ely nurtured to expose himself to the
fatigue of visiting this grove of penance?

[S']AKOONTALA. [_Aside_.

Be not troubled, O my heart, Anasuya is giving utterance to thy
thoughts.

KING. [_Aside_.

How now shall I reply? shall I make myself known, or shall I
still disguise my real rank? I have it; I will answer her thus.
[_Aloud_.] I am the person charged by his Majesty, the descendant
of Puru, with the administration of justice and religion; and am
come to this sacred grove to satisfy myself that the rites of the
hermits are free from obstruction.

ANASUYA.

The hermits, then, and all the members of our religious society,
have now a guardian.

[[S']AKOONTALA _gazes bashfully at the_ KING.

PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA.

[_Perceiving the state of her feelings, and of the_ KING'S.
_Aside to_ [S']AKOONTALA.

Dear [S']akoontala, if father Kanwa were but at home to-day--

[S']AKOONTALA. [_Angrily_.

What if he were?

PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA.

He would honour this our distinguished guest with an offering of
the most precious of his possessions.

[S']AKOONTALA.

Go to! you have some silly idea in your minds, I will not listen
to such remarks.

KING.

May I be allowed, in my turn, to ask you maidens a few
particulars respecting your friend?

PRIYAMVADA AND ANASUYA.

Your request, Sir, is an honour.

KING.

The sage Kanwa lives in the constant practice of austerities.
How, then, can this friend of yours be called his daughter?

ANASUYA.

I will explain to you. Sir. You have heard of an illustrious sage
of regal caste, Vi[s']wamitra, whose family name is Kau[S']ika[27].

KING.

I have.

ANASUYA.

Know that he is the real father of our friend. The venerable
Kanwa is only her reputed father. He it was who brought her up,
when she was deserted by her mother.

KING.

'Deserted by her mother!' My curiosity is excited; pray let me
hear the story from the beginning.

ANASUYA.

You shall hear it, Sir. Some time since, this sage of regal
caste, while performing a most severe penance on the banks of the
river Godavari, excited the jealousy and alarm of the gods;
insomuch that they despatched a lovely nymph named Menaka to
interrupt his devotions.

KING.

The inferior gods, I am aware, are