SELECT SPECIMENS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 THEATRE OF THE HINDUS, 
 
 TRANSLATED 
 
 From the Original Sanscrit, 
 
 0. 
 
 r\^y' VOL. II. 
 
 CONTENTSr 
 
 Vikrama and Urvasi. 
 Mdlati and Mddhava, 
 TJttara Rama Cheritrai 
 
 BY 
 
 Horace Hayman Wilson, Esq. 
 
 Secretary to the Asiatic Society of Bengal, ^c. 
 
 CALCUTTA: 
 
 Printed by V. HOLCROFT, at the Asiatic Pressi, 
 
 1827. 
 
 WILLIAM H. FLOYD'S 
 
 CO^E^TION.

 
 VIKRAMA AND UR VAST, 
 
 OR 
 
 THE HERO AND THE NYMPH. 
 A DRAMA 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL 
 
 SANSCRIT, 
 
 BY 
 
 Horace Hayman Wilson, Esq. 
 
 Secret art/ to the Asiatic Society of Bengali Sfc. 
 
 CALCUTTA : 
 
 V. HOLCROFT, ASIATIC PRESS, 
 
 No. 3, Council House Street, 
 J 820.
 
 
 VlKllAMA AND URVASI, 
 
 THE HEEO AND THE NYMPH. 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 The drama of "^^ikrama and Urvasi i» one of the three 
 plays attributed to Kalidasa, already advantageously known 
 to tlie western world, as the Author of Sakuntala — the in- 
 troductory observation of the IManager in the prelude is our 
 evidence to this effect, and it is corroborated by the corres- 
 pondence of these two compositions, in many of their charac- 
 teristic merits and defects: the subject of each is taken from 
 heroic mythology, and a royal demigod and nymph of more 
 than human mould are the hero and heroine of either ; there 
 is the same vivacity of description, and tenderness of feeling 
 in both ; the like delicate beauty in the thoughts, and ex- 
 treme elegance in the style : it may be difficult to decide to 
 which the palm belongs but the story of the present play 
 is perhaps more skilfully woven, and the incidents rise out 
 of each other more naturally than in Sakuntala, while on the 
 other hand, there is perhaps no one personage in it so interest-^ 
 inff as the heroine of that drama. 
 
 894-453
 
 ( 4 ) 
 
 Allliouoli howevci- there is no reason to doubt that this 
 play is the work of t]ie same hand as that tx-anslatsd by Sir 
 Wm;; Jones, tlie concurrence does not throw any further 
 lifjht upon the date or history of the author: we can only 
 infer from the observance of the same chaste style of com- 
 position, and the absence of any forced construction, or of- 
 fensive conceits, that they are both the production of a 
 period anterior to the reign of Hhoja, when his Kalidas, a 
 man of fancy and taste, could descend to write a whole poem, 
 the Nalodaifft, for instance, in a strain of verljal paltering and 
 a succession of jingling sounds. 
 
 'I'he richness of the Pr«A-?-// in this play both in structure 
 and in its metrical code, is very remarkable: a very great 
 portion, especially of thefourth act, isin this language, and in 
 that act also a considerable variet)' of metre is introduced as 
 will be hereafter more particularly noticed: it is clear there- 
 fore that this foi'm of Sanscrit must have been highly culti- 
 vated long before the play was written, and tliis niiglit lead 
 lis to doubt whetlier the composition can bear so remote a 
 data as the reign of ViKRAai4DiTYA. (oQ. B. C.) It is yet 
 rather uncertain whethc^r the classical language of Hindu 
 literature had at that time received so high a polish as ap- 
 pears in tlie present drama, and stiil less therefore could the 
 descendants have been exquisitely refined, if the parent 
 were comparatively rude. We can scarcely conceive that 
 th.e cultivation of Prakrit precesled that of Sanscrit, when 
 we advert to tho principles on wliich the former seems to be 
 evolved from the latter, but it must be confessed that 
 the relation between Sanscrit and Prakrit has been liitherto 
 very imperfectly investigated, and is yet far from being uu- 
 der-toud.
 
 ( 5 ) 
 
 It may be thought some argument for the compari^tive 
 antiquity of the present drama that it tells the ?to)-y of 
 PuRUUAvAS very differently from the Pur^nas, in several of 
 which it may be fo und: we may suppose therefore that the 
 play preceded those works, asliaditbeen subsequently com" 
 posed the poet would either spontaneously, or in deference 
 to sacred authority have adhered more closely to the Pau- 
 ranic legend: the difference n thePuranas also indicates that 
 corruption of taste which we cannot hesitate regarding as 
 the product of more modern and degenerate days. 
 
 'J'lie Loves of Pururavas and Urvasi are related in vari- 
 ous Puranas : the following is the story as it appears in the 
 Vishnu Parana in which and in the Padma* it is more fully 
 and connectedly detailed than perhaps in any other composi- 
 tion of the same class. 
 
 Ukvasi, the Apsiu-iis. or one of the n3-mplis of heaven so 
 named, having incurrea the displeasure of Mitra and 
 Varuna was sentenced by them to l)econ!e the consort (fa 
 mortal, and in consequence of this curse she became ena- 
 ' moured of the king Purpravas, the son of Budha and Ila. 
 Forgetting her celestial duties, and foregoing the delights 
 oi Swergn, she introduced herself to the monai-ch, and her 
 charms did not fail to make the due impression on his iieart. 
 She was delicately and symmetrically formed, was grace- 
 ful in lier gestures and fascinating in her manners ; her voice 
 was music, her countenance Avas dressed in smiles, and her 
 beauty was such as might enchant the world ; no v/onder 
 
 * It is the subject also of a ister of :i pettj' prince in liio 
 
 work of some leiigtli ii) Teliigu Dekhiii, the Rnjii of Conrfur/r, 
 
 — cjilled the' Kavir;ij;i M:mor;in- this story follows th^ Piinniiis 
 
 jaiiani or Puriiniva Cii;trilr;un but with souie diftereiices. 
 coniposcii by Avyaya — liie nun-
 
 ( G ) 
 
 ihci-efore that PuRUttAVAs was at once inspired Avith fervent 
 
 love: conficlInjT in his rank and rj'no\Tn, the king did not 
 
 : to jiropose a matrimonial alliance to the nymph of 
 
 ,• she was nothin^^ loth, but had not the power to com- 
 
 .ithout previonsly exacting the bridegroom's consent 
 
 , two conditions. Puriravas hesitated not to accede to the 
 
 ^.•tipnlation?:. 
 
 UuY ASi Jiad with her two pet rams, creatiu*es of heavenly 
 and illusive natures, and one of her conditions was thatthe king 
 should take these animals under liis own charge, and guard 
 a"-ainst their beinjrever carried away bv fraud or force. The 
 other stipulation was, that the nymph was never to behold 
 the person of the king, divested of his rainijient. On the 
 ready accession of Puhuuavas to these terms, Urvasi be- 
 came his bride, and the}'^ dwelt together in the forest of 
 Chaiiraratha, near Alakd the capital of Kuvkra, for sixty 
 one* years, in perfect happiness and undiminished affection. 
 The absence of Urvasi was very soon felt in the upper 
 sphere, and tlie inhabitants of Sivcrga found their enjoy- 
 ments stale and unpi-ofitable, no longer Iieightened by the 
 agreeable manners and entertaining society of the nymph. 
 The whole body of Apsarnsas, Siddhas, Gandharhas, and 
 otiier tenants of Indra's heaven, regretted her loss, and de- 
 tnrmined to attempt her recovery as soon as the period of 
 her exile, as denounced by the imprecation, should have 
 r::pired. When this period arrived, they deputed some of the 
 OniullinrJins on the expedition, wlio undertook to bring 
 about the violation of the terms on which the alliance of the 
 
 * Thi^ is liovvcver a merenio- accortiiiiE: to ilic Purauas: there 
 niptil in Mif extr:iv!i£jnitt dura- is nothing of the kind iii llic 
 tion of Ihe life of I'tRURAVAj play.
 
 C 7 ) 
 
 king and the nymph depended: with this intent they entered 
 the sleeping chamber of the monarch, and carried off one of 
 the rams: the bleat of the animal woke Uuvasi, -who echoed 
 its cries with her lamentations, and aroused the prince. 
 Apprehensive however of appearing before his bride, un- 
 dressed, PufiURAVAs hesitated to pursue the thief, and thus 
 incurred the angry reproaches of his spouse for his indiffer- 
 ence to her loss. Presently the Gaiidharbas bore away the 
 second ram, and the grief of UavAsr was afresh excited; 
 the king's indignation also could no longer be restrained, 
 and determined to pursue and punish the ravishers he 
 leaped naked out of bed, trusting that the darkness of night 
 would screen him from the eye of his consort. This was 
 what his enemies desired, and he was no sooner off tlie 
 couch, than a vivid flash of lightning revealed him to view, 
 and put an end to his imion with the nymph of Swerga. 
 UuAvsi imiTtiediately disappeared, accompanying the Can* 
 dharhas to the halls of Indra. 
 
 When PuRXJRAVAs was conscioiis of I'"? loss, his grief wai 
 so intense, that it affected his intell^:!ts, aid he long v,an- 
 dered frantic over the world in quest of Lis I ride — after 
 many years had elapsed '.e came to a lake in Kvrukshetra 
 where he found sevrval Nymphs sporting on the bank ; 
 amongst them w.".? TiavAsi : recognising her at once he ran 
 to her and wlUi <,vild energy ir-iplored her return ; the 
 Nymph however was no longer dispoo?d, even if she had 
 been permlttei, to comply with his wishes, .^nd was deaf to 
 all his er>t' eatieo, -^ud at last she succeeded in convincing hint 
 of <^lie unreaso" lableness of his solicitations, and prevauc-I on 
 him t J resuvne his station, and the duties of a King, engaging 
 on Uiose terms to pay him an annual visit — Pi;uUi;AVAS, hov/-
 
 ( 8 ) 
 
 ever reluctantly, was compelled to submit, and returned sor-» 
 rowfully but composed to his capital : his annual interviews 
 ■with Urvasi were punctually repeated and the fruit of this 
 intercourse was the birth of six Sons* Ayus, Dhim vn 
 Amavasu, Viswavasu, Satayu and Srutayu, who were the 
 progenitors of the lunar race of kings. 
 
 The occasional interviews with his bride granted to PuR- 
 TjnAVAs were far from satisfying his desires, and he still 
 sighed for the permanent enjoyment of her society: the Gand- 
 harhas at last pitying his distress, engaged to promote his 
 reunion with the nymph, and sent the ting a brazier 
 charged v.ith fire, with which they directed him to perform 
 a sacrifice in the forest, to attain the gratification of all his 
 wisbcs. The king repaired to the woods, but reflecting that 
 lie had quitted Urvasi ill order to celebrate this rite, giving 
 up the substance for the shadow, he returned to seek the 
 nymph, leaving the vessel offii'einthe thicket. Not find- 
 ing his consort he again directed his steps to the forest, but 
 there the brazier was gone, and on the spot where it 
 liad stood, a Sami\ and AswaUhaX tree had sprung up. After 
 a little consideration Pururavas broke a bi'anch from 
 either tree, and carried them bark to the palace, where recit* 
 ing the Gdi/atrz§ and rubbing the sticks together, he gener- 
 ated fire with the friction : this primeval fire he divided into 
 three portions and with them he performed various sacrifices 
 and oblations imtil he obtained the rank of a Gandharba 
 
 * AH this part of the story, + Mimosa Suma, 
 
 Urvfisfs loss and recovery, and *: Religious Fig. 
 
 the birth of Ji/iis, arc totally ^ The holiest terse of the 
 
 dilTercut iu the play. Vedas.
 
 ( ) 
 
 and being elevated to the regions of Swerga, there enjoyed 
 the constant society of his beloved Urvasi.* 
 
 The latter circumstances of tliis legend seem to ■ indicate 
 the introduction of fire worship into India by Pururavas, 
 considered as a historical personage.t There may have been 
 some old tradition to that effect, whence the Pauranic writers 
 derived the ground worU of their fable, but it is not noticed 
 in the play, neither is any allusion made to it in the version 
 of this story in another work in which it is found, the Vrihat 
 Katkd. which differs in many particulars from both the play 
 and the Purana, The story tiiere however is very concisely 
 narrated, and the author has clearly taken merely the perso- 
 nages and course of the fable, from what was currently 
 known, and givenhisown colouring to the incidents. It adds 
 therefore nothing to the history of the narrative, and may be 
 either anterior or subsequent to the forms in which it is now 
 presented to English readers. Another authority however, 
 the Matsya Purdna, tells the story more agreeably to the 
 tenor of the drama, as follows : 
 
 " When a year had elapsed, the divine Tch'd bore a son of 
 surpassing splendour, arrayed in celestial raiment of a yel- 
 low colour, and richly decorated with heavenly gems : fi'ora 
 his youth he was versed in regal duties and was so skilled in 
 the trainingof elephants that he taught the art, and acquired 
 the appellation of Gajavedhaka. The Gods being assem- 
 
 * The play makes no allusion ^4havanii/a or consecrated fire 
 
 to these iucidents, closing with taken from the preceding' and 
 
 the appearance of the elder son, prepared for receiving oblations, 
 
 ,4yut and tii« Dakshinugni fire taken 
 
 t The three fires are the Car- from either of the former and 
 
 hapatya or perpetual fire main- placed towards the Suu'ih. 
 tained by a householder, the 
 
 C
 
 ( 10 ) 
 
 bled at tlie mansion of her husband, Vtihaspatl, to perform 
 the rites due to liis birth, enquired of Turd whose son he was, 
 and with much vehictance she acknowledged the Royal 5o???rt 
 was his father. Soma therefore took the boy, and named him 
 jBMrf/^a, and gave him dominion on the earth, and inaugurated 
 him supreme over the world. Brahma and the rest confer- 
 red ui)on him thedignity of a planetary power and then took 
 their departure. 
 
 The holy Biidha begot by lid a son, who performed by 
 his own might a hundred Aswamedhas. He was named 
 PtiRuiiArAs and was revered by all worlds. He worshipped 
 Vishnu on the peaks of Himalaya, and thence became the 
 monarch of the seven fold earth. Kesi and myriads of Daityas 
 fell before his prowess, and Urvasi fascinated by his personal 
 graces, became his bride. 
 
 Virtue, IVealih, and Desire, once paid this monarch a visit, 
 curious to ascertain which of them held the first place in 
 his esteem. The king received them with respect but payed 
 to Virtue his profonndest homage. Wealth and Desire were 
 offended by the preference sliewn to their companion. Wealth 
 denounceda cui'se upon him, that Avarice should occasion his 
 fall, and Dc^jiz-e declared that he should be separated from 
 liis bride, and on that account suffer distraction in the forest of 
 Kumara on the Gandhamadana mountain ; but Virtue decla- 
 red he should enjoy a long and pious life, that his descendants 
 should continue to multiply, as lon^ as the Sun and Moon 
 endured, i nd shoidd ever enjoy dominion of the earth — After 
 this the divinities disappeared. 
 
 Pl-ruravas M'as in the habit of paying a visit to Indra 
 every day. Having ascended his car, accompanying the Sun 
 in his southern course, he beheld on one occasion the Demon
 
 ( 11 ) 
 
 Kesi seize and carry off the nymjihs Ch'Uralekhd and IjRVA.sr. 
 The king attacked the demon, and destroyed liim with the 
 shatc of y'aj/ii, by which he not only rescued the nymplis, 
 but established Iiidra on his thi'one, which tlie Demon had 
 endangered — for this service Indra repaid the monarch with 
 his friendship, and gave him additional power, splendor, and 
 glory. 
 
 Having invited the king to a festivqj at which was repre- 
 sented the celebrated story of Lakshms election of a hus- 
 band, the invention of Bharata, Indra commanded Me- 
 NAKA, Rembha and Uuvasi to perform their respective parts. 
 Urvasi who i-epresented Lakshmi, being engrossed by admir- 
 ration of the king, forgot what she had to enact, and thereby 
 incurred the high displeasure of the sage, who sentenced her 
 to separation from the Prince on earth, and condemned her 
 to pine fifty five years transformed to a Vine, until restored 
 to the regrets of Pururavas. Urvasi having made the King 
 her Lord, resided with him, and after the term of the curse 
 "had expired bore him eight sons — Ayu, Bhrirhuiju, Aswuyu, 
 Dhanayu, Dhritimdn, Va^u, Bivijala, and Sdtaiju all endowed 
 with more than human power." 
 
 This story is evidently that of the play, although related 
 less in detail, and with a few variations accordingto Pauranic 
 taste— but it is clear that it is either derived from a common 
 source with the narration of the drama, or which isnotimpro- 
 bable, that it has borrowed from the latter its general com- 
 plexion. The nature of the relation Avhich exists '^between 
 the fiction as it appears in the Drama, and in the Purdnas, 
 our readers will be able to appreciate for themselves after 
 perusal of the former.
 
 DRAMA TIS PERSONjE. 
 
 OF THE PRELUDE. 
 
 MANAGER. ACTOR. 
 
 OF THE PLAY, 
 
 MEN. 
 
 Pururavas.—King of Pratiskthdna. 
 
 Ayus. — The son o? Pvruravas. 
 
 Mdnava The Vidushaka and confidential companion of 
 
 the king. 
 
 Chitrasena. — King of the Gawrf/j<?r6flj the attendants onlndra. 
 
 Ndreda.-— The divine sage, the son of Brahma. 
 
 Ch amber hiin, 
 
 • A Forester. 
 
 Paila i 
 
 > T^vo disciples of the sage Bharatn. 
 Cdlava. 3 
 
 WOIMEN. 
 
 Urvasi. — Ai\%1psuras or nymph of Indra's heaven. 
 
 Chliralcklid. — Another nymph^ her friend, 
 
 Saha/janyd ^ 
 
 P.cmbhd > Nymphs.* 
 
 Meuakii. 7 
 
 * According to tlie Kasi are the principal— of these how- 
 
 Khand there are thirly-five ever not more than five or six 
 
 niillions of tliese nrniphs, hiit are the luhject of Paiiranic or 
 
 only one thousand and »ixly poetical narrations — or Urvati,
 
 ( 13 ) 
 
 Ausinart. — The queen of Puniravas and daughter of tlie 
 
 king of Kdsi or Benares. 
 Nipunikd.- — One of her attendants. 
 
 TERSONS SPOKEN OF. 
 /wrfrrt.— The chief of all the inferior Deities, and Sovereio-n of 
 
 Swerga or Paradise. 
 Ki-si — A Daitya or Titan an enemy of the Gods. 
 Bharata. — A holy sage the inventor of dramatic composition. 
 Guards. — JN'ymnhs &c. 
 
 Scene in tlie First Act the Peaks of the Himalaya; in the se- 
 con d and third, the palace of Pururavas at Praiishiha- 
 lifi; in tl»e fourth, the forest of Akalusha, raid in the 
 filth again at the palace. 
 
 C Time — Uncertain.) 
 
 Mcnakd, Ilamb'd^ Tillottavid, Their beinj. Myriads rrerc they 
 
 and Alambushd. In their birth lM>ni, mid all 
 
 and deuomiiiatioi!, they ofTcr In vesture heavenly clad, anil 
 
 some analogy to the Goddess heavenly geins: 
 
 Jphrodite: like her they arose Yet more divine their native 
 
 from Ihe Kca, and as her name sem!)lancc, rich 
 
 is ttferrt d to Aphros foam or With all the o:ifls of grace, and 
 
 spray, so that of the Apsara- youth, and beauty. 
 
 if J, is from .^p water and Sa- A train Innunierous followed: 
 
 »•// who moYes — llieir origin is vat thus fair 
 
 thus related ill the first book of Nor God nor Demon songlit 
 
 the IlilmdyaTin. their wedded love : 
 
 Then from the agitated depp Thus Rnghnva they still re- 
 
 np^prnng main- their charms 
 
 The ifgion of Apsara&ns, so The ronimon trengure of the 
 
 nainetl host of hovon. 
 That to the watery clement 
 
 they owed
 
 VIKRAMA AND UIIVASI. 
 
 PRELUDE. 
 
 ENTER THE MANAGER. 
 
 May that* > n-a protect you >vlio is attainable by devo- 
 tion and faith ;t "vvho is the sole male of the % Vedunta, § 
 spread througli all space, to wliom alone the name of 1| Lord 
 is applicable, and who is sought with suppressed breath ^ 
 by those who covet final emancipation.** 
 
 * The term used in the text is 
 Sihhnu a name of Siva from 
 Sthd to stay or be, the existent 
 or eternal. 
 
 t Bhakli faith and Yoga the 
 practice of abstract meditation. 
 
 :}; The Eka purusha, the ac- 
 tive inslrnmenl in creation. 
 
 ^ The theolojjital (ir meta- 
 physical portion of tiie Vedas. 
 
 (j Iswara, wliicli is derived 
 from Isha, to have power, or 
 Asa to pervade — in the latter 
 CJ^e tlie vowel is tlianj^ed. 
 
 5 The exercise of l^rinayama 
 or breatliin<r through cither 
 Iicilri] alternately and tli«ii 
 
 closing both during the repeti- 
 tion mentally of certain for- 
 mulae. 
 
 ** Inferior enjoyment in hea- 
 ven is not an oltject of desire 
 to the more enthusiastic of the 
 Hindus, as it is but finite, and 
 after its cessation, the individual 
 is l)()rit again iu the world, and 
 exposed to thecalamitiesofa frail 
 existence — the great aim of de- 
 votion is imica vrith the su- 
 preme and universal spirit, iu 
 which case the soul no more 
 assumes a perishable shape : the 
 character of tiiis ben«diction 
 corresponds with that of Sakun-
 
 ( 15 ) 
 
 Man. (Looking of the stage.) Ho, Marisha* come hither. 
 ' ENTER ACTOR. 
 
 Act» Here am I Sir. 
 
 Man. Many assemblies have witnessed the compositions 
 of former dramatic Bards. t I therefoa-e propose to exhibit 
 one not hitherto represented, the drama;}: of Vikrama and 
 Urvasi. Desire the company to be ready to do justice to 
 their respective parts. 
 
 Act. I shall Sir. 
 
 Man. I have now only to request the audience that they 
 will listen to this work of Kaliddsa with attention and kind- 
 ness, in consideration of its subject and respect for the 
 
 Author. § 
 
 (Behbid the Scenes.) 
 
 Help, help, if in the middle sky, 
 
 A friend be found — to aid us fly. 
 
 talk and both indicate the au- + KdJidas is therefore not the 
 
 thor's l)el<)no;ing' to that raodifi- oldest dramatic writer, 
 
 cation of the Hindu filth in ^ The Trotaka a drama in 
 
 which the abstract deism of the five, eight, or nine acts, thechar- 
 
 Veda'ita is qualified by Identify- acters of which are mixed or 
 
 ing the supreme, invisible, and heavenly and human : see the 
 
 inapprecialile spirit with a delu- introduction, 
 
 slve form which was the person ^ Tl>e original may be so un- 
 
 o{ Rudra or Siva. The Brah- derstood although it i« not quite 
 
 mans of the South and West are clear, Pranaylshu dakshinyad, 
 
 mostly of this sect — and what- yadl \a sadvastu purusha bahn- 
 
 ever Sanlcara SK'anii may have niaiiah — srlnnfa nianobhlravah- 
 
 tauo-ht, it is that of his descend- itaik krlyam im;ini Kalldasasva. 
 
 ants tlie Das-iiami Gosalns. It is of little consequence, except 
 
 The sect is probably the oldest that in the sense preferred it in- 
 
 of all now existing in India. dlcates the fame of the author 
 
 * A term by which It is pro- to be estai)lisliej when tbijpicc« 
 
 per to address owe of the priu- was wrllten. 
 cipal performers.
 
 ( 16 ) 
 
 Man. What sounds are these in the air^ that like the 
 plaintive bleat of lambs, break in upon my speech: was it 
 the murmur of the Bee or Koil's distant song, or do the 
 Nymplis of heaven as they pass above, warble their celestial 
 strains — Ah no— it is the cry of distress The fair creation 
 of the saint, the friend of NauA;, Uuvasi, has been carried 
 off by a demon on her return from the halls of the Sovereign 
 of Kaildsa* and her sisters are invoking some friendly 
 power to their aid. \^Exit. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE FIRST. 
 
 PART OF THE HIMALAYA RANGE OF MOUNTAINS. 
 
 BNTER in the Air a Troop of Apsarasas or Nymphs of Heaven. 
 Nymphs. Help, help if any friend be nigh 
 To aid the daughters of the sky. 
 ENTEii Pururavas-^ in a heavenly car driven by his Charioteer^ 
 Pur. Suspend your cries, in me behold a friend, 
 Pururavas, returning from the sphere 
 Of the wide glancing sun, command my aid 
 And tell me, what you dread. 
 
 * Kuvera, the God of wealth, 
 whose capital Jlakd is suppos- 
 ed to be situated on mount 
 Kaildsa. 
 
 t Pururavas isn king of higli 
 descent hfin^ sprung by iiis n\o- 
 Iher lid from tiie sun, .^nd hi« 
 faUiei- Budhii from the moon, 
 being the grandson of the latter 
 and great grandson of the for- 
 mer — his origin is ultimately 
 dcrifed fruin Brahma thus. 
 
