it_.

[_Reading_.

What have we here? 'A merchant named Dhanamitra, trading by sea,
was lost in a late shipwreck. Though a wealthy trader, he was
childless; and the whole of his immense property becomes by law
forfeited to the king.' So writes the minister. Alas! alas! for
his childlessness! But surely, if he was wealthy, he must have
had many wives. Let an inquiry be made whether any one of them is
expecting to give birth to a child.

VETRAVATI.

They say that his wife, the daughter of the foreman of a guild
belonging to Ayodhya [98], has just completed the ceremonies usual
upon such expectations.

KING.

The unborn child has a title to its father's property. Such is my
decree. Go, bid my minister proclaim it so.

VETRAVATI.

I will, my liege.

[_Going_.

KING.

Stay a moment.

VETRAVATI.

I am at your Majesty's service.

KING.

Let there be no question whether he may or may not have left
offspring; Rather be it proclaimed that whosoe'er Of King
Dushyanta's subjects be bereaved

Of any loved relation, an it be not
That his estates are forfeited for crimes,
Dushyanta will himself to them supply
That kinsman's place in tenderest affection.

VETRAVATI.

It shall be so proclaimed.

[_Exit_ VETRAVATI, _and re-enters after an interval_.

VETRAVATI.

Your Majesty's proclamation was received with acclamations of
joy, like grateful rain at the right season.

KING. [_Drawing a deep sigh_.

So, then, the property of rich men, who have no lineal
descendants, passes over to a stranger at their decease. And
such, alas! must be the fate of the fortunes of the race of Puru
at my death; even as when fertile soil is sown with seed at the
wrong season.

VETRAVATI.

Heaven forbid!

KING.

Fool that I was to reject such happiness when it offered itself
for my acceptance!

SANUMATI. [_Aside_.

He may well blame his own folly when he calls to mind his
treatment of my beloved [S']akoontala.

KING.

Ah! woe is me! when I forsook my wife--
My lawful wife--concealed within her breast
There lay my second self, a child unborn,
Hope of my race, e'en as the choicest fruit
Lies hidden in the bosom of the earth.

SANUMATI. [_Aside_.

There is no fear of your race being cut off for want of a son.

CHATURIKA. [_Aside to_ VETRAVATI.