nests, and artfully consigns
The rearing of her little ones to strangers.

[S']AKOONTALA. [_Angrily_.

Dishonourable man, thou judgest of others by thine own evil
heart. Thou, at least, art unrivalled in perfidy, and standest
alone--a base deceiver in the garb of virtue and religion--like a
deep pit whose yawning mouth is concealed by smiling flowers.

KING. [_Aside_.

Her anger, at any rate, appears genuine, and makes me almost
doubt whether I am in the right. For indeed,

When I had vainly searched my memory,
And so with stern severity denied
The fabled story of our secret loves,
Her brows, that met before in graceful curves,
Like the arched weapon of the god of love,
Seemed by her frown dissevered; while the fire
Of sudden anger kindled in her eyes.

[_Aloud_.]

My good lady, Dushyanta's character is well known to all. I
comprehend not your meaning.

[S']AKOONTALA.

Well do I deserve to be thought a harlot for having in the
innocence of my heart, and out of the confidence I reposed in a
Prince of Puru's race, entrusted my honour to a man whose mouth
distils honey, while his heart is full of poison.

[_Covers her face with her mantle, and bursts into tears_.

[S']ARNGARAVA.

Thus it is that burning remorse must ever follow rash actions
which might have been avoided, and for which one has only one's
self to blame.

Not hastily should marriage be contracted,
And specially in secret. Many a time,
In hearts that know not each the other's fancies,
Fond love is changed into most bitter hate.

KING.

How now! Do you give credence to this woman rather than to me,
that you heap such accusations on me?

[S']ARNGARAVA. [_Sarcastically_.

That would be too absurd, certainly. You have heard the
proverb:--

Hold in contempt the innocent words of those
Who from their infancy have known no guile;
But trust the treacherous counsels of the man
Who makes a very science of deceit.

KING.

Most veracious Brahman, grant that you are in the right, what end
would be gained by betraying this lady?

[S']ARNGARAVA.

Ruin.

KING.

No one will believe that a Prince of Puru's race would seek to
ruin others or himself.

[S']ARADWATA.

This altercation is idle, [S']arngarava. We have executed the
commission of our preceptor; come, let us return.