Here's half the money for you, my masters. It will serve to purchase the flowers you spoke of, if not to buy me your good-will.
My good fisherman, you are an excellent fellow, and I begin to feel quite a regard for you. Let us seal our first friendship over a glass of good liquor. Come along to the next wine-shop, and we'll drink your health.
The nymph_ SÁNUMATÍ _is seen descending in a celestial car_.
Behold me just arrived from attending in my proper turn at the nymph's pool, where I have left the other nymphs to perform their ablutions, whilst I seek to ascertain, with my own eyes, how it fares with King Dushyanta. My connexion with the nymph Menaká has made her daughter [S']akoontalá dearer to me than my own flesh and blood; and Menaká it was who charged me with this errand on her daughter's behalf.
How is it that I see no preparations in the King's household for celebrating the great vernal festival[89]? I could easily discover the reason by my divine faculty of meditation[134]; but respect must be shown to the wishes of my friend. How then shall I arrive at the truth? I know what I will do. I will become invisible, and place myself near those two maidens who are tending the plants in the garden.
_Enter a_ MAIDEN, _who stops in front of a mango-tree, and gazes at the blossom. Another_ MAIDEN _is seen behind her_.
Hail to thee, lovely harbinger of spring! The varied radiance of thy opening flowers Is welcome to my sight. I bid thee hail, Sweet mango, soul of this enchanting season.
Parabhritiká, what are you saying there to yourself?
Dear Madhukariká, am I not named after the Koïl[90]? and does not the Koïl sing for joy at the first appearance of the mango-blossom?
SECOND MAIDEN. [_Approaching hastily, with transport_.
Yes, indeed, Madhukariká, and with it the season of joy, love, and song.
Let me lean upon you, dear, while I stead on tiptoe and pluck a blossom, of the mango, that I may present it as an offering to the god of love.
Provided you let me have half the reward which the god will bestow in return.
To be sure you shall, and that without asking. Are we not one in heart and soul, though divided in body?
[_Leans on her friend and plucks a mango-blossom_.]
Ah! here is a bud just bursting into flower. It diffuses a delicious perfume, though not yet quite expanded.