Translations Of Shakuntala And Other Works Part 25

_Mishrakes.h.i.+_. Love works a curious change even in a brave man.

_Clown_ (_aloud_). It is only a picture, man.

_King_. A picture?

_Mishrakes.h.i.+_. I too understand it now. But to him, thoughts are real experiences.

_King_. You have done an ill-natured thing.

When I was happy in the sight, And when my heart was warm, You brought sad memories back, and made My love a painted form.

(_He sheds a tear_.)

_Mishrakes.h.i.+_. Fate plays strangely with him.

_King_. My friend, how can I endure a grief that has no respite?

I cannot sleep at night And meet her dreaming; I cannot see the sketch While tears are streaming.

_Mishrakes.h.i.+_. My friend, you have indeed atoned--and in her friend's presence--for the pain you caused by rejecting dear Shakuntala.

(_Enter the maid_ CHATURIKA.)

_Maid_. Your Majesty, I was coming back with the box of paint-brushes----

_King_. Well?

_Maid_. I met Queen Vasumati with the maid Pingalika. And the queen s.n.a.t.c.hed the box from me, saying: "I will take it to the king myself."

_Clown_. How did you escape?

_Maid_. The queen's dress caught on a vine. And while her maid was setting her free, I excused myself in a hurry. _A voice behind the scenes_. Follow me, your Majesty.

_Clown_ (_listening_). Man, the she-tiger of the palace is making a spring on her prey. She means to make one mouthful of the maid.

_King_. My friend, the queen has come because she feels touched in her honour. You had better take care of this picture.

_Clown_. "And yourself," you might add. (_He takes the picture and rises_.) If you get out of the trap alive, call for me at the Cloud Balcony. And I will hide the thing there so that nothing but a pigeon could find it. (_Exit on the run_.)

_Mishrakes.h.i.+_. Though his heart is given to another, he is courteous to his early flame. He is a constant friend.

(_Enter the portress with a doc.u.ment_.)

_Portress_. Victory to your Majesty.

_King_. Vetravati, did you not meet Queen Vasumati?

_Portress_. Yes, your Majesty. But she turned back when she saw that I carried a doc.u.ment.

_King_. The queen knows times and seasons. She will not interrupt business.

_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,