CHARIOTEER.--Your Majesty is obeyed. [_Drives the chariot with great velocity_.
KING [_looking all about him_].--Charioteer, even without being told, I should have known that these were the precincts of a grove consecrated to penitential rites.
KING.--Do not you observe? Beneath the trees, whose hollow trunks afford Secure retreat to many a nestling brood Of parrots, scattered grains of rice lie strewn. Lo! here and there are seen the polished slabs That serve to bruise the fruit of Ingudí. The gentle roe-deer, taught to trust in man, Unstartled hear our voices. On the paths Appear the traces of bark-woven vests Borne dripping from the limpid fount of waters. And mark! Laved are the roots of trees by deep canals, Whose glassy waters tremble in the breeze; The sprouting verdure of the leaves is dimmed By dusky wreaths of upward curling smoke From burnt oblations; and on new-mown lawns Around our car graze leisurely the fawns.
KING [_advancing a little further_].--The inhabitants of this sacred retreat must not be disturbed. Stay the chariot, that I may alight.
CHARIOTEER.--The reins are held in. Your Majesty may descend.
KING [_alighting_].--Charioteer, groves devoted to penance must be entered in humble attire. Take these ornaments. [_Delivers his ornaments and bow to the Charioteer_.] Charioteer, see that the horses are watered, and attend to them until I return from visiting the inhabitants of the hermitage.
KING [_walking and looking about_].--Here is the entrance to the hermitage. I will now go in. [_Entering he feels a throbbing sensation in his arm_ Serenest peace is in this calm retreat, By passion's breath unruffled; what portends My throbbing arm? Why should it whisper here Of happy love? Yet everywhere around us Stand the closed portals of events unknown.
A VOICE [_behind the scenes_].--This way, my dear companions; this way.
KING [_listening_].--Hark! I hear voices to the right of yonder grove of trees. I will walk in that direction. [_Walking and looking about_.] Ah! here are the maidens of the hermitage coming this way to water the shrubs, carrying watering-pots proportioned to their strength. [_Gazing at them_.] How graceful they look! In palaces such charms are rarely ours; The woodland plants outshine the garden flowers. I will conceal myself in this shade and watch them. [_Stands gazing at them_.