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Sacontalá, though she was bred in austere devotion, averse from sensual enjoyments!—How unkind was the king to leave her!

Pup. [Aside.] The proper time is come for performing the hóma: I must apprise our preceptor of it.

[He goes out.

Anu. The shades of night are dispersed; and I am hardly awake; but were I ever so perfectly in my senses, what could I now do? My hands move not readily to the usual occupations of the morning.—Let the blame be cast on love, on love only, by whom our friend has been reduced to her present condition, through a monarch who has broken his word.—Or does the imprecation of Durvásas already prevail?—How else could a virtuous king, who made so solemn an engagement, have suffered so long a time to elapse without sending even a message?—Shall we convey the fatal ring to him?—Or what expedient can be suggested for the relief of this incomparable girl, who mourns without ceasing?—Yet what fault has she committed?—With all my zeal for her happiness, I cannot summon courage enough to inform our father Canna that she is pregnant What then, oh! what step can I take to relieve her anxiety?

Pri. Come, Anusúyá, come quickly. They are making suitable preparations for conducting Sacontalá to her husband's palace.

Anu. [With surprise.] What say you, my friend?