--How charmingly your friendship is
in keeping with the equality of your ages and appearance!
PRIYAMVADA [_aside to Anasuya_].--Who can this person be, whose lively
yet dignified manner, and polite conversation, bespeak him a man of high
rank?
ANASUYA.--I, too, my dear, am very curious to know. I will ask him
myself. [_Aloud_]. Your kind words, noble Sir, fill me with confidence,
and prompt me to inquire of what regal family our noble guest is the
ornament? what country is now mourning his absence? and what induced a
person so delicately nurtured to expose himself to the fatigue of
visiting this grove of penance?
SAKOONTALA [_aside_].--Be not troubled, O my heart, Anasuya is giving
utterance to thy thoughts.
KING [_aside_].--How now shall I reply? shall I make myself known, or
shall I still disguise my real rank? I have it; I will answer her thus.
[_Aloud_]. I am the person charged by his majesty, the descendant of
Puru, with the administration of justice and religion; and am come to
this sacred grove to satisfy myself that the rites of the hermits are
free from obstruction.
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