GAUTAMÍ.--Let me sprinkle you with this holy water, and all your ailments will depart. [_Sprinkling Śakoontalá on the head_.] The day is closing, my child; come, let us go to the cottage. [_They all move away_. ŚAKOONTALÁ [_aside_].--Oh my heart! thou didst fear to taste of happiness when it was within thy reach. Now that the object of thy desires is torn from thee, how bitter will be thy remorse, how distracting thine anguish! [_Moving on a few steps and stopping. Aloud_.] Farewell! bower of creepers, sweet soother of my sufferings, farewell! may I soon again be happy under thy shade. [_Exit reluctantly with the others_. KING [_returning to his former seat in the arbor. Sighing_].--Alas! how many are the obstacles to the accomplishment of our wishes! Albeit she did coyly turn away Her glowing cheek, and with her fingers guard Her pouting lips, that murmured a denial In faltering accents, she did yield herself A sweet reluctant captive to my will, As eagerly I raised her lovely face: But ere with gentle force I stole the kiss, Too envious Fate did mar my daring purpose. Whither now shall I betake myself? I will tarry for a brief space in this bower of creepers, so endeared to me by the presence of my beloved Śakoontalá. [_Looking round_. Here printed on the flowery couch I see The fair impression of her slender limbs; Here is the sweet confession of her love, Traced with her nail upon the lotus leaf-- And yonder are the withered lily stalks That graced her wrist. While all around I view Things that recall her image, can I quit This bower, e'en though its living charm be fled? A VOICE [_in the air_].--Great King, Scarce is our evening sacrifice begun, When evil demons, lurid as the clouds That gather round the dying orb of day, Cluster in hideous troops, obscene and dread, About our altars, casting far and near Terrific shadows, while the sacred fire Sheds a pale lustre o'er their ghostly shapes. KING.--I come to the rescue, I come. [_Exit._ [38] Káma, the Hindoo Cupid, or god of love. He has five arrows, each tipped with the blossom of a flower, which pierce the heart through the five senses. [39] A marriage without the usual ceremonies is called Gándharva. It was supposed to be the form of marriage prevalent among the nymphs of Indra's heaven. PRELUDE TO ACT FOURTH Scene.--The Garden of the Hermitage _Enter Priyamvadá and Anasúyá in the act of gathering flowers_. ANASÚYÁ.--Although, dear Priyamvadá, it rejoices my heart to think that Śakoontalá has been happily united to a husband in every respect worthy of her, by the form of marriage prevalent among Indra's celestial musicians, nevertheless, I cannot help feeling somewhat uneasy in my mind. PRIYAMVADÁ.--How so?