Part 30 (1/2)

_King_. My dear wife, bring our son. I could not appear without you before the holy one.

_Shakuntala_. I am ashamed to go before such parents with my husband.

_King_. It is the custom in times of festival. Come. (_They walk about_. KASHYAPA _appears seated, with_ ADITI.)

_Kashyapa_ (_looking at the king_). Aditi,

'Tis King Dushyanta, he who goes before Your son in battle, and who rules the earth, Whose bow makes Indra's weapon seem no more Than a fine plaything, lacking sterner worth.

_Aditi_. His valour might be inferred from his appearance.

_Matali_. O King, the parents of the G.o.ds look upon you with a glance that betrays parental fondness. Approach them. _King_. Matali,

Sprung from the Creator's children, do I see Great Kashyapa and Mother Aditi?

The pair that did produce the sun in heaven, To which each year twelve changing forms are given; That brought the king of all the G.o.ds to birth, Who rules in heaven, in h.e.l.l, and on the earth; That Vishnu, than the Uncreated higher, Chose as his parents with a fond desire.

_Matali_. It is indeed they.

_King_ (_falling before them_). Dushyanta, servant of Indra, does reverence to you both.

_Kashyapa_. My son, rule the earth long.

_Aditi_. And be invincible. (SHAKUNTALA _and her son fall at their feet_.)

_Kashyapa_. My daughter,

Your husband equals Indra, king Of G.o.ds; your son is like his son; No further blessing need I bring: Win bliss such as his wife has won.

_Aditi_. My child, keep the favour of your husband. And may this fine boy be an honour to the families of both parents. Come, let us be seated. (_All seat themselves_.)

_Kashyapa_ (_indicating one after the other_).

Faithful Shakuntala, the boy, And you, O King, I see A trinity to bless the world-- Faith, Treasure, Piety.

_King_. Holy one, your favour shown to us is without parallel. You granted the fulfilment of our wishes before you called us to your presence. For, holy one,

The flower comes first, and then the fruit; The clouds appear before the rain; Effect comes after cause; but you First helped, then made your favour plain.

_Matali_. O King, such is the favour shown by the parents of the world. _King_. Holy one, I married this your maid-servant by the voluntary ceremony. When after a time her relatives brought her to me, my memory failed and I rejected her. In so doing, I sinned against Kanva, who is kin to you. But afterwards, when I saw the ring, I perceived that I had married her. And this seems very wonderful to me.

Like one who doubts an elephant, Though seeing him stride by, And yet believes when he has seen The footprints left; so I.

_Kashyapa_. My son, do not accuse yourself of sin. Your infatuation was inevitable. Listen.

_King_. I am all attention.

_Kashyapa_. When the nymph Menaka descended to earth and received Shakuntala, afflicted at her rejection, she came to Aditi. Then I perceived the matter by my divine insight. I saw that the unfortunate girl had been rejected by her rightful husband because of Durvasas'

curse. And that the curse would end when the ring came to light.

_King_ (_with a sigh of relief. To himself_). Then I am free from blame.