KING.--Priyamvadá speaks most truly. Sunk is her velvet cheek; her wasted bosom Loses its fulness; e'en her slender waist Grows more attenuate; her face is wan, Her shoulders droop;--as when the vernal blasts Sear the young blossoms of the Mádhaví, Blighting their bloom; so mournful is the change, Yet in its sadness, fascinating still, Inflicted by the mighty lord of love On the fair figure of the hermit's daughter. ŚAKOONTALÁ.--Dear friends, to no one would I rather reveal the nature of my malady than to you; but I should only be troubling you. PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYÁ.--Nay, this is the very point about which we are so solicitous. Sorrow shared with affectionate friends is relieved of half its poignancy. KING.--Pressed by the partners of her joys and griefs, Her much beloved companions, to reveal The cherished secret locked within her breast, She needs must utter it; although her looks Encourage me to hope, my bosom throbs As anxiously I listen for her answer. ŚAKOONTALÁ.--Know then, dear friends, that from the first moment the illustrious Prince, who is the guardian of our sacred grove, presented himself to my sight-- [_Stops short, and appears confused._] PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYÁ.--Say on, dear Śakoontalá, say on. ŚAKOONTALÁ.--Ever since that happy moment, my heart's affections have been fixed upon him, and my energies of mind and body have all deserted me, as you see. KING [_with rapture_].--Her own lips have uttered the words I most longed to hear. Love lit the flame, and Love himself allays My burning fever, as when gathering clouds Rise o'er the earth in summer's dazzling noon, And grateful showers dispel the morning heat. ŚAKOONTALÁ.--You must consent, then, dear friends, to contrive some means by which I may find favor with the King, or you will have ere long to assist at my funeral. KING [_with rapture_].--Enough! These words remove all my doubts. PRIYAMVADÁ [_aside to Anasúyá_].--She is far gone in love, dear Anasúyá, and no time ought to be lost. Since she has fixed her affections on a monarch who is the ornament of Puru's line, we need not hesitate for a moment to express our approval. ANASÚYÁ.--I quite agree with you. PRIYAMVADÁ [_aloud_].--We wish you joy, dear Śakoontalá. Your affections are fixed on an object in every respect worthy of you. The noblest river will unite itself to the ocean, and the lovely Mádhaví-creeper clings naturally to the Mango, the only tree capable of supporting it. KING.--Why need we wonder if the beautiful constellation Viśákhá pines to be united with the Moon. ANASÚYÁ.--By what stratagem can we best secure to our friend the accomplishment of her heart's desire, both speedily and secretly? PRIYAMVADÁ.--The latter point is all we have to think about. As to "speedily," I look upon the whole affair as already settled. ANASÚYÁ.--How so?