of advice for thee. We hermits,
though we live secluded from the world are not ignorant of
worldly matters.

[S']ARNGARAVA.

No, indeed. Wise men are conversant with all subjects.

KANWA.

Listen, then, my daughter. When thou reachest thy husband's
palace, and art admitted into his family,

Honour thy betters; ever be respectful
To those above thee; and, should others share
Thy husband's love, ne'er yield thyself a prey
to jealousy; but ever be a friend,
A loving friend, to those who rival thee
In his affections. Should thy wedded lord
Treat thee with harshness, thou most never be
Harsh in return, but patient and submissive;
Be to thy menials courteous, and to all
Placed under thee, considerate and kind;
Be never self-indulgent, but avoid
Excess in pleasure; and, when fortune smiles,
Be not puffed up. Thus to thy husband's house
Wilt thou a blessing prove, and not a curse.

What thinks Gautami of this advice?

GAUTAMI.

An excellent compendium, truly, of every wife's duties! Lay it
well to heart, my daughter.

KANWA.

Come, my beloved child, one parting embrace for me and for thy
companions, and then we leave thee.

[S']AKOONTALA.

My father, must Priyamvada and Anasuya really return with you?
They are very dear to me.

KANWA.

Yes, my child; they, too, in good time, will be given in marriage
to suitable husbands. It would not be proper for them to
accompany thee to such a public place. But Gautami shall be thy
companion.

[S']AKOONTALA. [_Embracing him_.

Removed from thy bosom, my beloved father, like a young
tendril of the sandal-tree torn from its home in the western
mountains[71], how shall I be able to support life in a foreign
soil?

KANWA.

Daughter, thy fears are groundless.

Soon shall thy lord prefer thee to the rank
Of his own consort; and unnumbered cares
Befitting his imperial dignity
Shall constantly engross thee. Then the bliss
Of bearing him a son--a noble boy,
Bright as the day-star, shall transport thy soul
With new delights, and little shalt thou reck
Of the light sorrow that afflicts thee now
At parting from thy father and thy friends.

[[S']AKOONTALA _throws herself at her foster-father's feet_.

KANWA.

Blessings on thee, my child! May all my hopes of thee be
realized!

[S']AKOONTALA [_Approaching her friends_.

Come, my two loved companion