Who, then, informed the holy father of what passed in his absence?

PRIYAMVADÁ.

As he was entering the sanctuary of the consecrated fire, an invisible being chanted a verse in celestial strains.

ANASÚYÁ. [With astonishment.

Indeed! pray repeat it.

PRIYAMVADÁ. [Repeating the verse.

Glows in thy daughter King Dushyanta's glory,
As in the sacred tree the mystic fire [62];
Let worlds rejoice to hear the welcome story,
And may the son immortalize the sire.

ANASÚYÁ. [Embracing PRIYAMVADÁ.

Oh, my dear Priyamvadá, what delightful news! I am pleased beyond measure; yet when I think that we are to lose our dear [S']akoontalá this very day, a feeling of melancholy mingles with my joy.

PRIYAMVADÁ.