 o i! ! e, ! rouded in t e (eil

Sakountala >H

T at dim! er *eaut21! lu!tre, Amon' t e ermit! like a ,lo$er Round $ ic t e dead lea(e! clu!ter9 (ortress. Your "a<e!t2, ! e i! $ell $ort lookin' at. King. &nou' 7 I mu!t not 'a=e u%on anot er1! $i,e. 'hakuntala 3laying her hand on her breast" side4. + , m2 eart, $ 2 trem*le !o9 Remem*er i! con!tant lo(e and *e *ra(e. Chaplain 3ad!ancing4. Hail, 2our "a<e!t2. T e ermit! a(e *een recei(ed a! Scri%ture en<oin!. T e2 a(e a me!!a'e ,rom t eir teac er. "a2 2ou *e %lea!ed to ear it. King 3respectfully4. I am all attention. #he two pupils 3raising their right hands4. #ictor2, + Kin'. King 3bowing low4. I !alute 2ou all. #he two pupils. All ail. King. Doe! 2our %iou! li,e %roceed $it out di!tur*ance9 #he two pupils. Ho$ could t e %iou! dutie! ,ail 8 ile 2ou de,end t e ri' t9 +r o$ could darkne!!1 %o$er %re(ail +Ber !un*eam! ! inin' *ri' t9 King 3to himself4. Indeed, m2 ro2al title i! no em%t2 one. 3 loud.4 I! ol2 Kan(a in ealt 9 'harngara!a. + Kin', t o!e $ o a(e reli'iou! %o$er can command ealt . He a!k! a,ter 2our $el,are and !end! t i! me!!a'e. King. 8 at are i! command!9 'harngara!a. He !a2!- DSince 2ou a(e met t i! m2 dau' ter and a(e married er, I 'i(e 2ou m2 'lad con!ent. ;or You are t e *e!t o, $ort 2 men, t e2 !a25 And ! e, I kno$, Good 8ork! %er!oni,ied5 T e .reator $rou' t ,or e(er and a da2, In $eddin' !uc a (irtuou! 'room and *ride. S e i! $it c ild. Take er and li(e $it er in (irtue.D ,autami. Ble!! 2ou, !ir. I ! ould like to !a2 t at no one in(ite! me to !%eak. King. S%eak, mot er. ,autami. Did ! e $it ,at er !%eak or mot er9 Did 2ou en'a'e er ,riend! in !%eec 9 Your ,ait $a! %li' ted eac to ot er5 0et eac *e ,ait ,ul no$ to eac . 'hakuntala. 8 at $ill m2 u!*and !a29 King 3listening with an$ious suspicion4. 8 at i! t i! in!inuation9 'hakuntala 3to herself4. + , o 7 So au' t2 and !o !landerou!7 'harngara!a. D8 at i! t i! in!inuation9D 8 at i! 2our :ue!tion9 Surel2 2ou kno$ t e $orld1! $a2! $ell enou' . Becau!e t e $orld !u!%ect! a $i,e

8 o doe! not ! are er u!*and1! lot, Her kin!men $i! er to a*ide 8it im, alt ou' e lo(e er not. King. You cannot mean t at t i! 2oun' $oman i! m2 $i,e. 'hakuntala 3sadly to herself4. + , m2 eart, 2ou ,eared it, and no$ it a! come. 'harngara!a. + Kin', A kin', and ! rink $ en lo(e i! done, Turn co$ard1! *ack on trut , and ,lee7 King. 8 at mean! t i! dread,ul accu!ation9 'harngara!a 3furiously4. + drunk $it %o$er7 8e mi' t a(e kno$n T at 2ou $ere !tee%ed in treac er2. King. A !tin'in' re*uke7 ,autami 3to SHAKUNTA0A4. ;or'et 2our ! ame, m2 c ild. I $ill remo(e 2our (eil. T en 2our u!*and $ill reco'ni!e 2ou. 3'he does so.4 King 3obser!ing SHAKUNTA0A. #o himself4. A! m2 eart %onder! $ et er I could e(er Ha(e $ed t i! $oman t at a! come to me In tortured lo(eline!!, a! I endea(our To *rin' it *ack to mind, t en like a *ee T at o(er! round a <a!mine ,lo$er at da$n,8 ile ,ro!t2 de$! o, mornin' !till oBer$ea(e it,And e!itate! to !i% ere t e2 *e 'one,I cannot ta!te t e !$eet, and cannot lea(e it. (ortress 3to herself4. 8 at a (irtuou! kin' e i!7 8ould an2 ot er man e!itate $ en e !a$ !uc a %earl o, a $oman comin' o, er o$n accord9 'harngara!a. Ha(e 2ou not in' to !a2, + Kin'9 King. Hermit, I a(e taken t ou' t. I cannot *elie(e t at t i! $oman i! m2 $i,e. S e i! %lainl2 $it c ild. Ho$ can I take er, con,e!!in' m2!el, an adulterer9 'hakuntala 3to herself4. + , o , o 7 He e(en ca!t! dou*t on our marria'e. T e (ine o, m2 o%e clim*ed i' , *ut it i! *roken no$. 'harngara!a. Not !o. You !corn t e !a'e $ o rendered $ ole Hi! c ild *e,ouled, and c oked i! 'rie,, 8 o ,reel2 'a(e 2ou $ at 2ou !tole And added onour to a t ie,7 'harad!ata. &nou' , S arn'ara(a. S akuntala, $e a(e !aid $ at $e $ere !ent to !a2. You ear i! $ord!. An!$er im. 'hakuntala 3to herself4. He lo(ed me !o. He i! !o c an'ed. 8 2 remind im9 A , *ut I mu!t clear m2 o$n c aracter. 8ell, I $ill tr2. 3 loud.4 "2 dear u!*and--3'he stops.4 No,

Sakountala >1

e dou*t! m2 ri' t to call im t at. Your "a<e!t2, it $a! %ure lo(e t at o%ened m2 %oor eart to 2ou in t e ermita'e. T en 2ou $ere kind to me and 'a(e me 2our %romi!e. I! it ri' t ,or 2ou to !%eak !o no$, and to re<ect me9 King 3stopping his ears4. )eace, %eace7 A !tream t at eat! a$a2 t e *ank, Gro$! ,oul, and undermine! t e tree. So 2ou $ould !tain 2our onour, $ ile You %lun'e me into mi!er2. 'hakuntala. #er2 $ell. I, 2ou a(e acted !o *ecau!e 2ou reall2 ,ear to touc anot er man1! $i,e, I $ill remo(e 2our dou*t! $it a token 2ou 'a(e me. King. An e6cellent idea7 'hakuntala 3touching her finger4. + , o 7 T e rin' i! lo!t. 3'he looks sadly at GAUTA"I.4 ,autami. "2 c ild, 2ou $or! i%%ed t e ol2 Gan'e! at t e !%ot $ ere Indra de!cended. T e rin' mu!t a(e ,allen t ere. King. Read2 $it, read2 $it7 'hakuntala. ;ate i! too !tron' ,or me t ere. I $ill tell 2ou !omet in' el!e. King. 0et me ear $ at 2ou a(e to !a2. 'hakuntala. +ne da2, in t e *o$er o, reed!, 2ou $ere oldin' a lotu!-lea, cu% ,ull o, $ater. King. I ear 2ou. 'hakuntala. At t at moment t e ,a$n came u%, m2 ado%ted !on. T en 2ou took %it2 on im and coa6ed im. D0et im drink ,ir!t,D 2ou !aid. But e did not kno$ 2ou, and e $ould not come to drink $ater ,rom 2our and. But e liked it a,ter$ard!, $ en I eld t e (er2 !ame $ater. T en 2ou !miled and !aid- DIt i! true. &(er2 one tru!t! i! o$n !ort. You *ot *elon' to t e ,ore!t.D King. It i! <u!t !uc $omen, !el,i! , !$eet, ,al!e, t at entice ,ool!. ,autami. You a(e no ri' t to !a2 t at. S e 're$ u% in t e %iou! 'ro(e. S e doe! not kno$ o$ to decei(e. King. +ld ermit $oman, T e ,emale1! untau' t cunnin' ma2 *e !een In *ea!t!, ,ar more in $omen !el,i! -$i!e5 T e cuckoo1! e''! are le,t to atc and rear B2 ,o!ter-%arent!, and a$a2 ! e ,lie!. 'hakuntala 3angrily4. 8retc 7 You <ud'e all t i! *2 2our o$n ,al!e eart. 8ould an2 ot er man do $ at 2ou a(e done9 To ide *e ind (irtue, like a 2a$nin' $ell co(ered o(er $it 'ra!!7 King 3to himself4. But er an'er i! ,ree ,rom co:uetr2, *ecau!e ! e a! li(ed in t e ,ore!t. See7 Her 'lance i! !trai' t5 er e2e! are ,la! in' red5 Her !%eec i! ar! , not dra$lin'l2 $ell-*red5 Her $ ole li% :ui(er!, !eem! to ! ake $it cold5 Her ,ro$n a! !trai' tened e2e*ro$! arc in' *old. No, ! e !a$ t at I $a! dou*t,ul, and er an'er $a! ,ei'ned. T u!

