Her cry is so piteous that I could almost fancy she
was lamenting her hard lot in intelligible words.
ANASUYA.--Say not so, dearest.
Fond bird! though sorrow lengthen out her night
Of widowhood, yet with a cry of joy
She hails the morning light that brings her mate
Back to her side. The agony of parting
Would wound us like a sword, but that its edge
Is blunted by the hope of future meeting.
KANWA.--Sarngarava, when you have introduced Sakoontala into the
presence of the King, you must give him this message from me.
SARNGARAVA.--Let me hear it, venerable father.
KANWA.--This is it--
Most puissant prince! we here present before thee
One thou art bound to cherish and receive
As thine own wife; yea, even to enthrone
As thine own queen--worthy of equal love
With thine imperial consorts. So much, Sire,
We claim of thee as justice due to us,
In virtue of our holy character--
In virtue of thine honorable rank--
In virtue of the pure spontaneous love
That secretly grew up 'twixt thee and her,
Without consent or privity of us.
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