 BRAHMA. 
 
 Duksha, 
 
 I 
 Aditi* Kasjapa, 
 
 Viwaswat the lun, 
 
 1 
 Vaiwaswat, 
 
 1 
 Ila, 
 
 Atri, 
 I 
 
 Soma^ 
 
 Rudha* lla, 
 rurui'uvus,
 
 ( 17 ) 
 
 Pcmhhcf. A demon's violence. 
 Pur. What violence presumes the fiend to offer. 
 Mf.naha. Great king it thus has chanced: we measured back 
 Our steps from an assembly of the Gods 
 Held in* Kuveras hall — before us stepped 
 Th.? graceful Urvasi, the Nymph whose charms 
 Defeated Indra's stratagemst and shamed 
 The loveliness of SriX — the brightest ornament 
 Of heaven : when on our path the haughty Dunava, 
 Kcsi, tlie monarch of the golden city|| 
 Sprang fierce and bore the struggling nymph away. 
 Pur. Which path pursued the wretch. 
 Sahajanya. 'Tis yonder. 
 Pur. Banish your fears. 
 
 I go to rescue and restore your friend. 
 Rcmbkd. The act is worthy of your high descent. 
 Pur. Where wait you my return. 
 Rembha Here — on this peak 
 
 The towering HemaJada.^ 
 Pur. ( To the Charioteer ) Bend our course 
 
 To yonder point, and urge tiie rapid steeds 
 To swiftest flight — 'tis done ; before the car 
 Like vollied dust the scattering clouds divide; 
 The whirling wheel deceives the dazzled eye 
 And double I'ound the axle seems to circ'e : 
 The waving chowrie on the steed's broad brow 
 
 * The God of Riches. 1| fJiranyapur, is the name 
 
 + See the note in p^ge 20. in the text. 
 
 + The wife of Vishnu goddess ^ The golden or Snowy Pe^k. 
 of prosperity and hearty. 
 
 a
 
 ( IS ) 
 
 Points backward, motionless as in a picture; 
 
 And backward streams thebauner from the breeze 
 
 We meet — immoveable*— We should outstrip 
 
 The flight of rainatei/af and must surely 
 
 O'ertake theravisher. ^Exeuni, 
 
 Jlcmhhd. Now Sisters on, and blithely seek 
 
 The golden mountain's glittering peak ; 
 
 Secure the king extracts the dart 
 
 That rankles in each anxious heart. 
 Alenakd. We need not fear : his arm can quell 
 
 The mightiest of the sons of hell. 
 
 What makes he liere — but aid to bring 
 
 From mortal realms to Srverga's king ; 
 
 And is not to his valour given 
 
 Command o'er all the hosts of heaven, (they proceed, 
 Rembhd. Joy, Sisters, joy _, the king advances ; 
 
 High o'er yon ridgy rampart dances 
 
 The deer-emblazoned banner— See 
 
 The heavenly car rolls on; 'tis he. 
 
 * Avery similar description, but against the breeze than the un«« 
 
 les« {jictnresque andjust, occun dulation of eilhrr. The Charaari 
 
 in the beginning of Sakuntiila. or Chowrie — the white bushj 
 
 and the truth of it is rendered tail of the Tibet Cow, fixed on a 
 
 less striking by a loose transia- gold or ornamented shaft, r«se 
 
 lion. Sir William Jones translates from between the ears of th« 
 
 Nishkanipa Chamara Siklia — horse like the Plume of the War 
 
 " they tossed their manes" when horse of Chivalry — the banner 
 
 it means " their nianes and the or banneret wilh the device of 
 
 Chowries on their heads are the Chief rose at the back of the 
 
 unagitated" — that is they point Car— sometimes several llttietri- 
 
 against the wind without wav- angular flags were mounted on 
 
 ing, a predicate much more in- its sides, 
 dicative of a rapid ad\anc* t Garura the ton of Tinata.
 
 ( 19 ) 
 
 ENT«a Pururavas in his car sJowty ; Urvasi in tkt ear JainU 
 ing, supported by Ckitralekkd. 
 
 Chitr, Dear friend revive. 
 Pur. Fair nymph resume your courage : 
 
 Still wields the thunderer his bolt, and guards 
 The triple world from harm ; the foes (f heaven 
 Are put to flight — Avhy cherish this alarm 
 When its just cause is o'er ; unclose those lids— 
 The lotus opens when the night retires. 
 
 Chilr. Alas her sighs alone declare her conscious. 
 
 Pur. Soft as the flower the timid heart not soon 
 
 Forgoes its fears — The scarf that veils her bosom 
 Hides not its flutterings, and the panting breast. 
 Seems as it felt the wreath of heavenly blossoms 
 Weigh too oppressively. 
 
 Ch tr. Revive my friend 
 
 This weakness ill becomes a nymph of heaven. 
 
 Pur. Have patience — ^he recovers, though but faintl} « 
 So gently steals the moon upon the night 
 Retiring tardily — so peeps the flame 
 Of evening fires through smoky wreaths; and thus. 
 The Ganges slowly clears her troubled wave, 
 Engulphs the ruin that the tumbling bank 
 Had hurled athwart her agitate I course, 
 And flows a clear and stately stream again* 
 
 * The idea in the last fonr vey to those acquainted with the 
 
 lines is somewhat expanded, to siil)ject of the description : tlie 
 
 convey more distinctly to Euro- original lines are exceedingly 
 
 pean readers what one-fourth of sweet and beautiful, 
 their Qumber would at once con-
 
 ( 20 ) 
 
 Chili: Awake dear friend, the enemies of heaven 
 
 Are baffled in despair. 
 Urr. (Feviving.) By InSras prowess. 
 Chitr. 'By prowess not inferior to Mahetidra's : 
 Bv this most holy Prince* rurt'travas. 
 Urv. (LooJcing at Pururatas; then apart.) 
 
 What thanks I owe the Daniiva. 
 Pur. (After lookhig at Urvasi, then apart.) What marvel. 
 The Nymphs celestial blushed with humbled charms. 
 When to rebuke their wantonness, the sage 
 Willed that this wondrous beauty should appear. 
 The creature of a sage — it cannot be : 
 How could an aged anchoret,t grown old 
 
 * Tie ii nlwnys called a Ra- them with so much civility, Ihat 
 
 iarshi.Raia Ui'ihi or Roy;»] Siiint. they thought their object was 
 
 In tlie rl'ssification of sagrs attained. The sage, however, 
 
 there are three <)rders, the Ra- taking up a flower stalk, placed 
 
 jarshi. or kingly sage, such as it on his thigh, when a beautiful 
 
 jAiN*KA,theBrahniarshi orBrah- nymph appeared, the superiority 
 
 nian saje as Vasishtha. and of whose charms covered th«s 
 
 the Devarshi or Divine Sage as nymphs of heaven with shame. 
 
 Nareda. Hardy ana then told them to 
 
 + Nara and Ndrdj/ana were return to Indra. and bear him 
 
 two Saii\ls, the sons of Dherma a proof he needed not the coni- 
 
 unA Ahinad: Ihey devoted Ihem- pany of beauty, in the present 
 
 ielves to ascetic exercises wliich he made him of the new born 
 
 alarmed the Gods, and Indra nymph, who accompanied the 
 
 sent Kama and Vasanta or Apsarases to Swerga, and wag 
 
 LoveandSpring.wilh the nymphs called I'rvdst from Uru a thigh, 
 
 of heaven lo inflame the sages P'dmana Purdna. The Com- 
 
 witii passion and thus end their mentator on the drama says, 
 
 penance. Xdrdyana observing Nara 7\\\A Ndrayana vmic ^4va- 
 
 the ginihols of the party sns- laras, descents or incarnations 
 
 peeled their purpose — he invit- of ►^/jM"a and Kriihna. 
 ed themlo approach, and treated
 
 C 21 ) 
 
 In dull devotion, and whose only merit 
 Was cold insensibility, conceive 
 Such supei'natural beauty — oh no; Love 
 Himself was her creator, whilst the Moon 
 Gave her his radiance, and the flowery Spring, 
 Taught her to madden men and gods with passion, 
 
 Urv. Where are our friends. 
 
 Chitr. The King will lead us to them. 
 
 Pur. Trust me they mourn your loss, nor is it strange 
 That they should miss your presence, when the eye 
 That once has viewed you — must lament your absence. 
 
 Urv. (Apart.) Delightful words, they fall like drops of 
 
 [^Nectar. 
 (Aloud ) Not less my eagerness to see again 
 The friends I love. 
 
 Pur. Behold them there — they keep 
 Their anxious watch on Hemakuta's brow. 
 And mark your coming — safe from the Demon's grasp. 
 Like the bright moon emerging from eclipse. 
 
 Chilr. Look friend. 
 
 Urv. Like feelings fill my eyes as— 
 
 Chilr. Whose } 
 
 Urv. My friends. 
 
 liembhd. Attended by each brilliant star. 
 Jjike Chandra* in his radiant car. 
 The king appears and with him borne 
 Behold our sister nymphs return. 
 
 Menaku. For both the boons our thanks be poured ; 
 The prince unharmed and friends restored. 
 
 * Like the moon with the two stars of F'isdlchd, one of the lu- 
 nar asterisms cuutuiai!i«r two stars.
 
 ( 22 ) 
 
 Chorus. Joy to the prince who mighty rose 
 
 To quell the pride of demon foes. 
 pur. To yonder lofty mountain guide the car. 
 
 (Apart.) Not vain our journey hitherward : 'tis much 
 In the unsteady rolling of the chariot 
 But for a moment to have touched the form 
 Of this celestial nymph — the blissful contact 
 Shoots extasy through every fibre. Here (aloud.) 
 Arrest our course— the maid's companion choir 
 press on to her embrace, like flowery vines 
 That bend to catch the beauty of the spring. 
 Chorus. Joy to the king — Propitious Heaven 
 
 Has victory to his prowess given. 
 Pur. Behold in these my triumph. 
 
 (presenling Urvasi and Chitralehha.) 
 Urv. ]\Iy deal*, dear Sisters, little did I hope 
 
 But late to feel once more this loved embrace. 
 
 {embraces them ) 
 Chorus. May countless ages blest survey 
 
 The mighty Pururavds sway, (a noise rvilhout) 
 Charioteer. (To the King.) 
 
 Sire from the east the rushing sound is heard 
 Of mighty chariots ; yonder like clouds they roll 
 Along the mountain cliffs ; now there alights 
 A chief in gorgeous raiment — like the blaze 
 Of lightening playing on the towering precipice. 
 Nymphs. Our king, great Chitraratha. 
 
 ENTER Chitraratha, the Icing of the Gandharhas,* 
 (attended.) 
 Chilr. Illustrious victor, friend o£ Indra hail. 
 
 * The Gandhtirbas are the male atteadaats aad Choriiter* 
 ia the CourU uf Siva, Indra, aud Kuvera.
 
 ( 53 ) 
 
 Pur. King of the heavenly quiristers receive 
 
 The welcome of a friend* — "V^hat brings you hither. 
 Chiir. When India learnt from Nareda the rape 
 Of this fair damsel by the Daiii/a, Kest, 
 He bade me gather the Gandharha train 
 And hasten to her rescue — I obeyed ; 
 But ere we marched, news of your triumph came 
 And stopped our progress. For your friendly aid 
 I bear you now our monarch's thanks, and more — 
 His wish to see you in the heavenly courts, 
 Your worth has opened to your welcome visit— 
 This service is most dear to him — the nymph 
 Is now your boon — first given by Ndrdyana 
 To grace the halls of Srverga — now redeemed 
 From hands profane by your resistless valour, 
 Tur. You rate the deed too high ; not mine the glory ; 
 But his, the Thunderer's, from whom derived 
 The strength of those who conquer in his cause. 
 The very Echo of the Lion's roar. 
 As through the rocky rifts it spreads and deepens. 
 Appalls the mighty elephant. 
 Chilr. 'Tis well. 
 
 This modesty becomes your worth — Humility 
 Is ever found the ornament of valour. 
 Pur. Excuse me to the monarch — Other claims 
 Demand my distant presence; lead the nymph 
 Back to the king. 
 Chitr. Your will shall be obeyed. 
 Urv. (Apart to Chilralekhd.) 
 
 Speak for me my dear friend, my lips refuse 
 To bid adieu to my protector— Speak. 
 
 * The stage direction here is They shake hands. " Paraiparana 
 hastaw spriiatali"'
 
 ( U ) 
 
 Chiir. (To the king) 
 
 Illustrious Sir, my friend commands me ask 
 Your leave to carry back with her to heaven. 
 As one she dearly cherishes, your fame. 
 Par. Farewell — I trust ere long to meet again. 
 The Gandharbas and Apsarasas ascend, Urvasi loiters and 
 pretends to be stopped. 
 Urv. A moment pause, (to Chitrdlekha.) Dear Girl this 
 straggling vine. 
 Has caught my garland — help me to get loose. 
 Chilr. No easy task I fear — you seem entangled 
 Too fast to be set free — bivt come what may 
 Depend upon my friendship. 
 Urv. Thanks, thanks. 
 
 Be mindful of your promise. 
 
 ( Chitralekhd employed in discngairing her J. 
 Pur, A thousand thanks, dear Plant, to whose kind aid 
 I owe another instant, and behold. 
 But for a moment and imperfectly. 
 Those half-averted charms. 
 Charioteer. Come Royal Sir, 
 
 Let us depart — the demon foes are hurled 
 Deep in the ocean wave — just punishment 
 For their rebellion against Stvergn's king — 
 Now let the shaft, whose headlong force resembles 
 The blast of fate, sleep in its wonted quivei". 
 As cowers the snake within his gloomy covert. 
 
 C Thei/ mount.) 
 Pin: Ascend the car— 
 Urv. Ah ! me — ah ! when agam 
 
 Shall I behold my brave delivei'er. 
 
 (Departs m(h ChitraUkhd and the nymphs.)
 
 ( 25 ) 
 
 Puru. (Looking i^ter her.) 
 
 What idle drean)s does frantic love suggest ; 
 What ai'duous tasks inspire — the beauteous nymph 
 Bears off my heart in triumph through the path 
 Her sire immortal treads : so flies the swan 
 Through the mid air, charged with its precious spoil. 
 The milky nectar of the Lotus stem. 
 
 (Exit in his Cai\) 
 
 END OP THE FIRST ACT. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 THE GARDEN OF THE PALACE OF PURURAVA3 
 
 AT PRAYAGA.* (Allahabad,) 
 
 Enter Mdnava, the Vidushaka. 
 
 It is mighty inconvenient this, for a Brahman like myself, 
 one so much sought after and subject to such frequent in- 
 vitation, to be burthened with the king's secret — going so 
 much into company as I do, I shall never be able to set a 
 guard upon my tongue. I must be prudent, and will stay 
 here by myself in this retired temple, until my royal friend 
 comes forth from the Council Chamber. (Sits down and 
 covers his face with his hands.) 
 
 * It is also in other places cal- cording to Hamilton are still to 
 
 led Pratisthana and is described be seen at Jhiisi on the left bank 
 
 as at the confluence of the Ya- of the Ganges. Hinniltoii's Ge- 
 
 muiia and Ganges on the bank nealo^ies of {he Hindus. Alla- 
 
 of the latter : it should seern habad or Prayaga was a holy 
 
 therefore that so late as the jtlace having been the seat of 
 
 composition of tliis drama the Bharadhwajat heTiv'i'ase, hut \t 
 
 ancient city still stood opposite never was a city until Akber 
 
 to its present site — The ruins ac- made it one.
 
 ( 26 ) 
 
 Enter Nipiinikd, an Attendant on the Qticsn. 
 
 The daughter of the king- of Kdsi* is quite sure that since 
 the king" returned from the regions of the sun, he is no longer 
 the same — he must have left his heart behind him — what 
 else can be the reason. I must try and find it out— if that 
 crafty Brahman be in the secret 1 shall easily get at it. A 
 secret can rest no longer in his bi'east, than morning dew 
 
 upon thin grass — uhere can he be eh yes, there he 
 
 sits — immoveable — like a monkey in a picture. — now to at- 
 tack him, that is all I have to do. fArya—Mihiava — I 
 salute you. 
 
 j\Ia7i. Prosperity attend you. (apart). That sly baggage 
 Nipunikd — she seeks to discover the secret I dare say. If so, 
 she will get it to a certainty in spite of me, {aloud) Well 
 Nipunikd, how is it you leave your music practice:]: for the 
 garden. 
 
 Nip, The Queen has sent me to pay you a visit Sir. 
 
 Man. And what may be her ^Majesty's commands. 
 
 Nip. She bids me say that she has ever esteemed you as 
 her good friend, and that it is therefore with some surprise 
 she finds you utterly indifferent to her present anxiety. 
 
 Ma7i. Why, what's the matter — you cannot suspect that 
 my royal friend regards her grace with any diminution of his 
 affection for her ? 
 
 Nip. Oh! that is not the point — my mistress knows the 
 cause of his melanclioly well enough ; nay more, he let out 
 the secret himself, and in a fit of aosence, addressed the Queen 
 by t}":" very name of his new love. 
 
 * Tlie ancient name of Be- :}: Savgida Bdpdra for Sangita 
 
 nares w'lich is recognisable in Vjaparji. Practice of music, 
 
 tbp C' soitlia of Ptt I'iiny. singing and dancing. 
 
 + A term of refpcct.
 
 ( 27 ) 
 
 Man. C Apart. J Indeed — oh, if his majesty cannot keep 
 his ov/n secrets, why should I be plagued with them, (aloud.) 
 Why what the deuce Nipuniku, did he call the Queen, Urvasi. 
 Nip. And pray who is Urvasi. 
 
 Man. The nympli — the Apsaras, ever since the king saw 
 her, lie has been out of his senses, he not on'y neglects her 
 grace, but turns his back upon me. 
 
 Nip. (Apart.) So, so, I have settled that matter, as I 
 expected, {Aloud.) Well I must return to the queen, what 
 am I to say to her. 
 
 Mm. Tell her I am weary of attempting to cure my 
 friend the king, of this idle fancy of his. The only remedy, 
 is the sight of her lotus countenance. 
 Nip. You may depend upon me. \ExU. 
 
 The Warder, (ivithout.) 
 
 All hail to the monarch who toils through the day — 
 To shed o'er his subjects the light of his sway. 
 As travels unceasing the sun in his sphere 
 To chase from the universe darkness and fear — 
 The Lord of lone splendour an instant suspends 
 His course at mid-noon ere he Avestward descends. 
 And brief are the moments our young monarch knows. 
 Devoted to pleasure or paid to repose.* 
 
 * Frequent occasion will oc- arrival of the Gtlihouror watch 
 
 cur to notice the FaKdlilca, a of the day, about two or three 
 
 sort of poetical warder or Bard, o'clock, in which alone lie sayji 
 
 who announces fixed periods the king can follow his own in. 
 
 of the day, as dawn and evening- clination. It appears indeed 
 
 &c. in measured lines, and occa- that tlie royal station was I»y 
 
 lionaliy pours forth strains aris- no means a sinecnre: the Agni 
 
 ini; from any incidental occur- Pnraiia lays down rules for the 
 
 rence— he here announces the apportioning of the regil day.
 
 ( 28 ) 
 
 Man. {Listening ) Ha ! my royal friend has risen from his 
 seat, and is coming hither ; 1 -will await him. 
 
 l)ut the snrae are more fully de- the perusal of some nacrcd 
 tailedin the last story of theDasa work. The fourth and fifth 
 Kiimara, upon the authority of portions or three hours are aU 
 Chanakya, the relehrated minis- lowed for sleep. Tn the Sixth— 
 ter of Chandr;. jopta, who is al- he must rise and purifr himself, 
 ways cited as the author of the In the Seventh, he holds a pri- 
 Niti, or Institutes of Govern- vate consultation with his mi- 
 ment. From the Dasa Knmara nisters and furnishes the Officeri 
 it appears that the day and of Cxovernment with instructi- 
 in-ht, was each divided into ons, and the Eighth, is appropri- 
 eight portions, corresponding ated to the Purohit or Priest 
 accordingly to one hour and a the Brahman and religious ce' 
 half, and they are thus disposed remonies, after which the husi- 
 of. Day-First portion. The kin- „ess of the day is resumed. The 
 bemg dressed is to audit hi« author of the play has conform- 
 accounts. Second-he is to pro- ed to this dislrihufion-hrinc^ine 
 Dounce judgment in suits ap- Pururavas from Council at^he 
 pealed to h.m Third-he is to sixth portion of the day-the 
 breakfast. Fourth-he is to precise hour depends upon the 
 rece.veand makepresents. Fifth period of the year, th0 different- 
 to discuss political questions portions bein? reckoned from 
 w.th h„ ministers and council- sunrise, we may infer that the 
 lors. Sixth-he is, n. staled in Poet intends this to be about 2 
 the drama, his own master, i^. M. as at the end of the Act 
 Seventh-he is to review the he makes the kin- describe the 
 Troops. Eighlh-he hoi Is a time as being past noon, when 
 military Council. Night. First the h.at is most oppressive- 
 portion. The king is to receive the Sixth watch accordingly 
 the reports of his spies and en- begins in the drama about one 
 Toys. Second-he sups or dines, o'clock. 
 Third- he retires to rest ;ifter
 
 ( 29 ) 
 
 ENTER Turiiravns. 
 
 Pur. One glance sufficed ; the unerring shaft of love. 
 Laid bare the path, and gave a ready access 
 To that celestial nymph, to seat; herself 
 Throned in my heart. 
 Man. (To himself) Ah, that is exactly what the poor 
 daughter of Kdsiraja complains of. 
 
 Pur. (To the Vidushaka.) You have kept my secret safe. 
 Man. (Apart.) That baggage must have betrayed me, 
 ■why else should he ask the question. 
 Pur. (^Alarmed.) How, you are silent ? 
 Man. Don't be alarmed-— the fact is, that my tongue is so 
 accustomed to the restraint I have put upon it, that 1 cannot 
 answer off hand, even your enquiries. 
 
 Pur. 'Tis well — now then for recreation— 
 
 What shall we do } 
 Man. Pay a visit to the kitchen. 
 Pur. With what intent > 
 
 Man. Why the very sight of the savoury dishes In course 
 of preparation "will be sufficient to dissipate all melancholy 
 ide^s. 
 
 Pur. With you it may— for what you covet there 
 You may obtain — what my desires aiFect 
 Is hopeless — where should I then seek diversion. 
 Man. IVIay T ask if the person of your highness was not 
 beheld by the lady Urvasi. 
 Pur. What then. 
 
 Man. Why then I should think her not quite so un^ 
 comeatable. 
 
 Pur. Weigh it not thus, but judge impartially.
 
 ( oO ) 
 
 Man. "What 5'on say only adds to my surprise: what 
 sijrnifies madam Urvasi's unrivalled beauty, am I not 
 equally without a peer, in ugliness. 
 
 Pia'. "Word"! cannot paint her every excellence. 
 
 Hear lier Mcinovaku desCiil)ed in brief. 
 Ma7i. I am all iittention. 
 
 Pur. Her loveliness yields splendour to lier ornaments. 
 Her purity gives fragrance to her perfumes, 
 All the similitudes that poets use — 
 To picture beauty — it were gross flattery 
 To them, to name Avith her surpassing charms. 
 1-Jan. This is mighty well, but in t!ie fancy for sucli su- 
 ]^crhuman excellence, T should think your majesty had taken 
 the ChiUali-n* for your model ; where please you shall we go. 
 Pur. To melancholy moods the only solace. 
 
 Is solitude — go onwards to the gi'ove. 
 Man. (Apart.) What absurdity. (Aloud.) This way Sir, 
 liere is the boundary of the grove, and the southern windt 
 advances with due civility to nneet you. 
 
 Pur. lie comes to teach me, as he amorous sports 
 Amongst the blossoms of the Madhain% 
 And dances frolic with the Knnda\\ flowers. 
 With all the impassioned fervour of desire 
 And graceful ingenuity of iove — 
 I mark in him my pictured sentiments. 
 ^lan. '\ he only likeness I see is your mutual persever* 
 fence, ])ut here we are, please you to enter. 
 
 * A r.ir(1, sniJ to iltink no dmtan is from the South. 
 
 TVMter bill r;iiii. % A cri^eper willi white flow. 
 
 + nuiin;; ihe hot tventher ers. 
 
 the picvyiling Breeze in Ilia- \ A hind of Jasmin.
 
 ( 51 ) 
 
 Pur. Precede. I fear my coming hither vain. 
 Nor yield these sliades relief to my affection— 
 Though widi intent to gain tranquillity 
 I seek these paths of solitude and peace; 
 I feel like one contending with the stream 
 And still boi-ne backwards by the current's fores. 
 
 Man. Why entertain such feelings. 
 
 Pur. How avoid them. 
 
 What I affect is of no light attainment r 
 The very thought presumption — and now Love 
 The five armed God,* Avhose shafts already pierce me. 
 Calls to his aid these passion-breathing b'ossoms. 
 The mango's fragrant flowers and pallid leaves. 
 Light wafted round ns by the southern breeze. 
 
 Man. Away with despondence, be assured thatwith a little 
 coaxing, Anangaf will be yoin* friend. 
 
 Piir. 1 take your words as ominous. 
 
