KING.—­The rites of hospitality are already performed; your truly kind words are the best offering I can receive.

PRIYAMVADA.—­At least be good enough, gentle Sir, to sit down awhile, and rest yourself on this seat shaded by the leaves of the Sapta-parna tree.

KING.—­You, too, must all be fatigued by your employment.

ANASUYA.—­Dear Sakoontala, there is no impropriety in our sitting by the side of our guest:  come, let us sit down here.

          [All sit down together.

SAKOONTALA [aside].—­How is it that the sight of this man has made me sensible of emotions inconsistent with religious vows?

KING [gazing at them all by turns].—­How charmingly your friendship is in keeping with the equality of your ages and appearance!

PRIYAMVADA [aside to Anasuya].—­Who can this person be, whose lively yet dignified manner, and polite conversation, bespeak him a man of high rank?

ANASUYA.—­I, too, my dear, am very curious to know.  I will ask him myself. [Aloud].  Your kind words, noble Sir, fill me with confidence, and prompt me to inquire of what regal family our noble guest is the ornament? what country is now mourning his absence? and what induced a person so delicately nurtured to expose himself to the fatigue of visiting this grove of penance?

SAKOONTALA [aside].—­Be not troubled, O my heart, Anasuya is giving utterance to thy thoughts.

KING [aside].—­How now shall I reply? shall I make myself known, or shall I still disguise my real rank?  I have it; I will answer her thus. [Aloud].  I am the person charged by his majesty, the descendant of Puru, with the administration of justice and religion; and am come to this sacred grove to satisfy myself that the rites of the hermits are free from obstruction.

ANASUYA.—­The hermits, then, and all the members of our religious society have now a guardian.

          [Sakoontala gazes bashfully at the King.

PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA [perceiving the state of her feelings, and of the King’s.  Aside to Sakoontala].—­Dear Sakoontala, if father Kanwa were but at home to-day------

SAKOONTALA [angrily].—­What if he were?

PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA.—­He would honor this our distinguished guest with an offering of the most precious of his possessions.

SAKOONTALA.—­Go to! you have some silly idea in your minds.  I will not listen to such remarks.

KING.—­May I be allowed, in my turn, to ask you maidens a few particulars respecting your friend?

PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA.—­Your request, Sir, is an honor.

KING.—­The sage Kanwa lives in the constant practice of austerities.  How, then, can this friend of yours be called his daughter?

ANASUYA.—­I will explain to you, Sir.  You have heard of an illustrious sage of regal caste, Viswamitra, whose family name is Kausika.