CHAMBERLAIN.
Then there is little more to tell you. As soon as the King's memory was restored by the sight of his own ring, he exclaimed: 'Yes, it is all true. I remember now my secret marriage with [S']akoontalá. When I repudiated her, I had lost my recollection!' Ever since that moment, he has yielded himself a prey to the bitterest remorse.
He loathes his former pleasures; he rejects
The daily homage of his ministers;
On his lone couch he tosses to and fro,
Courting repose in vain. Whene'er he meets
The ladies of his palace, and would fain
Address them with politeness, he confounds
Their names; or, calling them '[S']akoontalá,'
Is straightway silent and abashed with shame.
SÁNUMATÍ. [Aside.
To me this account is delightful.
CHAMBERLAIN.
In short, the King is so completely out of his mind that the festival has been prohibited.
BOTH MAIDENS.
Perfectly right.