(Enter MATALI)
Matali. I congratulate you, O King, on reunion with your wife and on seeing the face of your son.
King. My desires bear sweeter fruit because fulfilled through a friend. Matali, was not this matter known to Indra?
Matali (smiling.) What is hidden from the gods? Come. Marichi's holy son, Kashyapa, wishes to see you.
King. My dear wife, bring our son. I could not appear without you before the holy one.
Shakuntala. I am ashamed to go before such parents with my husband.
King. It is the custom in times of festival. Come. (They walk about. KASHYAPA appears seated, with ADITI.)
Kashyapa (looking at the king). Aditi,
'Tis King Dushyanta, he who goes before
Your son in battle, and who rules the earth,
Whose bow makes Indra's weapon seem no more
Than a fine plaything, lacking sterner worth.
Aditi. His valour might be inferred from his appearance.