ll have taken you from the
gallows to seat you on his state elephant.

JANUKA.

Master, the King must value the ring very highly, or he would
never have sent such a sum of money to this ragamuffin.

SUPERINTENDENT.

I don't think he prizes it as a costly jewel so much as a
memorial of some person he tenderly loves. The moment it was
shown to him he became much agitated, though in general he
conceals his feelings. SUCHAKA.

Then you must have done a great service--

JANUKA.

Yes, to this husband of a fish-wife.

[_Looks enviously at the_ FISHERMAN.

FISHERMAN.

Here's half the money for you, my masters. It will serve to
purchase the flowers you spoke of, if not to buy me your
good-will.

JANUKA.

Well, now, that's just as it should be.

SUPERINTENDENT.

My good fisherman, you are an excellent fellow, and I begin to
feel quite a regard for you. Let us seal our first friendship
over a glass of good liquor. Come along to the next wine-shop,
and we'll drink your health.

ALL.

By all means.

[_Exeunt_.

* * * * *

ACT VI.

SCENE.--_The Garden of a Palace.

The nymph_ SANUMATI _is seen descending in a celestial car_.

SANUMATI.

Behold me just arrived from attending in my proper turn at the
nymph's pool, where I have left the other nymphs to perform their
ablutions, whilst I seek to ascertain, with my own eyes, how it
fares with King Dushyanta. My connexion with the nymph Menaka has
made her daughter [S']akoontala dearer to me than my own flesh and
blood; and Menaka it was who charged me with this errand on her
daughter's behalf.

[_Looking round in all directions_.]

How is it that I see no preparations in the King's household for
celebrating the great vernal festival[89]? I could easily
discover the reason by my divine faculty of meditation[134]; but
respect must be shown to the wishes of my friend. How then shall
I arrive at the truth? I know what I will do. I will become
invisible, and place myself near those two maidens who are
tending the plants in the garden.

[_Descends and takes her station_.

_Enter a_ MAIDEN, _who stops in front of a mango-tree, and gazes
at the blossom. Another_ MAIDEN _is seen behind her_.

FIRST MAIDEN.

Hail to thee, lovely harbinger of spring! The varied radiance of
thy opening flowers Is welcome to