Part 25 (2/2)

_Portress_. Your Majesty, the minister sends word that in the press of various business he has attended to only one citizen's suit. This he has reduced to writing for your Majesty's perusal.

_King_. Give me the doc.u.ment. (_The portress does so_.)

_King_ (_reads_). ”Be it known to his Majesty. A seafaring merchant named Dhanavriddhi has been lost in a s.h.i.+pwreck. He is childless, and his property, amounting to several millions, reverts to the crown.

Will his Majesty take action?” (_Sadly_.) It is dreadful to be childless. Vetravati, he had great riches. There must be several wives. Let inquiry be made. There may be a wife who is with child.

_Portress_. We have this moment heard that a merchant's daughter of Saketa is his wife. And she is soon to become a mother.

_King_. The child shall receive the inheritance. Go, inform the minister.

_Portress_. Yes, your Majesty. (_She starts to go_.)

_King_. Wait a moment.

_Portress_ (_turning back_). Yes, your Majesty. _King_. After all, what does it matter whether he have issue or not?

Let King Dushyanta be proclaimed To every sad soul kin That mourns a kinsman loved and lost, Yet did not plunge in sin.

_Portress_. The proclamation shall be made. (_She goes out and soon returns_.) Your Majesty, the royal proclamation was welcomed by the populace as is a timely shower.

_King_ (_sighing deeply_). Thus, when issue fails, wealth pa.s.ses, on the death of the head of the family, to a stranger. When I die, it will be so with the glory of Puru's line.

_Portress_. Heaven avert the omen!

_King_. Alas! I despised the happiness that offered itself to me.

_Mishrakes.h.i.+_. Without doubt, he has dear Shakuntala in mind when he thus reproaches himself.

_King_.

Could I forsake the virtuous wife Who held my best, my future life And cherished it for glorious birth, As does the seed-receiving earth?

_Mishrakes.h.i.+_. She will not long be forsaken.

_Maid_ (_to the portress_). Mistress, the minister's report has doubled our lord's remorse. Go to the Cloud Balcony and bring Madhavya to dispel his grief.

_Portress_. A good suggestion. (_Exit_.)

_King_. Alas! The ancestors of Dushyanta are in a doubtful case.

For I am childless, and they do not know, When I am gone, what child of theirs will bring The scriptural oblation; and their tears Already mingle with my offering.

_Mishrakes.h.i.+_. He is screened from the light, and is in darkness.

_Maid_. Do not give way to grief, your Majesty. You are in the prime of your years, and the birth of a son to one of your other wives will make you blameless before your ancestors. (_To herself_.) He does not heed me. The proper medicine is needed for any disease. _King_ (_betraying his sorrow_). Surely,

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