ACT I
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Kālidāsa and Ryder, Arthur W. (Arthur William)
ACT I
THE HUNT
(Enter, in a chariot, pursuing a deer, KING DUSHYANTA, bow and arrow in hand; and a charioteer.)
Charioteer (Looking at the king and the deer). Your Majesty,
I see you hunt the spotted deer With shafts to end his race, As though God Shiva should appear In his immortal chase.
King. Charioteer, the deer has led us a long chase. And even now
His neck in beauty bends As backward looks he sends At my pursuing car That threatens death from far. Fear shrinks to half the body small; See how he fears the arrow's fall!
The path he takes is strewed With blades of grass half-chewed From jaws wide with the stress Of fevered weariness. He leaps so often and so high, He does not seem to run, but fly.
(In surprise.) Pursue as I may, I can hardly keep him in sight.
Charioteer. Your Majesty, I have been holding the horses back because the ground was rough. This checked us and gave the deer a lead. Now we are on level ground, and you will easily overtake him.
King. Then let the reins hang loose.
Charioteer. Yes, your Majesty. (He counterfeits rapid motion.) Look, your Majesty!
The lines hang loose; the steeds unreined Dart forward with a will. Their ears are pricked; their necks are strained; Their plumes lie straight and still. They leave the rising dust behind; They seem to float upon the wind.
King (joyfully). See! The horses are gaining on the deer.
As onward and onward the chariot flies, The small flashes large to my dizzy eyes. What is cleft in twain, seems to blur and mate; What is crooked in nature, seems to be straight. Things at my side in an instant appear Distant, and things in the distance, near.
A voice behind the scenes. O King, this deer belongs to the hermitage, and must not be killed.
Charioteer (listening and looking). Your Majesty, here are two hermits, come to save the deer at the moment when your arrow was about to fall.
King (hastily). Stop the chariot.
Charioteer. Yes, your Majesty. (He does so. Enter a hermit with his pupil.)
Hermit (lifting his hand). O King, this deer belongs to the hermitage.
Why should his tender form expire, As blossoms perish in the fire? How could that gentle life endure The deadly arrow, sharp and sure?
Restore your arrow to the quiver; To you were weapons lent The broken-hearted to deliver, Not strike the innocent.
King (bowing low). It is done. (He does so.)
Hermit (joyfully). A deed worthy of you, scion of Puru's race, and shining example of kings. May you beget a son to rule earth and heaven.
King (bowing low). I am thankful for a Brahman's blessing.
The two hermits. O King, we are on our way to gather firewood. Here, along the bank of the Malini, you may see the hermitage of Father Kanva, over which Shakuntala presides, so to speak, as guardian deity. Unless other deities prevent, pray enter here and receive a welcome. Besides,
Beholding pious hermit-rites Preserved from fearful harm, Perceive the profit of the scars On your protecting arm.
King. Is the hermit father there?
The two hermits. No, he has left his daughter to welcome guests, and has just gone to Somatirtha, to avert an evil fate that threatens her.
King. Well, I will see her. She shall feel my devotion, and report it to the sage.
The two hermits. Then we will go on our way. (Exit hermit with pupil.)
King. Charioteer, drive on. A sight of the pious hermitage will purify us.
Charioteer. Yes, your Majesty. (He counterfeits motion again.)
King (looking about). One would know, without being told, that this is the precinct of a pious grove.
Charioteer. How so?
King. Do you not see? Why, here
Are rice-grains, dropped from bills of parrot chicks Beneath the trees; and pounding-stones where sticks A little almond-oil; and trustful deer That do not run away as we draw near; And river-paths that are besprinkled yet From trickling hermit-garments, clean and wet.
Besides,
The roots of trees are washed by many a stream That breezes ruffle; and the flowers' red gleam Is dimmed by pious smoke; and fearless fawns Move softly on the close-cropped forest lawns.
Charioteer. It is all true.