I congratulate you on your discernment. Behold the proof of my
passion;

My finger, burning with the glow of love[93],
Has left its impress on the painted tablet;
While here and there, alas! a scalding tear
Has fallen on the cheek and dimmed its brightness.

Chaturika, the garden in the background of the picture is only
half-painted. Go, fetch the brush that I may finish it.

CHATURIKA.

Worthy Ma[t.]havya, have the kindness to hold the picture until I
return.

KING.

Nay, I will hold it myself.

[_Takes the picture_.

[_Exit_ CHATURIKA.

My loved one came but lately to my presence
And offered me herself, but in my folly
I spurned the gift, and now I fondly cling
To her mere image; even as a madman
Would pass the waters of the gushing stream,
And thirst for airy vapours of the desert[94].

MA[T.]HAVYA. [_Aside_.

He has been fool enough to forego the reality for the semblance,
the substance for the shadow.

[_Aloud_.]

Tell us, I pray, what else remains to be painted.

SANUMATI. [_Aside_.

He longs, no doubt, to delineate some favourite spot where my
[S']akoontala delighted to ramble.

KING.

You shall hear:--

I wish to see the Malini portrayed,
Its tranquil course by banks of sand impeded;
Upon the brink a pair of swans; beyond,
The hills adjacent to Himalaya[95],
Studded with deer; and, near the spreading shade
Of some large tree, where 'mid the branches hang
The hermits' vests of bark, a tender doe,
Rubbing its downy forehead on the horn
Of a black antelope, should be depicted.

MA[T.]HAVYA.

[_Aside_.

Pooh! if I were he, I would fill up the vacant
spaces with a lot of grizzly-bearded old hermits.

KING.

My dear Ma[T.]Havya, there is still a part of [S']akoontala's
dress which I purposed to draw, but find I have
omitted.

MA[T.]HAVYA.

What is that?

SANUMATI. [_Aside_.

Something suitable, I suppose, to the simple attire of a young
and beautiful girl dwelling in a forest.

KING.

A sweet [S']irisha blossom should be twined
Behind her ear[7], its perfumed crest depending
Towards her cheek; and, resting on her bosom,
A lotus-fibre necklace, soft