8 en I re,u!ed *ut no$ Hard- eartedl2, to kno$ +, lo(e or !ecret (o$, Her e2e! 're$ red5 and !o, Bendin' er arc in' *ro$, S e ,iercel2 !na%%ed 0o(e1! *o$. 3 loud.4 "2 'ood 'irl, Du! 2anta1! conduct i! kno$n to t e $ ole kin'dom, *ut not t i! action. 'hakuntala. 8ell, $ell. I ad m2 $a2. I tru!ted a kin', and %ut m2!el, in i! and!. He ad a one2 ,ace and a eart o, !tone. 3S e co(er! er ,ace $it er dre!! and $ee%!.4 'harngara!a. T u! doe! un*ridled le(it2 *urn. Be !lo$ to lo(e, *ut 2et more !lo$ 8it !ecret mate5 8it t o!e $ o!e eart! $e do not kno$, 0o(e turn! to ate. King. 8 2 do 2ou tru!t t i! 'irl, and accu!e me o, an ima'inar2 crime9 'harngara!a 3disdainfully4. You a(e learned 2our $i!dom u%!ide do$n. It $ould *e mon!trou! to *elie(e A 'irl $ o ne(er lie!5 Tru!t t o!e $ o !tud2 to decei(e And t ink it (er2 $i!e. King. A a, m2 candid ,riend7 Su%%o!e I $ere to admit t at I am !uc a man. 8 at $ould a%%en i, I decei(ed t e 'irl9 'harngara!a. Ruin. King. It i! unt inka*le t at ruin ! ould ,all on )uru1! line. 'harngara!a. 8 2 *and2 $ord!9 8e a(e ,ul,illed our ;at er1! *iddin'. 8e are read2 to return. 0ea(e er or take er, a! 2ou $ill5 S e i! 2our $i,e5 Hu!*and! a(e %o$er ,or 'ood or ill +Ber $oman1! li,e. Gautami, lead t e $a2. 3#hey start to go.4 'hakuntala. He a! decei(ed me ! amele!!l2. And $ill 2ou lea(e me too9 3'he starts to follow.4 ,autami 3turns around and sees her4. S arn'ara(a, m2 !on, S akuntala i! ,ollo$in' u!, lamentin' %iteou!l2. 8 at can t e %oor c ild do $it a u!*and *a!e enou' to re<ect er9 'harngara!a 3turns angrily4. You !el,-$illed 'irl7 Do 2ou dare ! o$ inde%endence9 3SHAKUNTA0A shrinks in fear.4 0i!ten. I, 2ou de!er(e !uc !corn and *lame, 8 at $ill 2our ,at er $it 2our ! ame9 But i, 2ou kno$ 2our (o$! are %ure, +*e2 2our u!*and and endure. Remain. 8e mu!t 'o.

Sakountala >>

King. Hermit, $ 2 decei(e t i! $oman9 Remem*erNi' t-*lo!!om! o%en to t e moon, Da2-*lo!!om! to t e !un5 A man o, onour e(er !tri(e! Anot er1! $i,e to ! un. 'harngara!a. + Kin', !u%%o!e 2ou ad ,or'otten 2our ,ormer action! in t e mid!t o, di!traction!. S ould 2ou no$ de!ert 2our $i,e--2ou $ o ,ear to ,ail in (irtue9 King. I a!k you $ ic i! t e ea(ier !inNot kno$in' $ et er I *e mad +r ,al!e ood *e in er, S all I de!ert a ,ait ,ul $i,e +r turn adulterer9 Chaplain 3considering4. No$ i, t i! $ere done-----King. In!truct me, m2 teac er. Chaplain. 0et t e $oman remain in m2 ou!e until er c ild i! *orn. King. 8 2 t i!9 Chaplain. T e c ie, a!trolo'er! a(e told 2ou t at 2our ,ir!t c ild $a! de!tined to *e an em%eror. I, t e !on o, t e ermit1! dau' ter i! *orn $it t e im%erial *irt mark!, t en $elcome er and introduce er into t e %alace. +t er- $i!e, ! e mu!t return to er ,at er. King. It i! 'ood ad(ice, m2 teac er. Chaplain 3rising4. ;ollo$ me, m2 dau' ter. 'hakuntala. + mot er eart , 'i(e me a 'ra(e7 3E$it weeping, with the chaplain, the hermits, and GAUTA"I. #he king, his memory clouded by the curse, ponders on SHAKUNTA0A.4 .oices behind the scenes. A miracle7 A miracle7 King 3listening4. 8 at doe! t i! mean9 3Enter the chaplain.4 Chaplain 3in ama%ement4. Your "a<e!t2, a $onder,ul t in' a! a%%ened. King. 8 at9 Chaplain. 8 en Kan(a1! %u%il! ad de%arted, S e to!!ed er arm!, *emoaned er %li' t, Accu!ed er cru! in' ,ate-----King. 8 at t en9 Chaplain. Be,ore our e2e! a ea(enl2 li' t In $oman1! ,orm, *ut ! inin' *ri' t, Sei=ed er and (ani! ed !trai' t. 3 ll betray astonishment.4 King. "2 teac er, $e a(e alread2 !ettled t e matter. 8 2 !%eculate in (ain9 0et u! !eek re%o!e. Chaplain. #ictor2 to 2our "a<e!t2. 3E$it.4 King. #etra(ati, I am *e$ildered. .onduct me to m2 a%artment. (ortress. ;ollo$ me, 2our "a<e!t2. King 3walks about" #o himself4. 8it a ermit-$i,e I ad no %art,

All memorie! e(ade me5 And 2et m2 !ad and !tricken eart 8ould more t an al, %er!uade me. 3E$eunt omnes.4

A$T #! S"PARAT!&N 0R&M SHAKUNTALA S$"N" !.++In the street before the Palace. 3Enter the chief of police, two policemen, and a man with his hands bound behind his back.4 #he two policemen 3striking the man4. No$, %ick%ocket, tell u! $ ere 2ou ,ound t i! rin'. It i! t e kin'1! rin', $it letter! en'ra(ed on it, and it a! a ma'ni,icent 'reat 'em. &isherman 3showing fright4. Be merci,ul, kind 'entlemen. I am not 'uilt2 o, !uc a crime. &irst policeman. No, I !u%%o!e t e kin' t ou' t 2ou $ere a %iou! Bra man, and made 2ou a %re!ent o, it. &isherman. 0i!ten, %lea!e. I am a ,i! erman, and I li(e on t e Gan'e!, at t e !%ot $ ere Indra came do$n. 'econd policeman. You t ie,, $e didn1t a!k ,or 2our addre!! or 2our !ocial %o!ition. Chief. 0et im tell a !trai' t !tor2, Suc aka. Don1t interru%t. #he two policemen. Ye!, c ie,. Talk, man, talk. &isherman. I !u%%ort m2 ,amil2 $it t in'! 2ou catc ,i! $it --net!, 2ou kno$, and ook!, and t in'!. Chief 3laughing4. You a(e a !$eet trade. &isherman. Don1t !a2 t at, ma!ter. You can1t 'i(e u% a lo$do$n trade T at 2our ance!tor! *e'an5 A *utc er *utc er! t in'!, and 2et He1! t e tendere!t- earted man. Chief. Go on. Go on. &isherman. 8ell, one da2 I $a! cuttin' u% a car%. In it! ma$ I !ee t i! rin' $it t e ma'ni,icent 'reat 'em. And t en I $a! <u!t tr2in' to !ell it ere $ en 2ou kind 'entlemen 'ra**ed me. T at i! t e onl2 $a2 I 'ot it. No$ kill me, or ,ind ,ault $it me. Chief 3smelling the ring4. T ere i! no dou*t a*out it, *anuka. It a! *een in a ,i! 1! ma$. It a! t e real %er,ume o, ra$ meat. No$ $e a(e to ,ind out o$ e 'ot it. 8e mu!t 'o to t e %alace. #he two policemen 3to the fisherman4. "o(e on, 2ou cut%ur!e, mo(e on. 3#hey walk about.4 Chief. Suc aka, $ait ere at t e *i' 'ate until I come out o, t e %alace. And don1t 'et carele!!. #he two policemen. Go in, c ie,. I o%e t e kin' $ill *e nice to 2ou. Chief. Good-*2e. 3E$it.4 'uchaka. /anuka, t e c ie, i! takin' i! time. *anuka. You can1t <u!t dro% in on a kin'. 'uchaka. /anuka, m2 ,in'er! are itc in' 3indicating the fisherman4 to kill t i! cut%ur!e. &isherman. Don1t kill a man $it out an2 rea!on, ma!ter. *anuka 3looking ahead4. T ere i! t e c ie,, $it a $ritten

Sakountala >@

order ,rom t e kin'. 3#o the fisherman.4 No$ 2ou $ill !ee 2our ,amil2, or el!e 2ou $ill ,eed t e cro$! and <ackal!. 3Enter the chief.4 Chief. Euick7 Euick7 3He breaks off.4 &isherman. + , o 7 I1m a dead man. 3He shows dejection.4 Chief. Relea!e im, 2ou. Relea!e t e ,i! net ,ello$. It i! all ri' t, i! 'ettin' t e rin'. +ur kin' told me !o im!el,. 'uchaka. All ri' t, c ie,. He i! a dead man come *ack to li,e. 3He releases the fisherman.4 &isherman 3bowing low to the chief4. "a!ter, I o$e 2ou m2 li,e. 3He falls at his feet.4 Chief. Get u%, 'et u%7 Here i! a re$ard t at t e kin' $a! kind enou' to 'i(e 2ou. It i! $ort a! muc a! t e rin'. Take it. 3He hands the fisherman a bracelet.4 &isherman 3joyfully taking it4. "uc o*li'ed. *anuka. He i! muc o*li'ed to t e kin'. /u!t a! i, e ad *een taken ,rom t e !take and %ut on an ele% ant1! *ack. 'uchaka. . ie,, t e re$ard ! o$! t at t e kin' t ou' t a lot o, t e rin'. T e 'em mu!t *e $ort !omet in'. Chief. No, it $a!n1t t e ,ine 'em t at %lea!ed t e kin'. It $a! t i! $a2. #he two policemen. 8ell9 Chief. I t ink, $ en t e kin' !a$ it, e remem*ered !ome*od2 e lo(e!. You kno$ o$ di'ni,ied e i! u!uall2. But a! !oon a! e !a$ it, e *roke do$n ,or a moment. 'uchaka. You a(e done t e kin' a 'ood turn, c ie,. *anuka. All ,or t e !ake o, t i! ,i! -killer, it !eem! to me. 3He looks en!iously at the fisherman.4 &isherman. Take al, o, it, ma!ter!, to %a2 ,or !omet in' to drink. *anuka. ;i! erman, 2ou are t e *i''e!t and *e!t ,riend I1(e 'ot. T e ,ir!t t in' $e $ant, i! all t e *rand2 $e can old. 0et1! 'o $ ere t e2 kee% it. 3E$eunt omnes.4 S$"N" !!.++In the Palace Gardens. 3Enter "ISHRAK&SHI, flying through the air.4 1ishrakeshi. I a(e taken m2 turn in $aitin' u%on t e n2m% !. And no$ I $ill !ee $ at t i! 'ood kin' i! doin'. S akuntala i! like a !econd !el, to me, *ecau!e ! e i! t e dau' ter o, "enaka. And it $a! ! e $ o a!ked me to do t i!. 3'he looks about.4 It i! t e da2 o, t e !%rin' ,e!ti(al. But I !ee no %re%aration! ,or a cele*ration at court. I mi' t learn t e rea!on *2 m2 %o$er o, di(ination. But I mu!t do a! m2 ,riend a!ked me. Good7 I $ill make m2!el, in(i!i*le and !tand near t e!e 'irl! $ o take care o, t e 'arden. I ! all ,ind out t at $a2. 3'he descends to earth" Enter a maid, ga%ing at a mango branch, and behind her, a second.4 &irst maid. ;ir!t man'o-t$i', !o %ink, !o 'reen, ;ir!t li(in' *reat o, !%rin', You are !acri,iced a! !oon a! !een, A ,e!ti(al o,,erin'. 'econd maid. 8 at are 2ou c ir%in' a*out to 2our!el,, little cuckoo9 &irst maid. 8 2, little *ee, 2ou kno$ t at t e cuckoo 'oe! cra=2 $it deli' t $ en ! e !ee! t e man'o-*lo!!om. 'econd maid 3joyfully4. + , a! t e !%rin' reall2 come9

