Part 22 (1/2)

_Januka_. He _is_ much obliged to the king. Just as if he had been taken from the stake and put on an elephant's back.

_Suchaka_. Chief, the reward shows that the king thought a lot of the ring. The gem must be worth something.

_Chief_. No, it wasn't the fine gem that pleased the king. It was this way.

_The two policemen_. Well?

_Chief_. I think, when the king saw it, he remembered somebody he loves. You know how dignified he is usually. But as soon as he saw it, he broke down for a moment.

_Suchaka_. You have done the king a good turn, chief.

_Januka_. All for the sake of this fish-killer, it seems to me. (_He looks enviously at the fisherman_.)

_Fisherman_. Take half of it, masters, to pay for something to drink.

_Januka_. Fisherman, you are the biggest and best friend I've got. The first thing we want, is all the brandy we can hold. Let's go where they keep it. (_Exeunt omnes_.)

SCENE II.--_In the Palace Gardens_

(_Enter_ MISHRAKEs.h.i.+, _flying through the air_.)

_Mishrakes.h.i.+_. I have taken my turn in waiting upon the nymphs. And now I will see what this good king is doing. Shakuntala is like a second self to me, because she is the daughter of Menaka. And it was she who asked me to do this. (_She looks about_.) It is the day of the spring festival. But I see no preparations for a celebration at court.

I might learn the reason by my power of divination. But I must do as my friend asked me. Good! I will make myself invisible and stand near these girls who take care of the garden. I shall find out that way.

(_She descends to earth. Enter a maid, gazing at a mango branch, and behind her, a second_.)

_First maid_.

First mango-twig, so pink, so green, First living breath of spring, You are sacrificed as soon as seen, A festival offering.

_Second maid_. What are you chirping about to yourself, little cuckoo?

_First maid_. Why, little bee, you know that the cuckoo goes crazy with delight when she sees the mango-blossom.

_Second maid_ (_joyfully_). Oh, has the spring really come?

_First maid_. Yes, little bee. And this is the time when you too buzz about in crazy joy. _Second maid_. Hold me, dear, while I stand on tiptoe and offer this blossom to Love, the divine.

_First maid_. If I do, you must give me half the reward of the offering.

_Second maid_. That goes without saying, dear. We two are one. (_She leans on her friend and takes the mango-blossom_.) Oh, see! The mango-blossom hasn't opened, but it has broken the sheath, so it is fragrant. (_She brings her hands together_.) I wors.h.i.+p mighty Love.

O mango-twig I give to Love As arrow for his bow, Most sovereign of his arrows five, Strike maiden-targets low.

(_She throws the twig. Enter the chamberlain_.)

_Chamberlain_ (_angrily_). Stop, silly girl. The king has strictly forbidden the spring festival. Do you dare pluck the mango-blossoms?

_The two maids_ (_frightened_). Forgive us, sir. We did not know.