Shakuntala (reads).

  I know not if I read your heart aright;
    Why, pitiless, do you distress me so? 
  I only know that longing day and night
    Tosses my restless body to and fro,
    That yearns for you, the source of all its woe.

King (advancing).

  Though Love torments you, slender maid,
    Yet he consumes me quite,
  As daylight shuts night-blooming flowers
    And slays the moon outright.

The two friends (perceive the king and rise joyfully).  Welcome to the wish that is fulfilled without delay. (SHAKUNTALA tries to rise.)

King.

  Do not try to rise, beautiful Shakuntala. 
  Your limbs from which the strength is fled,
  That crush the blossoms of your bed
  And bruise the lotus-leaves, may be
  Pardoned a breach of courtesy.

Shakuntala (sadly to herself).  Oh, my heart, you were so impatient, and now you find no answer to make.

Anusuya.  Your Majesty, pray do this stone bench the honour of sitting upon it. (SHAKUNTALA edges away.)

King (seating himself).  Priyamvada, I trust your friend’s illness is not dangerous.

Priyamvada (smiling).  A remedy is being applied and it will soon be better.  It is plain, sir, that you and she love each other.  But I love her too, and I must say something over again.

King.  Pray do not hesitate.  It always causes pain in the end, to leave unsaid what one longs to say.

Priyamvada.  Then listen, sir.

King.  I am all attention.

Priyamvada.  It is the king’s duty to save hermit-folk from all suffering.  Is not that good Scripture?

King.  There is no text more urgent.

Priyamvada.  Well, our friend has been brought to this sad state by her love for you.  Will you not take pity on her and save her life?

King.  We cherish the same desire.  I feel it a great honour.

Shakuntala (with a jealous smile).  Oh, don’t detain the good king.  He is separated from the court ladies, and he is anxious to go back to them.

King.

  Bewitching eyes that found my heart,
      You surely see
  It could no longer live apart,
      Nor faithless be. 
  I bear Love’s arrows as I can;
  Wound not with doubt a wounded man.

Anusuya.  But, your Majesty, we hear that kings have many favourites.  You must act in such a way that our friend may not become a cause of grief to her family.

King.  What more can I say?

  Though many queens divide my court,
    But two support the throne;
  Your friend will find a rival in
    The sea-girt earth alone.

The two friends.  We are content. (SHAKUNTALA betrays her joy.) Priyamvada (aside to ANUSUYA).  Look, Anusuya!  See how the dear girl’s life is coming back moment by moment—­just like a peahen in summer when the first rainy breezes come.