MATALI.

Even so.

KING. [Prostrating himself.

Most august of beings!  Dushyanta, content to have fulfilled the commands of your son Indra, offers you his adoration.

KA[S’]YAPA.

My son, long may’st thou live, and happily may’st thou reign over the earth!

ADITI.

My son, may’st thou ever be invincible in the field of battle!

[S’]AKOONTALA.

I also prostrate myself before you, most adorable Beings, and my child with me.

KA[S’]YAPA.

My daughter,

  Thy lord resembles Indra, and thy child
  Is noble as Jayanta, Indra’s son;
  I have no worthier blessing left for thee,
  May’st thou be faithful as the god’s own wife!

ADITI.

My daughter, may’st thou be always the object of thy husband’s fondest love; and may thy son live long to be the joy of both his parents!  Be seated.

[All sit down in the presence of KA[S’]YAPA.

KA[S’]YAPA. [Regarding each of them by turns.

  Hail to the beautiful [S’]akoontala,
  Hail to her noble son, and hail to thee,
  Illustrious Prince—­rare triple combination
  Of virtue, wealth, and energy united!

KING.

Most venerable Ka[s’]yapa, by your favour all my desires were accomplished even before I was admitted to your presence.  Never was mortal so honoured that his boon should be granted ere it was solicited.  Because—­

  Bloom before fruit, the clouds before the rain,
  Cause first and then effect, in endless sequence,
  Is the unchanging law of constant nature;
  But, ere the blessing issued from thy lips,
  The wishes of my heart were all fulfilled.

MATALI.

It is thus that the great progenitors of the world confer favours.

KING.

Most reverend Sage, this thy handmaid was married to me by the Gandharva ceremony[55], and after a time was conducted to my palace by her relations.  Meanwhile a fatal delusion seized me; I lost my memory and rejected her, thus committing a grievous offence against the venerable Kanwa, who is of thy divine race.  Afterwards the sight of this ring restored my faculties, and brought back to my mind all the circumstances of my union with his daughter.  But my conduct still seems to me incomprehensible;

  As foolish as the fancies of a man
  Who, when he sees an elephant, denies
  That ’tis an elephant; then afterwards,
  When its huge bulk moves onward, hesitates;
  Yet will not be convinced till it has passed
  For ever from his sight, and left behind
  No vestige of its presence save its footsteps.

KA[S’]YAPA.

My son, cease to think thyself in fault.  Even the delusion that possessed thy mind was not brought about by any act of thine.  Listen to me.