ess. Her friend replies,
"why should you be ashamed? Attachment to exalted worth becomes your
native excellence. But be assured I will not betray you; it is more
likely this prattling bird will repeat our conversation." The friend
brings some leaves and fibres of the lotus, and binds the former with
the latter upon Sagarika's bosom. She exclaims, "Enough, enough, my
friend, take away these leaves and fibres,--it is vain to offer relief.
I have fixed my heart where I dare not raise my hopes. I am overcome
with shame--I am enslaved by passion--my love is without return--death,
my only refuge." She faints and recovers after a short while. A noise
behind proclaims that a monkey has escaped from the stable, and,
rattling the ends of his broken chain of gold, he clatters along. Afraid
of the advent of the monkey, they both rush to hide in the shade of a
_tamala_ grove, leaving the drawing behind. The ape breaks the cage to
get at the curds and rice and lets the _Sarika_ fly.

Vasantaka now notices that the jasmine has been covered with countless
buds, as if smiling disdainfully upon the queen's favourite _Madhavi_.
He is surprised at the most marvellous power of the venerable
Sri-Khanda-Dasa, a great sage come to court from _Sri-Parvata_, by whose
simple will the strange event has happened. He thinks of going to the
king to inform his Majesty when the king appears. He congratulates his
Majesty, on his propitious fortune. The king observes, "Inconceivable is
the virtue of drugs, and charms, and gems. Lead the way, and let these
eyes this day obtain by the sight the fruit of their formation."

Vasantaka advances, stops to listen and turns back in alarm for he
fancies a goblin in yonder _Bakula_ tree. The goblin turns out a
starling. The courtier remarks, "she says, give the Brahman something to
eat." The king observes, "something to eat is ever the burden of the
glutton's song. Come, say truly, what does she utter. The friend listens
and repeats, "Who is this you have delineated? Do not be offended
without cause; I have given your _Kamadeva_ my _Rati_. Why should you be
ashamed? Attachment to exalted worth becomes your native excellence.
Take away these lotus leaves and fibres--it is in vain you strive to
offer me relief. I have fixed my heart where I dare not raise my
hopes;--I am overcome with shame and despair, and death is my only
refuge." The king interprets thus:--"Oh, I suppose some female has been
drawing her lover's p