 Man. But now let your highness notice the beauty of this 
 garden, heralding as it were the presence of the sprhig. 
 
 Pur. I mark it well — In the Kurmaka, 
 Behold the painted fingers of the fair 
 Red tinted in the midst and edged with ebony ; 
 Hera the Asoka puts forth nascent buds 
 Just bursting into flowers, and here the tendril 
 Round the brown mango's thickly clustering blossoms 
 To steal their fragrance, twines ; methinks I see 
 
 * The Hindoo Cupid is arm- Deily. Having Iteeii once de- 
 ed with a l)ow strung wiili Bees stroyed I)y Siva, burnt to aslit^s 
 and fivr arrows, each ti()|)ed l)y tiie fire of his eye in resenf- 
 TTith a flower and exercising [>e- menl of A'c.7j«'saimi!ig his darts 
 culiar influence on the heart. nt liisii. 
 
 + Love — the iinembodied
 
 ( S2 } 
 
 The pride of spring on either hand attended 
 By budding infancy and flowering youth. 
 Man. The bower of Jasmines yonder is studded thick 
 Avith blossoms, and the bees crowd about them in heaps ; it 
 invites your majesty to repose. (Thei/ enter the Arbour.) 
 Pur. As you please. 
 
 Man. Now seated in this shade you may dissipate your 
 cares, by contemplating the elegant plants around us. 
 Pur. How should I learn composure— As my eye 
 Rests on the towering trees, and from their tops 
 Sees the lithe ceeper wave, I call to mind 
 The graces that surpass its pendulous elegance. 
 Come, rouse your wit and friendship may inspire 
 Some capable expedient to secure me 
 The object of my wishes. 
 Man. With all my heart, 'Ihe thunderbolt was Indra's 
 friend, when he was in love with Ahalyd* and I am your ad- 
 viser now you are enamoured of Urvasi. We are both of us 
 sapient councillors. t 
 
 Pur. Genuine affection ever councils wisely. 
 Man. Well I will turn the mattei over in my mind, but 
 you must not disturb my cogitations by your sighs. 
 Pur. (Feeling his eyes tfvinkle.) 
 
 * The wife of the sage Gau- presence of Ramachandra. 
 
 tama — Indra enjoyed her by the + The insanity of both is 
 
 contrivance Jupiter practised to alike, is the literal purport of 
 
 possess Alcmcna, the :i»rumpti- tlit; Viduskakas remarks : if it 
 
 ou of her husband's person, for were not for the Raja's reply 
 
 Mhicli I)oth were cursed by the this -would seem applicable to 
 
 tage. Jhalyu in consequence the sd vised rather than the 
 
 became a statue and was restor- adtiseri. 
 ed to auimatiuii oii]v bv the
 
 ( S3 ) 
 
 The moon-faced maid is fai' beyond my reacli ! 
 Then why should love impart such flattering tokens. 
 They teach my mind to feel as if enjoyed 
 The present bliss, hope scarcely dares imagine. 
 
 {They retire.) 
 KNTKR Urvasi and ChitraUkha in the air. 
 Ckilr. Tell me dear girl your piu'pose : whither go we. 
 
 Urv. Nay, tell me first do you recall the promise 
 You made me jestingly vipon the brow 
 Of Hemah'tta, when your friendly hand 
 Detached my vesture from entangling thorns — 
 If it be still within your recollection 
 You need not ask me whither we proceed. 
 
 f hitr. You seek the moon of monarchs, Pururavas. 
 
 Urv. Riglit girl, though ill it argue of my modesty. 
 
 Chilr. Whom have you sent the envoy of your coming. 
 
 Urv. None, but my heart; that, lias long gone before me. 
 
 Chitr. And who suggested such a tender visit. 
 
 Urv. 'Twas enjoined by love. 
 
 Chitr. I make no further question. 
 Urv. Aid me with your council, which way best 
 We may proceed, to meet with no impediment. 
 
 Chifr. There is no fear, the H!l-v.ise preceptor* 
 Of the immortals has imparted to you 
 The spell that renders you invincible 
 And mightier than the mightiest foe of heaven. t 
 
 * Vrihaspali, the pliinel Jupi- idani, iiama, Sinha baiidhana, 
 ter and leaclier of the Gods, vijjnm. Aparajita iiama Siklia 
 +TheraeaD'uigofthe first pail is Landhana Vidja. The unsur- 
 perhaps not quite correct as tlie passed crest-binding Science, 
 plirase is very doubtful, Apara 
 
 P
 
 ( SI ) 
 
 rVi'. Bnt you recall 3"0ur promise. 
 
 Chilr. "lis retained 
 
 Firm in my heart — Behold wlieremeet the stream? 
 Of Gangd and of Yamuna — in the mirror 
 Of tlie broad waves, the palace of the king^, 
 'I'he crest borne gem of Pratiskthuna, views. 
 Complacently its own reflected glory. 
 
 Vrv. 'Jhe scene in truth might tempt us to believe 
 'J he fields of heaven were here in prospect spread-— 
 Cut wliere to find its Lord, the pitying friend 
 Of all tlie helpless children of misfortune. 
 
 Cli'dr. Let us alight and hide us in this garden. 
 Whose groves may vie with Indra's, till we learn 
 Some news of him we seek. 
 
 Yonder I view him. {T^^^y descend.) 
 
 He waits thy coming to display liis beauty 
 With undiminished brightness, like the moon. 
 That newly risen expects awhile his bride 
 The soft moon light, ere he put forth liis radiance. 
 
 Urv. More graceful seems he than when first he met 
 
 ]My gaze. 
 CMtr. No doubt, come let us approch. 
 
 U]-v. Xo, hold a moment — let us conceal ourselves 
 In veiling mist,* and lurking thus unseen 
 
 * Viv'iw^ \isil)Ie to llie audi- and Angelo in the Virgin Mar- 
 
 enceandin visible to individuals tyr, who repeatedly enters iiivi- 
 
 vn the st<i«i;e is a conlrivance silde : the wardrolie of some of 
 
 f;imiliar to llie |d;iys of viuions our old Comedians couipris- 
 
 people, especinlly our own, as ed a rolto to walk iiivisii)le, 
 
 the Giiost of Ilanilel, lh;il of ^^liich Gifiord supposes was a 
 
 Uai t^uo, Ariel iu the Tempest, dress ci light guuzy texture.
 
 ( 25 ) 
 
 About the arbour, ^ve may overliear 
 What thoughts — he utters in this solitude. 
 Communing with one only friend. 
 CThei/ become invisible to the king and the Vidiishaka.) 
 Man. I have it, difficult as it is, I have hit upon a plan 
 for securing you an interview with your Charmer. 
 
 Urv. {Behind.) How, who; what female is so blest to be 
 
 The object of his anxious thoughts. 
 Chitr. Be sure 
 
 It is no nymph of merely mortal origin. 
 Urv, Such lofty excellence fills me M'ith fear. 
 MaU' Did 3'our IMajesty hear me observe I had devised 
 an expedient. 
 
 Pur. Say on, what is it. 
 
 Man. This it is — Let your Majesty cherish a comfortable 
 nap, your union will then be effected by your dreams ; or 
 delirreate a portrait of the Lady Urvnst and recreate your 
 imagination by gazing on her picture. 
 Urv. Is then his heart indeed my own. 
 Tur. I fear me both impracticable. 
 
 How can I hope to taste repose that dreams 
 Might give me Urvasi, while fierce the shaft 
 Of Kinna'^ rankles in my breast ; and vain. 
 The task her blooming graces to pourtray ; 
 The tears of hooeless love at every line 
 "Would fill my eyes, and hide her beauties from me. 
 Chitr. You hear. 
 Urv. I do, yet scarcely yet confide. 
 
 Something of tlie kind is iised veil, :hi(1 "throwing aside the 
 
 heie apparently as the «tas^e veil." 
 
 directions are 'covered vtiUi a * The Hindu Cupid.
 
 ( 36 ) 
 
 Man. Ah well, my ingenuity extends no farther. 
 Pur. Cold and relentless — little does she know. 
 Or knowing little heeds, my fond despair. 
 Yet cannot I reproach the archer God, 
 Although by giving to my hopes such aim. 
 Pie tortures me with barren, wild, desires. 
 Chirt. What say you now. 
 Urv. I grieve that he should deem me 
 
 Cold and unfeeling — I cannot now appear 
 Before I make these charges some reply : 
 Here is a Bhiirja leaf,* I will inscribe 
 My thoughts on it— and cast it in his way. 
 (She writes upon the leaf and lets il fall near the Vidushaka 
 who picks it up.) 
 Man. Ilola, what is here, the slough of a Snake dropped 
 upon me. 
 
 Pur. It is a leaf and something Avritten on it. 
 Man. No doubt the lady Urvasi unperceived, has over 
 heard your lamentations, and sends this billet to console you. 
 Pur, Hope dawns upon my passion. (Reads the leaf. J 
 Your guess was right. 
 
 Man. Oblige me then by letting me hear what is written. 
 
 Urv. Indeed, Sir, you are curious. 
 Pur. (Reads.) 
 
 " Not undeserved, although unknown, the flame. 
 " '1 hat glows with equal fires in either frame. 
 " The breeze that softly floats through heavenly bowers, 
 " Iveclined upon my couch of coi-al flowers, 
 
 * A kiiul of Bircli, the leaf that of the Palm is in the Fe- 
 ci wnicli is used as jjaper in ninsuja. 
 some p.^its of Upper India, ai
 
 ( 37 ) 
 
 <' Sheds not on me its cool reviving breath 
 " But blovirs the hot and scorching gate of death : 
 '•' O'er all my form the fevered venom flies, 
 " And each bright bud beneath me, droops and dies" 
 Man. I hope you are pleased — you have now as much 
 cause for rapture as I should consider it, to be civilly asked 
 to dinner -when T felt hungry. 
 
 Pter. How say you ; cause for rapture — this dear leaf 
 Conveys indeed assurance most delightful : 
 Yet still I sigh to interchange our thoughts. 
 Met face to face, and eye encountering eye. 
 Urv. Our sentiments accord. 
 Pur. The drops that steal 
 
 Fast from my tremulous fingers may efflice. 
 These characters traced by her tender hand : 
 Take you the lear, and as a sacred trust 
 With care preserve it. 
 Man. Phoo, what matters it now — is it not enough that 
 by the assenting sentiments of the lady Urvasi, your desire 
 has borne flowers and promises fruit. 
 Urv. Now Chitralekhd, whilst I summon courage 
 To issue into view, do you appear. 
 And give the monarch notice of my purpose. 
 Cliilr. I shall obey. (Becomes visible.) Plail to the king. 
 Pur. Fair damsel you are welcome ; yet forgive me. 
 The less, your lovely friend comes not along : 
 The sacred streams before us shew less stately 
 Until they flow in unison. 
 Chilr. Royal Sir, 
 
 The cloud precedes the lightning. 
 Pur. Where is Urvasi:
 
 ( S8 ) 
 
 You are inseparable. 
 CJiiir. She salutes the king 
 
 And nftjikes this her request. 
 Pur. Say, her confimand, 
 CJiitr. Once by the enemy of the Gods assailed ' 
 
 And captive made, your valiant arm redeemed her. 
 
 Again in peril, she applies to you 
 
 And claims your guardian shield against a fo9 
 
 IVIore formidable still — from Madana^ 
 
 Whom you have armed against her. 
 Pur. You tell me gentle nymph your fair friend pinei 
 
 With amorous passion — could you view my heart 
 
 You would be satisfied that love inflicts 
 
 Like anguish there — the God cements our souls 
 
 With mutual fervours — as in one mass combines 
 
 f Iron with iron when each fiery bar 
 
 W'ith equal radiance glows. 
 Chitr. Appear, my friend — • 
 
 The potent deity with like relentlessness 
 
 Afflicts the prince — and now to you I call 
 
 The herald of his sufferings 
 Urv. (appearmg) Faithless friend 
 
 Thus to desert me. 
 Chilr. It will soon be seen 
 
 Which merits best the title of deserter 
 
 Mean wliile, think v/here you are. 
 Urv. Triumph to the king-. 
 Pur. The wish is victory, 
 
 * Another name of Kama or was therefore known to the 
 Cupid. Hindus. 
 
 + The art of weldino; Iron
 
 ( 59 ) 
 
 When from the Sovereign of the Gods transferred 
 By h'ps celestial to a mortal monarch,* 
 (Take her hmul and leads her to a scat.) 
 
 Man. Fair Lady I am tlie Brahman of the King, and his 
 friend, and 5;o may claim some notice ( JJrvasi hows to him 
 smiling.') Prosperity attend you. • 
 
 A Messenger of the Gods in the air. 
 
 Mess. Ho — Chitralshha — Urvusi repair 
 Swift to the palace of the Lord of air ; 
 There your app inted duties to fulfill 
 And o-ive expression to the M'ondrous skill — 
 O? Bharetta your mastert — to the dome 
 Divine, the world's protecting rulers;!: come, 
 
 * Thnt is. tlip customary wish of crealed Ihitigs : Ihe list or- 
 
 wilh vihicli Indra is addressed nirs in several Puranns — l)ut 
 
 wlieii jijiplicd by you l<> a nior- the fujlowing is from the ,Maha- 
 
 t:d is ill f;i<t:i l)(>on to Ihit ef- hliaral, the Harivansa porliou. 
 
 feet. The T\nr(ls are JayaduJa- Indra, Sovereign of the three 
 
 tadu Mfildrao—Miiy the great Lnkas, or Earth and the Regions 
 
 prince conquer. above and below. 
 
 + Bharnid is the supposed Soma — Of Sarrifices, ascetic 
 
 inventor of dramatic coniposi- rites, the lunar and solar aste- 
 
 tion. risins, Brahmans and healin;; 
 
 t The Lolcapa^as or Guardians lierbs. 
 
 of the world are sonietiuies Daksha — Of the Prajdpnlis 
 
 confonwded with the deities the patriirchs or first created 
 
 presiiiiiiff over li\e different car- and progenitors of mankind, 
 
 dinal points, but tliis is not Varuna — Of the Waters, 
 
 fpiite correct, and thf>y are more Vahwanara — Of the Tilrxt 
 
 properly the divinities wlio v.ere or Maiics- 
 
 sppointed by Brahmh upon the I ds/ii — Of the Gandherha$.oi 
 
 creation of tlie vcorld, to act unenibodied eleuieat, of time 
 
 cs rulers over llie dUTcrcnt kiticis and sound.
 
 C 40 ) 
 
 Eager to view tlie scene that genius fires 
 That passion animates, and truth inspires. 
 
 Ckltr. Hear you my friend, be speedy in your parting. 
 Urv. I caimot speak. 
 
 Jtfaha'Iei^a — Of the Matrix, of lime from the twinkling; of 
 
 of ihe spirits of ill, of kine, of an eve to the period of an aj3. 
 
 portents and planets, of infirmi- Supevna — Of Birds of prey, 
 
 ties and dise;>ses, and of Ghosts. Garitra — Of the wingcJ race. 
 
 / flfs/Y/rrtfia— Of the Yakshii$, Aruna"-\\\t brother of Garw 
 
 Jiakshasns.Guhi/alcas, of svedlih »•/! was made hy Indr a, ruler ia 
 
 and of nil precious gems. the E-ist. 
 
 Sesha — Of llie entire Serpent Yama the son of Aditya in 
 
 race. the South. 
 
 Fasuki — Of the Nagas or The son of Kasyapa, Ambu' 
 
 Ophite trihes of Piiidla. raja, in the West. 
 
 Takshalca—)o\\ngttt JiroLher Fingala the sou of Pulasli/a 
 
 of the Adili/as. Of Snakes. in the North. 
 
 Pflrja«^«— Of Oceans, rivers, ILiving thus nominated the 
 
 clouds, and rain. Presiding Spirits, various Lokas 
 
 ChilraraUia — Of the Gand- or districts were created by 
 
 herhas. i>n:ayambhu — as brilliant as the 
 
 Kdmadeva — Of the .^/jsflrflsc*. sun or fire, radiant as lightning, 
 
 JVflwrft the bull of 5tv^7, of all or chastely beaming as the 
 
 quadrupeds. Moon, of various colours, 
 
 IIiranyak$ha and Hiranyak- movcal)le at will, many hun- 
 
 asipti, of Ihe Daityas. ilreda of rojanas \a extent, the 
 
 Viprachitli—Of the Dana- fit abodes of the pious, exempt 
 
 vas. from sin and pain. Those Brah- 
 
 Mah'ikd! a— Of the Ganas or mans whose merit shines con- 
 
 Sivas attendants. spicuous are elevated to these 
 
 Vrilra — Of the children of regions, those who practice pie- 
 
 ^na yusha \\iti wife of Tnnah- ty and worship devoutly, who 
 
 tri. are upri<iht and benevolent, 
 
 linhu the son of Sinliikd— free from cupidity and cherish- 
 
 Of evil portents and prodigies, ers of the poor. 
 
 5amt'fl/sa/fl— Of the divi^ioni Having thus distributed hij
 
 ( 41 ) 
 
 CliUr. Forgive us mighty Prince : 
 
 We have our stated tasks, and must obey — 
 Not yours the wish we wanton should provoke 
 The dread displeasure of the king of heaven. 
 Pur. You judge me right ; not mine the impious thought 
 But for an instant to withhold obedience 
 To his high will — Farewell — but let me ever 
 Live in your memory. 
 
 (Urvasi and Chitralehhd depart.) 
 Pnr, (To the Viditshaka.) She disappears: What else de- 
 serves my gaze. 
 
 sons, Brahma departed to his He pnsses in this route the Lo- 
 
 own dwelling Pushliara. The Jcas of the nymphs, of the Sun, 
 
 Deities ranihled through the dis- of Tndra, Jgni, J\''irrhHa,Varu- 
 
 tricts, and engaged in the charges na, Vdyu., Kuvera, of the Ganas 
 
 respectively assigned them,!)eing or attendants of Siva., of Soma, 
 
 all cherished hy Mahendra. of the lunar asterisms, of fiwrf/ta 
 
 The Gods, with /nrfrffl at Iheir Sukra,Bhauma, Guru 2ini\ Sani 
 
 head, as placed by Swayarnbhu or the planets Mercury, Venus, 
 
 discharging their guardian du- Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, of 
 
 ties obtained fame and heaven, the seven Rishis, of Dhruva, 
 
 and receiving their share of the Lolcas called Maharloka, 
 
 sacrifices enjoyed prosperity JanatoJca and Tapololta, and 
 
 and happiness. that called 5«<^a/oAvr. the abode 
 
 Some of the early sections of Brahma, and Failiunlha and 
 
 of the Kasi Icliand of the Shan- Kailas or the regions severally 
 
 da Purava or from the 9tl\ to of Fishnu and Siva. This dis- 
 
 the 23d contain a description of position of the spheres however 
 
 the several Lotias, the cities or has evidently received a pecu- 
 
 spheres of the different divini- liar colouring from the Paura- 
 
 ties as they are traversed by nic Cosmography, and the sec- 
 
 Sivasermd on his way from tariai bias of the Shanda Pu< 
 
 earth to the region of Sita— rdna. 
 
 Q
 
 ( 42 ) 
 
 Man. Why perhaps this— ('/ooArJng for the Bhurja leaf. 
 
 (apart.) Bless me, I have been so fascinated myself by the 
 
 smiles of the lady Urvasl, that the leaf with her billet upon 
 
 it, has unconsciously slipped out of my hands. 
 
 Fi/r. You -were about to speak. 
 
 Man. Yes, I was going to say — do not lose your fortitude 
 
 you are firmly attached to the nymph, and depend on it 
 
 she is just as fervently devoted to you. 
 
 Pur. Of that I feel assured: the sighs that heaved 
 iler panting bosom as she hence departed 
 Exhaled her heart, and lodged it in my bosom. 
 Free to dispose of it, although her person 
 Be forced to wait upon a master's ^\ ill* 
 Man. (apart.) I am all in a flutter lest he should ask me 
 for that abominable leaf. 
 
 Pur. What shall console my eyes— give me the leaf. 
 Man. The leaf, dear me, it it not here— it must have gone 
 after Urvasi. 
 
 Pur. How could you be so heedless ; search about. 
 
 They search for the leaf (nid retire. 
 ENTER in the foreground, Ausinari, the Queen, with Nipuni/cd 
 and attendants. 
 Ausi. You saw his highness you are sure Nipuni/cd, 
 Xip. Why should your majesty doubt my report. 
 ylusi. Well, let us seek him then, and unobserved. 
 Amidst these sliadcs we may detect the truth. 
 
 *Rowe is less daring, altho' A\ex.(ro Statira) My flullerliig 
 
 ill the Rival Qiictiis he mnkes hearltumultuous with its bliss. 
 
 Alexander say somelhiiig of this Would leap iiito thy bosom- 
 kind.
 
 ( 43 ) 
 
 But what is yon that meets us like a shred 
 Of some rent garment, floating on the wind, 
 Nip, A Bhojpatr leaf — there seem to be some marljs 
 like letters upon it ; it is caught by your grace's anclet. (Picks 
 it np.) "Will it please j'^ou read it. 
 
 Aud. Glance o'er its tenor, and if not unfit 
 
 To meet our ear — peruse what there is written. 
 Kip, It looks likea memorial verse: eh, no; now it strikes 
 me — they must be lines addressed by Urvasi to the king ; 
 this is some carelessness now of that blockhead Mdnavuka. 
 Ausi. Read, I shall conceive its purport. 
 Kip. (Reads tlie lines as above. J 
 Ausi. Enough, proceed, and with this evidence. 
 We shall confound our nymph-enamoured swain. 
 ■ Theif go round the arbour, the King and Mdnavakaadvance. 
 Man. Eh, is not that the leaf yonder on the mount just 
 on the edge of the garden. 
 
 Pur. Breeze of the south, the friend of love and spring. 
 Though from the flower you steal the fragrant dov/n 
 To scatter perfume — yet why plunder me 
 Of those dear characters, her own fair hand 
 In proof of her affection traced — thou knowest 
 The lonely lover that in absence pines 
 Lives on such fond memorials — It is not 
 Thy wont to disregard a lover's suit. 
 Man. No, I was mistaken, I was deceived by the tawny 
 hue of the Peacock's tail. 
 
 Pur. I am every way imhappy. 
 
 Aushiari and her train adiumce. 
 Ausi, Nay my good Lord 
 
 I pray you be consoled, if as I deem
 
 ( 44 ) 
 
 The loss of tins occasion your distress. 
 
 ( Ofiering the lenf. ) 
 Pur. {Apart.) The Queen. {Aloud.) Madam you are 
 welcome. 
 
 Ausi. You do not think me so. 
 
 Pui: ( To the. Vidushaka apart.) What is to be done. 
 Maji. I dont know: what excuse can a free booter offer 
 vlien he is taken in the fact. 
 
 Pur. This is no time to jest. {Aloud.) Believe me madam. 
 This leaf was not tlie object of my search. 
 Nor cause of my anxiety. 
 Ausi. Excuse me 
 
 If I suspect that your denial seeks 
 But to conceal the truth. 
 ^lan. Your grace had better order dinner — that will be 
 the most effectual remedy for his majestys bile. 
 
 Ausi. You hear Nipunika this most sage councillor. 
 
 And how he would remove his friend's distress. 
 Man. Why not Madam. Is not every body put into 
 good humour by a hearty meal. ' 
 
 Pur. Peace Blockhead, you but heighten my offence. 
 Ausi. Xot yours the offence my lord: 'tis mine,who tarry. 
 Here, where my presence is not wished, 'tis soon 
 Removed ( Going.) 
 
 Pur. Yet stay — I owe myself to blame — 
 
 Curb your resentment — that alone convicts me : 
 When monarchs are incensed it cannot be 
 But that their slaves are guilty. Cfalls at her feet,) 
 Ausi. Think me not. 
 
 So mere a child — that this assumed respect 
 Beguiles me of ray wraths Away with it—
 
 ( 45 ) 
 
 'Tis gross ray lord, and sets but ill upon 3'oii. 
 I treat such hypocritical penitence 
 As it deserves. (Simrns him and exit.) 
 
 Man. Her majesty has gone off in a hurry like, a river in 
 the rains — You may rise. {To the king who has coniimied 
 prostrate.) 
 
 Pur. I might have spared myself the pains. 
 
 A woman is clear sighted — and mere words 
 Touch not her heart — Passion must give them credit. 
 The lapidary master of his craft 
 With cold indifference eyes the spurious gem. 
 Man. You care very little about this I suppose ; the eye 
 that is dazzled Avith light cannot bear the lamp. 
 Pur, Not so, 'tis true that Urvasi engrosses 
 My heart, but Kusiraja's daughter claims 
 IMy deference — less indeed, that her contempt 
 Disdains my protestations — and this scorn 
 Will justify requital. 
 Man. Well, let us have done vith her majesty — and 
 think a little of a famished brahman: it is high time to 
 bathe and eat. 
 
 Pur. 'Tis past mid-day — exhausted by the heat 
 The Peacock plunges in the scanty pool 
 That feeds the tall tree's root: the drowsy Bee 
 Sleeps in the hollow chamber of the Lotus 
 Darkened with closing petals — on the brink 
 Of the now tepid lake the wild Duck lurks 
 Amongst the sedgy shade; and even here — 
 The Parrot from his wiry bower complains 
 And calls for water to allay his thirst. \_Excunt. 
 