&irst maid. Ye!, little *ee. And t i! i! t e time $ en 2ou too *u== a*out in cra=2 <o2. 'econd maid. Hold me, dear, $ ile I !tand on ti%toe and o,,er t i! *lo!!om to 0o(e, t e di(ine. &irst maid. I, I do, 2ou mu!t 'i(e me al, t e re$ard o, t e o,,erin'. 'econd maid. T at 'oe! $it out !a2in', dear. 8e t$o are one. 3'he leans on her friend and takes the mango)blossom.4 + , !ee7 T e man'o-*lo!!om a!n1t o%ened, *ut it a! *roken t e ! eat , !o it i! ,ra'rant. 3'he brings her hands together.4 I $or! i% mi' t2 0o(e, + man'o-t$i' I 'i(e to 0o(e A! arro$ ,or i! *o$, "o!t !o(erei'n o, i! arro$! ,i(e, Strike maiden-tar'et! lo$. 3'he throws the twig" Enter the chamberlain.4 Chamberlain 3angrily4. Sto%, !ill2 'irl. T e kin' a! !trictl2 ,or*idden t e !%rin' ,e!ti(al. Do 2ou dare %luck t e man'o*lo!!om!9 #he two maids 3frightened4. ;or'i(e u!, !ir. 8e did not kno$. Chamberlain. 8 at7 You a(e not eard t e kin'1! command, $ ic i! o*e2ed e(en *2 t e tree! o, !%rin' and t e creature! t at d$ell in t em. See7 T e man'o *ranc e! are in *loom, Yet %ollen doe! not ,orm5 T e cuckoo1! !on' !tick! in i! t roat, Alt ou' t e da2! are $arm5 T e amarant -*ud i! ,ormed, and 2et It! %o$er o, 'ro$t i! 'one5T e lo(e-'od timidl2 %ut! *2 T e arro$ e a! dra$n. 1ishrakeshi. T ere i! no dou*t o, it. T i! 'ood kin' a! $onder,ul %o$er. &irst maid. A ,e$ da2! a'o, !ir, $e $ere !ent to i! "a<e!t2 *2 i! *rot er-in-la$ "itra(a!u to decorate t e 'arden. T at i! $ 2 $e a(e eard not in' o, t i! a,,air. Chamberlain. You mu!t not do !o a'ain. #he two maids. But $e are curiou!. I, $e 'irl! ma2 kno$ a*out it, %ra2 tell u!, !ir. 8 2 did i! "a<e!t2 ,or*id t e !%rin' ,e!ti(al9 1ishrakeshi. Kin'! are ,ond o, cele*ration!. T ere mu!t *e !ome 'ood rea!on. Chamberlain 3to himself4. It i! in e(er2*od21! mout . 8 2 ! ould I not tell it9 3 loud.4 Ha(e 2ou eard t e 'o!!i% concernin' S akuntala1! re<ection9 #he two maids. Ye!, !ir. T e kin'1! *rot er-in-la$ told u!, u% to t e %oint $ ere t e rin' $a! reco(ered. Chamberlain. T ere i! little more to tell. 8 en i! "a<e!t2 !a$ t e rin', e remem*ered t at e ad indeed contracted a !ecret marria'e $it S akuntala, and ad re<ected er under a delu!ion. And t en e ,ell a %re2 to remor!e. He ate! t e t in'! e lo(ed5 e intermit! T e dail2 audience, nor in <ud'ment !it!5 S%end! !lee%le!! ni' t! in to!!in' on i! *ed5

Sakountala >A

At time!, $ en e *2 courte!2 i! led To addre!! a lad2, !%eak! anot er name, T en !tand! ,or minute!, !unk in el%le!! ! ame. 1ishrakeshi. I am 'lad to ear it. Chamberlain. Hi! "a<e!t21! !orro$ a! ,or*idden t e ,e!ti(al. #he two maids. It i! onl2 ri' t. !oice behind the scenes. ;ollo$ me. Chamberlain 3listening4. A , i! "a<e!t2 a%%roac e!. Go, and attend to 2our dutie!. 3E$eunt the two maids" Enter the king, wearing a dress indicati!e of remorse; the clown, and the portress.4 Chamberlain 3obser!ing the king4. A *eauti,ul ,i'ure c arm! in $ ate(er !tate. T u!, i! "a<e!t2 i! %lea!in' e(en in i! !orro$. ;or All ornament i! laid a!ide5 e $ear! +ne 'olden *racelet on i! $a!ted arm5 Hi! li% i! !corc ed *2 !i' !5 and !lee%le!! care! Redden i! e2e!. Yet all can $ork no arm +n t at ma'ni,icent *eaut2, $a!tin', *ut Gainin' in *rilliance, like a diamond cut. 1ishrakeshi 3obser!ing the king4. No $onder S akuntala %ine! ,or im, e(en t ou' e di! onoured er *2 i! re<ection o, er. King 3walks about slowly, sunk in thought4. Ala!7 "2 !mitten eart, t at once la2 !lee%in', Heard in it! dream! m2 ,a$n-e2ed lo(e1! lament!, And $akened no$, a$aken! *ut to $ee%in', To *itter 'rie,, and tear! o, %enitence. 1ishrakeshi. T at i! t e %oor 'irl1! ,ate. Clown 3to himself4. He a! 'ot i! S akuntala-!ickne!! a'ain. I $i! I kne$ o$ to cure im. Chamberlain 3ad!ancing4. #ictor2 to 2our "a<e!t2. I a(e e6amined t e 'arden. Your "a<e!t2 ma2 (i!it it! retreat!. King. #etra(ati, tell t e mini!ter )i! una in m2 name t at a !lee%le!! ni' t %re(ent! me ,rom mountin' t e t rone o, <ud'ment. He i! to in(e!ti'ate t e citi=en!1 *u!ine!! and !end me a memorandum. (ortress. Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. 3E$it.4 King. And 2ou, )ar(ata2ana, return to 2our %o!t o, dut2. Chamberlain. Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. 3E$it.4 Clown. You a(e 'ot rid o, t e (ermin. No$ amu!e 2our!el, in t i! 'arden. It i! deli' t,ul $it t e %a!!in' o, t e cold $eat er. King 3sighing4. "2 ,riend, t e %ro(er* make! no mi!take. "i!,ortune ,ind! t e $eak !%ot. See7 No !ooner did t e darkne!! li,t T at clouded memor21! %o$er, T an t e 'od o, lo(e %re%ared i! *o$ And ! ot t e man'o-,lo$er. No !ooner did t e rin' recall "2 *ani! ed maiden dear,No

!ooner do I (ainl2 $ee% ;or er, t an !%rin' i! ere. Clown. 8ait a minute, man. I $ill de!tro2 0o(e1! arro$ $it m2 !tick. 3He raises his stick and strikes at the mango branch.4 King 3smiling4. &nou' 7 I !ee 2our %iou! %o$er. "2 ,riend, $ ere ! all I !it no$ to com,ort m2 e2e! $it t e (ine!9 T e2 remind me !ome o$ o, er. Clown. 8ell, 2ou told one o, t e maid!, t e cle(er %ainter, t at 2ou $ould !%end t i! our in t e *o$er o, !%rin'cree%er!. And 2ou a!ked er to *rin' 2ou t ere t e %icture o, t e lad2 S akuntala $ ic 2ou %ainted on a ta*let. King. It i! m2 onl2 con!olation. 0ead t e $a2 to t e *o$er o, !%rin'-cree%er!. Clown. ;ollo$ me. 3#hey walk about. "ISHRAK&SHI follows.4 Here i! t e *o$er o, !%rin'-cree%er!, $it it! <e$elled *enc e!. It! loneline!! !eem! to *id 2ou a !ilent $elcome. 0et u! 'o in and !it do$n. 3T e2 do !o.4 1ishrakeshi. I $ill ide amon' t e (ine! and !ee t e dear 'irl1! %icture. T en I ! all *e a*le to tell er o$ dee% er u!*and1! lo(e i!. 3'he hides.4 King 3sighing4. I remem*er it all no$, m2 ,riend. I told 2ou o$ I ,ir!t met S akuntala. It i! true, 2ou $ere not $it me $ en I re<ected er. But I ad told 2ou o, er at t e ,ir!t. Had 2ou ,or'otten, a! I did9 1ishrakeshi. T i! ! o$! t at a kin' ! ould not *e !e%arated a !in'le moment ,rom !ome intimate ,riend. Clown. No, I didn1t ,or'et. But $ en 2ou ad told t e $ ole !tor2, 2ou !aid it $a! a <oke and t ere $a! not in' in it. And I $a! ,ool enou' to *elie(e 2ou. No, t i! i! t e $ork o, ,ate. 1ishrakeshi. It mu!t *e. King 3after meditating a moment4. Hel% me, m2 ,riend. Clown. But, man, t i! i!n1t ri' t at all. A 'ood man ne(er let! 'rie, 'et t e u%%er and. T e mountain! are calm e(en in a tem%e!t. King. "2 ,riend, I am :uite ,orlorn. I kee% t inkin' o, er %iti,ul !tate $ en I re<ected er. T u!8 en I denied er, t en ! e tried To <oin er %eo%le. DSta2,D one cried, Her ,at er1! re%re!entati(e. S e !to%%ed, ! e turned, ! e could *ut 'i(e A tear-dimmed 'lance to eartle!! me-T at arro$ *urn! me %oi!onou!l2. 1ishrakeshi. Ho$ i! ,ault di!tre!!e! im7 Clown. 8ell, I don1t dou*t it $a! !ome ea(enl2 *ein' t at carried er a$a2. King. 8 o el!e $ould dare to touc a ,ait ,ul $i,e9 Her ,riend! told me t at "enaka $a! er mot er. "2 eart %. FH %er!uade! me t at it $a! ! e, or com%anion! o, er!, $ o carried S akuntala a$a2. 1ishrakeshi. Hi! madne!! $a! $onder,ul, not i! a$akenin' rea!on. Clown. But in t at ca!e, 2ou ou' t to take eart. You $ill meet er a'ain. King. Ho$ !o9

