KING [smiling].—Ho! there, Raivataka! Tell the charioteer from me to bring round the chariot with my bow.

WARDER.—I will, Sire.

[Exit.

BOTH THE HERMITS [joyfully].—Well it becomes the King by acts of grace

To emulate the virtues of his race.
Such acts thy lofty destiny attest;
Thy mission is to succor the distressed.

KING [bowing to the Hermits].—Go first, reverend Sirs, I will follow you immediately.

BOTH THE HERMITS.—May victory attend you!

[Exeunt.

KING.—My dear Máthavya, are you not full of longing to see Śakoontalá?

MÁTHAVYA.—To tell you the truth, though I was just now brimful of desire to see her, I have not a drop left since this piece of news about the demons.