 END OF THE SECOND ACT.
 
 ACT III. 
 
 SCENE I. THE HERMITAGE OP BHARATA. 
 
 ENTER ^Calara and Pailava^ two of his disciples. 
 
 Gal. Well, friend Pailava — what news — whilst you were 
 at Maliendra's palace with the Sage, I have been obliged 
 
 * Giilava was a saint of some 
 note, and is the hero of a lon'j; 
 legend in the Vdi/oga Parva of 
 the Mahahharal — He there ap- 
 pears as the pupil of Fiswami- 
 tva. At the expiration of his 
 studies he importuned his mas- 
 ter so tell him what present he 
 should make \\\m—Vu%i>amiira 
 being out of humor al last de- 
 sired him to hring him 800 
 horses, each of a while co- 
 lour, with one l)lack. ear. 
 Gdlava in his distress applied to 
 Garura who was his particular 
 friend, and with him repaired to 
 Yaydli king of Pralixhthana. 
 Yaydli heing unahle to comply 
 with the sage's wish presented 
 him his daugiiter JMudhavi^yi\w\\\ 
 Gdlava gave in marriage succes- 
 sively to Ilari/aswa king of ^- 
 1/odhi/d, Divoddsa king of Kdst, 
 Usinara ki:ig of Bhoja, and re- 
 ceived from each upon Ihe birlh 
 
 of a son hy her, two hundred of 
 the steeds he was in quest of. 
 These horses were originally a 
 thousand in numher. The saint 
 Richika having demanded the 
 daughter of Gddhi sovereign 
 of Kanyakuhja as his wife, that 
 prince to evade the match, being 
 afraid to decline it, required the 
 steeds in question as a present in 
 return. Richika obtained them 
 from the God of ocean, f'aruna, 
 and transferred them to his father 
 in law hy whose descendants 
 600 were sold to different 
 princes, and the rest given away 
 to the Brahmans. Gdlava hav- 
 ing procured the horses which 
 were in possession of the kings 
 took them and the Damsel, 
 still by virtue of a boon a virgin, 
 and presented them together to 
 f'hiaamitra. The sage received 
 them and begot a son by her, 
 Aihlaka, to whom he resigned
 
 ( 47 ) 
 
 ed to stay at home to look after the holy Fire — Were 
 the Immortals pleased with the specimen of our master's 
 skill. 
 
 Pail. IIow could they ehuse but be pleased : tliere was 
 eloquence and melody for them — the Drama Avas Lakshmi's 
 choice of a Lord* — the nymph t/ViYm quite lost herself in 
 the impassioned passages. 
 
 Gal. There is something not quite right implied in your 
 applause. 
 
 Pail. Very true^ for unluckily Urvasi forgot her part. 
 Gal. How so ? 
 
 Pail. You shall hear. Urvasi — played Lakshmi, Menalai 
 •\vas Vdriini , the latter says — 
 
 Lalshni the mighty powers that rule the spheres 
 Are all assembled: at their head appears, 
 The blooming Kesava : Confess — to whom 
 Inclines your heart — ■ 
 
 liis hermitage, aiul his stud, and to select a husband for them- 
 
 retired to the woods: the place selves. The candidates for thff 
 
 was thence cviWtA .dshtakapur. hand of the Lady were invited 
 
 The lady after this was recon- to her father's house, and after 
 
 ducted by Gd'ava to her father, previous festivities fur some 
 
 and he in imitation of his pre- dajs, were collected in a hall, 
 
 reptor spent the rest of his days round which the damsel passed 
 
 in solitary devotion. and selected her future Lord, 
 
 + Paila is the name of a by throwing a garland round 
 
 BishLhy vihom lhenigredavf;i» his neck : the marriisge rite was 
 
 arrangiid. and sub-divided into then cdeljrated as usual : tiie cus- 
 
 two portions. It is not certain torn is the subject of much pleas- 
 
 tliat he is intended in this place, uvj; poetic description, in the 
 
 by the name Pailava although Mahdbhdrat, ths .V aishndhn ami 
 
 not unlikely. other works; a translation of the 
 
 * Or the Lakshmi Swat/am- Swayamvara of Draupadi from 
 
 f</ra : it was common in the Hin- the former is published in the 
 
 du Society of former times for Calcutta Quarterly INLnjaziue 
 
 Princesses, and women of rank for Sept. IS25.
 
 ( 48 ) 
 
 Her reply should h;ive been — To Puru-shottama ; 
 but instead of that -To Purn-rava, escaped her lips. 
 
 Gal The intellectual faculties are but the slaves of de- 
 stiny — \\'as not the sage much displeased ? 
 
 Pail. He immediately denounced a curse on her, but 
 she found favour with Mahendra. 
 
 Gat. MoAv so? 
 
 Pail. The sentence of the Sage was, that as she had for- 
 gotten her part, so should she be forgotten in heaven ; but 
 when the performance was over, Indra observing her asshe 
 stood apart, ashamed and disconsolate, called her o him, 
 'V\\e mortal who engrossed her thoughts, he said, had been 
 his friend in the hour of peril — he had aided him effectually 
 in conflict with the enemies of the Gods, and was entitled 
 to some acknowledgment — The anger of the Seer had banish- 
 ed her from heaven for a wlii.e — consequently she must 
 depart his Court, but she might spend her term of exile 
 with the JMonarch : the period of her banishment is to ex- 
 pire when the king beholds tlie offspiing she shall bear him. 
 
 Gal. 'I'his was like Mahendra — he knows all hearts. 
 
 Pail. Come, Come ! we have been chattering here till it 
 is almost the time when our Preceptor performs his ablu- 
 tions. Come, we have no time to lose — let us attend him. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 SCENE II. 
 PART OF THE GARDENS OF THE PALACE. 
 ENTKR the Chamberlain. 
 
 As long as life is vigorous a man endures labour for the 
 pake of procuring ease — when further advanced in age, his 
 toils <';re lightened by the participation of his children : but 
 when he is old, he reaps nothing from his exertions, but fa-
 
 ( 49 ) 
 
 tigue — my strength is dally undermined and my body 
 exhausted by this servitude — waiting on women is the 
 devil — I am now to find the King, and tell him that her 
 majesty having dismissed all anger and resentment, 
 is desirouS' of paying her homage to him this evening, for 
 the completion of the vow in which she has engaged.* The 
 close of the day is agreeable enough here in the palace. The 
 Peacocks nod upon their perches and the Doves flock to 
 the turret tops — scarce' y distingishable from the incense 
 that flows through the lattices of the lofty chambers. Th 
 venerable servants of the inner apartment are all busily en-" 
 gaged in propitiatory rites, and substituting lamps for the 
 offerings of flowers that decorated the holy shrines through- 
 out the day. Ah, here comes the prince, attended by the 
 damsel train -with flambeaux in their delicate hands : he 
 moves like a mountain, around whose stately skirts, the 
 slender Karnikdra spreads its brilliant blossoms. I will wait 
 him here. 
 
 ENTER Pururavas and the Vidushaha ivlth female altendanhf 
 carrying torches. 
 So ends the day, the anxious cares of state 
 Have left no interval for privt te sorrow, 
 
 * Obligations self imposed Hiddus I)efore the Christian era 
 
 are in constant practice amongst for tlie king-'s person when with- 
 
 the Hindus, in this case tlie in the palace used to be attend- 
 
 Queen has engagd to forego ed by women— his guai;j^s and 
 
 her ornaraents and to hold a ri- other troops being stationed 
 
 gid fast until! the moon enters a without the gates. Thus Strabo. 
 
 certain aslerism. Regis corpus mulieres cur- 
 
 t This mij;ht be supposed a ant, ea quoque de parentibus 
 
 Copy of Mohammedan manners cmptEe, qui Regem custodiunt, 
 
 but it is not necessarily so, hav- et reliquus exercitus manent 
 
 ing been the practice of the extra portas. IV. 15, 
 
 H
 
 ( 50 ) 
 
 But how to pass the night : its deary length 
 Affords no promise of relief. 
 Chamherla'm, (advances,) Glory to the king. So please 
 your Grace, Her IMajesty expresses a wish to be honoured 
 Avitli your presence on the terrace of the Pavilion of gems, to 
 witness from it tlie entrance of the Moon into the asterism 
 Rohini. 
 
 Pur. Go my good friend — apprise her majesty- 
 She may dispose of us. \_Exit Chamberlain. 
 What think you that the Queen 
 Proposes by the vow she lias assumed. 
 "Man. I suppose she repents of herpettishness, and wishes 
 to be friends witli you again: tliis is but an excuse to bring 
 you to her presence when she may efface the recollection of 
 the indignity with which she treated you. 
 
 Pur. "lis very likely — Prudent wives full soon 
 Hepent the scorn that urged them to repel 
 An humbled husband, and ai'e glad to seek 
 Some fair pretext to win his love again — 
 We will indulge her grace — On to the chamber, 
 Man. 'Tis here : ascend these steps of crystal, smooth 
 shining as the waters of the Ganges — the Pavilion of gems 
 is particvdarly lovely when evening sets in, (they ascend.) 
 The moon is just about to rise — the east is tinged with red. 
 Pur. 'Tis even so : iiluniined by the rays 
 
 Of his yet unseen orb, the evening glooms 
 On either hand retire, and in the midst 
 The radiance spreads like a fair face that smiles 
 Betwixt the jetty curls on either brow 
 In clusters pendulous— I could gaze for ever. 
 y.an. Ho, here he comes, the king of the Brahmans, as 
 beautiful as a ball of Almonds and Suarar.
 
 ( 51 ) 
 
 Pur. Oh base similitude — your tliouglits my friend 
 Have rarely nobler prompter tlian your Stomach. 
 Carries Ids hands to his Joreheud and hows to the moon now risen. 
 Hail-glorious Lord of night whose tempered fii-es 
 Are gleaned from Sclar fountains, but to yield 
 The virtuous, fruit eternal, as they light 
 The flame of holy sacrifice — whose stores 
 Ambrosial serve but to regale the Gods 
 And the immortal fathers of mankind — 
 Ail hail to thee — whose lising ray dispels 
 The glooms of eve, and Avhose pale crescent crowns 
 The glorious diadem of Muhddevu.^ 
 Man. Enough, Sir your grand father without whose as- 
 sent we Brahmans can do nothing, bids you sit, that he 
 may repose himself. 
 
 Puru. (Makes the Vidi'isliaka sit and theJi seats himself.) 
 The splendour of the Moon is light enough: 
 Remove the torches and command my train 
 Retire to rest. 
 
 * The first of these specifica- cording to mythological notions 
 
 lions refers to the astronomi- also the moon is the grand re- 
 
 ra] facts of the moon's deriving ccptacle and store house of .</;«- 
 
 its light from the sun, and l)y W/ or Ambrosia which it supplies 
 
 its positions forming the davs during the fortnight of its wane 
 
 of the lunar month, on which to the Gods and on the last 
 
 particular ceremonies are to lie — daytotlie Pilris or deified 
 
 observed — in the hilter case it is progenitors. As personified, tlie 
 
 supposed to move in the J\Ian- moon is tlie father of Budlia 
 
 data the sphere or orbit of the and grandfather of Pururavus 
 
 snn, and when in conjunction as already shewn. The half 
 
 as at the new moon or Amd- moon, as frequentiv noticed, \% 
 
 vasty a funeral (bsequies are e*- worn by Sivu upon his forehead, 
 peciallj to be celebrated. Ac-
 
 ( S2 ) 
 
 Altendant. As you command (ivithdraws with the torch hea" 
 vers ) 
 
 Piin(. I think Ave may not yet expect the Queen : 
 And now we are alone I would impart 
 My thoughts. 
 Nan. Out with tliem — there is no appearance of her ye^ 
 aud it is well to keep up your spirits with hope. 
 Puru. • You council well — In truth my fond desire 
 Becomes more fervid as enjoyment seems 
 Remote, and fresh impediments obstruct 
 ]My happiness — like an impetuous torrent. 
 That checked by adverse rocks a Avhile delays 
 Its course, ti:l high Avith chafing waters swollen. 
 It rushes past with aggravated uwy. 
 Man. There is one thing to be said : notwitlistanding 
 your anxiety has made you something thinner it has rather 
 improved than impaired your personal appearance — I argue 
 from this that a meeting with the nymph is not very distant. 
 Pur. My right arm by its glad pulsation soothes 
 
 ]My grief, like you with hope inspiring words. 
 ISlan. A Brahman's words be assured are never uttered 
 
 ni vain. 
 
 (Enter ahove in a heavenlij car Urvasi and ChilraUkhd 
 Urvasiin a jyiirple dress with pearl ornaments.*) 
 Urvasi. Now my dear Girl — 
 
 What say you — do these purple robes become me 
 Thus trimmed with pearls 
 
 « Tlie text is ^dlihhdrilcd lion is from UrvasVs first speech 
 
 fcslta, the garl) of a womiui —the term is Aila which means 
 
 who goes to meet licr lover — dark hliie or hhick — most or- 
 
 the Specificatioii of llie Irausla- diniirily tlie former..
 
 ( 53 ) 
 
 C.hitr. I cannot think of words 
 
 To speak my admiration— only this. 
 
 Would I were Vnrnravas. 
 Urva. My dear Friend 
 
 I feel my strength desert me ; do you lead me 
 
 Quick to his Royal Palace. 
 
 Chitr. View it here. 
 
 White gleaming in the Moon-!ight, whilst below 
 The Yamunds blue waters wash its foot. 
 Like the Snow tufted summits of Kailusa 
 Rising in radiance from their bosky base. 
 Advance. 
 
 Urva. One moment — exercise the poAver 
 Of meditative vision : where is the King 
 The master of my heart and what employs him. 
 
 Chilr (apart.) I will rouse her fears. 
 I see him — in a fit solitude he waits 
 Impatiently the coming of the bride 
 (Urvasi expresses despair.) 
 How, Silly wench — what else would you desire 
 Should be his occupation— 
 
 Urva. Ah my friend. 
 
 My flutterihg heait is easily alarmed. 
 
 Chilr. In the Pavilion of bright gems awaits 
 
 'Jhe king, his trusty friend alone attends liim 
 Let us thither. 
 
 Urv. Proceed. 
 
 ( Theij descend and leave the car 
 
 Piiru. As spread? the Moon its lustre, so my Love 
 Grows Avith advancing nijiht. 
 
 Urv. Ah, me — I fear.
 
 ( 54 ) 
 
 Even yet to tvust — let us remain invisible 
 And overhear theiv conference till doubt 
 Be all dispersed. 
 Chitr. Be it as you will. 
 
 Mayu The rays of the Moon aie charged with Anibro- 
 sia — do you find no benefit from them. 
 
 Puru. Small is their power, or that of aught, to mitigate 
 The pangs of Love. Soft beds of fragrant flowers 
 Sandal's cool unguent, strings of gelid pearl. 
 And tliese mild tempered rays, exhaust on me 
 In vain their virtue - nothing can allay 
 The fever of my heart — She, she alone 
 The Goddess I adore, with a few Avords 
 Of magic potency can charm my woes 
 And yield me rest. This arm that pressed her side, 
 W^hen through etherial fields we rapid drove. 
 Is warm with life, all else exanimate. 
 Cumbers the earth a dull and useless burthen 
 Ui'v. I need no more concealment (She advances hasiUi/) 
 Woe is me ; 
 
 He deigns not to regard me— 
 Chitr. In your haste 
 
 You have forgotten to put off the veil 
 That screens you fi-om his siglit. 
 Behind — This way your grace 
 {All listen — Urvasi throws herself into the arms of ChitraU-khd) 
 Man. The Queen is here — we had better be mute. 
 Puru. Assume the semblance of indifference. 
 Urv. What shall v,re do ? 
 C'liir. llemain invisible. 
 
 Urv. Not long her purposed stay : by her attire, 
 She liolds some sacred vow.
 
 ( 55 ) 
 
 (Enter the Queen with attendants hearing offerings, the 
 Queen is dressed in white — -fiowers are her onli/ ornaments.) 
 Queen. This union with the constellation yields 
 
 New brilliance to the Lord of Rohini.* 
 Attendants. Such effect attends your grace's encounter 
 with his JMajesty. 
 
 Mayi. (to Puriiravas.) She comes I imagine to offer her 
 benedictions, or imder the semblance of a solemn vow, she 
 wishes to obliterate the recollection of the indignity with 
 which she lately repelled your advances — Well, I think 
 her majesty looks very charming to-day. 
 
 Puru. In truth she pleases me ; thus chastely robed 
 In modest white — her clustering tresses decked 
 With sacred flowers alonef— her haughty mien 
 Exchanged for meek devotion — thus arrayed 
 She moves with heightened charms. 
 Qjiee?i. {advancing) Hail to the King. 
 Attendant. Hail to the King. 
 
 Puru. Madam you are welcome. (leads her to a seat.) 
 Urv. (behind) She merit?i to be called divine.^ — the bride 
 
 Of Heaven's great King|| boasts not surpassing dignity. ' 
 Chitr. Your commendations speak you free from envy. 
 Queen. My gracious Lord, I have imposed on me 
 A voluntary vow, the term of which 
 Is nigh at hand — I would solicit you. 
 Bear with the inconvenience that my presence 
 May for brief time occasion you. 
 
 * The Moon. Hie titles appropriate to Ihe 
 + Or with the blossoms of the state of Queen. 
 
 holy Dnrva Grass. | Sachi the wi.fe o( Indra, 
 
 * Devi, or Goddess is one of
 
 ( 'o6 y 
 
 Puru. You do me w^rong. 
 
 Your presence is a favom*. 
 M(m. jMay all the inconvenience light upon those who 
 would disturb such interchange of good wishes. 
 
 Pur. (To fJie Queen J How call you your observance? 
 Nip. (On the Queen's turning to her) The conciliation 
 of regard* 
 
 Pur. Is it even so — yet trust me it is needless 
 
 To wear this tender form, as slight and delicate 
 As the lithe Lotus stem, with rude austerity. 
 In me behold your slave, whom to propitiate 
 Claims not your care, your favour is his happiness. 
 Urv. (Smiling scornfuUij) He pays her mighty deference. 
 C/iilr. So he should — 
 
 When the heart strays, the tongue is most profuse 
 Of bland professions to the slighted wife. 
 Queen. Not vain my vow, since it already wins me 
 
 ]My lord's complacent speech . 
 Man. Enough said on both sides, these civilities require 
 no further reply. 
 
 Queen. Come Girls, the offerings, that I may present them 
 To the bright Deity, whose rays diffuse 
 Intenser lustre on these splendid walls. 
 Attendant. Here are the perfumes IMadam, here the flow- 
 ers, (gives i/iem, and the Queen goes through the usual form 
 of presenting the Arghya or oblation of fruits, j)crf nines, Jlo)v-> 
 ers, c"yr.) 
 
 Queen. These cates present Manavaka, and these 
 Give to the Chamberlain. 
 
 * Pi'j/a passddana.
 
 ( 57 ) 
 
 {The Atlendant takes a tray of Sweetmeats Jlrsl to the Vidiisha- 
 ka and then to the Kanchuhi) 
 Man. Prosperity attend your highness, may your fasta 
 ever end in a feast. 
 
 Ch'tmherl liii. Prosperity to the Queen. 
 Queen. Now Avith your grace's leave I pay you homacre. 
 (Presents oblations to the King, boms and fcdls at his Jed, then 
 rises. J 
 
 Resplendent pair whoe'er the night preside. 
 Lord of the Deer born* banneret and thou 
 His favourite, RoHiNit — hear and attest 
 The sacred promise that I make my husband. 
 Whatever nymph attract my Lord's regard, 
 "And share with him the mutual bonds of love, 
 I henceforth treat with kindness and complacencr. 
 
 * The cnr of the moon is de- coiis'^qiience of ^hich he re- 
 conilecl with a small flag on mained childless', and became 
 ■which a deer is represented. aflTccled by consumption. The 
 
 * Chandra or the Moon is f-i- wives of Chandra having inter- 
 l)led to have l»een married to ceded in his l)ehalf with their 
 the twenty seven dau^^hters of f.ilher, Dulcsha modified an im- 
 the Patriarch Daksha, or, .-/s- precation which lie could not 
 U'ini and the rest, who are in recall, ajid pronounced that the 
 fact personifications of tlie Ln- decay should be periodical only, 
 liar Asterisms. His favourite not permanent, and that it 
 amongst them, was Itohi'ni, to should alternate with periods of 
 whom he so wholly devoted recovery. Hence the successive 
 himself as to neglect the rest — wane and increase of the Moon, 
 they complained to iheir father, Padma Parana, Swer^a Khan- 
 and DaJi%ha repeatedly inter- «« Sec. II. Hohini in astronomy 
 posed, till finding his remon- is the fourth Lunar Mansion, 
 gtrances vain he denounced a containing five stars, the princi- 
 curse upou his sou-iu-law, in pal of which is Aldebaran. 
 
 I
 
 ( 5S ) 
 
 Urv. Oh my dear friend, how much these words assuage 
 The apprehensions of my heart. 
 
 Chitr. She is a Lady 
 
 Of an exalted spirit, and a wife 
 Of duty most exemplary — you now 
 IMay rest assured, nothing will more impede 
 Your union with your love. 
 
 Man, (Apart to Pururavas.) The culprit that is caught, 
 and gets off with the loss of a liand instead of his life deter- 
 mines to reform, {aloud) Surely your grace cannot think his 
 Mtijesty a person of such a disposition. 
 
 Queen It matters not. If my enjoyment cease, 
 I would not therefore that liis grace should feel 
 *] he Irast restraint. I leave him to his liberty. 
 Think yon, wiseSir, this license is unwelcome. 
 
 Pura. I am not what you doubt me — but the power 
 Abides with you : do with me as you will- 
 Give me to whom you please, or if you please 
 Iietain me still your slave. 
 
 Queen. Be Avhat you list. 
 
 My vow is plighted — nor in vain the rite. 
 If it afford you satisfaction-— come — 
 Hence, Girls -'tis time we take our leave. 
 
 Pum. Kot so 
 
 So soon to leave me is no mark of favour. 
 
 Queen. You must excuse me — I may not forego 
 The duties I have solemnly incurred. 
 
 l^Exif rviik train. 
 
 Urv. Why, Girl, I doubt the Raja still affects 
 His queen — so be it — it is now too late 
 For me to hope my heart ca.i be reclaimed.
 
 C 59 ) 
 
 CJiitr. Away with doubt, you have no need to fear. 
 Pur. Is the Queen far removed. 
 Man. You may say whatever you wish, safely enotirrh r 
 you are fairly given o\ er by her, like a sick man by his phy- 
 siciar. 
 Pur. I feav I am, by faithless Urvrisl. 
 
 Would she Avere here — and that the gentle music 
 Of her rich Anklets murmured in my ears; 
 Or that her lotus hands, as with light step 
 She stole behind me, spread a tender veil 
 Before my eyes — that in this shady bower 
 She deigned descend spontaneous, or drawn hither 
 With welcome violence by some fair friend — 
 Ha, the lovely daughter of Ndrdyana. 
 (Urvasi has advanced behind the king and covers hi* 
 eyes willi her ha7ids.) 
 Vld. How knows your grace. 
 Pur, It must be Urvasi-— 
 
 No other hand could shoot such extasy 
 Through this emaciate frame: the Solar ray 
 Wakes not the night's fair blossom — that alone. 
 Expands when conscious of the moon's dear presence. 
 Urv. (^Appearing.) Joy to the king. 
 Pur, All hail bright nymph of heaven. 
 
 ( Leads her to a seat ) 
 Chitr. {Advancing.) Be the king blest. 
 Pur. I feel I am already. 
 Urv. Hear me my friend. (To ChitraleJchd ) 
 By virtue of the gift 
 ]Made of his royal person by the Queen, 
 I boldly claim the king. Do you t.eclare.
 
 C 60 ) 
 
 If T am reprehensible. 
 ^lan. What were you here ever sines Sunset. 
 Fur. I liave na purpose to depute the claim ; 
 But let me ask, if such assent Avere needed. 
 Who was it that first granted you permission 
 To rob me of my heart. 
 ChUr. 'My friend, I knoAV, 
 
 Can proffer no reply — then let this be. 
 Now grant me my reqviest, I must depart 
 'jo minister to Chandra till the term 
 "^ O" the Spring festival — till my return 
 
 Be careful that this nymph have never cause 
 To raor.rn the Heaven she has resigned for the?. 
 Jifan. Heaven indeed, why should she ever think of such 
 a vl ce — a ] 1 ice where they neither eat, not drink, nor close 
 their eyes even for a twiiik e.* 
 
 * The Gods me supposed to marrin^eof T/ffw^yflwi^jshe dis- 
 
 bc ex'iripl from ihe momeiilnry linguishes her mortal lover hy 
 
 elevalioii and ('eprcssion of the the twinkling of his eyes, whilst 
 
 upper Eyelid, to «hiih i-.iortals Ihe Gods are Stabdha Lochnna, 
 
 lire sn1>jf*rt, and 1(1 look ^ith a fixed-eyed. Ji^/ahdbhdrat, NalO' 
 
 firm unintermillent g;ize. TTence pdkhj/dn. Am) wlien the ^swini 
 
 a deily is termed Jvimisha and Kumuras practice the same 
 
 ^fnimesha — one ^^hose eyes trick upon the bride of Ckt/a- 
 
 do not twinkle. Various allu- vana, slie recognises her hus- 
 
 sions to this allribiilc occur in l);ind by lliis amongst other in- 
 
 roelry. When /nrfra visits 5f/« (lications. Padma Puri'ina. The 
 
 to encourag^e her, lie assumes notion is the more deserving of 
 
 at her request the marks of di- attention, as it is one of those 
 
 viniU — he treads the air, and coincidences with Classical My- 
 
 snspends the motion of tlie eye- thobijv whicli can saarcejy he 
 
 lid«. Riimat;ava. Wlien Ji^rti accidental. Heliodcrus says 
 
 f'(-runa, Ytivia and Indra all '• Tlie Gods may he known by 
 
 assume Ihc form of A'^/^a at the the ejes looking with a fixed
 
 ( 61 ) 
 
 Pur The heaven of Inch a is the eternal source 
 Of joy ineffable : it cannot be, 
 The cares of Purm-ovus should efface 
 The memory of immortal b'.iss — 
 Yet, nymph, of this be confident, my soul 
 Shall know no other sovereign than your friend. 
 
