Chamberlain (advancing).  Victory to your Majesty.  I have examined the garden.  Your Majesty may visit its retreats.

King.  Vetravati, tell the minister Pishuna in my name that a sleepless night prevents me from mounting the throne of judgment.  He is to investigate the citizens’ business and send me a memorandum.

Portress.  Yes, your Majesty. (Exit.)

King.  And you, Parvatayana, return to your post of duty.

Chamberlain.  Yes, your Majesty. (Exit.)

Clown.  You have got rid of the vermin.  Now amuse yourself in this garden.  It is delightful with the passing of the cold weather.

King (sighing).  My friend, the proverb makes no mistake.  Misfortune finds the weak spot.  See!

  No sooner did the darkness lift
    That clouded memory’s power,
  Than the god of love prepared his bow
    And shot the mango-flower.

  No sooner did the ring recall
    My banished maiden dear,
  No sooner do I vainly weep
    For her, than spring is here.

Clown.  Wait a minute, man.  I will destroy Love’s arrow with my stick. (He raises his stick and strikes at the mango branch.)

King (smiling).  Enough!  I see your pious power.  My friend, where shall I sit now to comfort my eyes with the vines?  They remind me somehow of her.

Clown.  Well, you told one of the maids, the clever painter, that you would spend this hour in the bower of spring-creepers.  And you asked her to bring you there the picture of the lady Shakuntala which you painted on a tablet.

King.  It is my only consolation.  Lead the way to the bower of spring-creepers.

Clown.  Follow me. (They walk about.  MISHRAKESHI follows.) Here is the bower of spring-creepers, with its jewelled benches.  Its loneliness seems to bid you a silent welcome.  Let us go in and sit down. (They do so.)

Mishrakeshi.  I will hide among the vines and see the dear girl’s picture.  Then I shall be able to tell her how deep her husband’s love is. (She hides.)

King (sighing).  I remember it all now, my friend.  I told you how I first met Shakuntala.  It is true, you were not with me when I rejected her.  But I had told you of her at the first.  Had you forgotten, as I did?

Mishrakeshi.  This shows that a king should not be separated a single moment from some intimate friend.

Clown.  No, I didn’t forget.  But when you had told the whole story, you said it was a joke and there was nothing in it.  And I was fool enough to believe you.  No, this is the work of fate.

Mishrakeshi.  It must be.

King (after meditating a moment).  Help me, my friend.

Clown.  But, man, this isn’t right at all.  A good man never lets grief get the upper hand.  The mountains are calm even in a tempest.