Sakountala >C

Clown. 8 2, a mot er or a ,at er cannot lon' *ear to !ee a dau' ter !e%arated ,rom er u!*and. King. "2 ,riend, And $a! it % antom, madne!!, dream, +r ,atal retri*ution !tern9 "2 o%e! ,ell do$n a %reci%ice And ne(er, ne(er $ill return. Clown. Don1t talk t at $a2. 8 2, t e rin' ! o$! t at incredi*le meetin'! do a%%en. King 3looking at the ring4. T i! rin' de!er(e! %it2. It a! ,allen ,rom a ea(en ard to earn. Your (irtue, rin', like mine, I! %ro(ed to *e *ut !mall5 Her %ink-nailed ,in'er !$eet You cla!%ed. Ho$ could 2ou ,all9 1ishrakeshi. I, it $ere $orn on an2 ot er and, it $ould de!er(e %it2. "2 dear 'irl, 2ou are ,ar a$a2. I am t e onl2 one to ear t e!e deli' t,ul $ord!. Clown. Tell me o$ 2ou %ut t e rin' on er ,in'er. 1ishrakeshi. He !%eak! a! i, %rom%ted *2 m2 curio!it2. King. 0i!ten, m2 ,riend. 8 en I le,t t e %iou! 'ro(e ,or t e cit2, m2 darlin' $e%t and !aid- DBut o$ lon' $ill 2ou remem*er u!, dear9D Clown. And t en 2ou !aid-----King. T en I %ut t i! en'ra(ed rin' on er ,in'er, and !aid to er------Clown. 8ell, $ at9 King. .ount e(er2 da2 one letter o, m2 name5 Be,ore 2ou reac t e end, dear, 8ill come to lead 2ou to m2 %alace all! A 'uide $ om I ! all !end, dear. T en, t rou' m2 madne!!, it ,ell out cruell2. 1ishrakeshi. It $a! too c armin' an a'reement to *e ,ru!trated *2 ,ate. Clown. But o$ did it 'et into a car%1! mout , a! i, it ad *een a ,i! - ook9 King. 8 ile ! e $a! $or! i%%in' t e Gan'e! at S ac itirt a, it ,ell. Clown. I !ee. 1ishrakeshi. T at i! $ 2 t e (irtuou! kin' dou*ted i! marria'e $it %oor S akuntala. Yet !uc lo(e doe! not a!k ,or a token. Ho$ could it a(e *een9 King. 8ell, I can onl2 re%roac t i! rin'. Clown 3smiling4. And I $ill re%roac t i! !tick o, mine. 8 2 are 2ou crooked $ en I am !trai' t9 King 3not hearing him4. Ho$ could 2ou ,ail to lin'er +n er !o,t, ta%erin' ,in'er, And in t e $ater ,all9

And 2et T in'! li,ele!! kno$ not *eaut25 But I--I !corned m2 dut2, T e !$eete!t ta!k o, all. 1ishrakeshi. He a! 'i(en t e an!$er $ ic I ad read2. Clown. But t at i! no rea!on $ 2 I ! ould !tar(e to deat . King 3not heeding4. + m2 darlin', m2 eart *urn! $it re%entance *ecau!e I a*andoned 2ou $it out rea!on. Take %it2 on me. 0et me !ee 2ou a'ain. 3Enter a maid with a tablet.4 1aid. Your "a<e!t2, ere i! t e %icture o, our lad2. 3'he produces the tablet.4 King 3ga%ing at it4. It i! a *eauti,ul %icture. See7 A 'race,ul arc o, *ro$! a*o(e 'reat e2e!5 0i%! *at ed in dartin', !milin' li' t t at ,lie! Re,lected ,rom $ ite teet 5 a mout a! red A! red karkand u-,ruit5 lo(e1! *ri' tne!! ! ed +Ber all er ,ace in *ur!t! o, li:uid c arm-T e %icture !%eak!, $it li(in' *eaut2 $arm. Clown 3looking at it4. T e !ketc i! ,ull o, !$eet meanin'. "2 e2e! !eem to !tum*le o(er it! une(en !ur,ace. 8 at more can I !a29 I e6%ect to !ee it come to li,e, and I ,eel like !%eakin' to it. 1ishrakeshi. T e kin' i! a cle(er %ainter. I !eem to !ee t e dear 'irl *e,ore me. King. "2 ,riend, 8 at in t e %icture i! not ,air, I! *adl2 done5 Yet !omet in' o, er *eaut2 t ere, I ,eel, i! $on. 1ishrakeshi. T i! i! natural, $ en lo(e i! increa!ed *2 remor!e. King 3sighing4. I treated er $it !corn and loat in' e(er5 No$ oBer er %ictured c arm! m2 eart $ill *ur!tA tra(eller I, $ o !corned t e mi' t2 ri(er, And !eek! in t e mira'e to :uenc i! t ir!t. Clown. T ere are t ree ,i'ure! in t e %icture, and t e2 are all *eauti,ul. 8 ic one i! t e lad2 S akuntala9 1ishrakeshi. T e %oor ,ello$ ne(er !a$ er *eaut2. Hi! e2e! are u!ele!!, ,or ! e ne(er came *e,ore t em. King. 8 ic one do 2ou t ink9 Clown 3obser!ing closely4. I t ink it i! t i! one, leanin' a'ain!t t e cree%er $ ic ! e a! <u!t !%rinkled. Her ,ace i! ot and t e ,lo$er! are dro%%in' ,rom er air5 ,or t e ri**on i! loo!ened. Her arm! droo% like $ear2 *ranc e!5 ! e a! loo!ened er 'irdle, and ! e !eem! a little ,ati'ued. T i!, I t ink, i! t e lad2 S akuntala, t e ot er! are er ,riend!. King. You are 'ood at 'ue!!in'. Be!ide!, ere are %roo,! o, m2 lo(e.

Sakountala >?

See $ ere di!coloration! ,aint +, lo(in' andlin' tell5 And ere t e !$ellin' o, t e %aint S o$! $ ere m2 !ad tear! ,ell. . aturika, I a(e not ,ini! ed t e *ack'round. Go, 'et t e *ru! e!. 1aid. )lea!e old t e %icture, "ad a(2a, $ ile I am 'one. King. I $ill old it. 3He does so" E$it maid.4 Clown. 8 at are 2ou 'oin' to add9 1ishrakeshi. Surel2, e(er2 !%ot t at t e dear 'irl lo(ed. King. 0i!ten, m2 ,riend. T e !tream o, "alini, and on it! !and! T e !$an-%air! re!tin'5 ol2 ,oot- ill land! +, 'reat Himala2a1! !acred ran'e!, $ ere T e 2ak! are !een5 and under tree! t at *ear Bark ermit-dre!!e! on t eir *ranc e! i' , A doe t at on t e *uck1! orn ru*! er e2e. Clown 3aside4. To ear im talk, I ! ould t ink e $a! 'oin' to ,ill u% t e %icture $it ea(2-*earded ermit!. King. And anot er ornament t at S akuntala lo(ed I a(e ,or'otten to %aint. Clown. 8 at9 1ishrakeshi. Somet in' natural ,or a 'irl li(in' in t e ,ore!t. King. T e !iri!-*lo!!om, ,a!tened oBer er ear, 8 o!e !tamen! *ru! er c eek5 T e lotu!-c ain like autumn moonli' t !o,t U%on er *o!om meek. Clown. But $ 2 doe! ! e co(er er ,ace $it ,in'er! lo(el2 a! t e %ink $ater-lil29 S e !eem! ,ri' tened. 3He looks more closely.4 I !ee. Here i! a *old, *ad *ee. He !teal! one2, and !o e ,lie! to er lotu!-,ace. King. Dri(e im a$a2. Clown. It i! 2our a,,air to %uni! e(il-doer!. King. True. + $elcome 'ue!t o, t e ,lo$erin' (ine, $ 2 do 2ou $a!te 2our time in *u==in' ere9 Your ,ait ,ul, lo(in' :ueen, )erc ed on a ,lo$er, at ir!t, I! $aitin' ,or 2ou !till, Nor ta!te! t e one2 ,ir!t. 1ishrakeshi. A 'entlemanl2 $a2 to dri(e im o,,7 Clown. T i! kind are o*!tinate, e(en $ en 2ou $arn t em. King 3angrily4. 8ill 2ou not o*e2 m2 command9 T en li!tenBTi! !$eet a! (ir'in *lo!!om! on a tree, T e li% I ki!!ed in lo(e-,ea!t! tenderl25 Stin' t at dear li%, + *ee, $it cruel %o$er, And 2ou ! all *e im%ri!oned in a ,lo$er. Clown. 8ell, e doe!n1t !eem a,raid o, 2our dread,ul