 Cliitr. 'Tis all I ask — be happy Urvasi 
 And bid me now adieu. 
 
 Urv. (Einjrachig hzr.) Forget me not. 
 
 Ch'ilr. That, I should rather beg of yon, thus blest 
 With one the only object of your wishes. 
 
 \_Bows to the Ich?g and Exit. 
 
 Mini. Fate is propitious and crowns your Majesty's desires. 
 
 Tur. 'Tis true, I reach the height of ray ambition. 
 The haughty canopy that spreads it's shade 
 Of universal empire o'er the world ; 
 The footstool of dominion set with gems 
 Torn from the glittaring brows of prostrate king:?. 
 Are in ray mind less glorious than to lie 
 At Urvasi's fair feet, and do her bidding. 
 
 Urv. I have not words to speak my gratitude. 
 
 Pur. Now I behold thee thus, how changed is all 
 Tlie current of my feelings — these mild rays 
 Cool, vivifying, gleam— the shafts of Madana 
 
 reznrr^; ami never closing tlie nu 1 wliicli the commentators, 
 
 evelids, ;iii(l he cites Hmuar in and translators seem to be much 
 
 proof of it. Ail instance from perplexed with, are probably tlte 
 
 the Hind wliich lie hag not no- Sfa'/,ih:i Inchana, the fixed eves 
 
 ticed, may be cited perhiips as of ihe Hindus — full, and iinvei!- 
 
 aii additional confirm ition. and ed even for an instint, like the 
 
 \\\e mnrhle eyes of Venus by ejes of a tjuirble Statue. 
 vhicU Heleu Uiiev? the Goddess,
 
 ( G3 ) 
 
 Are now most welcome — all that was but late 
 Harsh and distasteful to me^ now appears 
 Delightful by your presence. 
 
 Urv. I lament, 
 
 I caused my Lord to suffer pain so long'. 
 
 Pur. Nay, say not so, the Joy that follows grief 
 Gains richer zest from agony foregone — 
 The traveller who faint pursues his track 
 In the fierce day, alone can tell how sweet. 
 The grateful shelter of the friendly tree. 
 
 Mow. The moon is high — it were as well to go in. 
 
 Pur. Conduct the way — and dearest let me trust 
 The moon that smiles to night on our espousals, 
 S*hi:ll shine through many a happy year to come 
 Auspicious on our Union.* 
 
 [^Esetint mto the Pavilion. 
 
 * The translation is not verv ble, as the nntiuscript of the 
 close here, the deviation is part- orig^inal is incorrect and the 
 ]y iatcutiunal, partly uuuTuida- Coiuiueut is silent. 
 
 END OP THE THIUD AOT,
 
 ACT IV.* 
 
 SCENlv. The Fnresl of Akalusha on the skirts of Galid* 
 hamudana one of the monuiainous harriers of Meru. 
 fS trains tvitlioui. 
 
 Soft voices low sound in tlie Sky, 
 
 Whei'e the nymphs a companion deplore; 
 
 And lament as together they fly 
 
 The friend they encounter no more. 
 
 * This Artis witlir>iit a pnral- script liowevpr heln^ full of er- 
 fll in niiy of ibt- Dramas yet rors, little assistiince h;is been 
 eiirouiilered. It is jilmost en- derived in this respect from tiia 
 tirely \\ Prdfcrilj nnd the annotator, but his definitions of 
 Prakrit is arranged, not only the airs seem to be extract- 
 in metrical forms peculiar ed chiefly from the San^ila 
 to that h>ngiiage, but, according Rettid'cara, from which auLhori- 
 to particular musical rhythm, ty it appears, (hat this subject 
 as intended to be sun^. Again, has yet been very insufficiently 
 thereare stage directions for the investigated, as the modificali- 
 nieasure to which certain gesli- ons of the 6 TJajas amounted to 
 cnialions are to l)e performed, 264, with the whole of which 
 so that it partakes bolli of the we are yet unacquainted — Soma 
 Operatic and Melo Dramatic enumerates, according to Sir 
 character — the names of llie William Jones, ninehnndred and 
 airs and measures are not cur- sixty variations. A. R. 3. 7). 
 rent in the present day, nor t The expression is .^/fs/u';?/i'- 
 known to tiie Pundits — liit ex- Id and as a musical term im- 
 planations of tliem ill tlje Tika, plies, Jir — the adaptation of 
 or Commentary on the Drama, notes, or Iheirnames, to poetical 
 arequoted usually from Z^ftfl/fffrt, rbythiu. It is said in the San- 
 whose rules no longer exist, in a ^ita Rebidkara to be arranged 
 collective form. The manu- iu the Chachchatputa, aud other
 
 ( C4 ) 
 
 So, fad r.nd melodious awalces 
 
 The plaint of the Swan o'er the Stream, 
 Where the red Lotus blossoms, as breaks 
 
 On the wave, the day's orient beam. 
 
 Enteh Chilridehha aiicl Suhijuiiya.* 
 Chilr. (Lcohing tip ) 
 
 The swans along the Stream that sail 
 A fond companion's loss bewail — 
 In murmuring Songs they vent their grief. 
 Or find from tender tears, relief. 
 Suha. Now CJiilr'ilehhd what has chanced to cloud 
 Your countenance — it indicates 3'our heart 
 Is ill at ease — what causes your distress 
 CJiitr. It is not all unknown to you — engaged 
 Amidst our band in paying wonted service 
 To the all seeing Sun, I have not shared 
 The vernal sports — my Urvasi away. 
 
 ta^as — (time or ine:isure) to ad- *With Di£>i>««?'Aa is the slno^e, 
 mil llie three M drg as ^{\\Mn\fi) direction: this measure differ* 
 tiiul to combine notes with from the Dwipadi noticed hj 
 words. C/iar/7frt :idds, !is cited Mr. Colebroke (A R lO-iOO). It 
 1)V the commentator, it serves is siid to conipreheiid four kinds 
 to introduce churiicters on the Suddhd, Khandi, Jfdlra and 
 sla^e : as a measure of verse it Sampurnd, of which the first 
 appears both here and elsewhere, consists of 4 equal lines of 13 
 ns averse of four 7ja5?as or lines, Syllables each, arranged in three 
 the first and third containing 12 feet — it corresponds precisely 
 Svllatiles, the second IH, and v,\ih ihe Avaltnubaka of Cole- 
 fourth 15 — it is the regular brooke A R 10 467, Species 52: 
 Jrija or GdtM., and as consi- like tiie preceding it is Cili- 
 dered as of two lines, or heinis- vLctha — a kind of ;50!)'' or Air. 
 tichs, consists of 30 aud 27 
 t^jllubic instants.
 
 C 65 ) 
 
 SaJia. This we all know, and know your mutual love. 
 Chitr, "Whilst dwelling on her memory — anxious to learn 
 Some tidings of her, I employed my power 
 
 Of bringing absent objects to my view ; 
 
 And by this art I learn what much alarms me» 
 Suha. Say on. 
 Chitr. The king, by Urvasi's persuasions. 
 
 Resigned of late the reins of rule, and sought 
 
 AVith her the groves of Gandhamddana.* 
 Saha. Amid such lovely scenes, the amorous pair 
 
 Would most enjoy each other's company — 
 
 What followed. 
 Cliifr. Whilst wandering pleasantly along the brink 
 
 Of the Mnnddkiin, a nymph of air. 
 
 Who gambolled in the crystal wave, attracted 
 
 The Monarch's momentary glance — and this 
 
 Aroused the jealous wrath of Urvasi. 
 
 * Tlie Gandhamddana raoun- amongst the projecting branche* 
 
 tain is one of Ihe four boundary or filaments of Meru. The 
 
 mountains enclosing the central Bhdgavat places it on the East 
 
 region of the world called Ila- of Meru. The jyiahdhMrai 
 
 vrilla, in which the golden agrees with the Vayu Parana. 
 
 mountain of the Gods or Me- Tlie Padma Parana is at 
 
 ru is situated. The Purunas Tariauce with itself, and places 
 
 are rather at variance as to its it in one passage on the West 
 
 position, according to the /'ttj/K and in another describes it 
 
 Parana it lies on the West, as on the Easf : according 
 
 connecting .A7/a and jYishadha to this Parana, Kuvera re- 
 
 the North and South ranges, sides on it with the .Jpsarasas, 
 
 The F'ishnu Parana places it Gandherbaa, and Rakshasas. 
 
 on the South — llie Western The Sild alighting on its top 
 
 inounlaia being there called thence descends to the Bhadras-. 
 
 Vipula. It has, however, a wa versha and flows to the 
 
 GundhamOdana to tlie West Eastern Sea. 
 
 K
 
 ( 6Q ) 
 
 Saha. 'Tis ever thus— true love is most intolerant. 
 
 Yet destiny is mightier. 
 Chiir. Thus incensed, 
 
 My friend disdainfully repelled her Lord. 
 
 In sooth her mind was darkened by the curse 
 
 The Sage ere while denounced, and troubled thuf5i 
 
 She heedlessly forgot the law that bars 
 
 All female access from the hateful groves 
 
 Of Kdrtikeya. Trespassing the bounds 
 
 Proscribed, she suffers now the penalty 
 
 Of her transgression, and to a slender vine 
 
 Transformed, there pines till time shall set her free— 
 Saha. How vain the hope to shim the will of fate. 
 
 What other cause could interrupt a love 
 
 So fervent. — Where is now the king. 
 Chilr. He roams, 
 
 Frantic with sorrow, through the wood, in search 
 
 Of his lost bride, nor night nor day desists 
 
 From the sad quest. These rising clouds that teach 
 
 Passion to pious Sages, augur ill 
 
 For his alleviation — I much fear 
 
 There is but Itttle hope of remedy — ■ 
 
 (Repeats the first Stanza. 
 
 The Swans along the Stream that sail &c.)* 
 
 * Wilh a slight variation of Sahiiari | duha | liddha--am | 
 
 the words in the tliird liuc of Siiravarii | ammi Siui j ddha 
 
 the Slanzn, aflecliag however am | 
 
 neither the sense nor the niea- \sl <me, Vahov | agl am | na 
 
 sure — this niodificatiou of the a na am | 
 
 Divipadilca is termed Jambhd- 2d lime, Avlrali J vaha ja | lol- 
 
 Wva— lUc Prakrit is as follows; la am | 
 
 Tumoiai j ilansi | jugala-ara |
 
 C 07 ) 
 
 Saha. But think you there is no expedient then 
 To re-unite these Lovers. 
 
 Cli'ilr. There is but one. 
 
 Tlie pacred gem that oAves its ruby glow 
 To the bright tint of Gauri's* sacred feet 
 Alone effects their iniion. 
 Sofia. Let us hope it — 
 
 Their delicate forms endure not agony 
 Violent and protracted, and the Gods 
 Can surely never purpose such a pair 
 Should wholly perish — they will soon devise 
 Some means of their relief — to their high power 
 We leave them. — Come. The glorious Sun reveals 
 His countenance — let us depart and pay 
 Our wonted adorations. (Sitigs.) 
 
 t Amidst the wide lake — where the Lotus expands • 
 And beauty and fragrance imparts to the Stream, 
 The stately swans gliding in frolicksome bands. 
 Unfold their white plumes in the day's dawning beam. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 Thus interpreleil Sanscritice — also be underslood from the ex- 
 
 Ilansi yugalam t ami/ ate— {Kim- ample. 
 
 bhutam) fdshpdpavalila may- * Z)Mr5"a or Part'afi the bride 
 
 anam — or ^■IviralaJash'pa-jalen of Siva, 
 
 ollolam — also Sarovarasi/a am- i The measure of this is 
 
 bhasi, Snigdham and Sahachari termed Khdndadhaid ; it is a 
 
 dukhdliddham — this will afford Stanza of four P«</as of 14 Syl- 
 
 a specimen of the Prakrit of lables each: it is in fact the 
 
 this Play and tiie mode in which second species of the Dwipadi- 
 
 this dialect is usual! y explained kd differing from the first only 
 
 by the annotators, the Prosody by the addition of a short Syl- 
 
 ©f the Suddha Vvuipadikd. may lable, as Chinta, duiumia, luaiia- 
 
 sjia' &c.
 
 ( 08 ) 
 ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST.* 
 
 (Slnwis wllhoiit.) 
 Air. 
 
 The lord of the Elephant train. 
 Now -wanders afar from his mate: 
 And franticly comes to complain 
 To the Woody, of his desolate state. 
 Distraction alone for his guide, 
 He phmges amidst the dark bowers; 
 And he casts his rich trappings aside 
 For garlands of wild forest flowers. 
 Enter Pun'navas hastily — looMng vp to the heavens, his 
 dress disordered, and his general appearance indicative ofin- 
 aanilij. 
 
 Hold treacherous fiend, suspend thy flight, forbear—. 
 Ah ! Whither has he borne my beauteous bride : 
 And now his arrows sting me — thick as hail 
 From yonder peak whose' sharp top pierces heaven, 
 They shower upon me. 
 
 (Bushes forward as to the attack — then pauses and 
 looks vpwards.\) 
 
 Air. 
 
 The lonely Cygnet breasts the flood. 
 Without his mate, in mournful mood. 
 
 * Or in Die loxl the Prove- annunciation is in llie same 
 
 snsica llie iulroducer — either a metre as the first, the ^ksldp' 
 
 jierson on Ihe singe, or near it likd. 
 
 who occasion-ally interposes to + Witli Dwipadiku, on which 
 
 let the audience know who is the Pratcril Stanza described in 
 
 coming when none of the cha- a precedino; note, follows — being 
 
 raclers perform that duty : the it may be inferred, sung.
 
 ( C9 ) 
 
 His Snowy plumage drooping lies 
 And trickling tears suffuse his eyes. 
 It is no demon — but a friendly cloud 
 No hostile quiver — but the bow of Indra: 
 The cooling rain-drops fall, not barbed Shafts, 
 And I mistake the lightning for my love. 
 (Faints — then revives and rising.* ) 
 Am.t 
 I madly thought a fiend conveyed 
 Away from me, my fliwn eyed maid : 
 The early rain-drops sense restore 
 To teach me to despair the more.* 
 Where can she bend her steps — her native gentleness 
 Cannot thus cherish anger — if she seek 
 The Skies, her love for me "will soon revive. 
 Once mine again, not all the Demon host 
 That brave the Gods, should force her from my arms. 
 Alas, no more my gaze delighted dwells 
 Upon her loveliness — How sad the chance. 
 Fate heaps calamities with diligent malice 
 On those uliom once misfortune lias assailed. 
 Hence have I lost my love, when genial airs 
 And overshadowing clouds, veiling the day. 
 Had shed intenser rapture on her presence- 
 * Dwipadilca. Drula or Madhya Layaa ( Alle- 
 
 + r//flrdiflri,aStan:sa of which gro ov JUegretto) and ia either 
 no (Icfinilion is given, and class of Tulas or airs called Pra- 
 which subsc(iuently recurs in timdndaka or lidsaJca, as with 
 different forms: it is here a Stan- the Lutddilala which is coin- 
 za of four lines of which the monly called according to Bha' 
 three first contain 21 syllahic rata, Saurasa : Pratimandalcam 
 instants and the last 19 or 20: as Laladi Tdio lohe Saurasa Hi 
 a kind of song it is sung in the abhidliii/ate.
 
 ( 70 ) 
 
 Air, 
 
 Ye clouds whose ceaseless torrents slied^ 
 New glories through the g' corny air ; 
 Awhile your angry showers forbear 
 Nor burst upon this humbled head — 
 Give me to find my love, and then fulfill 
 Your wrath — content I bow me to your will. 
 Awai/Avith this humility — the wise 
 Call kings th3 Lords of time — I will assert 
 My power, and bid the seasons £tay their course. 
 
 Aiu.* 
 
 The tree of heaven invites the breeze. 
 And all its countless blossoms glow ; 
 . They dance upon the gale ; the bees 
 With sweets inebriate murmuring loWj, 
 Soft music lend, and gushes strong 
 The Ku'il's deep thick warbling song. 
 No, I will not arrrest the march of time 
 For all around behold my state apparelled— 
 The clouds expand my canopy — their lightnings 
 Gleam as its glittering fringe — Rich chowries wave 
 Of many coloured hues from flowering trees- 
 The shrieking Peafowl, clamorous in their joy. 
 Are the loud heralds of a Sovereigns' honours-— 
 And those bright torrents, flasliing o'er the brows 
 Of the tall mountains, are the wealthy streams 
 Poured forth profuse from tributary realms. 
 Fye on it— Avliat have I do witii pomp— > 
 
 * Alrii) Charchari but a different measure. The two first lines 
 coaUiiiiiii?: each \Qkalus aud the two last 23 each.
 
 ( 71 ) 
 
 And kingly pride — ray sole sad business hers 
 To thread the woods in search of my beloved. 
 
 Air.* 
 
 The monarch of the "woods 
 
 With slow desponding gait 
 
 "Wanders through vales and floods, 
 And rocks and forest bowers. 
 
 Gemmed with new springing flowers, 
 
 And mourns heart-broken for his absent mate.* 
 Ah me ! whatever I view but aggravates 
 "My woe — Ihese bright and pendulous flowers 
 Surcharged with dcAv, resemble those dear C3'es 
 Glistening Avith starting tears, Hoav shall I learn 
 If she have passed this way — the 3'ielding soil ' 
 Softened by showers^ perchance may have retained 
 The delicate impression of her feet, 
 
 * Charchari, a verse of two imperfect: it is saisl to lie adnpt- 
 
 lines of 32 Kalds or a Stanxa of cd to tlie expression of lieroisin 
 
 four divisions of sixteen syllabic and surprise, to be restricted to 
 
 moments, being the same as the the latter part of tjie day, and 
 
 t^ri/agili of Colebrooke A. R. to be under the tutelary suptr- 
 
 10.461. It is accompanied with intendance of 5cma. 
 some curious additions, Pulha^t/- + At the end of the air, the 
 
 ante Bhinnalca. Bhlnnaka is Stage direction is Dwipadikiii/d 
 
 called in the commentary a parikrair.ya uvalokt/acho, liav- 
 
 Bdga ; Pdlha, is explained f'd- iiig walked round the Scene, and - 
 
 d^a — Ulkara, implying possibly surveyed it, with Dwipadikd, 
 
 instrumental prelude or Sym- by which must be understood, 
 
 phony — Bhinnaka is described time merely, or musical accom- 
 
 as being composed in the paniment, for the Monologue 
 
 Madhyama gruma, \i\r\'y)V raoAe, j)roceeds in Sanscrit, and for a 
 
 as evolved from ishadja, but short way iu Prose, 
 the manuscript is 1 tie very
 
 ( 72 ) 
 
 And shew some vestige of their ruby tincture.* 
 Where in this lonely thicket may I hope 
 
 To gain some tidings of her — Yon proud Bird 
 Perched on the jutting crag that stately stands. 
 With neck outstretched and speading tail to tell 
 His'raptnres to the clouds — haply may give 
 
 Some kind intelligence. 
 
 AlR.t 
 
 The royal elephant the dread 
 
 Of all his rival foes ; 
 
 With downca&t eye and tardy tread, 
 ThVough tangled thickets goes ; 
 To solitary grief a prey. 
 His loved companion far away. 
 
 J will speak to this Peacock — oh tell 
 If, free^on the wing as you soar, 
 
 * The soles being stained Sampat | ta 7180 ] ranao ] lii- 
 
 ^ith Ihered juice of the J/e7/7?<//. riyain [ pariiva | rana-o | 
 
 + Khanilalca,a verse of four F\a | damadan | sanala | la«a-o 
 
 lines the two fust containing Gaa j vara\i ] huita ma ] nasa-o 
 
 twelve kalds llie two l;ist 14: :j: The direction here is Term 
 
 it may be one of the many va- Khandafcante Charchari. The 
 
 rieties of the .4ij/ngiti nieasnre, Charchari is a long Stanza, the 
 
 also called Khandaka (A R 10.40 four lines consisting each of 22 
 
 the two short lines contain three Fjllabic*; moments or Kalds— 
 
 feet, the two long four, and all Tena is a mystical prefix to 
 
 but the first foot of the first line verses, according to the com- 
 
 which is a sijondoo and the first mentator, an auspicious intep- 
 
 of the third and fourth, which tive particle explained by lika- 
 
 are pjrrhics, are auaparsts as raia, as here cited, to signify by
 
 lO ) 
 
 In forest, or meadow, or dell. 
 You have seen the loved nymph I deplore— 
 You will know her, the fairest of damsels fair 
 By her large soft eye, and her graceful air. 
 
 C Advancing to the bird^ and bowing.) 
 Bird of the daffk blue throat and eye of jet 
 Oh tell me have you seen the lovely face 
 Of my fair bride — lost in this dreary wilderness: 
 Her charms deserve your gaze — how — no reply 
 He ansv/ers not, but beats a measure — how— < 
 What means this merry mood — Oh yes I know 
 Tlie cause — he now may^boast his plumage 
 Without a peer, nor shame to shew his glories 
 Before the floating tresses of my Urvasi. 
 I leave him, nor will Avas,te a thought on one 
 Who feels no pity for another's woe.« 
 
 ( Proceeds ; Musici'J 
 Yonder amidst the thick and shady branches 
 Of the broad Jambu, cowers the Koil — faint 
 Her flame of passion in the hotter breath 
 Of noon; she of the birds is wisest famed— 
 I Avill address her.;!; 
 
 Brahnie or Cod, anahigous to consists of two Dru/ff and eij;ht 
 
 the import nf Tad in Tat-twam- Laghu (notes) whic h it per- 
 
 asi. Tliut all pervading Spirit haps is allowable to call two 
 
 tiiDU art — and similar phrases, quaver* and eight crotchets, 
 
 aud should he prefixed to Airs. t With Dwipitdika. 
 
 * Wilh Charcharikd — hereof :}: Khuruka a sovl of d:\nce oi' 
 
 course something different from gCKliculatioa to nuisit-al inca- 
 
 the Cliarchari which is sung— sure: the name is aho applied 
 
 i?7(rtrfl^rt iscited to call iteitiier to a pirticular comhinatiou of 
 
 a sort of m casured movement or of letters or figure of rhetoric, 
 measure, J all or Td!a, which
 
 ( 74 ) 
 Air.* 
 
 ]\Iajestic as sails the miglity cloud 
 
 Along the dusky air. 
 
 The Elephant cometh hither to shroud 
 
 In the thickets his despair. 
 
 From his heart all hope of delight'^s riven 
 
 And his eyes with tears o'erflow. 
 
 As he roams the shades, whei'c the sons of heaven 
 
 Descend to sport below. 
 
 AlK.t 
 
 Say nurseling of a stranger nest,:!! 
 Say hast thou chanced a nymph to see, 
 Amidst these gardens of the blest, 
 "Wandering at liberty ; 
 Or Avarbling Avith a voice divine 
 JMelodious strains more sweet than thine. 
 (Approaches and kneels.) 
 
 Sweet Bird — whom lovers deem Love's messengci*,|l 
 Skilled to direct the God's envenomed shafts. 
 And tame the proudest heart; oh hither guide 
 Isly lovely fugitive, or lead my steps 
 To where she %iray^,{tiir}is to liis lcj'l,^andas if I'epli/ing) 
 
 * Charthari of 42 and 36, or is said to leave its eggs in the 
 21. 21. 18. and 18, s\ilabic in- nests of other birds, 
 
 stauls. 11 Because the' KoiVs song is 
 
 + With T^ulantika, described especially heard at the season 
 
 ill the Sangila Jiclndkara, as an of spring t!ie friend of love. 
 
 rpdn^a or sub-division of a f Tliis sort of turn however 
 
 Mdga: it is here of course tlie even is technical, and is termed 
 
 melody or strain. f'dmalca. 
 
