PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYÁ [taking the baskets containing the bridal decorations, and sitting down].—Now, then, dearest, prepare to let us dress you. We must first rub your limbs with these perfumed unguents.
ŚAKOONTALÁ.—I ought indeed to be grateful for your kind offices, now that I am so soon to be deprived of them. Dear, dear friends, perhaps I shall never be dressed by you again. [Bursts into tears.
PRIYAMVADÁ AND ANASÚYÁ.—Weep not, dearest, tears are out of season on such a happy occasion.
[They wipe away her tears and begin to dress her.
PRIYAMVADÁ.—Alas! these simple flowers and rude ornaments which our hermitage offers in abundance, do not set off your beauty as it deserves.
Enter two young Hermits, bearing costly presents.
BOTH HERMITS.—Here are ornaments suitable for a queen.
[The women look at them in astonishment.
GAUTAMÍ.—Why, Nárada, my son, whence came these?
FIRST HERMIT.—You owe them to the devotion of Father Kanwa.