KING.--As soon as my heart's anguish is removed, and its wounds are healed, I will tell thee all. Oh! let me, fair one, chase away the drop That still bedews the fringes of thine eye; And let me thus efface the memory Of every tear that stained thy velvet cheek, Unnoticed and unheeded by thy lord, When in his madness he rejected thee. [_Wipes away the tear_. ŚAKOONTALÁ [_seeing the signet-ring on his finger_].--Ah! my dear husband, is that the Lost Ring? KING.--Yes; the moment I recovered it, my memory was restored. ŚAKOONTALÁ.--The ring was to blame in allowing itself to be lost at the very time when I was anxious to convince my noble husband of the reality of my marriage. KING.--Receive it back, as the beautiful twining plant receives again its blossom in token of its reunion with the spring. ŚAKOONTALÁ.--Nay; I can never more place confidence in it. Let my husband retain it. _Enter Mátali_. MÁTALI.--I congratulate your Majesty. Happy are you in your reunion with your wife: happy are you in beholding the face of your son. KING.--Yes, indeed. My heart's dearest wish has borne sweet fruit. But tell me, Mátali, is this joyful event known to the great Indra? MÁTALI [_smiling_].--What is unknown to the gods? But come with me, noble Prince, the divine Kaśyapa graciously permits thee to be presented to him. KING.--Śakoontalá, take our child and lead the way. We will together go into the presence of the holy Sage. ŚAKOONTALÁ.--I shrink from entering the august presence of the great Saint, even with my husband at my side. KING.--Nay; on such a joyous occasion it is highly proper. Come, come; I entreat thee. [_All advance_. _Kaśyapa is discovered seated on a throne with his wife Aditi_. KAŚYAPA [_gazing at Dushyanta. To his wife_].--O Aditi, This is the mighty hero, King Dushyanta, Protector of the earth; who, at the head Of the celestial armies of thy son, Does battle with the enemies of heaven. Thanks to his bow, the thunderbolt of Indra Rests from its work, no more the minister Of death and desolation to the world, But a mere symbol of divinity. ADITI.--He bears in his noble form all the marks of dignity. MÁTALI [_to Dushyanta_].--Sire, the venerable progenitors of the celestials are gazing at your Majesty with as much affection as if you were their son. You may advance towards them. KING.--Are these, O Mátali, the holy pair, Offspring of Daksha and divine Maríchi, Children of Brahmá's sons, by sages deemed Sole fountain of celestial light, diffused Through twelve effulgent orbs? Are these the pair From whom the ruler of the triple world, Sovereign of gods and lord of sacrifice, Sprang into being? That immortal pair Whom Vishnu, greater than the self-existent, Chose for his parents, when, to save mankind, He took upon himself the shape of mortals? MÁTALI.--Even so.