KING.--And suppose another person touches it?
FIRST ATTENDANT.--Then it instantly becomes a serpent, and bites him.
KING.--Have you ever witnessed the transformation with your own eyes?
BOTH ATTENDANTS.--Over and over again.
KING [_with rapture. Aside_].--Joy! joy! Are then my dearest hopes to be
fulfilled?
[_Embraces the child_.
SECOND ATTENDANT.--Come, my dear Suvrata, we must inform Sakoontala
immediately of this wonderful event, though we have to interrupt her in
the performance of her religious vows.
[_Exeunt._
CHILD [_to the King_].--Do not hold me. I want to go to my mother.
KING.--We will go to her together, and give her joy, my son.
CHILD.--Dushyanta is my father, not you.
KING [_smiling_].--His contradiction convinces me only the more.
_Enter Sakoontala, in widow's apparel, with her long hair twisted into a
single braid_.
SAKOONTALA [_aside_].--I have just heard that Sarva-damana's amulet has
retained its form, though a stranger raised it from the ground. I can
hardly believe in my good fortune. Yet why should not Sanumati's
prediction be verified?
KING [_gazing at Sakoontala_].
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