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Sac. It is not only in obedience to our father that I thus employ myself, though that were a sufficient motive, but I really feel the affection of a sister for these young plants.

Pri. My beloved friend, the shrubs which you have watered flower in the summer, which is now begun: let us give water to those which have passed their flowering time; for our virtue will be the greater when it is wholly disinterested.

Sac. Excellent advice!

Dushm. [Aside in transport]. How! is that Canna's daughter, Sacontalá?—[With surprise.]—The venerable sage must have an unfeeling heart, since he has alloted a mean employment to so lovely a girl, and has dressed her in a coarse mantle of woven bark. He, who could wish that so beautiful a creature, who at first sight ravishes my soul, should endure the hardships of his austere devotion, would attempt, I suppose, to cleave the hard wood Samì with a leaf of the blue lotos. Let me retire behind this tree, that I may gaze on her charms without diminishing her confidence.

Sac. My friend Priyamvadá has tied this mantle of bark so closely over my bosom that it gives me pain; Anusúyá, I request you to untie it.

[Anusúyá unties the mantle.

Pri. [Laughing.] Well, my sweet friend enjoy, while you may, that youthful prime, which gives your bosom so beautiful a swell.