Translations Of Shakuntala And Other Works Part 13

_King_ (_laying the lotus-bracelet on his heart_). Ah!

Once, dear, on your sweet arm it lay, And on my heart shall ever stay; Though you disdain to give me joy, I find it in a lifeless toy.

_Shakuntala_. I cannot hold back after that. I will use the bracelet as an excuse for my coming. (_She approaches_.)

_King_ (_seeing her. Joyfully_). The queen of my life! As soon as I complained, fate proved kind to me.

No sooner did the thirsty bird With parching throat complain, Than forming clouds in heaven stirred And sent the streaming rain.

_Shakuntala_ (_standing before the king_). When I was going away, sir, I remembered that this lotus-bracelet had fallen from my arm, and I have come back for it. My heart seemed to tell me that you had taken it. Please give it back, or you will betray me, and yourself too, to the hermits.

_King_. I will restore it on one condition.

_Shakuntala_. What condition?

_King_. That I may myself place it where it belongs.

_Shakuntala_ (_to herself_). What can I do? (_She approaches_.)

_King_. Let us sit on this stone bench. (_They walk to the bench and sit down_.)

_King_ (_taking_ SHAKUNTALA'S _hand_). Ah!

When s.h.i.+va's anger burned the tree Of love in quenchless fire, Did heavenly fate preserve a shoot To deck my heart's desire?

_Shakuntala_ (_feeling his touch_). Hasten, my dear, hasten.

_King_ (_joyfully to himself_). Now I am content. She speaks as a wife to her husband. (_Aloud_.) Beautiful Shakuntala, the clasp of the bracelet is not very firm. May I fasten it in another way?

_Shakuntala_ (_smiling_). If you like.

_King_ (_artfully delaying before he fastens it_). See, my beautiful girl!

The lotus-chain is dazzling white As is the slender moon at night.

Perhaps it was the moon on high That joined her horns and left the sky, Believing that your lovely arm Would, more than heaven, enhance her charm.

_Shakuntala_. I cannot see it. The pollen from the lotus over my ear has blown into my eye.

_King_ (_smiling_). Will you permit me to blow it away?

_Shakuntala_. I should not like to be an object of pity. But why should I not trust you? _King_. Do not have such thoughts. A new servant does not transgress orders.

_Shakuntala_. It is this exaggerated courtesy that frightens me.

_King_ (_to himself_). I shall not break the bonds of this sweet servitude. (_He starts to raise her face to his_. SHAKUNTALA _resists a little, then is pa.s.sive_.)

_King_. Oh, my bewitching girl, have no fear of me.

(SHAKUNTALA _darts a glance at him, then looks down. The king raises her face. Aside_.)

Her sweetly trembling lip With virgin invitation Provokes my soul to sip Delighted fascination.

_Shakuntala_. You seem slow, dear, in fulfilling your promise.

_King_. The lotus over your ear is so near your eye, and so like it, that I was confused. (_He gently blows her eye_.)

_Shakuntala_. Thank you. I can see quite well now. But I am ashamed not to make any return for your kindness.

_King_. What more could I ask?

It ought to be enough for me To hover round your fragrant face; Is not the lotus-haunting bee Content with perfume and with grace?

_Shakuntala_. But what does he do if he is not content?

_King_. This! This! (_He draws her face to his_.)

_A voice behind the scenes_. O sheldrake bride, bid your mate farewell. The night is come.

_Shakuntala_ (_listening excitedly_). Oh, my dear, this is Mother Gautami, come to inquire about me. Please hide among the branches.

(_The king conceals himself. Enter _GAUTAMI, _with a bowl in her hand_.)

_Gautami_. Here is the holy water, my child. (_She sees_ SHAKUNTALA _and helps her to rise_.) So ill, and all alone here with the G.o.ds?

_Shakuntala_. It was just a moment ago that Priyamvada and a.n.u.suya went down to the river.

_Gautami_ (_sprinkling_ SHAKUNTALA _with the holy water_). May you live long and happy, my child. Has the fever gone down? (_She touches her_.)

_Shakuntala_. There is a difference, mother.

_Gautami_. The sun is setting. Come, let us go to the cottage.

_Shakuntala_ (_weakly rising. To herself_). Oh, my heart, you delayed when your desire came of itself. Now see what you have done. (_She takes a step, then turns around. Aloud_.) O bower that took away my pain, I bid you farewell until another blissful hour. (_Exeunt_ SHAKUNTALA _and_ GAUTAMI.)

_King_ (_advancing with a sigh_.) The path to happiness is strewn with obstacles.

Her face, adorned with soft eye-lashes, Adorable with trembling flashes Of half-denial, in memory lingers; The sweet lips guarded by her fingers, The head that drooped upon her shoulder-- Why was I not a little bolder?

Where shall I go now? Let me stay a moment in this bower where my beloved lay. (_He looks about_.)

The flower-strewn bed whereon her body tossed; The bracelet, fallen from her arm and lost; The dear love-missive, in the lotus-leaf Cut by her nails: a.s.suage my absent grief And occupy my eyes--I have no power, Though she is gone, to leave the reedy bower.

(_He reflects_.) Alas! I did wrong to delay when I had found my love.

So now

If she will grant me but one other meeting, I'll not delay; for happiness is fleeting; So plans my foolish, self-defeated heart; But when she comes, I play the coward's part.

_A voice behind the scenes_. O King!