%uni! ment. 32aughing" #o himself.4 T e man i! cra=2, and I am <u!t a! *ad, ,rom a!!ociatin' $it im. King. 8ill e not 'o, t ou' I $arn im9 1ishrakeshi. 0o(e $ork! a curiou! c an'e e(en in a *ra(e man. Clown 3aloud4. It i! onl2 a %icture, man. King. A %icture9 1ishrakeshi. I too under!tand it no$. But to im, t ou' t! are real e6%erience!. King. You a(e done an ill-natured t in'. 8 en I $a! a%%2 in t e !i' t, And $ en m2 eart $a! $arm, You *rou' t !ad memorie! *ack, and made "2 lo(e a %ainted ,orm. 3He sheds a tear.4 1ishrakeshi. ;ate %la2! !tran'el2 $it im. King. "2 ,riend, o$ can I endure a 'rie, t at a! no re!%ite9 I cannot !lee% at ni' t And meet er dreamin'5 I cannot !ee t e !ketc 8 ile tear! are !treamin'. 1ishrakeshi. "2 ,riend, 2ou a(e indeed atoned--and in er ,riend1! %re!ence--,or t e %ain 2ou cau!ed *2 re<ectin' dear S akuntala. 3Enter the maid .HATURIKA.4 1aid. Your "a<e!t2, I $a! comin' *ack $it t e *o6 o, %aint*ru! e! King. 8ell9 1aid. I met Eueen #a!umati $it t e maid )in'alika. And t e :ueen !natc ed t e *o6 ,rom me, !a2in'- DI $ill take it to t e kin' m2!el,.D Clown. Ho$ did 2ou e!ca%e9 1aid. T e :ueen1! dre!! cau' t on a (ine. And $ ile er maid $a! !ettin' er ,ree, I e6cu!ed m2!el, in a urr2. !oice behind the scenes. ;ollo$ me, 2our "a<e!t2. Clown 3listening4. "an, t e ! e-ti'er o, t e %alace i! makin' a !%rin' on er %re2. S e mean! to make one mout ,ul o, t e maid. King. "2 ,riend, t e :ueen a! come *ecau!e ! e ,eel! touc ed in er onour. You ad *etter take care o, t i! %icture. Clown. DAnd 2our!el,,D 2ou mi' t add. 3He takes the picture and rises.4 I, 2ou 'et out o, t e tra% ali(e, call ,or me at t e .loud Balcon2. And I $ill ide t e t in' t ere !o t at not in' *ut a %i'eon could ,ind it. 3E$it on the run.4 1ishrakeshi. T ou' i! eart i! 'i(en to anot er, e i! courteou! to i! earl2 ,lame. He i! a con!tant ,riend. 3Enter the portress with a document.4 (ortress. #ictor2 to 2our "a<e!t2. King. #etra(ati, did 2ou not meet Eueen #a!umati9 (ortress. Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. But ! e turned *ack $ en ! e !a$ t at I carried a document. King. T e :ueen kno$! time! and !ea!on!. S e $ill not interru%t *u!ine!!. (ortress. Your "a<e!t2, t e mini!ter !end! $ord t at in t e %re!! o, (ariou! *u!ine!! e a! attended to onl2 one citi=en1!

Sakountala >F

!uit. T i! e a! reduced to $ritin' ,or 2our "a<e!t21! %eru!al. King. Gi(e me t e document. 3#he portress does so.4 King 3reads4. DBe it kno$n to i! "a<e!t2. A !ea,arin' merc ant named D ana(ridd i a! *een lo!t in a ! i%$reck. He i! c ildle!!, and i! %ro%ert2, amountin' to !e(eral million!, re(ert! to t e cro$n. 8ill i! "a<e!t2 take action9D 3'adly.4 It i! dread,ul to *e c ildle!!. #etra(ati, e ad 'reat ric e!. T ere mu!t *e !e(eral $i(e!. 0et in:uir2 *e made. T ere ma2 *e a $i,e $ o i! $it c ild. (ortress. 8e a(e t i! moment eard t at a merc ant1! dau' ter o, Saketa i! i! $i,e. And ! e i! !oon to *ecome a mot er. King. T e c ild ! all recei(e t e in eritance. Go, in,orm t e mini!ter. (ortress. Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. 3'he starts to go.4 King. 8ait a moment. (ortress 3turning back4. Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. King. A,ter all, $ at doe! it matter $ et er e a(e i!!ue or not9 0et Kin' Du! 2anta *e %roclaimed To e(er2 !ad !oul kin T at mourn! a kin!man lo(ed and lo!t, Yet did not %lun'e in !in. (ortress. T e %roclamation ! all *e made. 3'he goes out and soon returns.4 Your "a<e!t2, t e ro2al %roclamation $a! $elcomed *2 t e %o%ulace a! i! a timel2 ! o$er. King 3sighing deeply4. T u!, $ en i!!ue ,ail!, $ealt %a!!e!, on t e deat o, t e ead o, t e ,amil2, to a !tran'er. 8 en I die, it $ill *e !o $it t e 'lor2 o, )uru1! line. (ortress. Hea(en a(ert t e omen7 King. Ala!7 I de!%i!ed t e a%%ine!! t at o,,ered it!el, to me. 1ishrakeshi. 8it out dou*t, e a! dear S akuntala in mind $ en e t u! re%roac e! im!el,. King. .ould I ,or!ake t e (irtuou! $i,e 8 o eld m2 *e!t, m2 ,uture li,e And c eri! ed it ,or 'loriou! *irt , A! doe! t e !eed-recei(in' eart 9 1ishrakeshi. S e $ill not lon' *e ,or!aken. 1aid 3to the portress4. "i!tre!!, t e mini!ter1! re%ort a! dou*led our lord1! remor!e. Go to t e .loud Balcon2 and *rin' "ad a(2a to di!%el i! 'rie,. (ortress. A 'ood !u''e!tion. 3E$it.4 King. Ala!7 T e ance!tor! o, Du! 2anta are in a dou*t,ul ca!e. ;or I am c ildle!!, and t e2 do not kno$, 8 en I am 'one, $ at c ild o, t eir! $ill *rin' T e !cri%tural o*lation5 and t eir tear! Alread2 min'le $it m2 o,,erin'. 1ishrakeshi. He i! !creened ,rom t e li' t, and i! in darkne!!. 1aid. Do not 'i(e $a2 to 'rie,, 2our "a<e!t2. You are in t e

%rime o, 2our 2ear!, and t e *irt o, a !on to one o, 2our ot er $i(e! $ill make 2ou *lamele!!-*e,ore 2our ance!tor!. 3#o herself.4 He doe! not eed me. T e %ro%er medicine i! needed ,or an2 di!ea!e. King 3betraying his sorrow4. Surel2, T e ro2al line t at ,lo$ed A ri(er %ure and 'rand, Die! in t e c ildle!! kin', 0ike !tream! in de!ert !and. 3He swoons.4 1aid 3in distress4. + , !ir, come to 2our!el,. 1ishrakeshi. S all I make im a%%2 no$9 No, I eard t e mot er o, t e 'od! con!olin' S akuntala. S e !aid t at t e 'od!, im%atient ,or t e !acri,ice, $ould !oon cau!e im to $elcome i! true $i,e. I mu!t dela2 no lon'er. I $ill com,ort dear S akuntala $it m2 tidin'!. 3&6it t rou' t e air.4 !oice behind the scenes. Hel%, el%7 King 3comes to himself and listens4. It !ound! a! i, "ad a(2a $ere in di!tre!!. 1aid. Your "a<e!t2, I o%e t at )in'alika and t e ot er maid! did not catc %oor "ad a(2a $it t e %icture in i! and!. King. Go, . aturika. Re%ro(e t e :ueen in m2 name ,or not controllin' er !er(ant!. 1aid. Ye!, 2our "a<e!t2. 3E$it.4 #he !oice. Hel%, el%7 King. T e Bra man1! (oice !eem! reall2 c an'ed *2 ,ear. 8 o $ait! $it out9 3Enter the chamberlain.4 Chamberlain. Your "a<e!t2 command!9 King. See $ 2 %oor "ad a(2a i! !creamin' !o. Chamberlain. I $ill !ee. 3He goes out, and returns trembling.4 King. )ar(ata2ana, I o%e it i! not in' (er2 dread,ul. Chamberlain. I o%e not. King. T en $ 2 do 2ou trem*le !o9 ;or 8 2 ! ould t e trem*lin', *orn +, a'e, increa!in', !ei=e Your lim*! and *id t em ! ake 0ike ,i'-lea(e! in t e *ree=e9 Chamberlain. Sa(e 2our ,riend, + Kin'7 King. ;rom $ at9 Chamberlain. ;rom 'reat dan'er. King. S%eak %lainl2, man. Chamberlain. +n t e .loud Balcon2, o%en to t e ,our $ind! o, ea(en-----King. 8 at a! a%%ened t ere9 Chamberlain. 8 ile e $a! re!tin' on it! ei' t, 8 ic %alace %eacock! in t eir ,li' t .an ardl2 reac , e !eemed to *e Snatc ed u%--*2 $ at, $e could not !ee. King 3rising 3uickly4. "2 (er2 %alace i! in(aded *2 e(il creature!. To *e a kin', i! to *e a di!a%%ointed man. T e moral !tum*lin'! o, mine o$n,

Sakountala >I

T e dail2 !li%!, are !carcel2 kno$n5 8 o t en t at rule! a kin'dom, can Guide e(er2 deed o, e(er2 man9 #he !oice. Hurr2, urr27 King 3hears the !oice and 3uickens his steps4. Ha(e no ,ear, m2 ,riend. #he !oice. Ha(e no ,ear7 8 en !omet in' a! 'ot me *2 t e *ack o, t e neck, and i! tr2in' to *reak m2 *one! like a %iece o, !u'ar-cane7 King 3looks about4. A *o$7 a *o$7 3Enter a ,reek woman with a bow.4 ,reek woman. A *o$ and arro$!, 2our "a<e!t2. And ere are t e ,in'er-'uard!. 3#he king takes the bow and arrows.4 nother !oice behind the scenes. 8rit e, $ ile I drink t e red *lood ,lo$in' clear And kill 2ou, a! a ti'er kill! a deer5 0et Kin' Du! 2anta 'ra!% i! *o$5 *ut o$ .an all i! kin'l2 (alour !a(e 2ou no$9 King 3angrily4. He !corn! me, too7 In one moment, mi!era*le demon, 2ou ! all die. 3'tringing his bow.4 8 ere i! t e !tair$a2, )ar(ata2ana9 Chamberlain. Here, 2our "a<e!t2. 3 ll make haste.4 King 3looking about4. T ere i! no one ere. #he Clown4s !oice. Sa(e me, !a(e me7 I !ee 2ou, i, 2ou can1t !ee me. I am a mou!e in t e cla$! o, t e cat. I am done ,or. King. You are %roud o, 2our in(i!i*ilit2. But ! all not m2 arro$ !ee 2ou9 Stand !till. Do not o%e to e!ca%e *2 clin'in' to m2 ,riend. "2 arro$, ,l2in' $ en t e *o$ i! *ent, S all !la2 t e $retc and !%are t e innocent5 8 en milk i! mi6ed $it $ater in a cu%, S$an! lea(e t e $ater, and t e milk drink u%. 3He takes aim" Enter "ATA0I and the clown.4 1atali. + Kin', a! Indra, kin' o, t e 'od!, command!, Seek ,oe! amon' t e e(il %o$er! alone5 ;or t em 2our *o$ ! ould *end5 Not cruel ! a,t!, *ut 'lance! !o,t and kind S ould ,all u%on a ,riend. King 3hastily withdrawing the arrow4. It i! "atali. 8elcome to t e c arioteer o, ea(en1! kin'. Clown. 8ell7 He came $it in an inc o, *utc erin' me. And 2ou $elcome im. 1atali 3smiling4. Hear, + Kin', ,or $ at %ur%o!e Indra !end! me to 2ou. King. I am all attention. 1atali. T ere i! a o!t o, demon! $ o call t em!el(e! In(inci*le--t e *rood o, Kalanemi. King. So Narada a! told me. 1atali. Hea(en1! kin' i! %o$erle!!5 2ou ! all !mite Hi! ,oe! in *attle !oon5

