Translations Of Shakuntala And Other Works Part 20

_Shakuntala_ (_touching her finger_). Oh, oh! The ring is lost. (_She looks sadly at_ GAUTAMI.)

_Gautami_. My child, you wors.h.i.+pped the holy Ganges at the spot where Indra descended. The ring must have fallen there.

_King_. Ready wit, ready wit!

_Shakuntala_. Fate is too strong for me there. I will tell you something else.

_King_. Let me hear what you have to say.

_Shakuntala_. One day, in the bower of reeds, you were holding a lotus-leaf cup full of water.

_King_. I hear you.

_Shakuntala_. At that moment the fawn came up, my adopted son. Then you took pity on him and coaxed him. "Let him drink first," you said.

But he did not know you, and he would not come to drink water from your hand. But he liked it afterwards, when I held the very same water. Then you smiled and said: "It is true. Every one trusts his own sort. You both belong to the forest."

_King_. It is just such women, selfish, sweet, false, that entice fools. _Gautami_. You have no right to say that. She grew up in the pious grove. She does not know how to deceive.

_King_. Old hermit woman,

The female's untaught cunning may be seen In beasts, far more in women selfish-wise; The cuckoo's eggs are left to hatch and rear By foster-parents, and away she flies.

_Shakuntala_ (_angrily_). Wretch! You judge all this by your own false heart. Would any other man do what you have done? To hide behind virtue, like a yawning well covered over with gra.s.s!

_King_ (_to himself_). But her anger is free from coquetry, because she has lived in the forest. See!

Her glance is straight; her eyes are flas.h.i.+ng red; Her speech is harsh, not drawlingly well-bred; Her whole lip quivers, seems to shake with cold; Her frown has straightened eyebrows arching bold.

No, she saw that I was doubtful, and her anger was feigned. Thus

When I refused but now Hard-heartedly, to know Of love or secret vow, Her eyes grew red; and so, Bending her arching brow, She fiercely snapped Love's bow.

(_Aloud_.) My good girl, Dushyanta's conduct is known to the whole kingdom, but not this action.

_Shakuntala_. Well, well. I had my way. I trusted a king, and put myself in his hands. He had a honey face and a heart of stone. (_She covers her face with her dress and weeps_.)

_Sharngarava_. Thus does unbridled levity burn.

Be slow to love, but yet more slow With secret mate; With those whose hearts we do not know, Love turns to hate.

_King_. Why do you trust this girl, and accuse me of an imaginary crime? _Sharngarava_ (_disdainfully_). You have learned your wisdom upside down.

It would be monstrous to believe A girl who never lies; Trust those who study to deceive And think it very wise.

_King_. Aha, my candid friend! Suppose I were to admit that I am such a man. What would happen if I deceived the girl?

_Sharngarava_. Ruin.

_King_. It is unthinkable that ruin should fall on Puru's line.

_Sharngarava_. Why bandy words? We have fulfilled our Father's bidding. We are ready to return.

Leave her or take her, as you will; She is your wife; Husbands have power for good or ill O'er woman's life.

Gautami, lead the way. (_They start to go_.)

_Shakuntala_. He has deceived me shamelessly. And will you leave me too? (_She starts to follow_.)

_Gautami_ (_turns around and sees her_). Sharngarava, my son, Shakuntala is following us, lamenting piteously. What can the poor child do with a husband base enough to reject her?

_Sharngarava_ (_turns angrily_). You self-willed girl! Do you dare show independence? (SHAKUNTALA _shrinks in fear_.) Listen.

If you deserve such scorn and blame, What will your father with your shame?

But if you know your vows are pure, Obey your husband and endure.

Remain. We must go.

_King_. Hermit, why deceive this woman? Remember:

Night-blossoms open to the moon, Day-blossoms to the sun; A man of honour ever strives Another's wife to shun.

_Sharngarava_. O King, suppose you had forgotten your former actions in the midst of distractions. Should you now desert your wife--you who fear to fail in virtue?

_King_. I ask _you_ which is the heavier sin:

Not knowing whether I be mad Or falsehood be in her, Shall I desert a faithful wife Or turn adulterer?

_Chaplain_ (_considering_). Now if this were done----

_King_. Instruct me, my teacher.

_Chaplain_. Let the woman remain in my house until her child is born.

_King_. Why this?

_Chaplain_. The chief astrologers have told you that your first child was destined to be an emperor. If the son of the hermit's daughter is born with the imperial birthmarks, then welcome her and introduce her into the palace. Otherwise, she must return to her father.

_King_. It is good advice, my teacher.

_Chaplain_ (_rising_). Follow me, my daughter.

_Shakuntala_. O mother earth, give me a grave! (_Exit weeping, with the chaplain, the hermits, and_ GAUTAMI. _The king, his memory clouded by the curse, ponders on_ SHAKUNTALA.)

_Voices behind the scenes_. A miracle! A miracle!

_King_ (_listening_). What does this mean? (_Enter the chaplain_.)

_Chaplain_ (_in amazement_). Your Majesty, a wonderful thing has happened.