ACT VII
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Kālidāsa and Ryder, Arthur W. (Arthur William)
Hermit-woman. Who would speak his name? He rejected his true wife.
King (to himself). This story points at me. Suppose I ask the boy for his mother's name. (He reflects.) No, it is wrong to concern myself with one who may be another's wife.
(Enter the first woman, with the clay peacock.)
First woman. Look, All-tamer. Here is the bird, the shakunta. Isn't the shakunta lovely?
Boy (looks about). Where is my mamma? (The two women burst out laughing.)
First woman. It sounded like her name, and deceived him. He loves his mother.
Second woman. She said: "See how pretty the peacock is." That is all.
King (to himself). His mother's name is Shakuntala! But names are alike. I trust this hope may not prove a disappointment in the end, like a mirage.
Boy. I like this little peacock, sister. Can it fly? (He seizes the toy.) First woman (looks at the boy. Anxiously), Oh, the amulet is not on his wrist.
King. Do not be anxious, mother. It fell while he was struggling with the lion cub. (He starts to pick it up.)
The two women. Oh, don't, don't! (They look at him.) He has touched it! (Astonished, they lay their hands on their bosoms, and look at each other.)
King. Why did you try to prevent me?
First woman. Listen, your Majesty. This is a divine and most potent charm, called the Invincible. Marichi's holy son gave it to the baby when the birth-ceremony was performed. If it falls on the ground, no one may touch it except the boy's parents or the boy himself.
King. And if another touch it?
First woman. It becomes a serpent and stings him.
King. Did you ever see this happen to any one else?
Both women. More than once.
King (joyfully). Then why may I not welcome my hopes fulfilled at last? (He embraces the boy.)
Second woman. Come, Suvrata. Shakuntala is busy with her religious duties. We must go and tell her what has happened. (Exeunt ambo.)
Boy. Let me go. I want to see my mother.
King. My son, you shall go with me to greet your mother.
Boy. Dushyanta is my father, not you.
King (smiling). You show I am right by contradicting me. (Enter SHAKUNTALA, wearing her hair in a single braid.)
Shakuntala (doubtfully). I have heard that All-tamer's amulet did not change when it should have done so. But I do not trust my own happiness. Yet perhaps it is as Mishrakeshi told me. (She walks about.)
King (looking at SHAKUNTALA. With plaintive joy). It is she. It is Shakuntala.
The pale, worn face, the careless dress, The single braid, Show her still true, me pitiless, The long vow paid.
Shakuntala (seeing the king pale with remorse. Doubtfully). It is not my husband. Who is the man that soils my boy with his caresses? The amulet should protect him. Boy (running to his mother). Mother, he is a man that belongs to other people. And he calls me his son.
King. My darling, the cruelty I showed you has turned to happiness. Will you not recognise me?
Shakuntala (to herself). Oh, my heart, believe it. Fate struck hard, but its envy is gone and pity takes its place. It is my husband.
King.
Black madness flies; Comes memory; Before my eyes My love I see.
Eclipse flees far; Light follows soon; The loving star Draws to the moon.
Shakuntala. Victory, victo—-- (Tears choke her utterance.)
King.
The tears would choke you, sweet, in vain; My soul with victory is fed, Because I see your face again— No jewels, but the lips are red.
Boy. Who is he, mother?
Shakuntala. Ask fate, my child. (She weeps.)
King.
Dear, graceful wife, forget; Let the sin vanish; Strangely did madness strive Reason to banish.
Thus blindness works in men, Love's joy to shake; Spurning a garland, lest It prove a snake. (He falls at her feet.)