PRIYAMVADA.--Alas! these simple flowers and rude ornaments which our
hermitage offers in abundance, do not set off your beauty as it
deserves.
_Enter two young Hermits, bearing costly presents_.
BOTH HERMITS.--Here are ornaments suitable for a queen.
[_The women look at them in astonishment_.
GAUTAMI.--Why, Narada, my son, whence came these?
FIRST HERMIT.--You owe them to the devotion of Father Kanwa.
GAUTAMI.--Did he create them by the power of his own mind?
SECOND HERMIT.--Certainly not; but you shall hear. The venerable sage
ordered us to collect flowers for Sakoontala from the forest-trees; and
we went to the wood for that purpose, when
Straightway depending from a neighboring tree
Appeared a robe of linen tissue, pure
And spotless as a moon-beam--mystic pledge
Of bridal happiness; another tree
Distilled a roseate dye wherewith to stain
The lady's feet; and other branches near
Glistened with rare and costly ornaments.
While, 'midst the leaves, the hands of forest-nymphs,
Vying in beauty with the opening buds,
Presented us with sylvan offerings.
Pages:
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506