Sárn. Yet thou, O king, who fearest to offend religion and virtue, art not afraid to desert thy wedded wife; pretending that the variety of thy publick affairs has made thee forget thy private contract.
Dushm. [To his Priest.] I really have no remembrance of any such engagement; and I ask thee, my spiritual counsellor, whether of the two offences be the greater, to forsake my own wife, or to have an intercourse with the wife of another?
Priest. [After some deliberation.] We may adopt an expedient between both.
Dushm. Let my venerable guide command.
Priest. The young woman may dwell till her delivery in my house.
Dushm. For what purpose?
Priest. Wise astrologers have assured the king, that he will be the father of an illustrious prince, whose dominion will be bounded by the western and eastern seas; now, if the holy man's daughter shall bring forth a son whose hands and feet bear the mark of extensive sovereignty, I will do homage to her as my queen, and conduct her to the royal apartments; if not, she shall return in due time to her father.
Dushm. Be it as you judge proper.
Priest. [To Sacontalá.] This way, my daughter, follow me.
Sac. O earth! mild goddess, give me a place within thy bosom!—
