Part 14 (1/2)

The flames rise heavenward from the evening altar; And round the sacrifices, blazing high, Flesh-eating demons stalk, like red cloud-ma.s.ses, And cast colossal shadows on the sky.

_King_ (_listens. Resolutely_). Have no fear, hermits. I am here.

(_Exit_.)

ACT IV

SHAKUNTALA'S DEPARTURE

SCENE I

(_Enter the two friends, gathering flowers_.)

_a.n.u.suya_. Priyamvada, dear Shakuntala has been properly married by the voluntary ceremony and she has a husband worthy of her. And yet I am not quite satisfied.

_Priyamvada_. Why not?

_a.n.u.suya_. The sacrifice is over and the good king was dismissed to-day by the hermits. He has gone back to the city and there he is surrounded by hundreds of court ladies. I wonder whether he will remember poor Shakuntala or not.

_Priyamvada_. You need not be anxious about that. Such handsome men are sure to be good. But there is something else to think about. I don't know what Father will have to say when he comes back from his pilgrimage and hears about it.

_a.n.u.suya_. I believe that he will be pleased.

_Priyamvada_. Why?

_a.n.u.suya_. Why not? You know he wanted to give his daughter to a lover worthy of her. If fate brings this about of itself, why shouldn't Father be happy?

_Priyamvada_. I suppose you are right. (_She looks at her flower-basket_.) My dear, we have gathered flowers enough for the sacrifice.

_a.n.u.suya_. But we must make an offering to the G.o.ds that watch over Shakuntala's marriage. We had better gather more.

_Priyamvada_. Very well. (_They do so_.)

_A voice behind the scenes_. Who will bid me welcome?

_a.n.u.suya_ (_listening_). My dear, it sounds like a guest announcing himself.

_Priyamvada_. Well, Shakuntala is near the cottage. (_Reflecting_.) Ah, but to-day her heart is far away. Come, we must do with the flowers we have. (_They start to walk away_.)

_The voice_.

Do you dare despise a guest like me?

Because your heart, by loving fancies blinded, Has scorned a guest in pious life grown old, Your lover shall forget you though reminded, Or think of you as of a story told.

(_The two girls listen and show dejection_.)

_Priyamvada_. Oh, dear! The very thing has happened. The dear, absent-minded girl has offended some worthy man.

_a.n.u.suya_ (_looking ahead_). My dear, this is no ordinary somebody. It is the great sage Durvasas, the irascible. See how he strides away!