Pray, how did the ring ever come upon her hand at all?
SÁNUMATÍ. [Aside.
I myself am curious to know.
KING.
You shall hear. When I was leaving my beloved [S']akoontalá that I might return to my own capital, she said to me, with tears in her eyes: 'How long will it be ere my lord send for me to his palace and make me his queen?'
MÁ[T.]HAVYA.
Well, what was your reply?
KING.
Then I placed the ring on her finger, and thus addressed her:—
Repeat each day one letter of the name Engraven on this gem; ere thou hast reckoned The tale of syllables, my minister Shall come to lead thee to thy husband's palace.