 ± The AoVVj like the Cuckoo
 
 ( 75 ) 
 
 Why did she leave 
 One so devoted to her will ? In wrath 
 She left me, but the cause of anger lives not 
 In my imagination — the fond tyranny 
 That Avomen exercise o'er those Avho love them 
 Brooks not the slightest shew of disregard. 
 How now : the Bird has flown — 'tis ever thus- 
 All coldly listen to another's sorrows. 
 Unheeding my affliction, lo, she speeds 
 Intent on joy expected, to yon tree^ 
 To banquet on the luscious juice, the Jambu^ 
 From its now ripe and roseate fruit distills. 
 Like ray beloved, the Bird of tuneful song 
 Deserts me ; let her go — I can forgive her 
 
 (Proceeds — Music) 
 Ha — on my right — amidst the wood I hear 
 
 A tinkling melody 'tis the sweet chime 
 
 ]My f'iir one's anklets echo to her footsteps. 
 
 Aiut 
 
 Through the woods the stately elephant strays. 
 And his glances despair express; 
 
 * The Rose apple so denomi- passage is not very clear in the 
 
 Dated from its odour: it is how- manuscript, either of the Cora- 
 
 ever the Mahdjambii that is ment or Saiigita RetnaJcara, but 
 
 mentioned in the text. Ihe KaJcubha '\s a form in the 
 
 t Kaknbha a Ruga, according mode of Dhiiivala of which 
 
 to Bharala—Kakuhha appears D/ja is the Ansa or key note, 
 
 a Ragini in the list quoted hy The notation of tiie Scale 
 
 Sir Wm. Jones from Mirza Khan is given hy Sir W- Jones Dha- 
 
 but it differs in gender and de- ni-sa-ri-ga-ma-pa. The Rdga 
 
 aominatiou, (A. R. 3 81) the hci\.\\c<}i iht Shadupabhanga, or
 
 ( 76 ) 
 
 On his limbo the enfeebling malady preys. 
 And his steps are slow with distress; 
 In his eyes the starting tear drop swells. 
 As his thought on his lost companion dwells 
 
 Alas, the gathering of the clouds deceives 
 The swan, who hails rejoicingly the time 
 For periodic flight to Mdnasa.'* 
 1 hear his song of gladness not the sound 
 Of tinkling anklets — ere yet the troop begins 
 Its distant march I will address the chief. 
 Ho — IMonarch of the tribes that breast the stream, 
 Forbear awhile your course : forego the provender 
 Of Lotus stems, not needed yet, and hear 
 My suit — redeem me from despair — impart 
 Some tidings of my love — 'tis worthier far 
 To render kindly offices to others 
 Than meanly labour for a selfish good- 
 He heeds me not, but stiil on Manasa 
 Intent, collects his store — and now I note him 
 More closely, I suspect some mystery. 
 Why seek to veil the truth— if my beloved 
 Was never seen by thee as graceful straying 
 Along the flowery borders of the lake. 
 Then whence this elegant gait — 'Tis hers — and tho'ii 
 Hast stolen it from her — in whose every step 
 Love sports — thy walk betrays thee ; own thy crime, 
 
 in six parts and the verse has gination— it is followed by a 
 
 six lines — the rhythm both of Stanza of the Dw ipadilca clasfj, 
 
 the air and poetry being thus four lines of 14 Kalas each, 
 
 irrpgnlarly subdivided as more which repeatinnf the same ideas 
 
 expressive of a disordered ima- has been omiltcJ.
 
 ( 77 ) 
 
 And lead me quickly to her. (laughs) Nay he fears 
 Our Royal power — the plunderer fliei; the king. 
 
 Proceeds — Music. 
 
 Yonder I see the Chaktva* Avith his mate ; 
 Of him I will enquire 
 
 AlR.t 
 
 In groves of tall trees with bi'ight blossoms blooming 
 And vocal with many sweet murmured tones, 
 Ihe Lord of the herd whom grief is consuming 
 Distracted the loss of his mate bemoans. 
 
 Aiu. Jfier a pause.^ 
 
 Ah nO;, he replies, I taste on the wing, 
 The joys of the cool returning spring. 
 And as each feather thrills with delight, 
 I mark not the fair that meet my sight. 
 Yet tell ine — hast thou seen her — know'st thou not 
 Who asks thy answer — the great king of day 
 And monarch of the night are my progenitors: 
 
 * The ChaJcra vtika or Ruddt/ two last to C/j/?rcAajv*, the Stan- 
 goose: these birds are supposed 7a is Dwipndika four lines of 
 to be separated through the 14 SvJIables each, 
 night. i Dnnlaydntare after two 
 
 + Here the gesture is descrih- Lnyas, the commentator cites 
 
 cd ; Kulilika wilh which it is ^f «/<?/•«'« explannlion of fjnya — 
 
 directed to begin, being explain- wliich is the concurrence in 
 
 ed, standing; with the feet some- time of voice, instrument, and 
 
 thing apart, the left hand ex- j^csticulation, here however it 
 
 tended and the right resting on must imply something else, an 
 the hip. In the second line of interval proI)ably, or a definite 
 
 the Stanza the gesture is chang- measure of symphony or prc- 
 
 ed to ^laUasliali and in the lude.
 
 ( 78 ) 
 
 Their grandson I, and by their oAvn free choice. 
 The Lord of Urvasi and of the Earth. 
 How-silent — thou might'st measure my affliction 
 By Avhat thou feelest; all the air resounds 
 With tliy incessant plaint.^, if, but a moment 
 Thy fair companion nestling bides in sport 
 Amongst the lotus leaves, and flies thy view. 
 Alas — to one whom fate has cursed like me 
 Nought is propitious — I will ask no more. 
 Proceeds — Music. 
 
 How beautiful the lotus — it arrests 
 
 My path and bids me gaze on it — the bees 
 
 Murmur amidst its petals — like tlie lip 
 
 Of my beloved it glows, when that has been 
 
 Somewhat too rudely sipped by mine, and long 
 
 Ketains the amorous impress — I will woo 
 
 This honey rifler to become my friend 
 
 Advances.^ 
 Am. 
 Unheeding the cygnet at first, 
 His beak in the nectar of passion dips ; 
 But fiercer and fiercer his thirst — 
 As deeper he sips. 
 
 Say plunderer of the honied dew— hast thou 
 Beheld the nymph wliose large and languid eye 
 Voluptuous rolls as if it swam with wine. 
 And yet methinks 'tis idle to enquire, 
 
 * With the Ardhadiuicliata. at llie end of tlic Pidkril verse 
 rasraka, a particular mode of to Dioichaturasraku—a term 
 gesticubtiug, this is changed afc of like import.
 
 ( 79 ) 
 
 For had he tnsted hcv delicious bveath 
 
 lie noAv ^vollld scomthe lotus— T will hence. 
 
 Proceeds — jSIimc.* 
 Beneath tlie shade of 3-on Kadomha tree 
 1 he royal clepliant reclines, and Avith him 
 His tender mate — I ui 11 approach — yet hold 
 From liis Companion he accepts the bough 
 Her trunk has snapped from the balm breathing tre 
 I^ow rich ■with teeming shoots and juicy fragrance. 
 
 Advances^ tlien Pauses. j^ 
 He crushes it — 1 may proceed 
 
 Air 
 King of the forest ■whose sports have felled 
 The stateliest trees, the thicket's pride ; 
 Oh^ say, in these shades hast thou beheld, 
 Slore bright than the jMoon, my -wandering bride. 
 
 Advcmclug a few paces. 
 Chief of the. mighty herd — say Iiast thou seen 
 Jly love — like the j^oung moon her delicate frame. 
 And ■with eternal youth her beauties glow; 
 Her voice is music — her long tresses wear 
 The Jasmine' f>|j golden hue, liadst thou afar 
 Beheld her charms they must have fixed thj' gaze. 
 
 * Dw/padikuija Parikrdmi- uo {leteiiuiiu'd measure. 
 
 talcena is the sta^c direction. t hi the original lie commen- 
 
 + Slhanakena ; nnASthdnaka is ces a Stanza to the KulUika 
 
 idenlified with a variety of Aid- measure, hut breaks off" abrupt- 
 
 ya on the authoiily of Bharatn ly. 
 
 — 4lupa ai^tears in the Sani^ila \\ Yvlhild ^avula kesi, hav- 
 
 F.einakuva to signify moiliila- jng hair l)roMn as the yellow 
 
 tioii, the succession of notes J asmine— golden or auburji, a 
 
 couformabiv to a fixed scale, but very strange idea for a Hindu t
 
 ( so ) 
 
 Ha, he replies. Tliat hind assenting roar 
 Conveys some intimation — oil repeat 
 Tiie sound — consider that we should befriend 
 Each other, bound by various common ties. 
 T!;cu art the sovereign of the forest — Me 
 They term the King of men. Thy bounty sheds 
 Tliy frontal fragrance on the air, my wealth 
 On pM is showered profuse — Amongst the bands 
 Of lovely nymphs obedient to my will 
 One cnly Uivasico\nniar\ds my love, 
 i\s thou liast chosen this?, thy favourite 
 From all the herd. Thus far our fates accord. 
 And never be the pangs of separation. 
 Such as distract my bosom, known to thee. 
 Propitious be thy fortunes ; friend, farewell. 
 
 FroceeJs. 
 
 Wiiat have we here . deep in the mountain's breast 
 
 A yawning chasm appears : such shades are ever 
 
 Haunts of the nymphs of air and earth. Perchance 
 
 My Urvasi now lurks within the grotto 
 
 In cool seclusion— I will enter— All 
 
 Is utter darkness. Would the lightning's flash 
 
 Now blaze to guide me — no — the cloud disdains. 
 
 Such is my fate perverse, to shed for me. 
 
 It's many channelled rachance — be it so 
 
 I will retire — but first the rock address. 
 
 it is said Ihat in the west of it is consu'.ered a morbid aftec- 
 
 India such hair is sometimes tioti of llie iiair, and the wo- 
 
 seeii,l)utthe prejudice in i'avoiir Uiou dye and conceal it. 
 of cbou locks is so strong that
 
 C 81 ) 
 
 Am.* 
 Witli horny hoofs and a resolute breast 
 The boar through the thicket stalks ; 
 He ploughs up the ground, as he plies his quest 
 In the forest's gloomiest walks. 
 
 S \y mountain whose expansive slope confines 
 The forest verge, oh tell me hast thou seen 
 A fair nymph, straining up thy tteep ascent. 
 Or wearied resting in thy crowning woods 
 That Love delights to make his shady dwelling- 
 How, no replj^ remote he hears me not — 
 I will approach him nearer. 
 
 AlR.t 
 
 From thy crystal summits the glistening springs 
 
 Rush down the flowery sides — 
 
 And the spirit of heaven delightedly sings 
 
 As among thy peaks he hides. 
 
 Say mountain so favoured have the feet 
 
 Of my fail- one pressed this calm retreat. 
 
 Now by my hopes he answers — he has seen her— 
 Where is she — say : alas ! again deceived— 
 Alone I hear the echo of my words 
 As round the cavern's hollow mouth tliey roll 
 And multiplied return — ah Urvasi — (^faints). 
 
 (Recovers and slls as exhausted.) 
 
 Fatigue has overcome me — I Aviil rest 
 
 * Khandiku VL kiiiil of song 26 Syllabic moments ench. 
 in the A'M.7/6/ia/«/^ time — or the f Charchari, a StuiiZi four 
 verse is a StaD~;i of two lines of fines 17 syllable insta>its each, 
 
 M
 
 C S2 ) 
 
 Upon the borders of this mountain torrent. 
 And gather vigour from the breeze that gleans 
 Refresliing coolness from its gelid waves. 
 AVJiilst gazing on the stream, whose new swoln waters 
 Yet turbid flow, what strange imaginings 
 Possess my soul and fill it with delight. 
 The rippling Avave is like her arching brow. 
 The fluttering line of storks her timid tongue. 
 The foamy spray her white loose floating vest. 
 And this meandering course the current tracks 
 Her undulating gait; all these recall 
 J\Iy soon-offended love — I must appease her 
 
 Aiu.* 
 
 Be not relentless, dearest. 
 Nor wrath with me for evei*. 
 I mark where thou appearest 
 A fair and mountain river. 
 
 Like Ganga proud thou shewest. 
 From heavenly regions springing; 
 Around thee as thou flowest 
 The birds their course are winging. 
 
 The timid deer confiding 
 Thy flowery borders throng ; 
 And Bees, their store providing. 
 Pour forth enraptured song. 
 
 •^ Kutilikii, as formerly oc- the verse is a Stanza of 4 lines 
 curling, gesliculation, but it of 16 syllabic iustantS} aud is of 
 should here rather imply metre: the ^ri/a Giti class.
 
 ( 83 ) 
 
 Air.* 
 In the lowering East the king of the deep 
 Expects his coming bride ; 
 His limbs are the clouds that darkly sweep 
 The skirts of the heaving tide; 
 And his tossing arms are the tumbling waves. 
 Where the gale o'er the heaving billow raves. 
 
 With rapture he dances, the Lord of the main. 
 
 And proad in his state appears: 
 
 His steps are pursued by the monster train 
 
 The deep Sea darkness rears; 
 
 And the curlew, the swan, and glistening shell 
 
 And the lotus, the monarch's glory swell. 
 
 The43ellowing surges his fame resound. 
 And dash at the gates of heaven. 
 The sea with the sky they threat to confound. 
 But back with shame are driven ; 
 For now the young Kains are armed for their right 
 And their prowess arrests old ocean's might 
 
 (Approaches and hows.) 
 
 Oh nymph adored, what crime have I committed. 
 That thus 3'ou fly from one so wholly yours. 
 Who now implores your pity, and with terror 
 
 Anticipates your loss — relent — return 
 
 This is not Urvasi. She would not quit me 
 Even for the Ocean King — What's to be done— 
 
 * Charchari, 6 lines of 22 tion, being in the original es- 
 sv liable iiistaals each: it is very ceedingly brief aad obscure, 
 much expanded la the trausla-
 
 ( 84 ) 
 
 Fortune crowns those who yield not to despair—* 
 
 I'll back to where my love first disappeared. 
 
 Yonder the black Deer cou chant lies; of him 
 
 I wi'l enquire -Ho Antelope* — behold 
 
 The royal elephant Airdvataf 
 
 Scorched by the pangs of solitude explores 
 
 In search of his lost mate, the groves of Nandana ;X 
 
 Whose close embowering walks are resonant 
 
 With the glad KoUs song, as pleased he sips 
 
 The juicy nectar of the clustering blossoms. 
 
 How — he averts his gaze — as he disdained 
 
 To hear my suit — ah no — he anxious marks 
 
 His doe approach hira— tardily sJie comes, 
 
 Her frolic fawn impending her advance 
 
 AiR.II 
 
 A nymph of heaven has left her sphere 
 
 To make a heavenly region here. 
 
 And treads this sacred ground. 
 
 Her slender waist, her swelling hips^ 
 
 Her languid eye, her ruby lips 
 
 With youth unfading crowned. 
 
 Oh tell me through tlie tangled maze. 
 
 If Avandering she has met thy gaze. 
 
 Deer of the soft black eye — 
 
 Ere yet beneath the yawning brink 
 
 * Advancing with Cfl/ani/Vra, all the preceding, in Sanscrit, in 
 
 termed nierelj a kind of naljja the usual measure, 
 dance or gesliculation. :}: The Garden of Indra. 
 
 t Tlic elephant of Indra-. || Charchari, a verse of four 
 
 this illuslralion proceeds unlike lines of 22 sj liable iiislanls each.
 
 ( S5 ) 
 
 Of sorrow's gulph, immersed I sink 
 Befriend ine^ or I die— 
 
 Advances. 
 
 Lord of the bounding herds, say hast thou seen 
 My fair whose large and languid e)'e resembles 
 That of thy tender mate — he heeds me not— 
 But springs to meet his doe— be happy both 
 Though fate still adverse frown on my desires. 
 
 Proceeds and pauses. 
 
 How now — what stream of ruddy radiance breaks 
 
 Through the cleft rock — no flame could have survived 
 
 The fast descending torrents — 'tis perchance 
 
 Some sanguine fragment of the Lion's feast. 
 
 IsTc — 'tis a gem — more roseate than the blush 
 
 Of the Asoka blossoms, and the Sun 
 
 "Would grasp it with his beams — it pleases me 
 
 And I will make it mine. 
 
 Am.* 
 
 With tearful eye and dejected gaze. 
 Despairing his Love to meet ; 
 All lonely the Royal Elephant strays 
 Through the forest's still retreat. 
 Why should I take the jewel. She whose brow 
 Bound with Maiiddra filets, best had worn 
 'i he costly gem, is far — far from me — why- 
 Should I distain the ruby witli my tears. 
 
 * Dwipadikd, four liaes fourleen Icalds each.
 
 ( 86 ) 
 
 ^Going^a Voice in the air,—^ 
 
 Take up the gem, my Son ; its radiant red 
 The feet of Hema's holy daughter shed* 
 And Avonderous virtue gave — let it adorn 
 'J hy hand and thou wilt shortly cease to mourn 
 Thy absent bride — once more by this restored 
 To bless her sorrowing and lamented Lord. 
 Vur. What voice is this — descends some friendly sage 
 In pity of my griefs^ or in some deer 
 Disguised, directs me thus. Seer — I obey 
 And thank thy holy counsel — Gem divine 
 Restore me to my love, and I will bear thee 
 High on my diadem, and hold thee ever 
 As dear as Iswura his crescent moon — 
 
 —-Takes the gem and proceeds, then pauses — 
 
 What means this strange emotion — as I gaze 
 Upon this vine— no blossoms deck its boughs ; 
 Nipped by the fa.liiig rains^ like briny tears. 
 The buds have perished, and the mournful shrub 
 All unadorned appears to pine in absence—. 
 No bees regale her with their songs — silent 
 And sad, she, lonely, shews the image 
 Of my repentant love, who now laments 
 Her causeless indignation — I will press 
 The melancholy likeness to my heart— 
 
 * Gauriot Parrat/, the stone tact with the soles of her feet 
 is fabled to have received its stained with the red of the 
 colour, and Tirlues from cou- Melmdi (iawsonia incrwji.)
 
 C 87 ) 
 
 Air. 
 
 Vine of the wilderness, behold, 
 A lone heart-broken wretch in me, 
 "Who dreams in his embrace to fold 
 His love, as wild he clings to thee. 
 And might relenting fate restore 
 To these fond arms^ the nymph I mourn; 
 I'd bear her hence, and never more 
 To these forbidden haunts return. 
 
 {Goes to embrace the Creeper which is transformed to Urvasi*) 
 
 What can this mean, through every fibre spreads. 
 The conscious touch of Urvasi — yet all 
 I deemed her charms deceived me — let me wake 
 And realise the vision or dispell it. 
 *Tis no deceit — 'Tis she — my best beloved — (faints) 
 TJrv. (in tears.) Glory to the King — 
 Pur. (reviving.) Thy loss dear love has plunged my 
 
 sinking spirit 
 Deep into dreariest gloom; but now thy sight 
 Arrests my soul, and calls me back to bliss. 
 Urv I knew not of your woe, myself deprived 
 
 Of conscious being 
 Pur. How — what mean you— speak 
 Urv. I will explain, but let me first implore 
 
 Porgiveness, that my causeless wrath has wrought 
 So sad a change in you. 
 Pur. Enough, enough ; 
 
 You mine once more, all else is quite forgotten, 
 
 * Or, enters as it were in its very place, Tatah pravisati fat 
 illiane era Urvasi.
 
 C 88 ) 
 
 And every lliouglitis extasj' — but come 
 Say bow you cheered your time, your lord away— 
 For me — 
 
 Aiu.* 
 
 I have sued to the starry plumed Bird, 
 And the KoJl of love-breathing song ; 
 To the Lord of the Elephant herd. 
 And the Bee as he murmured along : 
 To the Swan, and the loud Waterfall, 
 To the Chafcwa, the Rock and the Roe, 
 In thy search have I sued to them all. 
 But none of them lightened my woe. 
 
 Urv. To me — all news of my lamented lord 
 Came but in fond imaginings 
 
 Pti?-. How thus — 
 
 Urv. In ancient days, the warrior God adopted 
 A coenobites observance — and for this 
 Retiring to the woods that stud the va'e 
 Of Gondhamudana, then called Akulasha, 
 He framed this law. 
 
 Pur. What law — proceed — 
 
 Urv. The female that shoidd rashly pass the bounds 
 Proscribed, and penetrate the forest shades. 
 Should instant metamorphose undergo, 
 And to a twining shrub should bstransformecT—i 
 Alone from such sad change to be redeemed, 
 By the celestial gem, whoss ruby glow 
 Is gleaned from Gauri's foot. This law I broke—* 
 
 * Chaichnri.
 
 ( S9 ) 
 
 Bewildered by the Sage's imprecation 
 I tliouglitlej,3 plunged into the thicket's glooms 
 Shunned ever by the gods, and in a vine 
 My form and faculties awhile were lost. 
 
 Pur. 'Tis all explained; no ordinary cause 
 
 I knew detained thee from me : thee, whose fears 
 Brooked not my mcrmentary separation, 
 Even in thy dreams — The virtue of the gem. 
 As thou hast said, this day effects our meeting^. 
 Behold it here. 
 
 Urv. The Ruby of Reunion, 
 
 This holy gem restores me to my nature. 
 (Takes it and puts it respect fulli/ to her forehead) 
 
 Pur. A moment thus ; let me behold thy brow;, 
 Irradiated by this heavenly jewel 
 Like the red lotus ere its buds expand. 
 
 Urv. The king delights to flatter me, but now 
 Let us return to Pratishthdna ; long 
 The city mourns its absent lord, and I 
 The cause of his departure, shall incur. 
 The angry censures of the people : come — • 
 How will it please you travel — 
 
 Pur. Yonder cloud 
 
 Shall be our downy car, to waft us swift 
 And lightly on our Avay — the lightnings wave 
 Its glittering banners, and the bow of Indra 
 Hangs as its ovei'arching canopy 
 Of variegated and resplendent hues. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 The ardent swan his mate recovers 
 And all his spirit is delight: 
 
 N
 
 ( 90 ) 
 
 With her aloft in air he hovers, 
 
 And homeward wings his joyous flight. 
 
 [_Exeimt on the cloud ; viiiSic.* 
 
 END OF THE FOURTH ACT. 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 THE PALACE OF TURURAVAS 
 
 Enter Mdnavaha 
 
 At last thank the fates, the king has leturned with IMa- 
 clam Urvasi from tlie groves of Nandaiin, the pleasant gar- 
 dens of the Gods. My friend is once more attentive to his 
 royal duties and the cares of state — yet he seems out of 
 spirits — what should be the cause — except the want of chil- 
 dren he has nothing to grieve for — This is a bustling day — the 
 king and hisqueens have just performed their royal ablutions 
 where the Yamnnd and the Ganges meet : he must be at his 
 toilet by this time, and by joining him I shall secure a share 
 of the flowers and perfumes prepared for him. 
 
 (Noise behind) The Ruby —the ruby — a hawk taking it 
 for a piece of flesh has borne away the Ruby of Reunion from 
 the plaintain leaf, on which it was a moment placed along with 
 the Lady's robes. 
 
 * With Khandadhurd a sort monologue with all its airs raust 
 
 of air — niaintainiiig llie curious be endowed with extraordinary 
 
 character of this act to the last — powers. 
 the actor who could execute the
 
 ( 01 ) 
 
 Man. Here's a pretty piece of work — the jewel my friend 
 so highly prized — Ho, here he comes, not yet attired — I will 
 keep aloof. 
 
 Enter Pururavas in haste followed hy the Chamberlain, a hun- 
 ter* and attendants. 
 
 Pt(r. Where is the winged thief that raslily courts 
 
 His own destruction, and presumes to violate 
 
 The dwelling of his Sovereign. 
 Hunter. Yonder he goes — the golden chain of the jewel 
 hanging from his beak. 
 
 Fur. I see him — as he rapid flies around 
 
 In airy rings, the whirling chain appears 
 
 To hem him in a fiery circle— 
 
 What's to be done. 
 Man. {Advancing.) Punish liim to be sure, put the 
 culprit to death. 
 
 Pur. Bring me my bow. {A female attendant* goes out 
 and returns with a how and arrows ivhich she gives to the king. 
 
 'Tis now too late — he flies 
 
 Far to the South beyond the arrow's leacli — ■ 
 
 * Also called a Kirdta a Princes had guards of Africaa 
 
 forester: the Kirdlas tlie women in their harams, and the 
 
 >I<)\inlaiaeer and Savnge tribes presence of female attendants 
 
 of India were known to the in those of the Hindu Sovereigns 
 
 ancients as the Cirrhadoe on the has also been adverted to, but 
 
 Cororaandel coast — they appear the term Yavani has been appli- 
 
 to have been independant but ed by the later Hindus to the 
 
 were tributary to the Hindu JHohannnedans, and it is not 
 
 kings-or perhaps only rendered likely that either Persian or 
 
 personal service. Arabian women ever found their 
 
 N * A Yavani which is rather way into the inner appartments 
 
 inexplicable— the Mohammedan of Hindu princes, as personal
 
 ( 92 ) 
 
 Red as Asoka flowers the precious gem 
 
 Graces the sky — with sullen fires it glows 
 
 Like angry IMars, bursting at intervals 
 
 Tlirough the thick clouds that overhang the night. 
 
 My good Ldlavrja.(io IheChambcrla'm.) give command, 
 
 the Bird 
 Be tracked, and followed to his perch. 
 Cham. The king shall be obeyed, {^Exit.* 
 
 Man. Now please you sit — the thief will not be able to 
 escape your power. 
 
