ake it down, while I compound unguents and perfumes with this
consecrated paste and these blades of sacred grass.

PRIYAMVADA.

Very well.

[_Exit_ ANASUYA. PRIYAMVADA _takes down the flowers_.

A VOICE BEHIND THE SCENES.

Gautami, bid [S']arngarava and the others hold themselves in
readiness to escort [S']akoontala.

PRIYAMVADA. [_Listening_.

Quick, quick, Anasuya! They are calling the
hermits who are to go with [S']akoontala to Hastinapur[83].

ANASUYA. [_Re-entering with the perfumed unguents in her
hand_.

Come along then, Priyamvada; I am ready to go with you.

[_They walk away_.

PRIYAMVADA. [_Looking_.

See! there sits [S']akoontala, her locks arranged even at this
early hour of the morning. The holy women of the hermitage are
congratulating her, and invoking blessings on her head, while
they present her with wedding-gifts and offerings of consecrated
wild-rice. Let us join them.

[_They approach_.

[S']AKOONTALA _is seen seated, with women surrounding her, occupied
in the manner described_.

FIRST WOMAN. [_To_ [S']AKOONTALA.

My child, may'st thou receive the title of 'Chief-queen,' and may
thy husband delight to honour thee above all others!

SECOND WOMAN.

My child, may'st thou be the mother of a hero!

THIRD WOMAN.

My child, may'st thou be highly honoured by thy lord!

[_Exeunt all the women, excepting_ GAUTAMI, after blessing_
[S']AKOONTALA.

PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA. [_Approaching_.

Dear [S']akoontala, we are come to assist you at your toilet, and
may a blessing attend it!

[S']AKOONTALA.

Welcome, dear friends, welcome. Sit down here.

PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA.

[_Taking the baskets containing the bridal decorations, and
sitting down_.

Now, then, dearest, prepare to let us dress you. We must first
rub your limbs with these perfumed unguents.

[S']AKOONTALA.

I ought indeed to be grateful for your kind offices, now that I
am so soon to be deprived of them. Dear, dear friends, perhaps I
shall never be dressed by you again.

[_Bursts into tears_.

PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA.

Weep not, dearest; tears are out of season on such a