ACT VII
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Kālidāsa and Ryder, Arthur W. (Arthur William)
Shakuntala. Rise, my dear husband. Surely, it was some old sin of mine that broke my happiness—though it has turned again to happiness. Otherwise, how could you, dear, have acted so? You are so kind. (The king rises.) But what brought back the memory of your suffering wife? King. I will tell you when I have plucked out the dart of sorrow.
'Twas madness, sweet, that could let slip A tear to burden your dear lip; On graceful lashes seen to-day, (He does so.)
Shakuntala (sees more clearly and discovers the ring). My husband, it is the ring!
King. Yes. And when a miracle recovered it, my memory returned.
Shakuntala. That was why it was so impossible for me to win your confidence.
King. Then let the vine receive her flower, as earnest of her union with spring.
Shakuntala. I do not trust it. I would rather you wore it.
(Enter MATALI)
Matali. I congratulate you, O King, on reunion with your wife and on seeing the face of your son.
King. My desires bear sweeter fruit because fulfilled through a friend. Matali, was not this matter known to Indra?
Matali (smiling.) What is hidden from the gods? Come. Marichi's holy son, Kashyapa, wishes to see you.
King. My dear wife, bring our son. I could not appear without you before the holy one.
Shakuntala. I am ashamed to go before such parents with my husband.
King. It is the custom in times of festival. Come. (They walk about. KASHYAPA appears seated, with ADITI.)
Kashyapa (looking at the king). Aditi,
'Tis King Dushyanta, he who goes before Your son in battle, and who rules the earth, Whose bow makes Indra's weapon seem no more Than a fine plaything, lacking sterner worth.
Aditi. His valour might be inferred from his appearance.
Matali. O King, the parents of the gods look upon you with a glance that betrays parental fondness. Approach them. King. Matali,
Sprung from the Creator's children, do I see Great Kashyapa and Mother Aditi? The pair that did produce the sun in heaven, To which each year twelve changing forms are given; That brought the king of all the gods to birth, Who rules in heaven, in hell, and on the earth; That Vishnu, than the Uncreated higher, Chose as his parents with a fond desire.
Matali. It is indeed they.
King (falling before them). Dushyanta, servant of Indra, does reverence to you both.
Kashyapa. My son, rule the earth long.
Aditi. And be invincible. (SHAKUNTALA and her son fall at their feet.)
Kashyapa. My daughter,
Your husband equals Indra, king Of gods; your son is like his son; No further blessing need I bring: Win bliss such as his wife has won.
Aditi. My child, keep the favour of your husband. And may this fine boy be an honour to the families of both parents. Come, let us be seated. (All seat themselves.)
Kashyapa (indicating one after the other).
Faithful Shakuntala, the boy, And you, O King, I see A trinity to bless the world— Faith, Treasure, Piety.
King. Holy one, your favour shown to us is without parallel. You granted the fulfilment of our wishes before you called us to your presence. For, holy one,
The flower comes first, and then the fruit; The clouds appear before the rain; Effect comes after cause; but you First helped, then made your favour plain.
Matali. O King, such is the favour shown by the parents of the world. King. Holy one, I married this your maid-servant by the voluntary ceremony. When after a time her relatives brought her to me, my memory failed and I rejected her. In so doing, I sinned against Kanva, who is kin to you. But afterwards, when I saw the ring, I perceived that I had married her. And this seems very wonderful to me.
Like one who doubts an elephant, Though seeing him stride by, And yet believes when he has seen The footprints left; so I.
Kashyapa. My son, do not accuse yourself of sin. Your infatuation was inevitable. Listen.
King. I am all attention.
Kashyapa. When the nymph Menaka descended to earth and received Shakuntala, afflicted at her rejection, she came to Aditi. Then I perceived the matter by my divine insight. I saw that the unfortunate girl had been rejected by her rightful husband because of Durvasas' curse. And that the curse would end when the ring came to light.
King (with a sigh of relief. To himself). Then I am free from blame.
Shakuntala (to herself). Thank heaven! My husband did not reject me of his own accord. He really did not remember me. I suppose I did not hear the curse in my absent-minded state, for my friends warned me most earnestly to show my husband the ring.
Kashyapa. My daughter, you know the truth. Do not now give way to anger against your rightful husband. Remember:
The curse it was that brought defeat and pain; The darkness flies; you are his queen again. Reflections are not seen in dusty glass, Which, cleaned, will mirror all the things that pass.
King. It is most true, holy one.