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.

SAKOONTALA [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.

SAKOONTALA.—­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.

SAKOONTALA.—­Nay; I can never more place confidence in it.  Let my husband retain it.

          Enter Matali.

MATALI.—­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, Matali, is this joyful event known to the great Indra?

MATALI [smiling].—­What is unknown to the gods?  But come with me, noble Prince, the divine Kasyapa graciously permits thee to be presented to him.

KING.—­Sakoontala, take our child and lead the way.  We will together go into the presence of the holy Sage.

SAKOONTALA.—­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.

          Kasyapa is discovered seated on a throne with his wife Aditi.

KASYAPA [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.

MATALI [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 Matali, the holy pair,
    Offspring of Daksha and divine Marichi,
    Children of Brahma’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