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 water-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_.

_Enter [S']AKOONTALÁ, with her two female companions, employed in
the manner described_.

[S']AKOONTALÁ

This way, my dear companions; this way.

ANASÚYÁ.