MÁTHAVYA.--He must be bold indeed not to show any fear when you threaten him with such an awful punishment. [_Smiling, aside_.] He is stark mad, that's clear; and I believe, by keeping him company, I am beginning to talk almost as wildly. [_Aloud_.] Look, it is only a painted bee. KING.--Painted? impossible! SÁNUMATÍ [_aside_].--Even I did not perceive it; how much less should he? KING.--Oh! my dear friend, why were you so ill-natured as to tell me the truth? While, all entranced, I gazed upon her picture, My loved one seemed to live before my eyes, Till every fibre of my being thrilled With rapturous emotion. Oh! 'twas cruel To dissipate the day-dream, and transform The blissful vision to a lifeless image. [_Sheds tears_. SÁNUMATÍ [_aside_].--Separated lovers are very difficult to please; but he seems more difficult than usual. KING.--Alas! my dear Máthavya, why am I doomed to be the victim of perpetual disappointment? Vain is the hope of meeting her in dreams, For slumber night by night forsakes my couch: And now that I would fain assuage my grief By gazing on her portrait here before me, Tears of despairing love obscure my sight. SÁNUMATÍ [_aside_],--You have made ample amends for the wrong you did Śakoontalá in disowning her. CHATURIKÁ [_entering_].--Victory to the King! I was coming along with the box of colors in my hand------ KING.--What now? CHATURIKÁ.--When I met the Queen Vasumatí, attended by Taraliká. She insisted on taking it from me, and declared she would herself deliver it into your Majesty's hands. MÁTHAVYA.--By what luck did you contrive to escape her? CHATURIKÁ.--While her maid was disengaging her mantle, which had caught in the branch of a shrub, I ran away. KING.--Here, my good friend, take the picture and conceal it. My attentions to the Queen have made her presumptuous. She will be here in a minute. MÁTHAVYA.--Conceal the picture! conceal myself, you mean. [_Getting up and taking the picture_.] The Queen has a bitter draught in store for you, which you will have to swallow as Siva did the poison at the Deluge. When you are well quit of her, you may send and call me from the Palace of Clouds,[42] where I shall take refuge. [_Exit, running_. SÁNUMATÍ [_aside_].--Although the King's affections are transferred to another object, yet he respects his previous attachments. I fear his love must be somewhat fickle. VETRAVATÍ [_entering with a despatch in her hand_].--Victory to the King! KING.---Vetravatí, did you observe the Queen Vasumatí coming in this direction? VETRAVATÍ.--I did; but when she saw that I had a despatch in my hand for your Majesty, she turned back. KING.--The Queen has too much regard for propriety to interrupt me when I am engaged with state-affairs.