Darkne!! t at o(ercome! t e da2, I! !cattered *2 t e moon. Take 2our *o$ at once, enter m2 ea(enl2 c ariot, and !et ,ort ,or (ictor2. King. I am 'rate,ul ,or t e onour $ ic Indra ! o$! me. But $ 2 did 2ou act t u! to$ard "ad a(2a9 1atali. I $ill tell 2ou. I !a$ t at 2ou $ere o(er%o$ered *2 !ome inner !orro$, and acted t u! to rou!e 2ou. ;or T e !%urnGd !nake $ill !$ell i! ood5 ;ire *la=e! $ en Bti! !tirred5 Bra(e men are rou!ed to ,i' tin' mood B2 !ome in!ultin' $ord. King. ;riend "ad a(2a, I mu!t o*e2 t e *iddin' o, ea(en1! kin'. Go, ac:uaint t e mini!ter )i! una $it t e matter, and add t e!e $ord! o, mineYour $i!dom onl2 ! all control T e kin'dom ,or a time5 "2 *o$ i! !trun'5 a di!tant 'oal .all! me, and ta!k! !u*lime. Clown. #er2 $ell. 3E$it.4 1atali. &nter t e c ariot. 3#he king does so" E$eunt omnes.4 A$T #!! 3Enter, in a chariot that flies through the air, the king and "ATA0I.4 King. "atali, t ou' I a(e done $ at Indra commanded, I t ink m2!el, an un%ro,ita*le !er(ant, $ en I remem*er i! mo!t 'raciou! $elcome. 1atali. + Kin', kno$ t at eac con!ider! im!el, t e ot er1! de*tor. ;or You count t e !er(ice 'i(en Small *2 t e $elcome %aid, 8 ic to t e kin' o, ea(en Seem! mean ,or !uc *ra(e aid. King. A , no7 ;or t e onour 'i(en me at %artin' $ent ,ar *e2ond ima'ination. Be,ore t e 'od!, e !eated me *e!ide im on i! t rone. And t en He !miled, *ecau!e i! !on /a2anta1! eart Beat :uicker, *2 t e !el,-!ame $i! o%%re!!ed, And %laced a*out m2 neck t e ea(enl2 $reat Still ,ra'rant ,rom t e !andal on i! *rea!t. 1atali. But $ at do 2ou not de!er(e ,rom ea(en1! kin'9 Remem*erT$ice, ,rom %eace-lo(in' Indra1! !$a2 T e demon-t orn $a! %lucked a$a2;ir!t, *2 "an-lion1! crooked cla$!5 A'ain, *2 2our !moot ! a,t! to-da2. King. T i! merel2 %ro(e! Indra1! ma<e!t2. Remem*er-

Sakountala >J

All !er(ant! o$e !ucce!! in enter%ri!e To onour %aid *e,ore t e 'reat deed1! done5 .ould da$n de,eat t e darkne!! ot er$i!e T an re!tin' on t e c ariot o, t e !un9 1atali. T e ,eelin' *ecome! 2ou. 3 fter a little.4 See, + Kin'7 Your 'lor2 a! t e a%%ine!! o, *ein' %u*li! ed a*road in ea(en. 8it colour! u!ed *2 n2m% ! o, ea(en To make t eir *eaut2 ! ine, God! $rite u%on t e !ur,ace 'i(en +, man2 a ma'ic (ine, A! $ort t eir !on', t e !im%le !tor2 +, t o!e *ra(e deed! t at made 2our 'lor2. King. "atali, $ en I %a!!ed *e,ore, I $a! intent on ,i' tin' t e demon!, and did not o*!er(e t i! re'ion. Tell me. In $ ic %at o, t e $ind! are $e9 1atali. It i! t e $ind%at !ancti,ied B2 ol2 #i! nu1! !econd !tride5 8 ic , ,reed ,rom du!t o, %a!!ion, e(er U% old! t e t ree,old ea(enl2 ri(er5 And, dri(in' t em $it rein! o, li' t, Guide! t e !tar! in $ eelin' ,li' t. King. T at i! $ 2 !erenit2 %er(ade! me, *od2 and !oul. 3He obser!es the path taken by the chariot.4 It !eem! t at $e a(e de!cended into t e re'ion o, t e cloud!. 1atali. Ho$ do 2ou %ercei(e it9 King. )lo(er! t at ,l2 ,rom mountain-ca(e!, Steed! t at :uick-,la! in' li' tnin' la(e!, And c ariot-$ eel! t at dri% $it !%ra2-A %at oBer %re'nant cloud! *etra2. 1atali. You are ri' t. And in a moment 2ou $ill *e in t e $orld o(er $ ic 2ou *ear rule. King 3looking down4. "atali, our :uick de!cent 'i(e! t e $orld o, men a m2!teriou! look. ;or T e %lain! a%%ear to melt and ,all ;rom mountain %eak! t at 'ro$ more tall5 T e trunk! o, tree! no lon'er ide Nor in t eir lea,2 ne!t! a*ide5 T e ri(er net$ork no$ i! clear, ;or !maller !tream! at la!t a%%earIt !eem! a! i, !ome *ein' t re$ T e $orld to me, ,or clearer (ie$. 1atali. You are a 'ood o*!er(er, + Kin'. 3He looks down, awe)struck.4 T ere i! a no*le lo(eline!! in t e eart . King. "atali, $ at mountain i! t i!, it! ,lank! !inkin' into t e

ea!tern and into t e $e!tern !ea9 It dri%! li:uid 'old like a cloud at !un!et. 1atali. + Kin', t i! i! Gold )eak, t e mountain o, t e ,air2 centaur!. Here it i! t at a!cetic! mo!t ,ull2 attain to ma'ic %o$er!. See7 T e ancient !a'e, "aric i1! !on, . ild o, t e Uncreated +ne, ;at er o, !u%er uman li,e, D$ell! ere au!terel2 $it i! $i,e. King 3re!erently4. I mu!t not ne'lect t e a%%2 c ance. I cannot 'o ,art er until I a(e $alked um*l2 a*out t e ol2 one. 1atali. It i! a $ort 2 t ou' t, + Kin'. 3#he chariot descends.4 8e a(e come do$n to eart . King 3astonished4. "atali, T e $ eel! are mute on $ irlin' rim5 Un!tirred, t e du!t i! l2in' t ere5 8e do not *um% t e eart , *ut !kimStill, !till $e !eem to ,l2 t rou' air. 1atali. Suc i! t e 'lor2 o, t e c ariot $ ic o*e2! 2ou and Indra. King. In $ ic direction lie! t e ermita'e o, "aric i1! !on9 1atali 3pointing4. See7 8 ere !tand! t e ermit, orridl2 au!tere, 8 om clin'in' (ine! are c okin', tou' and !ere5 Hal,-*uried in an ant- ill t at a! 'ro$n A*out im, !tandin' %o!t-like and alone5 Sun-!tarin' $it dim e2e! t at kno$ no re!t, T e dead !kin o, a !er%ent on i! *rea!tSo lon' e !tood unmo(ed, in!en!ate t ere T at *ird! *uild ne!t! $it in i! mat o, air. King 3ga%ing4. All onour to one $ o morti,ie! t e ,le! !o terri*l2. 1atali 3checking the chariot4. 8e a(e entered t e ermita'e o, t e ancient !a'e, $ o!e $i,e Aditi tend! t e coral-tree!. King. Here i! dee%er contentment t an in ea(en. I !eem %lun'ed in a %ool o, nectar. 1atali 3stopping the chariot4. De!cend, + Kin'. King 3descending4. But o$ $ill 2ou ,are9 1atali. T e c ariot o*e2! t e $ord o, command. I too $ill de!cend. 3He doe! !o.4 Be,ore 2ou, + Kin', are t e 'ro(e! $ ere t e olie!t ermit! lead t eir !el,-den2in' li,e. King. I look $it ama=ement *ot at t eir !im%licit2 and at $ at t e2 mi' t en<o2. T eir a%%etite! are ,ed $it air 8 ere 'ro$! $ ate(er i! mo!t ,air5 T e2 *at e reli'iou!l2 in %ool! 8 ic 'olden lil2-%ollen cool!5 T e2 %ra2 $it in a <e$elled ome, Are c a!te $ ere n2m% ! o, ea(en roamT e2 morti,2 de!ire and !in

