my sight. I bid thee hail,
Sweet mango, soul of this enchanting season.

SECOND MAIDEN.

Parabhritika, what are you saying there to yourself?

FIRST MAIDEN.

Dear Madhukarika, am I not named after the Koil[90]? and does not
the Koil sing for joy at the first appearance of the mango-blossom?

SECOND MAIDEN. [_Approaching hastily, with transport_.

What! is spring really come?

FIRST MAIDEN.

Yes, indeed, Madhukarika, and with it the season of joy, love,
and song.

SECOND MAIDEN.

Let me lean upon you, dear, while I stead on tiptoe and pluck a
blossom, of the mango, that I may present it as an offering to
the god of love.

FIRST MAIDEN.

Provided you let me have half the reward which the god will
bestow in return.

SECOND MAIDEN.

To be sure you shall, and that without asking. Are we not one in
heart and soul, though divided in body?

[_Leans on her friend and plucks a mango-blossom_.]

Ah! here is a bud just bursting into flower. It diffuses a
delicious perfume, though not yet quite expanded.

[_Joining her hands reverentially_.]

God of the bow, who with spring's choicest flowers
Dost point thy five unerring shafts[91]; to thee
I dedicate this blossom; let it serve
To barb thy truest arrow; be its mark
Some youthful heart that pines to be beloved.

[_Throws down a mango-blossom_.

CHAMBERLAIN.

[_Entering in a hurried manner, angrily_.

Hold there, thoughtless woman. What are you about, breaking off
those mango-blossoms, when the King has forbidden the celebration
of the spring festival?

BOTH MAIDENS. [_Alarmed_.

Pardon us, kind Sir, we have heard nothing of it.

CHAMBERLAIN.

You have heard nothing of it? Why, all the vernal plants and
shrubs, and the very birds that lodge in their branches, show
more respect to the King's order than you do.

Yon mango-blossoms, though long since expanded,
Gather no down upon their tender crests;
The flower still lingers in the amaranth[92],
Imprisoned in its bud; the tuneful Koil,
Though winter's chilly dews be overpast,
Suspends the liquid volume of his song
Scarce uttered in his throat; e'en Love, dismayed,
Restores the half-drawn arrow to his quiver.

BOTH MAIDENS.

The mighty power of King Dushyanta is not to be disputed.

FIRST MAIDEN.

It is but a few days since Mitravasu, the King's brother-in-l