Here is surely Navamáliká. She has seen me, and, in a rage at my long delay, puts on her veil and turns away. So I will appease her with caresses.
he tries to put some betel nut in his mouth.
Vidúshaka (perceiving the smell of wine, holds his nose,
and turns away his face).
How now? Having but just escaped the attack of bees of one sort, I am assailed by an odious bee of a different nature.[1]
Parasite.
Why do you turn away your face in anger? (Prostrating himself, and placing the Vidúshaka’s foot on his head.) Be appeased, O Navamáliká!
Then enters a Servant Girl.
Girl.
I am bidden by the queen—"O Navamáliká, go to the flower-garden, and say to the keeper, Pallaviká, 'To-day, prepare the tamála-bower with especial care, for the bridegroom and Malayavatí are going thither.'" I have given the message to Pallaviká; and I will now seek my dear friend, Śekharaka, whose passion will be increased by my night's absence. (Seeing him.) Here he is. (Angrily.) How now! He is courting some other woman! I will just stop, and find out who she is.
- ↑ A pun on the word "madhukara," which means both a "bee" and a "lover."