 Pvr. (Sits.) Were it an ordinary gem its loss 
 
 Would move me not — but to lose this would vex me — 
 To it I oAve reunion with my love. 
 Man. Well there is this comfort ; as you have the lady, 
 you are no longer in need of the jewel. 
 
 Enter the Chamberlain with an Arrow and the Jewel. 
 Cham. Victory to your grace ! the bird condemned by 
 your Majesty's decree has fallen, pierced by this Shaft — tlie 
 ruby is recovered; it has been cleansed Avith water; please you 
 say to whom it shall be intrusted. 
 
 attendants or gunids. If, as has haps Tartnrian or Bactrian wo- 
 
 been supposed, J'fluanas formerly men may beinteiuled. 
 
 implied Greeks, it is equally * There is evidently much 
 
 impossible that Greek women more art in the conduct of 
 
 should have fulfilled such an the business in this piece tlian in 
 
 office, as few could have found the Toy Cart. The Chamberlain 
 
 their way to India, or even to would tjierc have been sent out, 
 
 Bactriu, and those would have and would Ivive returned imme- 
 
 been, it may be supposed, too diately, in all probability, instead 
 
 highly valued hy their Country- of any dialogue filling up the 
 
 men to have been sufi'ored to act interval, 
 as slaves to Barbarians— per-
 
 ( 93 ) 
 
 Fni'. Ho, Forester, let the gem 
 
 I3e purified Avith flame, and then replace it 
 
 Safe in its casket. 
 
 Hunter — As your Majesty commands. 
 
 \_Exit. the Kirdia or Forester. 
 Pur. Know you to whom the Shaft belongs, 
 Cham. There is a name inscribed upon it your grace, but 
 my eye sight cannot distinguish the characters. 
 Pio: Let me see them. 
 
 (Takes the arrow and expresses wonder and deli gld.) 
 Cham. With your grace's leave I will now attend to other 
 duties. [_Exii. 
 
 Man, What does your majesty study so in'ently. 
 Pii?\ Listen — " The arrow of the all subduing Ayus, 
 
 The son of Urvasi and Ptiruravas." 
 Man. Joy to your grace. Fate has crowned your wishes. 
 Pur. How should this be — but for the interval 
 Of the Naimisha* sacrificial rite 
 ]My U) vasi has always been Avith me — 
 I do recall indeed a transient period. 
 When her soft cheek was paler than the leaf 
 Cold-nipped and shrivelled — and her eloquent eye 
 Betrayed unwonted lassitude — aught else 
 1 never noted. 
 Man, Oh j'ou must not suppose that the nymphs of 
 heaven manage these matters like those of earth — No, no — 
 they have the power to counteract all such appearances. 
 
 * The Naimishcya sacrifice is years according to llio J^fatiu- 
 
 the great sacrifice performed at hluhal., a thousand according to 
 
 the Naimisha forest hy the as- the Blid^avut. 
 serabled sages which lasted twelve
 
 ( 91 ) 
 
 Ftcr. It may be so ; yet why this mystery ; 
 
 Why keep from me all knowledge of my child. 
 Man. Oh there's no accounting for the fancies of celestial 
 
 Spirits. 
 
 Enter Chamberlain. 
 Cham. So please your majesty, a saintly dame and a 
 young lad from the hermitage ofChi/avana* solicitadmittance. 
 Pur. Let them enter — quick. 
 
 * Chi/ avail a is the Son of Ihe wralli of Ihe i??/s^i, and pa- 
 Bhrtgu, the son of Brahma, by cifietl him by giving him the 
 his wife Pidoma. A Ilakshasa dnmsel in marrioffe. After be- 
 er fiend attemptinoj 1o carry iiig' niairied some time, the Jls- 
 off Pulomaihe cliilil was pre- ri]ini Kumar as \)Si%i\n^h^ (^hy- 
 maturely born, whence his name avana's residence conferred up- 
 from Chi/u to fall from. Upon on him youth and Iieauty, in 
 his birth his splendor was such requital of which boons he 
 as to reduce the insulter of his gave thera a share in the Soma 
 mother to ashes. Jl/ahabhdrat juice offered at sacrifices to the 
 ^di Parva, Puloma Adhyuya. f;ods — the Gods with Indra at 
 The sage having adopted a theirhead opposed this grant,and 
 life of ascetic devotion was so /wf/r« fifted up his arm to strike 
 immersed in abstraction that Chyavana dead with his thun- 
 he became comi)letely covered bo]t, when the sac^e paralysed 
 with the nests of white ants, his arm. To appall the Gods 
 Sulcanyd the daughter of king he created the demon Mada^ 
 5arj/«iti wandering in the forest intoxication personified, in ter- 
 observed what she thought two ror of whom an d of the power 
 lights in an ant hiil,and thrust of the Saint, the Gods acceded 
 in two blades of Kusa grass, to the participation of the ^s- 
 ■which when withdrawn were fol- wini Kumaras'm divine honours, 
 lowed by a flow of blood. Much Indra was restored to the use 
 alarmed the Princess repaired of his arm, and .!/«//« was divid- 
 to her father and related what ed and distributed amongst dice, 
 had happened. The king con- women and wine. Bhavishyat 
 jecturing the truth immediate- Puraiia and the DdnaLherma 
 Jy went to the spot to deprecate «cctioa of the Mahdbhdrat.
 
 ( 95 ) 
 
 Enter a Tapasl or Female Ascellc, and a Boy with a how in 
 his hand- 
 
 Man. Observe him sir— that warrior lad must be the 
 owner of the arrow, he is your perfect image. 
 
 Pur. May it prove so — my imperfect sight. 
 Is dimmed with tears — my heart is overcome 
 With tenderness ; and strong emotions crowd 
 My agitated mind — on all my limbs 
 A sudden tremor seizes— howl long 
 To clasp hira to my bosom. 
 
 Cham. Here pause most reverend Lady. 
 
 Pta\ (Bowbig.) Hail holy Dame. 
 
 Tap. May fortune ever wait. 
 
 The glorious line of 5owz«. (Apart.) Now, methinks. 
 
 The king has secret intimation given him 
 
 I bring him here his son. (Aloud) Boy Pay your homage. 
 
 (Ayiis boil's) 
 
 Piiru. May your years be many. 
 
 Ayust (Apart) If I dared listen to my heart — I should 
 Believe this were my father — I his son — 
 For I have never known the fond endearments 
 Paternal love bestows upon a child. 
 
 Puru. What brings thee to our presence saintly Dame, 
 
 Tap. Let the king hear — This princely )'Outh, the son 
 Of Urvasl, was for some cause confided. 
 Without your knowledge, to my secret care. 
 The ceremonies of his martial birth 
 The pious Chyavana has duly ministered. 
 Taught him the knowledge fitted to his station
 
 ( 93 ) 
 
 And lastly triiined his growing 5'outh toarm.5 :* 
 But now my charge expires, for an act 
 Tliis (by achieved, unfits him to remain 
 ii An inmate of the peaceful hermitage. 
 '^ ^"''- ^^h'lt act ? 
 
 Tap. Whilst on his mission with the Rislu's Sons, 
 To gather fuel, flowers and holy grass — 
 From the adjacent woods, he aimed a shaft 
 Against a hawk new perched upon a tree 
 With liis fresh prey, and took his felon life. 
 This deed of blood excludes him from our haunts. 
 And by the Sage's orders I conduct him 
 Again to Urvast — I Avould see the queen. 
 Turn. Be seated/, and mean while Latavija. 
 
 Apprise our queen, that we would see her here . 
 
 ^Exlt Chcimherlain, 
 P/ini. Come hither boy. As the moon's silver rvy 
 Affects the lunar gem, his presence sheds 
 Spontaneous joy, and through each fibre darts 
 The consciousness that I behold my son. 
 Tap. Obey your Sire {The Pmice advances and proslraies 
 Jiimself': Purumvas raises and embraces him and places him on 
 ihefoolslool of his throne. — ) 
 
 * The original has Dhanur- and all other princes are repre* 
 vith/a ardiery— which is always seiited in the liamai/ana, Jla- 
 put for military science in geuei- hdbhdrut, and all poems and 
 al. Th-.it arclun-y however was plays as making archery a priu- 
 the predominant branch of the cipal part of their education, 
 art amongst the Hindus is cvi- furnishing a remarkable analogy- 
 dent from this use of the term, in this respect to the practice of 
 and from all descriptive acooiuits the ancient Persians, and Scy- 
 of heroic odiicalion — Rama — . thiati 
 his sousj the Pandnvas — Ji/us
 
 ( 97 ) 
 
 Tin: Salute your father's friend — Boy, fear not. 
 Man. What should he fear — he has seen baboons enough 
 in the hermitajre. 
 Ai/us. (^'7HJ/w/n-) Accept my homage Sir. 
 Ma7i. Fortune attend 3'ou ever. 
 
 Enter Urvnsi preceded by the Chamberlain. 
 
 Chaw. This way your grace, 
 
 Urv. (Seeing Aytis) What youth is this, yvho in the Royal 
 
 presence 
 Armed with the boAV and quiver honoured sits 
 
 Upon the golden footstool — whilst the king 
 
 Is fondly playing with his twisted tresses. 
 
 Ha ! Saiijavalf too! it is my Son, 
 
 His growth out strips my memory, 
 Puni. Behold your mother, boy — her gaze intent 
 
 Is fixed upon you — and her heaving bosom 
 
 Has rent its veiling scarf. 
 Tap. Haste to embrace her. 
 (Aijus rises and goes to his Mother who embraces him, then, 
 lifter a pause.) 
 Urv. Hail — holy mother. 
 Tap. Ever may you know. 
 
 Your lord's affection. 
 Aijus. Mother — accept my salutations 
 Urv. C Kisses him) My dear boy. 
 
 Be long your father's happines and pride 
 
 C Advances) Glory to the King 
 Purii. To the matron — honour, 
 
 (^Ilands Urvasi to a Seat with him on the throne) 
 
 Be seated all {thcij sit) 
 o
 
 ( 9S ) 
 
 Tap. The princely j'outh is perfectly aecomp'islied 
 
 In all the science that becomes his rank, 
 
 And is of years and strength to bear the load 
 
 Of martial mail ; unfitted to the thoughts 
 
 And duties of the tranquil hermil-'^ge ; 
 
 I yield him therefore, in the royal presence. 
 
 Back to Isis mother's arms, 
 Vrv. And I receive him. 
 
 Most willingly : for it is no longer meet 
 
 He should disturb the quiet of devotion. 
 
 "When he is satiate v>'ith liis lather's sight 
 
 He may revisit you, till then fHrev/ell. 
 P/nu. And bear my reverence to the holy Sage. 
 Ai/?!s. Will you not take me Avitli you >S/ifi//iv!iii. 
 Tap. IS'o my dear child — the labours of the Student 
 
 Are all performed, 'tis time you enter now 
 
 *0n loftier duties — 
 Ayiis. Well — if it must be so, 
 
 Farewell — but send me here m}' favourite peacock 
 Tap. I will, and bey, remember that yoti heed 
 
 Your father ever — Peace be unto all — \_Exit. 
 Pur, Tlius blessed, my love, with thee and with my Son, 
 
 I envy not the happiness of Indra.* 
 Uro. Ah me (Weeps violenfbj) 
 Pzir. "What means this sadden grief? 
 
 Why when I contemplate with ecstacy 
 
 The proud perpetuation of my race. 
 
 Should these dear drops in swift succession spread 
 
 A pearly fillet on thj'^ heaving bosom. 
 
 * Or literally, You enter now + Or I think myself like 
 the second order, lliat of tlie Ivdrit witli Paulovii {^[mhniSic) 
 householder. and Jayanla) (his son.)
 
 ( 99 ) 
 
 Urv. Ala?, iny lord, tlie name o( Stvergfi^s king 
 Brings to my memory a dread decree 
 By him denounced — ■^vhich li«ppy in the sight 
 Of this loved boy I had awliile forgotten — 
 When for your love I gladly left the courts 
 Of heaven, the monarch thus declared his will. 
 *' Go and be happy Avith the Prince my friend, 
 But when he views the Son that thou shalt bear him 
 Then hitherward direct thy prompt return." 
 ' Twas fear of this that bade me keep concealed 
 JTy infant's birth, end instant I conveyed him 
 To Chi/nvana'sretre&t, entrusting him 
 To yonder pious dame, to be instructed. 
 Such my pretext, in our most sacred lore. 
 The fated term expires, and to console 
 His father for my loss, he is restored — 
 I may no longer tarry. 
 
 Pur. Adverse fate 
 
 Is still intent to mar my perfect joy. 
 Scarce have I knovv'n the blessing of a son 
 * "When my fliir bride is snatched from my embrace. 
 The tree that languished in the Summer's blaze 
 Puts forth reviving, as j'^oung rain descends. 
 Its leafy shoots, when, lo the lightning biu'sts. 
 Fierce on its top and fells it to the ground. 
 
 Man. I see nothing left for this but to abandon the throne, 
 assume the coat of bark, and betake 3'"ourself to the forests.* 
 
 Urv. But what remains for me — my task on earth 
 Fulfilled — once gone the king will soon forget ms. 
 
 "• Such nppp;irs to have been wilh ycnvs and poTver, or dis- 
 a common practice wilh the gusted with the world, 
 iniuces of ludia when saliale
 
 ( 100 ) 
 
 1 
 
 Pur. Dearest, /?ot so : immersed in cares of state 
 I less might feel the pangs of separation. 
 Then be the deer trod thickets my election. 
 Where lonely I may long indulge my Avoe: 
 Our son shall wield the sceptre of the world. 
 Ayns. Excuse me Sire — my years are all unfit 
 For suih a burthen — one so long upheld 
 By thy exalted merits. 
 Pur. Fear it not 
 
 'J"he elephant cub* soon tames the forest herds ; 
 The snake scarce hatched concocts the deadly poison: 
 Kings are in boyhood monarchs, and endowed 
 With powers inborn to rule the race of man ; 
 iS^ature, not age, gives fitness, {to Ihe Chambcrlam,') 
 
 Lutavrja bid, 
 Our ministers and priests be all prepared 
 For this our son's inauguration — speed. 
 Cham. I obey. 
 
 \_ExJl sorroivfnUy and all on the scene express grh^. 
 Pur. What sudden splendor breaks, whence are these flashes 
 
 Of Lightning in a cloudless sky. 
 f7ri>. 'Tis Ndreda. 
 
 Pur. His braided curls are of a golden dye; 
 His sacred cord, bright as the silver moon: 
 Around his neck, are strings of heavenly pear 1 : 
 Like a celestial tree with glittering stem 
 He moves : prepare we to receive him. 
 Urv. Here, 
 
 * The young Gandhagaja soon are said to fly the odour of some 
 ^nl)ducs other elephants, is the particular excretion, whence the 
 expressiou of the original — they uanie of tlie auiinn].
 
 ( 101 ) 
 
 This offering of respect, gathered in haste 
 Present the sage. 
 
 (Gives the King some Flowers ) 
 Ndreda descends. 
 ,Xar. Triumph attend 
 
 The brave defender of this middle sphere. 
 Pur. (Presenting the oblation.) Reverence to the sage. 
 Urv. Accept my homage. (Bows.) 
 Nar. Never be wife and husband disunited. 
 Pur. (Apart.) Oh might this be. (Aloud.) Advance, 
 my son and pay 
 Your adoration to the holy seer. 
 Ayus. Ayiis, the son of Urvasi, presume? 
 
 To pay you homage. (Bows to Nareda.) 
 Nar. May your days be many — King, attend : 
 The might}' Indra to whom all is known. 
 By me thus intimates his high commands. 
 Forego your purpose of ascetic sorrow. 
 The sages, to whose wisdom past and future 
 Are as the present, have foretold at hand 
 Hostilities in heaven, and the Gods will need 
 Your prowess — then relinquish not your arms; 
 And Urvasi shall be* through life united 
 With thee in holy bonds. 
 Urv. These happy words 
 
 Extract a barbed arrow from ray bosom. 
 Pur. Whatever Indra Avills I shall obey. 
 *This is a very material varia- sannyaslavyam ; Tijani iha J'r- 
 lion ill the story as told in the vast ydvaddijus lava I Sahadher- 
 play and in W^QFiiranas: the ma churini bhavishyuli. 
 passage Tena twaya naScstram
 
 ( ]02 ) 
 
 Nar. 'Tis wisely said, he will not be unthankful. 
 The fiery element sustains th*^ sun. 
 The sun returns his I'ays to nourish fire. 
 
 {'Looking vpivardc.) 
 JRenibhd appear, and bring the holy wave 
 Consigned by Indra to 3'our charge, to consecrate 
 The prince's elevation to the throne — 
 As partner of the Empire.* 
 (Remhhd afid other Nymphs descend ?r?!h a Go'den Vase 
 eontaimng the Wafer of the Heavenly Ganges, a Tlirone and 
 other Paraphcrnfdia ndnch ihey arrange.) 
 Rem. All is prepared. 
 Nar. Prince, to your seat. 
 
 (Ndreda leads Atpis to the Throne of I n an gnr alion , fakes the 
 Golden Ewer from Remhhd and j^oiirs Wafer on the hea'I of 
 the Prince.) 
 
 Rernhha complete the rite. 
 {Remhhd and the Apsarasas performthe rest of the ceremony. ')f 
 Rem. Now Prince salute your Parents and the Sage. 
 (As Ayns hows to them respectively, they reply.) 
 Nar. Unvarying fortune wait upon thy reign. 
 Tur. iVIy son, sustain the honours of your lineage. 
 Urv. My son, be still obedient to thy Sire. 
 fCho7-?is of Bards without.') 
 Glory, all glor}'^, on Ayns atterding. 
 Still in the son may the father we trace; 
 Justice and valour together extending 
 The sway of his sceptre and fjuiie of his race— 
 
 * \%Yiiva rrt/a— Young King- + The stn^e directions in the 
 -or C«sar. orit^inul are not more explicit, 
 
 and tlie comment is silent.
 
 ( 103 ) 
 
 ?ou of the moDarch the universe filling, 
 
 Son of the God of the mist-sheddinjj niffht. 
 
 Son of the sage,* Avhom the great Brahma wiillnof 
 
 Called with creation to life and to light. 
 Second Chorus. 
 
 Long may the Goddess of Glory emblazon. 
 
 The diadem raised by your father to fame. 
 
 Long may the Avorld be delijited to gaze on 
 
 The fortune allied to your merit and name. 
 
 Long may the halo of Lakskmif dear glowing 
 
 Shoot round you its splendors unclouded and wide ; 
 
 Like Gcniga from snow crested pinnacles flowing 
 
 And rolling majestic to Ocean's far tide. 
 Mem. (To Urvasi.) No ordinary fate dear Sister blesses j'ou 
 
 With such a son and Lord. 
 Urv. I own my happiness. 
 
 Come my dear child and offer to the queen. 
 
 Your elder mother, filial homage. 
 Pur. Hold 
 
 One moment : we will presently together. 
 Kar. The splendours of your son's inauguration 
 
 Bring to my memory the glorious time 
 
 When Mahascna was anointed chief 
 
 Of all the heavenly hosts. 
 Pur. To you I owe 
 
 * Or tlie son of Purnravax. the + The "foddess of Prosperity 
 
 son of Bjiddha,\he son of Chan- Wealth nnd Power. 
 
 dra or the nu)nn,the son of llie i Kurlikeya, the Son of Sivn, 
 
 sngc-Z/r/oiieof the will— engen- who shortly after his birth was 
 
 dered sous of the creator Bruh- appointed general of llic armies 
 
 ma. of heaven, ajjainst t!ie Dailj/wi 
 
 or Tiuiui luulcr TdraJ.a.
 
 ( 101 ) 
 
 Such honoui". 
 Kur. Is tliere ought else, Indra can do 
 
 To serve his tVicnd. 
 Pur. To Iiold iTie in esteem 
 
 Is all I covet — yet haply may thi>3 cliance— 
 I\Iay leai-ning and prosperity oppose 
 No more eacli other, as their wont, as foes : 
 But in a friendljf bond together twined 
 Ensure the real welfare of mankind.* 
 
 \_Ej:ennt all. 
 
 * A sinsj!il:u" hut rh;ir:icteiis- the fraiislnlion h;is beerj made 
 
 tic concluiliog I)eiie(.liction ; one from two copies of the text, 
 
 copy adds a stanza desider;itive and one of tJie comment, all of 
 
 of nniveisii] prosperity but it them full of hliinders -. the sens;; 
 
 does not occur in another. It has tliert-fore often been mad« 
 
 luay be here observed that out conjccturally- 
 
 If it was necessary to peruse the preceding drama with a 
 liberal allowance for national peculiarities, it is equally re- 
 quisite in the present instance to adapt our faith to tlie 
 national creed, and to recognise, for poati'al and dramatic 
 purposes, the creations of the mythology of the Hindus. 
 
 In this respect, however, no very violent demand is made 
 u))on our imagination , as we have none of the monstrous 
 extravagances of the system forced upon om* credulity. The 
 intercourse of heroes and of goddesses is the familiar theme 
 of our youthful studies, and the transformation of Urvasi 
 into a vine, is not without abundant paralells in the meta- 
 morphoses of Ovid, The perso)iages and situations of the 
 suiierh uman portion of the Drama are both elegant and pic-
 
 C 105 ) 
 
 turesque, and the grouping of the Nymphs upon the peaks 
 of the Himalaya, or the descent of Ndreda through the fields 
 of ether, might be represented with as much beauty as fa- 
 cl ty by the splendid machinery of the theatres of Europe. 
 
 There is also a peculiarity in the mythos of this Drama 
 which identifies it with the dramatic compositions of anti- 
 quity. Trivial as the incidents may appear, unimportant 
 as may be the loves of the hero and the heroine, both per- 
 sons and events are subject to an awful control, whose inter- 
 ference invests them with a dignity superior to their natu- 
 ral level. Fate is the ruling principle of the narrative ; and 
 the monarch and the nymph and the Sovereign of the gods 
 himself, are pourtrayed as subject to the inscrutable and in- 
 evitable decrees of Destiny. 
 
 The simplicity of the story does not admit of much display 
 of character, but the timid constancy of Urvasi is not unhap- 
 pily contrasted with the irresolute haughtiness of the Queen : 
 the Poet too has shewn himself not unacquainted with the 
 springs of human feelings, and his observations, that the hus- 
 band who is imfaithful, is most profuse in his professions of 
 regard, and that wor.ien are too sagacious to mistake coun- 
 terfeit for genuine affection, are equally shrewd and just. 
 
 The chief charm of this piece, however is its poetry : the 
 story, the situations and the characters are all highly imagi- 
 native and nothing, if partiality for his work does not mislead 
 the translator, can surpass the beauty and justice of many 
 of the thoughts. To select one as an example were to dis- 
 parage a number of other passages, and they may be left to 
 the critical acumen and taste of the Reader,
 
 MALA TI AND MABHA VA^ 
 
 OR 
 THE STOLEN MARRIAGE. 
 
 A DRAMA 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL 
 
 SANSCRIT, 
 BY 
 
 Horace Hayman Wilson, Esq. 
 
 Secretary to the Asiatic Society of Bengal, i^c- 
 
 CALCUTTA : 
 y. HOLCROFT, ASIATIC PRESS, 
 
 No. 3;, Council House Street. 
 1826.
 
 Ndlatiand Miidhnva or The Loves of the j-outh yjddhava 
 and the maiden Mulat'i, has been already introduced to the 
 knowledge of European readers, as an outline of the plot and 
 a translation of part of the fifth Act were published by JMr. 
 Colebrooke in his Essay on Sanscrit and Prakrit Prosody.* 
 The Specimens then given were calculated to convey a 
 favourable impression of the merits of the Drama, which 
 the perusal of the entire piece will probably confirm. 
 
 The story of Mul'ati and Mddhavu is one of pure inven^ 
 tlon, and the piece belongs to the class of compositions termed 
 PruL-aratia. It is referred to as an example of the class by 
 all the works on Rhetoric ;. the oldest of which it con'^o^quently 
 precedes. The history of the Drama, however, or more cor- 
 rectly of its author, is attended Avith more certainty than 
 most of the topics of the literary history of the Hindus. 
 
 By the introductions to Mdlati and Mudhava, and the 
 other dramas of the same writer, the Uttara Rama Cher'Ura, 
 and the Vira Cheritra, we are made fully acquainted with his 
 origin and family. It appears from these accounts that 
 Bhavabhuti, also named Srikantha or he in whose throat 
 * Asiatic Researches vol. x.
 
 ( u ) 
 
 Eloquence resides, -was the son of a native of the South of 
 India, a Brahman of Bcrar or Beder, and a member of the 
 tribe of Brahmans who pretend to trace their descent from 
 the sage Kasyapa of whom it is said that some are still to 
 befound in the vicinity of Condavir. Thesiteof Bhavabhuti's 
 birth place is full}' corroborated by llie peculiar talent he dis- 
 plays in describing nature in her mns^nificence, a talent very 
 unueualinlliiidu bards who delightto traceher in her minuter 
 beauties, and onewliich lie no doubt derived from his early 
 familiarity Avith the eternal mountains and forests of Gond- 
 rvuna. 
 
