PRIYAMVADÁ.--She was sitting with her face bowed down to the very ground with shame, when Father Kanwa entered and, embracing her, of his own accord offered her his congratulations. "I give thee joy, my child," he said, "we have had an auspicious omen. The priest who offered the oblation dropped it into the very centre of the sacred fire, though thick smoke obstructed his vision. Henceforth thou wilt cease to be an object of compassion. This very day I purpose sending thee, under the charge of certain trusty hermits, to the King's palace; and shall deliver thee into the hands of thy husband, as I would commit knowledge to the keeping of a wise and faithful student." ANASÚYÁ.--Who, then, informed the holy Father of what passed in his absence? PRIYAMVADÁ.--As he was entering the sanctuary of the consecrated fire, an invisible being chanted a verse in celestial strains. ANASÚYÁ [_with astonishment_].--Indeed! pray repeat it. PRIYAMVADÁ [_repeats the verse_].-- Glows in thy daughter King Dushyanta's glory, As in the sacred tree the mystic fire. Let worlds rejoice to hear the welcome story; And may the son immortalize the sire. ANASÚYÁ [_embracing Priyamvadá_].--Oh, my dear Priyamvadá, what delightful news! I am pleased beyond measure; yet when I think that we are to lose our dear Śakoontalá this very day, a feeling of melancholy mingles with my joy. PRIYAMVADÁ.--We shall find means of consoling ourselves after her departure. Let the dear creature only be made happy, at any cost. ANASÚYÁ.--Yes, yes, Priyamvadá, it shall be so; and now to prepare our bridal array. I have always looked forward to this occasion, and some time since, I deposited a beautiful garland of Keśara flowers in a cocoa-nut box, and suspended it on a bough of yonder mango-tree. Be good enough to stretch out your hand and take it down, while I compound unguents and perfumes with this consecrated paste and these blades of sacred grass. PRIYAMVADÁ.--Very well. [_Exit Anasúyá. Priyamvadá takes down the flowers._ A VOICE [_behind the scenes_].--Gautamí, bid Śárngarava and the others hold themselves in readiness to escort Śakoontalá. PRIYAMVADÁ [_listening_].--Quick, quick, Anasúyá! They are calling the hermits who are to go with Śakoontalá to Hastinápur. ANASÚYÁ [_reëntering, with the perfumed unguents in her hand_].--Come along then, Priyamvadá; I am ready to go with you. [_They walk away_. PRIYAMVADÁ [_looking_].--See! there sits Śakoontalá, her locks arranged even at this early hour of the morning. The holy women of the hermitage are congratulating her, and invoking blessings on her head, while they present her with wedding-gifts and offerings of consecrated wild-rice. Let us join them. [_They approach_. _Śakoontalá is seen seated, with women surrounding her, occupied in the manner described_.