Priyamvada.  And then——­

Anusuya.  Then he said:  “My words must be fulfilled.  But the curse shall be lifted when her lover sees a gem which he has given her for a token.”  And so he vanished.

Priyamvada.  We can breathe again.  When the good king went away, he put a ring, engraved with his own name, on Shakuntala’s finger to remember him by.  That will save her.

Anusuya.  Come, we must finish the sacrifice for her. (They walk about.)

Priyamvada (gazing).  Just look, Anusuya!  There is the dear girl, with her cheek resting on her left hand.  She looks like a painted picture.  She is thinking about him.  How could she notice a guest when she has forgotten herself?

Anusuya.  Priyamvada, we two must keep this thing to ourselves.  We must be careful of the dear girl.  You know how delicate she is.

Priyamvada.  Would any one sprinkle a jasmine-vine with scalding water? (Exeunt ambo.)

SCENE II.—­Early Morning

(Enter a pupil of KANVA, just risen from sleep.)

Pupil.  Father Kanva has returned from his pilgrimage, and has bidden me find out what time it is.  I will go into the open air and see how much of the night remains. (He walks and looks about.) See!  The dawn is breaking.  For already

  The moon behind the western mount is sinking;
  The eastern sun is heralded by dawn;
  From heaven’s twin lights, their fall and glory linking,
  Brave lessons of submission may be drawn.

And again: 

  Night-blooming lilies, when the moon is hidden,
  Have naught but memories of beauty left. 
  Hard, hard to bear!  Her lot whom heaven has bidden
  To live alone, of love and lover reft.

And again: 

  On jujube-trees the blushing dewdrops falter;
  The peacock wakes and leaves the cottage thatch;
  A deer is rising near the hoof-marked altar,
  And stretching, stands, the day’s new life to catch.

And yet again: 

  The moon that topped the loftiest mountain ranges,
  That slew the darkness in the midmost sky,
  Is fallen from heaven, and all her glory changes: 
  So high to rise, so low at last to lie!

Anusuya (entering hurriedly.  To herself).  That is just what happens to the innocent.  Shakuntala has been treated shamefully by the king. Pupil.  I will tell Father Kanva that the hour of morning sacrifice is come. (Exit.)

Anusuya.  The dawn is breaking.  I am awake bright and early.  But what shall I do now that I am awake?  My hands refuse to attend to the ordinary morning tasks.  Well, let love take its course.  For the dear, pure-minded girl trusted him—­the traitor!  Perhaps it is not the good king’s fault.  It must be the curse of Durvasas.  Otherwise, how could the