King.  You waken my curiosity with the word “abandoned.”  May I hear the whole story?

Anusuya.  Listen, sir.  Many years ago, that royal sage was leading a life of stern austerities, and the gods, becoming strangely jealous, sent the nymph Menaka to disturb his devotions.

King.  Yes, the gods feel this jealousy toward the austerities of others.  And then—­

Anusuya.  Then in the lovely spring-time he saw her intoxicating beauty—­(She stops in embarrassment.)

King.  The rest is plain.  Surely, she is the daughter of the nymph.

Anusuya.  Yes.

King.  It is as it should be.

  To beauty such as this
    No woman could give birth;
  The quivering lightning flash
    Is not a child of earth.

(SHAKUNTALA hangs her head in confusion.) King (to himself). 
Ah, my wishes become hopes.

Priyamvada (looking with a smile at SHAKUNTALA).  Sir, it seems as if you had more to say. (SHAKUNTALA threatens her friend with her finger.)

King.  You are right.  Your pious life interests me, and I have another question.

Priyamvada.  Do not hesitate.  We hermit people stand ready to answer all demands.

King.  My question is this: 

  Does she, till marriage only, keep her vow
    As hermit-maid, that shames the ways of love? 
  Or must her soft eyes ever see, as now,
    Soft eyes of friendly deer in peaceful grove?

Priyamvada.  Sir, we are under bonds to lead a life of virtue.  But it is her father’s wish to give her to a suitable lover.

King (joyfully to himself).

  O heart, your wish is won! 
  All doubt at last is done;
  The thing you feared as fire,
  Is the jewel of your desire.

Shakuntala (pettishly).  Anusuya, I’m going.

Anusuya.  What for?

Shakuntala.  I am going to tell Mother Gautami that Priyamvada is talking nonsense. (She rises.)

Anusuya.  My dear, we hermit people cannot neglect to entertain a distinguished guest, and go wandering about.

(SHAKUNTALA starts to walk away without answering.)

King (aside).  She is going! (He starts up as if to detain her, then checks his desires.) A thought is as vivid as an act, to a lover.

  Though nurture, conquering nature, holds
    Me back, it seems
  As had I started and returned
    In waking dreams.

Priyamvada (approaching SHAKUNTALA).  You dear, peevish girl!  You mustn’t go.

Shakuntala (turns with a frown).  Why not?

Priyamvada.  You owe me the watering of two trees.  You can go when you have paid your debt. (She forces her to come back.)