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not easily regain, I may at least deplore.—O gem, thou art removed from the soft finger, beautiful with ruddy tips, on which a place had been assigned thee, and, minute as thou art, thy bad qualities appear from the similarity of thy punishment to mine.

Misr. [Aside.] Had it found a way to any other hand its lot would have been truly deplorable.—O Ménacà, how wouldst thou be delighted with the conversation which gratifies my ears!

Mádh. Let me know, I pray, by what means the ring obtained a place on the finger of Sacontalá.

Dushm. You shall know, my friend.—When I was coming from the holy forest to my capital, my beloved, with tears in her eyes, thus addressed me: "How long will the son of my lord keep me in his remembrance?"

Mádh. Well; what then?

Dushm. Then, fixing this ring on her lovely finger, I thus answered: "Repeat each day one of the three syllables engraved on this gem; and before thou hast spelled the word Dushmanta, one of my noblest officers shall attend thee, and conduct my darling to her palace."—Yet I forgot, I deserted her in my phrensy.

Misr. [Aside.] A charming interval of three days was fixed between their separation and their meeting, which the will of Brahmà rendered unhappy.