I will now go there. What is Śekharaka without Navamáliká?[1]
Slave.
Come along, sir. Here is the flower-garden. Be pleased to enter.
Then enters the Vidúshaka, with a pair of garments
on his shoulder.
Vidúshaka.
The desires of my dear friend are fulfilled. I am told that he is on his way to the flower-garden. So I will now go there. (Walking and looking about.) Here is the flower-garden. I will enter. (After entering, gesticulating as if annoyed by bees.) Halloa! Why now do these odious bees attack me? (Smelling himself.) Ah! I see how it is. I have been respectfully decked with perfumes by the relations of Malayavatí, as the bridegroom's friend, and a garland of Santána flowers has been placed upon my head, and now that very respect has become a cause of annoyance. What shall I do? Having dressed myself as a woman with these pieces of red cloth, which I have brought from Malayavatí, I will go on, using the upper garment as a veil. We will see what these villanous bees will then do.
Parasite (observing him, joyfully).
Halloa! slave. (Pointing laughingly with his finger.)
- ↑ Both these names are significant. Śekharaka properly means a garland, and Navamáliká the double-jasmine.
