o Soma-tirtha[14] to propitiate Destiny, which
threatens his daughter [S']akoontala with some calamity; but he has
commissioned her in his absence to entertain all guests with
hospitality.

KING.

Good! I will pay her a visit. She will make me acquainted with
the mighty sage's acts of penance and devotion.

HERMIT.

And we will depart on our errand.

[_Exit with his companions_.

KING.

Charioteer, urge on the horses. We will at least purify our souls
by a sight of this hallowed retreat.

CHARIOTEER.

Your Majesty is obeyed.

[_Drives the chariot with great velocity_.

KING. [_Looking all about him_.

Charioteer, even without being told, I should have known that
these were the precincts of a grove consecrated to penitential
rites.

CHARIOTEER.

How so?

KING.

Do not you observe?

Beneath the trees, whose hollow trunks afford
Secure retreat to many a nestling brood
Of parrots, scattered grains of rice lie strewn.
Lo! here and there are seen the polished slabs
That serve to bruise the fruit of Ingudi[15].
The gentle roe-deer, taught to trust in man,
Unstartled hear our voices. On the paths
Appear the traces of bark-woven vests[16]
Borne dripping from the limpid fount of waters.

And mark!

Laved are the roots of trees by deep canals [17],
Whose glassy waters tremble in the breeze;
The sprouting verdure of the leaves is dimmed
By dusky wreaths of upward curling smoke
From burnt oblations; and on new-mown lawns
Around our car graze leisurely the fawns.

CHARIOTEER.

I observe it all.

KING. [_Advancing a little further_.

The inhabitants of this sacred retreat must not be disturbed.
Stay the chariot, that I may alight.

CHARIOTEER.

The reins are held in. Your Majesty may descend.

KING. [_Alighting_.

Charioteer, groves devoted to penance must be entered in humble
attire. Take these ornaments.

[_Delivers his ornaments and bow to CHARIOTEER_.]

Charioteer, see that the horses are watered, and attend to them
until I return from visiting the inhabitants of the hermitage.

CHARIOTEER.

I Will.

[_Exit_.

KING. [_Walking and looking about_.

Here is the entrance to the hermita