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solicitous to know your secret; since, when each of us has a share of your uneasiness, you will bear more easily your own portion of it.

Dushm. [Aside.] Thus urged by two friends, who share her pains as well as her pleasures, she cannot fail to disclose the hidden cause of her malady; while I, on whom she looked at our first interview with marked affection, am filled with anxious desire to hear her answer.

Sac. From the very instant when the accomplished prince, who has just given repose to our hallowed forest, met my eye—

[She breaks off and looks modest.

Both. Speak on, beloved Sacontalá.

Sac. From that instant my affection was unalterably fixed on him—and thence I am reduced to my present langour.

Anu. Fortunately your affection is placed on a man worthy of yourself.

Pri. Oh! could a fine river have deserted the sea and flowed into a lake?

Dushm. [Joyfully.] That which I was eager to know, her own lips have told. Love was the cause of my distemper, and love has healed it; as a summer's day, grown black with clouds, relieves all animals from the heat which itself had caused.

Sac. If it be no disagreeable task, contrive, I entreat you, some means by which I may find favour in the king's eyes.

Dushm. [Aside.] That request banishes all my