been to wed thee to a man
That should be worthy of thee; such a spouse
Hast thou thyself, by thine own merits, won.
To him thou goest, and about his neck
Soon shalt thou cling confidingly, as now
Thy favourite jasmine twines its loving arms
Around the sturdy mango. Leave thou it
To its protector--e'en as I consign
Thee to thy lord, and henceforth from my mind
Banish all anxious thought on thy behalf.

Proceed on thy journey, my child.

[S']AKOONTALA. [_To_ PRIYAMVADA _and_ ANASUYA.

To you, my sweet companions, I leave it as a keepsake. Take
charge of it when I am gone.

PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA. [_Bursting into tears_.

And to whose charge do you leave us, dearest? Who will care for
us when you are gone?

KANWA.

For shame, Anasuya! dry your tears. Is this the way to cheer your
friend at a time when she needs your support and consolation?

[_All move on_.

[S']AKOONTALA.

My father, see you there my pet deer, grazing close to the
hermitage? She expects soon to fawn, and even now the weight of
the little one she carries hinders her movements. Do not forget
to send me word when she becomes a mother.

KANWA.

I will not forget it.

[S']AKOONTALA. [_Feeling herself drawn back_.

What can this be, fastened to my dress?

[_Turns round_.

KANWA.

My daughter,

It is the little fawn, thy foster-child,
Poor helpless orphan! it remembers well
How with a mother's tenderness and love
Thou didst protect it, and with grains of rice
From thine own hand didst daily nourish it;
And, ever and anon, when some sharp thorn
Had pierced its mouth, how gently thou didst tend
The bleeding wound, and pour in healing balm.
The grateful nursling clings to its protectress,
Mutely imploring leave to follow her.

[S']AKOONTALA.

My poor little fawn! dost thou ask to follow an ungrateful
wretch who hesitates not to desert her companions! When thy
mother died, soon after thy birth, I supplied her place, and
reared thee with my own hand; and now that thy second mother is
about to leave thee, who will care for thee? My father, be thou a
mother to her. My child, go back, and be a daughter to my father.

[_Moves on, weeping_.

KANWA.

Weep not, my daughter, check the gathering t