[Reflects. .
[S']AKOONTALÁ. [Aside to ANASÚYÁ.
See, see, dear Anasúyá, the poor female Chakraváka-bird[70], whom cruel fate dooms to nightly separation from her mate, calls to him in mournful notes from the other side of the stream, though he is only hidden from her view by the spreading leaves of the water-lily. Her cry is so piteous that I could almost fancy she was lamenting her hard lot in intelligible words.
ANASÚYÁ
Say not so, dearest:
Fond bird! though sorrow lengthen out her night
Of widowhood, yet with a cry of joy
She hails the morning light that brings her mate
Back to her side. The agony of parting
Would wound us like a sword, but that its edge
Is blunted by the hope of future meeting.
KANWA.
[S']árngarava! when you have introduced [S']akoontalá into the presence of the King, you must give him this message from me:—
[S']ÁRNGARAVA
Let me hear it, venerable father.