SANUMATI [_aside_].--A pleasant arrangement! Fate, however, ordained
that the appointment should not be kept.
MATHAVYA.--But how did the ring contrive to pass into the stomach of
that carp which the fisherman caught and was cutting up?
KING.--It must have slipped from my Sakoontala's hand, and fallen into
the stream of the Ganges, while she was offering homage to the water of
Sachi's holy pool.
MATHAVYA.--Very likely.
SANUMATI [_aside_].--Hence it happened, I suppose, that the King, always
fearful of committing the least injustice, came to doubt his marriage
with my poor Sakoontala. But why should affection so strong as his stand
in need of any token of recognition?
KING.--Let me now address a few words of reproof to this ring.
MATHAVYA [_aside_].--He is going stark mad, I verily believe.
KING.--Hear me, thou dull and undiscerning bauble!
For so it argues thee, that thou couldst leave
The slender fingers of her hand, to sink
Beneath the waters. Yet what marvel is it
That thou shouldst lack discernment? let me rather
Heap curses on myself, who, though endowed
With reason, yet rejected her I loved.
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