Part 13 (2/2)

Her sweetly trembling lip With virgin invitation Provokes my soul to sip Delighted fascination.

_Shakuntala_. You seem slow, dear, in fulfilling your promise.

_King_. The lotus over your ear is so near your eye, and so like it, that I was confused. (_He gently blows her eye_.)

_Shakuntala_. Thank you. I can see quite well now. But I am ashamed not to make any return for your kindness.

_King_. What more could I ask?

It ought to be enough for me To hover round your fragrant face; Is not the lotus-haunting bee Content with perfume and with grace?

_Shakuntala_. But what does he do if he is not content?

_King_. This! This! (_He draws her face to his_.)

_A voice behind the scenes_. O sheldrake bride, bid your mate farewell. The night is come.

_Shakuntala_ (_listening excitedly_). Oh, my dear, this is Mother Gautami, come to inquire about me. Please hide among the branches.

(_The king conceals himself. Enter _GAUTAMI, _with a bowl in her hand_.)

_Gautami_. Here is the holy water, my child. (_She sees_ SHAKUNTALA _and helps her to rise_.) So ill, and all alone here with the G.o.ds?

_Shakuntala_. It was just a moment ago that Priyamvada and a.n.u.suya went down to the river.

_Gautami_ (_sprinkling_ SHAKUNTALA _with the holy water_). May you live long and happy, my child. Has the fever gone down? (_She touches her_.)

_Shakuntala_. There is a difference, mother.

_Gautami_. The sun is setting. Come, let us go to the cottage.

_Shakuntala_ (_weakly rising. To herself_). Oh, my heart, you delayed when your desire came of itself. Now see what you have done. (_She takes a step, then turns around. Aloud_.) O bower that took away my pain, I bid you farewell until another blissful hour. (_Exeunt_ SHAKUNTALA _and_ GAUTAMI.)

_King_ (_advancing with a sigh_.) The path to happiness is strewn with obstacles.

Her face, adorned with soft eye-lashes, Adorable with trembling flashes Of half-denial, in memory lingers; The sweet lips guarded by her fingers, The head that drooped upon her shoulder-- Why was I not a little bolder?

Where shall I go now? Let me stay a moment in this bower where my beloved lay. (_He looks about_.)

The flower-strewn bed whereon her body tossed; The bracelet, fallen from her arm and lost; The dear love-missive, in the lotus-leaf Cut by her nails: a.s.suage my absent grief And occupy my eyes--I have no power, Though she is gone, to leave the reedy bower.

(_He reflects_.) Alas! I did wrong to delay when I had found my love.

So now

If she will grant me but one other meeting, I'll not delay; for happiness is fleeting; So plans my foolish, self-defeated heart; But when she comes, I play the coward's part.

_A voice behind the scenes_. O King!

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