Page:Sacontala (Jones 1870).djvu/147

Rh

Second Atten. [Gazing on them alternately.] Oh wonderful!

Dushm. What has raised your wonder?

Second Atten. The astonishing resemblance between the child and you, gentle stranger, to whom he bears no relation.—It surprised me also to see, that although he has childish humours, and had no former acquaintance with you, yet your words have restored him to his natural good temper.

Dushm. [Raisng the Boy to his bosom.] Holy matron, if he be not the son of a hermit, what then is the name of his family?

Second Atten. He is descended from Puru.

Dushm. [Aside.] Hah! thence, no doubt, springs his disposition, and my affection for him. [Sitting him down.]—[Aloud.]—It is, I know, an established usage among the princes of Puru's race, to dwell at first in rich palaces with stuccoed walls, where they protect audand [sic] cherish the world, but in the decline of life to seek humbler mansions near the roots of venerable trees, where hermits with subdued passions practice austere dovotiondevotion [sic].—I wonder, however, that this boy, who moves like a god, could have been born of a mere mortal.

Second Atten. Affable stranger, your wonder will cease when you know that his mother is related to a celestial nymph, and brought him forth in the sacred forest of Casyapa.

Dushm. [Aside.] I am transported.—This is