Sakountala @H

8it t in'! t at ot er! ,a!t to $in. 1atali. T e de!ire! o, t e 'reat a!%ire i' . 3He walks about and speaks to some one not !isible.4 Ancient S akal2a, o$ i! "aric i1! ol2 !on occu%ied9 3He listens.4 8 at do 2ou !a29 T at e i! e6%lainin' to Aditi, in an!$er to er :ue!tion, t e dutie! o, a ,ait ,ul $i,e9 "2 matter mu!t a$ait a ,itter time. 3He turns to the king.4 8ait ere, + Kin', in t e ! ade o, t e a! oka tree, till I a(e announced 2our comin' to t e !ire o, Indra. King. #er2 $ell. 3&6it "ATA0I. #he king4s arm throbs, a happy omen.4 I dare not o%e ,or $ at I %ra25 8 2 t rill--in (ain9 ;or ea(enl2 *li!! once t ro$n a$a2 Turn! into %ain. !oice behind the scenes. Don1t7 You mu!tn1t *e !o ,ool ard2. + , 2ou are al$a2! t e !ame. King 3listening4. No nau' tine!! could ,eel at ome in t i! !%ot. 8 o dra$! !uc a re*uke u%on im!el,9 3He looks towards the sound" In surprise.4 It i! a c ild, *ut no c ild in !tren't . And t$o ermit-$omen are tr2in' to control im. He dra'! a !tru''lin' lion cu*, T e lione!!1 milk al,-!ucked, al,-mi!!ed, To$=le! i! mane, and trie! to dru* Him tame $it !mall, im%eriou! ,i!t. 3Enter a small boy, as described, and two hermit)women.4 5oy. +%en 2our mout , cu*. I $ant to count 2our teet . &irst woman. Nau' t2 *o2, $ 2 do 2ou torment our %et!9 T e2 are like c ildren to u!. Your ener'2 !eem! to take t e ,orm o, !trikin' !omet in'. No $onder t e ermit! call 2ou All-tamer. King. 8 2 ! ould m2 eart 'o out to t i! *o2 a! i, e $ere m2 o$n !on9 3He reflects.4 No dou*t m2 c ildle!! !tate make! me !entimental. 'econd woman. T e lione!! $ill !%rin' at 2ou i, 2ou don1t let er *a*2 'o. 5oy 3smiling4. + , I1m dread,ull2 !cared. 3He bites his lip.4 King 3in surprise4. T e *o2 i! !eed o, ,ire 8 ic , $ en it 'ro$!, $ill *urn5 A tin2 !%ark t at !oon To a$,ul ,lame ma2 turn. &irst woman. 0et t e little lion 'o, dear. I $ill 'i(e 2ou anot er %la2t in'. 5oy. 8 ere i! it9 Gi(e it to me. 3He stretches out his hand.4 King 3looking at the hand.4 He a! one o, t e im%erial *irt mark!7 ;or Bet$een t e ea'er ,in'er! 'ro$ T e clo!e-knit $e*! to'et er dra$n, 0ike !ome lone lil2 o%enin' !lo$ To meet t e kindlin' *lu! o, da$n. 'econd woman. Su(rata, $e can1t make im !to% *2 talkin'. Go. In m2 cotta'e 2ou $ill ,ind a %ainted cla2 %eacock t at *elon'! to t e ermit-*o2 "ankanaka. Brin' im t at. &irst woman. I $ill. 3E$it.4 5oy. "ean$ ile I1ll %la2 $it t i! one. Hermit)woman 3looks and laughs4. 0et im 'o. King. "2 eart 'oe! out to t i! $il,ul c ild. 3'ighing.4 T e2 ! o$ t eir little *ud! o, teet In %eal! o, cau!ele!! lau' ter5 T e2 ide t eir tru!t,ul ead! *eneat Your eart. And !tum*lin' a,ter .ome !$eet, unmeanin' !ound! t at !in' To 2ou. T e ,at er $arm! And lo(e! t e (er2 dirt t e2 *rin' U%on t eir little ,orm!. Hermit)woman 3shaking her finger4. 8on1t 2ou mind me9 3'he looks about.4 8 ic one o, t e ermit-*o2! i! ere9 3'he sees the king.4 + , !ir, %lea!e come ere and ,ree t i! lion cu*. T e little ra!cal i! tormentin' im, and I can1t make im let 'o. King. #er2 $ell. 3He approaches, smiling.4 + little !on o, a 'reat !a'e7 Your conduct in t i! %lace a%art, I! mo!t un,it5 BT$ould 'rie(e 2our ,at er1! %iou! eart And trou*le it. To animal! e i! a! 'oodA! 'ood can *e5You !%oil it, like a *lack !nake1! *roodIn !andal tree. Hermit)woman. But, !ir, e i! not t e !on o, a ermit. King. So it $ould !eem, *ot ,rom i! look! and i! action!. But in t i! !%ot, I ad no !u!%icion o, an2t in' el!e. 3He loosens the boy4s hold on the cub, and touching him, says to himself.4 It make! me t rill to touc t e *o2, T e !tran'er1! !on, to me unkno$n5 8 at mea!urele!! content mu!t ,ill T e man $ o call! t e c ild i! o$n7 Hermit)woman 3looking at the two4. 8onder,ul7 $onder,ul7 King. 8 2 do 2ou !a2 t at, mot er9 Hermit)woman. I am a!toni! ed to !ee o$ muc t e *o2 look! like 2ou, !ir. You are not related. Be!ide!, e i! a %er(er!e little creature and e doe! not kno$ 2ou. Yet e take! no di!like to 2ou. King 3caressing the boy4. "ot er, i, e i! not t e !on o, a ermit, $ at i! i! ,amil29 Hermit)woman. T e ,amil2 o, )uru. King 3to himself4. He i! o, one ,amil2 $it me7 T en could m2 t ou' t *e true9 3 loud.4 But t i! i! t e cu!tom o, )uru1! line-

Sakountala @1

In 'litterin' %alace! t e2 d$ell 8 ile men, and rule t e countr2 $ell5 T en make t e 'ro(e t eir ome in a'e, And die in au!tere ermita'e. But o$ could uman *ein'!, o, t eir o$n mere motion, attain t i! !%ot9 Hermit)woman. You are :uite ri' t, !ir. But t e *o21! mot er $a! related to a n2m% , and ! e *ore er !on in t e %iou! 'ro(e o, t e ,at er o, t e 'od!. King 3to himself4. A , a !econd 'round ,or o%e. 3 loud.4 8 at $a! t e name o, t e 'ood kin' $ o!e $i,e ! e $a!9 Hermit)woman. 8 o $ould !%eak i! name9 He re<ected i! true $i,e. King 3to himself4. T i! !tor2 %oint! at me. Su%%o!e I a!k t e *o2 ,or i! mot er1! name. 3He reflects.4 No, it i! $ron' to concern m2!el, $it one $ o ma2 *e anot er1! $i,e. 3Enter the first woman, with the clay peacock.4 &irst woman. 0ook, All-tamer. Here i! t e *ird, t e ! akunta. I!n1t t e ! akunta lo(el29 5oy 3looks about4. 8 ere i! m2 mamma9 3#he two women burst out laughing.4 &irst woman. It !ounded like er name, and decei(ed im. He lo(e! i! mot er. 'econd woman. S e !aid- DSee o$ %rett2 t e %eacock i!.D T at i! all. King 3to himself4. Hi! mot er1! name i! S akuntala7 But name! are alike. I tru!t t i! o%e ma2 not %ro(e a di!a%%ointment in t e end, like a mira'e. 5oy. I like t i! little %eacock, !i!ter. .an it ,l29 3He sei%es the toy.4 &irst woman 3looks at the boy" n$iously4. + , t e amulet i! not on i! $ri!t. King. Do not *e an6iou!, mot er. It ,ell $ ile e $a! !tru''lin' $it t e lion cu*. 3He starts to pick it up.4 #he two women. + , don1t, don1t7 3#hey look at him.4 He a! touc ed it7 3 stonished, they lay their hands on their bosoms, and look at each other.4 King. 8 2 did 2ou tr2 to %re(ent me9 &irst woman. 0i!ten, 2our "a<e!t2. T i! i! a di(ine and mo!t %otent c arm, called t e In(inci*le. "aric i1! ol2 !on 'a(e it to t e *a*2 $ en t e *irt -ceremon2 $a! %er,ormed. I, it ,all! on t e 'round, no one ma2 touc it e6ce%t t e *o21! %arent! or t e *o2 im!el,. King. And i, anot er touc it9 &irst woman. It *ecome! a !er%ent and !tin'! im. King. Did 2ou e(er !ee t i! a%%en to an2 one el!e9 5oth women. "ore t an once. King 3joyfully4. T en $ 2 ma2 I not $elcome m2 o%e! ,ul,illed at la!t9 3He embraces the boy.4 'econd woman. .ome, Su(rata. S akuntala i! *u!2 $it er reli'iou! dutie!. 8e mu!t 'o and tell er $ at a! a%%ened. 3E$eunt ambo.4 5oy. 0et me 'o. I $ant to !ee m2 mot er. King. "2 !on, 2ou ! all 'o $it me to 'reet 2our mot er. 5oy. Du! 2anta i! m2 ,at er, not 2ou. King 3smiling4. You ! o$ I am ri' t *2 contradictin' me. 3Enter SHAKUNTA0A, wearing her hair in a single braid.4

'hakuntala 3doubtfully4. I a(e eard t at All-tamer1! amulet did not c an'e $ en it ! ould a(e done !o. But I do not tru!t m2 o$n a%%ine!!. Yet %er a%! it i! a! "i! rake! i told me. 3'he walks about.4 Kin' 3looking at SHAKUNTA0A. 0ith plainti!e joy4. It i! ! e. It i! S akuntala. T e %ale, $orn ,ace, t e carele!! dre!!, T e !in'le *raid, S o$ er !till true, me %itile!!, T e lon' (o$ %aid. 'hakuntala 3seeing the king pale with remorse" +oubtfully4. It i! not m2 u!*and. 8 o i! t e man t at !oil! m2 *o2 $it i! care!!e!9 T e amulet ! ould %rotect im. 5oy 3running to his mother4. "ot er, e i! a man t at *elon'! to ot er %eo%le. And e call! me i! !on. King. "2 darlin', t e cruelt2 I ! o$ed 2ou a! turned to a%%ine!!. 8ill 2ou not reco'ni!e me9 'hakuntala 3to herself4. + , m2 eart, *elie(e it. ;ate !truck ard, *ut it! en(2 i! 'one and %it2 take! it! %lace. It i! m2 u!*and. King. Black madne!! ,lie!5 .ome! memor25 Be,ore m2 e2e! "2 lo(e I !ee. &cli%!e ,lee! ,ar5 0i' t ,ollo$! !oon5T e lo(in' !tar Dra$! to t e moon. 'hakuntala. #ictor2, (icto----- 3#ears choke her utterance.4 King. T e tear! $ould c oke 2ou, !$eet, in (ain5 "2 !oul $it (ictor2 i! ,ed, Becau!e I !ee 2our ,ace a'ain-No <e$el!, *ut t e li%! are red. 5oy. 8 o i! e, mot er9 'hakuntala. A!k ,ate, m2 c ild. 3'he weeps.4 King. Dear, 'race,ul $i,e, ,or'et5 0et t e !in (ani! 5 Stran'el2 did madne!! !tri(e Rea!on to *ani! . T u! *lindne!! $ork! in men, 0o(e1! <o2 to ! ake5S%urnin' a 'arland, le!t It %ro(e a !nake. 3He falls at her feet.4 'hakuntala. Ri!e, m2 dear u!*and. Surel2, it $a! !ome old !in o, mine t at *roke m2 a%%ine!!--t ou' it a! turned a'ain to a%%ine!!. +t er$i!e, o$ could 2ou, dear, a(e acted !o9 You are !o kind. 3#he king rises.4 But $ at *rou' t *ack t e memor2 o, 2our !u,,erin' $i,e9

