ŚAKOONTALÁ [_aside_].--How is it that the sight of this man has made me sensible of emotions inconsistent with religious vows? KING [_gazing at them all by turns_].--How charmingly your friendship is in keeping with the equality of your ages and appearance! PRIYAMVADÁ [_aside to Anasúyá_].--Who can this person be, whose lively yet dignified manner, and polite conversation, bespeak him a man of high rank? ANASÚYÁ.--I, too, my dear, am very curious to know. I will ask him myself. [_Aloud_]. Your kind words, noble Sir, fill me with confidence, and prompt me to inquire of what regal family our noble guest is the ornament? what country is now mourning his absence? and what induced a person so delicately nurtured to expose himself to the fatigue of visiting this grove of penance? ŚAKOONTALÁ [_aside_].--Be not troubled, O my heart, Anasúyá is giving utterance to thy thoughts. KING [_aside_].--How now shall I reply? shall I make myself known, or shall I still disguise my real rank? I have it; I will answer her thus. [_Aloud_]. I am the person charged by his majesty, the descendant of Puru, with the administration of justice and religion; and am come to this sacred grove to satisfy myself that the rites of the hermits are free from obstruction. ANASÚYÁ.--The hermits, then, and all the members of our religious society have now a guardian. [_Śakoontalá gazes bashfully at the King_. PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYÁ [_perceiving the state of her feelings, and of the King's. Aside to Śakoontalá_].--Dear Śakoontalá, if father Kanwa were but at home to-day------ ŚAKOONTALÁ [_angrily_].--What if he were? PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYÁ.--He would honor this our distinguished guest with an offering of the most precious of his possessions. ŚAKOONTALÁ.--Go to! you have some silly idea in your minds. I will not listen to such remarks. KING.--May I be allowed, in my turn, to ask you maidens a few particulars respecting your friend? PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYÁ.--Your request, Sir, is an honor. KING.--The sage Kanwa lives in the constant practice of austerities. How, then, can this friend of yours be called his daughter? ANASÚYÁ.--I will explain to you, Sir. You have heard of an illustrious sage of regal caste, Viśwámitra, whose family name is Kaúsika. KING.--I have. ANASÚYÁ.--Know that he is the real father of our friend. The venerable Kanwa is only her reputed father. He it was who brought her up, when she was deserted by her mother. KING.--"Deserted by her mother!" My curiosity is excited; pray let me hear the story from the beginning. ANASÚYÁ.--You shall hear it, Sir. Some time since, this sage of regal caste, while performing a most severe penance on the banks of the river Godávarí, excited the jealousy and alarm of the gods; insomuch that they despatched a lovely nymph named Menaká to interrupt his devotions. KING.--The inferior gods, I am aware, are jealous of the power which the practice of excessive devotion confers on mortals.