SUPERINTENDENT.—­My good fisherman, you are an excellent fellow, and I begin to feel quite a regard for you.  Let us seal our first friendship over a glass of good liquor.  Come along to the next wine-shop and we’ll drink your health.

ALL.—­By all means.
          [Exeunt.

ACT SIXTH

Scene.—­The Garden of the Palace

The nymph Sanumati is seen descending in a celestial car.

SANUMATI.—­Behold me just arrived from attending in my proper turn at the nymphs’ pool, where I have left the other nymphs to perform their ablutions, whilst I seek to ascertain, with my own eyes, how it fares with King Dushyanta.  My connection with the nymph Menaka has made her daughter Sakoontala dearer to me than my own flesh and blood; and Menaka it was who charged me with this errand on her daughter’s behalf. [Looking round in all directions.] How is it that I see no preparations in the King’s household for celebrating the great vernal festival?  I could easily discover the reason by my divine faculty of meditation; but respect must be shown to the wishes of my friend.  How then shall I arrive at the truth?  I know what I will do.  I will become invisible, and place myself near those two maidens who are tending the plants in the garden. [Descends and takes her station.

Enter a Maiden, who stops in front of a mango-tree and gazes at the blossom.  Another Maiden is seen behind her.

FIRST MAIDEN.—­Hail to thee, lovely harbinger of spring!  The varied radiance of thy opening flowers Is welcome to my sight.  I bid thee hail, Sweet mango, soul of this enchanting season.

SECOND MAIDEN.—­Parabaitika, what are you saying there to yourself?

FIRST MAIDEN.—­Dear Madhukarika, am I not named after the Koeil?[41] and does not the Koeil sing for joy at the first appearance of the mango-blossom?

SECOND MAIDEN [approaching hastily, with transport].—­What! is spring really come?

FIRST MAIDEN.—­Yes, indeed, Madhukarika, and with it the season of joy, love, and song.

SECOND MAIDEN.—­Let me lean upon you, dear, while I stand on tip-toe and pluck a blossom of the mango, that I may present it as an offering to the god of love.

FIRST MAIDEN.—­Provided you let me have half the reward which the god will bestow in return.

SECOND MAIDEN.—­To be sure you shall, and that without asking.  Are we not one in heart and soul, though divided in body? [Leans on her friend and plucks a mango-blossom.] Ah! here is a bud just bursting into flower.  It diffuses a delicious perfume, though not yet quite expanded.
          [Joining her hands reverentially.

    God of the bow, who with spring’s choicest flowers
    Dost point thy five unerring shafts; to thee
    I dedicate this blossom; let it serve
    To barb thy truest arrow; be its mark
    Some youthful heart that pines to be beloved.