hat course, revered Sir? Tell me at once.

PRIEST.

I will provide an asylum for the lady in my own house until the
birth of her child; and my reason, if you ask me, is this:
Soothsayers have predicted that your first-born will have
universal dominion. Now, if the hermit's daughter bring forth a
son with the discus or mark of empire in the lines of his
hand[84], you must admit her immediately into your royal
apartments with great rejoicings; if not, then determine to send
her back as soon as possible to her father.

KING. I bow to the decision of my spiritual advisor.

PRIEST.

Daughter, follow me.

[S']AKOONTALA.

O divine earth, open and receive me into thy bosom!

[_Exit_ [S']AKOONTALA _weeping, with the_ PRIEST _and the_ HERMITS.
_The_ KING _remains absorbed in thinking of her, though the curse
still clouds his recollection_.

A VOICE BEHIND THE SCENES.

A miracle! a miracle!

KING.

[_Listening_.

What has happened now?

PRIEST. [_Entering with an air of astonishment_.

Great Prince, a stupendous prodigy has just occurred.

KING.

What is it?

PRIEST.

May it please your Majesty, so soon as Kanwa's pupils had
departed, [S']akoontala, her eyes all bathed in tears, with
outstretched arms, bewailed her cruel fate--

KING.

Well, well, what happened then?

PRIEST.

When suddenly a shining apparition,
In female shape, descended from the skies,
Near the nymph's pool, and bore her up to heaven.

[_All remain motionless with astonishment_.

KING.

My good priest, from the very first I declined having anything to
do with this matter. It is now all over, and we can never, by our
conjectures, unravel the mystery; let it rest; go, seek repose.

PRIEST.

[_Looking at the_ KING.

Be it so. Victory to the King!

[_Exit_.

KING.

Vetravati, I am tired out; lead the way to the bedchamber.

WARDER.

This way, Sire.

[_They move away_.

KING.

Do what I will, I cannot call to mind
That I did e'er espouse the sage's daughter;
Therefore I have disowned her; yet 'tis strange
How painfully my agitated heart
Bears witness to the truth of her assertion,
And makes me credit her against my judgment.