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thee, receive her in thy palace, that she may perform, in conjunction with thee, the duties prescribed by religion."

Gaut. Great king, thou hast a mild aspect; and I wish to address thee in few words.

Dushm. [Smiling.] Speak, venerable matron.

Gaut. She waited not the return of her spiritual father; nor were thy kindred consulted by thee. You two only were present, when your nuptials were solemnized; now, therefore, converse freely together in the absence of all others.

Sac. [Aside.] What will my lord say?

Dushm. [Aside, perplexed.] How strange an adventure!

Sac. [Aside.] Ah me! how disdainfully he seems to receive the message!

Sárn. [Aside.] What means that phrase which I overheard, "How strange an adventure?"—[Aloud.]—Monarch, thou knowest the hearts of men. Let a wife behave ever so discreetly, the world will think ill of her, if she live only with her paternal kinsmen; and a lawful wife now requests, as her kindred also humbly entreat, that whether she be loved or not, she may pass her days in the mansion of her husband.

Dushm. What sayest thou?—Am I the lady's husband?

Sac. [Aside with anguish.] O my heart, thy fears have proved just.

Sárn. Does it become a magnificent prince to depart from the rules of religion and honour, merely because he repents of his engagements?