Sakountala @>

Kashyapa. "2 dau' ter, King. I $ill tell 2ou $ en I a(e %lucked out t e dart o, !orro$. BT$a! madne!!, !$eet, t at could let !li% A tear to *urden 2our dear li%5 +n 'race,ul la! e! !een to-da2, I $i%e it, and our 'rie,, a$a2. 3He does so.4 'hakuntala 3sees more clearly and disco!ers the ring4. "2 u!*and, it i! t e rin'7 King. Ye!. And $ en a miracle reco(ered it, m2 memor2 returned. 'hakuntala. T at $a! $ 2 it $a! !o im%o!!i*le ,or me to $in 2our con,idence. King. T en let t e (ine recei(e er ,lo$er, a! earne!t o, er union $it !%rin'. 'hakuntala. I do not tru!t it. I $ould rat er 2ou $ore it. 3Enter "ATA0I.4 1atali. I con'ratulate 2ou, + Kin', on reunion $it 2our $i,e and on !eein' t e ,ace o, 2our !on. King. "2 de!ire! *ear !$eeter ,ruit *ecau!e ,ul,illed t rou' a ,riend. "atali, $a! not t i! matter kno$n to Indra9 1atali 3smiling4. 8 at i! idden ,rom t e 'od!9 .ome. "aric i1! ol2 !on, Ka! 2a%a, $i! e! to !ee 2ou. King. "2 dear $i,e, *rin' our !on. I could not a%%ear $it out 2ou *e,ore t e ol2 one. 'hakuntala. I am a! amed to 'o *e,ore !uc %arent! $it m2 u!*and. King. It i! t e cu!tom in time! o, ,e!ti(al. .ome. 3#hey walk about. KASHYA)A appears seated, with ADITI.4 Kashyapa 3looking at the king4. Aditi, BTi! Kin' Du! 2anta, e $ o 'oe! *e,ore Your !on in *attle, and $ o rule! t e eart , 8 o!e *o$ make! Indra1! $ea%on !eem no more T an a ,ine %la2t in', lackin' !terner $ort . diti. Hi! (alour mi' t *e in,erred ,rom i! a%%earance. 1atali. + Kin', t e %arent! o, t e 'od! look u%on 2ou $it a 'lance t at *etra2! %arental ,ondne!!. A%%roac t em. King. "atali, S%run' ,rom t e .reator1! c ildren, do I !ee Great Ka! 2a%a and "ot er Aditi9 T e %air t at did %roduce t e !un in ea(en, To $ ic eac 2ear t$el(e c an'in' ,orm! are 'i(en5 T at *rou' t t e kin' o, all t e 'od! to *irt , 8 o rule! in ea(en, in ell, and on t e eart 5 T at #i! nu, t an t e Uncreated i' er, . o!e a! i! %arent! $it a ,ond de!ire. 1atali. It i! indeed t e2. King 3falling before them4. Du! 2anta, !er(ant o, Indra, doe! re(erence to 2ou *ot . Kashyapa. "2 !on, rule t e eart lon'. diti. And *e in(inci*le. 3SHAKUNTA0A and her son fall at their feet.4 Your u!*and e:ual! Indra, kin' +, 'od!5 2our !on i! like i! !on5 No ,urt er *le!!in' need I *rin'8in *li!! !uc a! i! $i,e a! $on. diti. "2 c ild, kee% t e ,a(our o, 2our u!*and. And ma2 t i! ,ine *o2 *e an onour to t e ,amilie! o, *ot %arent!. .ome, let u! *e !eated. 3 ll seat themsel!es.4 Kashyapa 3indicating one after the other4. ;ait ,ul S akuntala, t e *o2, And 2ou, + Kin', I !ee A trinit2 to *le!! t e $orld-;ait , Trea!ure, )iet2. King. Hol2 one, 2our ,a(our ! o$n to u! i! $it out %arallel. You 'ranted t e ,ul,ilment o, our $i! e! *e,ore 2ou called u! to 2our %re!ence. ;or, ol2 one, T e ,lo$er come! ,ir!t, and t en t e ,ruit5 T e cloud! a%%ear *e,ore t e rain5 &,,ect come! a,ter cau!e5 *ut 2ou ;ir!t el%ed, t en made 2our ,a(our %lain. 1atali. + Kin', !uc i! t e ,a(our ! o$n *2 t e %arent! o, t e $orld. King. Hol2 one, I married t i! 2our maid-!er(ant *2 t e (oluntar2 ceremon2. 8 en a,ter a time er relati(e! *rou' t er to me, m2 memor2 ,ailed and I re<ected er. In !o doin', I !inned a'ain!t Kan(a, $ o i! kin to 2ou. But a,ter$ard!, $ en I !a$ t e rin', I %ercei(ed t at I ad married er. And t i! !eem! (er2 $onder,ul to me. 0ike one $ o dou*t! an ele% ant, T ou' !eein' im !tride *2, And (et *elie(e! $ en e a! !een T e ,oot%rint! le,t5 !o I. Kashyapa. "2 !on, do not accu!e 2our!el, o, !in. Your in,atuation $a! ine(ita*le. 0i!ten. King. I am all attention. Kashyapa. 8 en t e n2m% "enaka de!cended to eart and recei(ed S akuntala, a,,licted at er re<ection, ! e came to Aditi. T en I %ercei(ed t e matter *2 m2 di(ine in!i' t. I !a$ t at t e un,ortunate 'irl ad *een re<ected *2 er ri' t,ul u!*and *ecau!e o, Dur(a!a!1 cur!e. And t at t e cur!e $ould end $ en t e rin' came to li' t. King 3with a sigh of relief" #o himself4. T en I am ,ree ,rom *lame. 'hakuntala 3to herself4. T ank ea(en7 "2 u!*and did not re<ect me o, i! o$n accord. He reall2 did not remem*er me. I !u%%o!e I did not ear t e cur!e in m2 a*!ent-minded !tate, ,or m2 ,riend! $arned me mo!t earne!tl2 to ! o$ m2 u!*and t e rin'. Kashyapa. "2 dau' ter, 2ou kno$ t e trut . Do not no$ 'i(e $a2 to an'er a'ain!t 2our ri' t,ul u!*and.

Sakountala @@

Remem*erT e cur!e it $a! t at *rou' t de,eat and %ain5 T e darkne!! ,lie!5 2ou are i! :ueen a'ain. Re,lection! are not !een in du!t2 'la!!, 8 ic , cleaned, $ill mirror all t e t in'! t at %a!!. King. It i! mo!t true, ol2 one. Kashyapa. "2 !on, I o%e 2ou a(e 'reeted a! e de!er(e! t e !on $ om S akuntala a! *orne 2ou, ,or $ om I m2!el, a(e %er,ormed t e *irt -rite and t e ot er ceremonie!. King. Hol2 one, t e o%e o, m2 race centre! in im. Kashyapa. Kno$ t en t at i! coura'e $ill make im em%eror. /ourne2in' o(er e(er2 !ea, Hi! car $ill tra(el ea!il25 T e !e(en i!land! o, t e eart 8ill *o$ *e,ore i! matc le!! $ort 5 Becau!e $ild *ea!t! to im $ere tame, All-tamer $a! i! common name5 A! B arata e ! all *e kno$n, ;or e $ill *ear t e $orld alone. King. I antici%ate e(er2t in' ,rom im, !ince 2ou a(e %er,ormed t e rite! ,or im. diti. Kan(a al!o ! ould *e in,ormed t at i! dau' ter1! $i! e! are ,ul,illed. But "enaka i! $aitin' u%on me ere and cannot *e !%ared. 'hakuntala 3to herself4. T e ol2 one a! e6%re!!ed m2 o$n de!ire. Ka! 2a%a. Kan(a kno$! t e $ ole matter t rou' i! di(ine in!i' t. 3He reflects.4 Yet e ! ould ear ,rom u! t e %lea!ant tidin'!, o$ i! dau' ter and er !on a(e *een recei(ed *2 er u!*and. 8 o $ait! $it out9 3Enter a pupil.4 (upil. I am ere, ol2 one. Kashyapa. Gala(a, ,l2 t rou' t e air at once, carr2in' %lea!ant tidin'! ,rom me to ol2 Kan(a. Tell im o$ Dur(a!a!1 cur!e a! come to an end, o$ Du! 2anta reco(ered i! memor2, and a! taken S akuntala $it er c ild to im!el,. (upil. Ye!, ol2 one. 3E$it.4 Kashyapa 3to the king4. "2 !on, enter $it c ild and $i,e t e c ariot o, 2our ,riend Indra, and !et out ,or 2our ca%ital. King. Ye!, ol2 one. Kashyapa. ;or no$ "a2 Indra !end a*undant rain, Re%aid *2 !acri,icial 'ain5 8it aid lon' mutuall2 'i(en, Rule 2ou on eart , and e in ea(en. King. Hol2 one, I $ill do m2 *e!t. Kashyapa. 8 at more, m2 !on, ! all I do ,or 2ou9 King. .an t ere *e more t an t i!9 Yet ma2 t i! %ra2er *e ,ul,illed. "a2 kin'! i% *ene,it t e land, And $i!dom 'ro$ in !c olar!1 *and5

"a2 S i(a !ee m2 ,ait on eart And make me ,ree o, all re*irt . 3E$eunt omnes.4