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Ward. I have heard that his wife, the daughter of an excellent man, named Sácétaca, has already performed the ceremonies usual on pregnancy.

Dushm. The child, though unborn, has a title to his father's property.—Go: bid the minister make my judgment publick.

Ward. I obey.

Dushm. Stay a while.—

Ward. [Returning.] I am here.

Dushm. Whether he had or had not left offspring, the estate should not have been forfeited. —Let it be proclaimed, that whatever kinsman any one of my subjects may lose, Dushmanta (excepting always the case of forfeiture for crimes) will supply, in tender affection, the place of that kinsman.

Ward. The proclamation shall be made.—

[He goes out.

O king! the royal decree, which proves that your virtues are awake after a long slumber, was heard with bursts of applause.

Dushm. [Sighing deeply.] When an illustrious man dies, alas, without an heir, his estate goes to a stranger; and such will be the fate of all the wealth accumulated by the sons of Puru.

Ward. Heaven avert the calamity!

[Goes out.

Dushm. Wo is me! I am stripped of all the felicity which I once enjoyed.