 It appears, liowever, that tlie plaae of Bhavabhuti's nati- 
 vity vas not the scene of hi^ literary triumphs, and that 
 these were attained under the patronage of the princes of 
 Hindustan. Tlie precision with which he delineates the topo- 
 srraphical features of Ujayin and its vicinity,leaves little doubt 
 of his having spent some time at that city, for accuracy iu 
 this respect could have been obtained at any time in India 
 only by actual obstrvation. 'ihe B/ioJa Prabtnidha indeed 
 i)Kbides Bhavabhuti amongst the M'riters at the Court of 
 Bhoja at Dhdr but as intimated elsewhere, **" this work can 
 only be received as an authority for the priority of the wri- 
 ters described iu it to the date of its own composition ; 
 the grouping whetlier as regards place or time being altoge- 
 ther fanciful. A preferable authority, the text of the Dasa /i?/- 
 ])cilia, refers Bhavabhuti to some period anterior toMuNjA 
 the predecessor of Bhoja by its alluding clearly to Ma ^ 
 lull and Mdi^hava, and from it therefore we gather that the 
 play was composed before the eleventh century — how long 
 anterior to that date we have also evidence to substantiate, 
 
 * Sanscrit, Dictionary, Preface, p.
 
 ( in ) 
 
 and fromtheHistory of iJLfir^mir, we learn that Bwavabhuti 
 flourished in the 8th century, being patronised by Yaso- 
 VERMA the sovereign oi Kanoj who reigned about A. D, 7^v). 
 The date thus given to the compositions of Bitavabhuti i^ 
 quite in harmony with their internal evidence. The manners 
 are purely Hindu without any foreign admixture— the 
 appearance of women of rank in public, and their exemption 
 from any personal restraint in their own habitations, are very 
 incompatible with thepresenceof ^IMohammedan Rulers. 'I'he 
 licensed existence of Bauddlia ascetics, their access to the 
 great, and their employment as teachers of science, are other 
 peculiarities characteristic of an early date, Avhilst the Avor- 
 ship o^ Siva in his terrific forms, and the prevalence of the 
 practices of the Yoga are indications of a similar tendency. 
 The Liiiga worship of Sivd, we know, was every where the 
 predominant form of the Hindu Faith, when the Moliamme- 
 dans first invaded India. With respect to the Yogis by 
 •whom mystical rites were mostly cultivated, it may be observ- 
 ed that there are many reasons for giving them a remote 
 date — the excavations at Elephunia and Ellora appear to be 
 their work — thesectis now almost extinctiii Hindustan — and 
 the Kasi Kliand a Avork probably of seven or eight centuries 
 remote, states that the Yoga cannot be practised in the present 
 ao-e. Mysticism in fact gave way, first to the philosophy of 
 Sankaua Aciiarya in the seventh or eighth century, and was 
 finally expelled by the new doctrine of Bhakii or faith which 
 was inivodiicedhy Rdmdnuja and the Vaishnavas in the 
 eleventh century, and has since continued to be the ruiins^ 
 dogma of every sect of Hindus. 
 
 The style of Mdlati and Mddhava may also be referred to 
 tli£ period at which we may conclude that it was written. It
 
 ( Iv ) 
 
 is free from the verbal quibbling and extravagance of com- 
 bination Avhich the compositions of the time of Bhoja offer, 
 but it comes very near to them : although classical it is highly 
 laboured; although forcible it is difFiise, and is not unfre- 
 quently obscure. It abounds in the most complicated 
 prosody, and is cited by Mr. Colebrooke for a specimen of the 
 measure called Dandaha or a verse of 54 syllables, and a 
 stanza consequently containing 216 : the author is also fond 
 of an iniseasonable display of learning, and occasionally sub- 
 stitutes the phraseology of logic or metaphysics for the lan- 
 guage of poetry and nature. At the same time the beauties 
 predominate over the defects, and the language of the drama 
 is in general of extraordinary beauty and power. The ble- 
 mishes of the composition have materially affected the trans- 
 lation, and while it is very probable that the obscurity of 
 some passages has led to an inexact interpretation of their 
 import, the prosaic prolixity of others has involved the ne- 
 cessity of considerable compression and occasional omis- 
 sions. The latter when of any importance will be particu- 
 larised as they occur. 
 
 Mcilaii and Madhava divides with Suhuntald the honoiir 
 of being still occasionally, although not very commonly, read 
 by the Pandits-~Copies of it therefore are not very scarce. 
 That used for the present translation was transcribed from 
 Mr. Colebrooke's as being singularly free from errors. It had 
 the advantage also of being illustrated by two excellent 
 commentaries. The most copious of these is the work of 
 Jagaddiiara the son of Rftn.vdhaka described as a learned 
 teacher, the Prince of Pandits and poets, and administrator 
 of Law : the other is by a royalJiand the Rdjddhirdja Ma- 
 i,anka: wehaveno further particulars of these commentators, 
 except that the first is known to have been a Maiiuda Bi ah" 
 man, and not very ancient,
 
 MALATI AND MADHAVA. 
 
 DRAMATIS PERSON jE, 
 
 MEN. 
 
 Mudhava, The son of Devardta, studying at PadmdvatT, 
 in love with Mdluti. 
 
 Mcdaranda, His friend, in love with Madayantikd. 
 
 Kalahansa, Mddhavd s servant. 
 
 Aghoraghanla, Priest of Chdnmnda, a terrific Goddess* 
 
 A Messenger. 
 
 WOMEN. 
 
 Mdlati, The daughter of the Minister of State Bhurivasu, 
 in love with Mddhava. 
 
 Madayantikd, The sister o£Na7idana, and friend of M^la^ 
 ii in love with Maharanda. 
 
 KdmanddVi, Priestess o£ Buddha, nurse of Mdlati and 
 Preceptress of Mddhava 
 
 Kapula Kiaidald, Priestess of Chdmundd, 
 
 Sauddmini, Disciple of Kdmajidaki, and Possessor of Ma* 
 gical powers- • 
 
 Luvangifcd, Foster sister o£ Mdlati. 
 
 JBuddhatakshitd, 
 
 Avalokitd, ) 
 
 Female Attendants, 
 
 Disciples of Kdmandakij
 
 C 2 ) 
 PERSONS SPOKEN OF. 
 
 The Sovereign of Padmavati 
 
 Nandana, His favourite, the brother of MadaymitiJci, 
 Bhurivasu, His Minister, the father of Malati. 
 Bevardia, The father of Mddhava and minister of Knn-* 
 dimpura. 
 
 SCENE, — Ujjayini (Ougein) designated most usually 
 as Padmuvati, and its vicinity.— Time— a few days.
 
 MALATI AND MADHAVA, 
 
 A DRAMA. 
 
 PRELUDE. 
 
 ENTER MANAGER. 
 
 May the trepidations of ^i/««j/a/irt'** countenance, attended 
 by the cry of terror, long preserve you ! those trepidations 
 which at the dance of Sulapdnif proceeded from the en- 
 trance into his nostrils of the Lord of serpents Avith contract-" 
 ed hood, frightened at the cry of Kumara'sX peacocks, upon 
 hearing the sound of the tabor struck by the delighted 
 Na7idi\\, and whence the regions were filled with the buzzing 
 of bees, flying away from his temples. 
 
 May the tresses interwoven with a circular garland of 
 serpents, for flowers, where the waters of the Munddldni^ 
 are flowing over the lower chaplet of skulls worn in the crest, 
 luminous with the light of the eye of the forehead sparkling 
 
 * Ganesa, (j A'^ffl7j«?j is an atteadaut npoa 
 
 + Siva or the God who holds Siva. 
 
 a trident in his hand. ^ The Ganges of Heaven 
 
 + Kdrtikeya the son of Siva supposed to trickle through the 
 
 and Parwati the deity of war, tresses of^tfa. 
 represented as riding oa a Fea> 
 cock.
 
 ( 4 ) 
 
 like lightening-, ami of -which the moon is confounded -with 
 the filaments of the lotus, preserve thee!* 
 
 * Tlie perusal of the preced- happens to be the lip of 
 
 iiifj Dramas will have partly Ganesa's elephant trunk— his 
 
 prepared the Reader to under- entrance into which disturbs the 
 
 stand this l)enediction, but it Bees that are supposed to sotHa 
 
 involves a number of Hindu on the temples of an elephant, 
 
 common places, and may require This is the purport of the first 
 
 explanation to be rendered in- verse, 
 
 telligible. In tlie second the author refers 
 
 Siva for the amusement of to the mode in which the hair is 
 Pdrvati liis bride originated a delineated in tiie figures of 5/i;«, 
 particular dance, to the musical and as it is worn by the asce- 
 accompaniment of the tabor tics who profess his worship. It 
 struck by his attendant Nandi — is allowed to grow long, and is 
 his sons were present— A'ar- then divided into three or four 
 tikeya mounted on his Peacock tresses which are braided toge- 
 and Ganesa with the head and ther, and coiled upon the ante- 
 trunk of an elephant — Siva rior part of the crown of the 
 is embellished with a collar head— the apex of the coil 
 of the hooded snake twining projecting forwards a Jitl'e 
 round his neck and surmounting on the right side— i'/ya also 
 his head. The Peacock is sup- wears round his head a braid 
 posed to be particularly delight- of Snakes and a chaplet of skulls, 
 ed by the approach of the rainy and he has a half moon on 
 season, and the bird of /Tar- his forehead : in the centre of his 
 tikeya mistaking the deep forehead is his third eye whose 
 sound of the drum for the roll- glances are of flame, and over 
 ing of thunder indicative of a his head flows the Ganges with 
 storm, screams with delight, the water lily floating amongst 
 The Peacock is considered the its waves, 
 natural enemy of Snakes, and In these allusions the author 
 the Snake of 5/'t'a alarmed at the refers to the popular personifi- 
 approach of his mortal foe, de- cation of •S'/i's — untinged with 
 Berts his place on the neck of any references to his mystical 
 the deity, and makes for the first worship, 
 hiding place he can liud— this
 
 ( 5 ) 
 
 What need of prolixity — 
 
 Ma7iagcr (Looking to the East J Ha ; the Celestial Liimi- 
 nary enlightening all the divisions of the world, is completely 
 risen. I salute him.* (Bowing) Oh thou the universal form, 
 and the vessel of all auspicious light, be propitious to me, 
 and enable me to support the burthen of the drama : remove 
 fioni me. Lord of the world, thus prostrate, every sin, and 
 augment all that is favourable to success. (Looking off the 
 Stage.) Ho, Mdnsha,\ the auspicious preparations are com-< 
 plete ; from all quarters persons of distinction have come to 
 celebrate the Festival of Kdlapri>januth,% and I have baen 
 commanded by these wise and learned auditors, to represent 
 to them some new dramatic tale. This is not difficult. The 
 Actors are present. 
 
 Enter Actor, 
 
 Actor, We are not informed Sir of the wishes of the 
 audience- 
 
 * We may infer from this of the Yamuna— anA KaJaprlya 
 
 that the Hindu Dramas were JVdth—his Lord or God, implies 
 
 represented early in the morning, a Linga the construction of 
 
 + One term hy which an ac- which is atlrihuted to the Sun. 
 
 tor is to be addressed. The. more usual word in these 
 
 :}: Who this deity is, is not compounds is hwara as Sojnes- 
 
 known to the Pundits of the wara, Rutneswara, t^isweswara, 
 
 present diay—Malanlca takes no &c. but A''dlh is the terra more 
 
 notice of the name — Jagaddhara especially employed by a partt i 
 
 is content to say it is that of a cular sect, that of the Yogis or 
 
 sort of divinity worshipped in Pdsupatas the oldest sect pro- 
 
 that country— It is proI)ably the bably now existing amongst the 
 
 appellation of a Siva Linga. Hindus, and with whose tenets 
 
 In the Varaha Parana, Kdla and practices Bfiavabliuti ap- 
 
 Prii/a is said to be a form of pears to have beeu thoroughly 
 
 the sua worshipped to the South acqnaiated.
 
 < <i ) 
 
 Manager. Say Marisha Avliat are tlose qualities which 
 the virtuous, the wise, the venerable, the learned, and the 
 Brahmans require in a Drama. 
 
 Ac/or. Profound exposition of the various passions, pleas- 
 ing interchange ot mutual affection, loftiness of character — 
 expression o' desire, a surpi-ising story and elegant language. 
 
 ]\fa7i. 7 len I recollect one. 
 
 AcLor. What is it Sir. 
 
 Man. There is in the South, and in the province of * F£- 
 derhJui, a ^ity named Fadma nagaici, where dwelt certain 
 Erahmans of the family of Kosyapa^ and followers of the 
 T'dtiri portion of the Vedas according to the teacher Chat 
 rana ; taking precedence at festivals, maintaining the five 
 fires, observers of religious obligations — drinkers of the So-* 
 ???/; juice — possessing names of note and learned in \\\.QVedas.\ 
 These Brahmans constantly reverenced the study of holy 
 
 * Viderhha is always idenli- of created things. His share ia 
 
 lied with Berar but the limits creation was no unimportant 
 
 of the province in that case one as he was the father of the 
 
 included the adjoining district Gods and Demons, Beasts, birds, 
 
 of Beder, in which the name reptiles and man. He is suppos- 
 
 of Viderbha or B'tderbha is ed by some modern writers to be 
 
 traceable. Local traditions also a personification of the remains 
 
 sissert that the ancient Capital of the anlldeluvian race who 
 
 still called Beder is the same as took refuge in the central Asia- 
 
 T^iderhha. We do not find a Pad- tic chain, in which traces of his 
 
 w2flM/7.!rar in the maps. name so plentifully abound, as 
 
 + The various allusions con- \\\\.\\q Koh-kas or Caucasus, Ihe 
 
 tained in this short description Caspian, and CashrrJr. It is 
 
 require explanation — Kcisyapa asserted that thirteen Gotras 
 
 was a sage, the son of Murichi or families of Brahmans owe 
 
 the son of Brahma, and one of their orig-in to as many divine 
 
 the Pnijupalis or rrogeuitors sages called after their names—.
 
 ( 7 ) 
 
 \)n-it, for the knowledge of truth ; wealth, foi* the celebration 
 
 Kasyapa is one of the number, teacher of the Vajur, swallowed 
 The tfiswaldj/ana Sutra of the the fragments of tliis work, which 
 Rig Veda contains the enumer- he had compelled his disciple 
 ation of the Gotras, and their Yajnavalkya who had offeniloi 
 sub-divisions, but in a very him to disgorge. This porl'.o-i 
 involved and unintelligible style of the Veda was thence named 
 — tlie popular enumeration of Taittirfya. Tne legend seems 
 them however is not uncommon, lo have been invented by the 
 but it is nearly if nut wholly Pauranic writers to disguise 
 confined to the South of India their ignorance of the real pur- 
 vhere several of the reputed port of the designation. Cftflrflna 
 representatives of these tribes is supposed by one conrimen- 
 yet exist — especially about tator to be either a branch of 
 Gooty and Condavir. J\''anda- the Vedas, or some particular 
 varam it is said was a grant teacher, and by the other to im- 
 made to tlie 13 Gotras h^ \.\\Q ply a verse or foot, meaning that 
 Sovereign of India. Amanda, in they were familiar with the 
 the year of Kali 980, but if Metres of the Vedas. We are 
 there is anv foundation for the already familiar with the three 
 grant, it is of much more recent fires a Brahman should maintain 
 date, J\''anda having lived in the (Vikrama^nA. Urvasi Introdnc- 
 fourth century, before the Hon p. 9 ) the other two as men- 
 Christian era. The Vedas ss i'loned in a Suktaoi the Rig Veda 
 explained by different teachers, and the ^paslumha Sittra arethe 
 branch out into innumerable Sabhya mnd avasathya, ihe pre- 
 Schools to whicli different tribes else purport of which names is 
 of Brahmans in the South of not known to the Pundits, nor 
 India are hereditarily attached: explained in the B7ms//j/fl, the li- 
 in upper India every classification teral sense would be the Fire of 
 of the kind has long been for- the assembly and the Fire of 
 gotten— a very principal divi- the village, as if a sacrificial 
 sion of the Ferfas is that named fire was sometimes maintain- 
 in the text— the Tailtiriya ov ed in common. — The Sorna 
 ■white Portion of the rff///r. It juice is the juice of the Acid 
 derives its name from Tiltiri a Asclepias, drinking which is an 
 partridge in which shape accord- essential part of the ceremonial 
 ing to the Vishnu Purdna, the of the Vedas. The term ren- 
 sage Vaisampayana, the first dered, taking precedence at
 
 ( s ) 
 
 of i'cligious rites;* wives for the propagation of offspring" 
 iind life for the practice of devotion. 
 
 Of this family the Grandson of one whose well selected 
 name was Bhatta Gopala, and the Son of the pure in fame 
 'NUakantha, whose auspicious appellation was Bhavahhuti 
 surnamed Srikantha, and whose mother was Jalukarni, a 
 poet familiar through friendship with actors, has given us a 
 Drama composed by him, replete with all qualitie?. To 
 which indeed this sentence is applicable. How little d(^ 
 they know who speak of us with censure. This entertain- 
 ment is not for them. Possibly some one exists or will exist 
 of equal merit with myself, for time is boundless and the 
 world is wide. 
 
 >?Again : what avails it to boasta knowledge of the* Fogtf, of 
 the SdnIchi/a,fo£ the XUpanishad' s or of the Vetlas; no benefit 
 
 festivals is Panlcli Fi'wana under four heads as Ihe Rig^ 
 a very anitigticiis expression. Yajur, Sdmti, and AtharvaF'edas. 
 Pure in tiie row or range— They comprehend a practical 
 that is Jagaddhara sa'^s, in the and philosophical portion— the 
 place where there is food— or ritual of the former is little 
 in other words they were ^gra- known or practised. 
 *7io;7jia/i the first feeders. lie also * One of ihe Schools of phi- 
 quotes a text, without mention- losopby teaching the eternity of 
 ing his authority, to shew, liiat matter and spirit as well as of 
 the term implies a Brahman God, and the obtaining of final 
 ■who has read the Ynjur, Sdina, liberation from life by ascetic 
 and Atharva Vcdas. Malanka practices. 
 
 passes it over unnoticed, and it t Another system of Philo- 
 seems likely tliat neither he nor sophy teaching the eternity of 
 Jagaddhara understood it any matter and spirit independant 
 piore than the term Charana. of God — founded by Kapila. 
 The Fedas are well known— ^ The UpanisJiads are trea- 
 they consist of an infinite num- tises on the unity of God and 
 ber of distinct tracts classed the ideulitj of Spirit, forming
 
 ( 9 ) 
 
 accrues from them in a dramatic composition. Fertility of 
 imagination, melody of expression, and richness of meaning, 
 are the indication' of learning and of genius. Such a Drama 
 has been entrusted to us by the friendly and venerable Blia^ 
 vabhuli entitled iVf«7ai< andMflrf/mu«, one written by himself. 
 Let all the actors, prepared to represent this with the r best 
 abilities in the presence of the Divine Kulaprhjanulh, ap-. 
 pear before me agreeably to the dramatic rules. 
 
 Actor. (Ajier lu pmise) Youv orders shall be obeyed but 
 It is necessary to exhibit it with becoming decorations, and 
 first, our chief tctorin the costume of Kamanduld, an old 
 female Suiigata'" beggar is to appear, together with AcalukUci 
 one of her Disciples, for whose character I am cast. 
 
 Man. Very A\ell: what more. 
 
 Actor. 'J hen the semblance of Mddhava, the hevo'o( the 
 fiction, and lover o£ Mdhiti is to be assumed how is this to 
 be effected. 
 
 Mufi. That is described after Makaranda and Kalahansn 
 enter. 
 
 Actor. We are ready then to exhibit our performance in 
 the presence of the assembly. 
 
 Man. Very Avell, I take the character o? Kdmandakt 
 
 Actor. I am AvaloHtd. 
 
 \_Exeun '. 
 
 END OF THE PRELUDE. 
 
 part of the /^e<fas. Some of Ihe theiice rendered into Liliu l)y 
 
 shortest have been translated Anquetil dii Perron — ;i siim- 
 
 into English by Rammohun Roy mary of whose work iu French 
 
 Dr. Carey aud Sir W. Jones, has been published by Mous. 
 
 They were rendered also into Lanjuinais. 
 
 Persian by order of Darrt 5/ieto/i * A worshipper of Sugata cL 
 
 the sou of Shah Jehan and were form of Buddha*
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE FIRST. 
 
 KAMANDAKI'S HOUSE. 
 
 Enter Kamandaki and Avalokita* 
 
 Kcim. Daughter — Avalokitd. 
 Ava. Mistress — your commands. 
 Kdm. I have a task in hand : connubial rites 
 Must join the amiable progeny 
 Of BJmrivasu and of Devardta 
 Long cherished friends — Fair Mdlati the maid. 
 And Mddhava the youth. Auspicious signs 
 Forerun a happy fate, and even now 
 My throbbing eye-ball tells,* propitious destiny 
 Shall crown the wishes of my heart. 
 Ava. Yet pardon me ! 
 
 How should it happen one in rank and power 
 High raised as Bhiirivasu, should require 
 To wed his child, the services of one 
 Arrayed in tattered weeds, whose humble food 
 Is the scant dole of charity, and whose thoughts 
 Disdain the obstacles, that worldly cares 
 Opposite to sanctity and final bliss. 
 
 * We have already had occa- a woman the right in a man. 
 
 sion to notice this superslilion The purport of these palpita- 
 
 iii the preceding piece. The tions seems to have been simi- 
 
 left side is the lucky side ia larly understood by the Greeks.
 
 ( 11 ) 
 
 Kam. Thou errest daughter. Tliat the minister 
 Appoints me to such duty, is tlie fruit 
 Of his regard and confidence, and with prayers. 
 And penances and Hfe, I am prepared 
 All that my friend ordains me to fulfil. 
 Recall you not, when from far distant realms 
 Assembling students crowded to our school 
 To gather science. Then, before my friend, 
 Sauddmini and me, it Avas convened 
 By these two statesmen — at ihat time associate 
 In amity and study — that their children 
 When ripe in years, in love should be vmited. 
 Hence Devardta's blooming son attends me; 
 Sent by his father — mindful of his troth 
 With faith the world is strange to, but the youth 
 KnoAvs not his purpose — from Kundiiiijmr a.* 
 He hither comes, to learn he deemsf no lore 
 But what the schools of Padmavali teach — 
 
 Ava- But why this mystery — why should not wed 
 The youth and maiden as their state becomes them ; 
 And why to you their stolen loves entrusted. 
 
 Kairi' The favourite of the Sovereign — Nandana 
 Sues him for Mdlati — The king demands 
 The maiden of her father — To evade 
 His anger if the suit should be rejected 
 Is this ingenious device adopted. 
 
 * Kundinipur is placed by Logic — a very appropriate study 
 
 tradition as well as siiniiarily of the commentator Jagaddhara 
 
 name in the modern district of oberves for one who requires 
 
 Condavir. sufficient craft to effect a stolen 
 
 t Literally He comes to studjf match.
 
 ( 12 ) 
 
 Av. Yet why thus strange to 31flrf/ior«— his name 
 Seems even to the minister unknown ; 
 Small proof of his regard. 
 Kam. A mere pretext— he knows youth indiscreet 
 And fears to trust the lovers with his councils. 
 Let the world deem t!,eir union Avas the work 
 Of mutual passion only ; so tl.e king 
 And Nandcmi are foiled, nor Ave to blame. 
 A Avise man veils his projects from the Avorld ; 
 Silent effects his schemes ; Avhilst all his acts 
 Bespeak indifierence, and his cheeiful manners 
 Shew to suspicion's eye a heart at ease. 
 Av. I compVehend your plans — ^'tis for this cause 
 That Mudhnva passes so frequently 
 "By Bht'irivasxis palace. 
 Kam. True' — and as I learn — 
 
 The princess from her casennent has beheld 
 The youth — he graceful as the God of love, 
 Herself love's blooming bride — nor seen iw vain. 
 Her Avaning form too faithfully betrays 
 The lurking care, she now first learns to suffer. 
 Av. To soothe that care then has her skill pourtrayed, 
 The lineaments of Mddhava, to day 
 Left by her foster sister Avith Manddrikd* 
 Kam. In sooth not ill devised— Z,ai>fl??^?7(;a 
 
 Knows that the youth's attendant Kalakansa, 
 Doth love Matiddri/cd, and shreAvdly deems 
 That from her hands he will obtain the portrait^, 
 To ihcvv his master. 
 
 ^ The Scrvaut of the con\ent-or as Kdmandaki terras her 
 J^'ihdra Dusi,
 
 ( 13 ) 
 
 Av, T have borne my part; 
 
 And to the Garden of Love's God directed 
 The steps of Mddhava at early dawn. 
 It is the festival t)£ Madana. The Princess 
 And damsel train will to his groves proceed. 
 And thus the youthful pair to day will meet. 
 Kam. ' } is well — now tell nie daughter 
 
 Amidst this lighter matter does thy memory 
 
 Recall Sauddmini, mine ancient pupil. 
 All I learn that upon mount Sri Parvrda* 
 
 She now resides, where won by desperate penance, 
 
 Power more than than earthly waits upon her will. 
 Kam. Whence is this information. 
 Av. The formidable deity Clidmiindd 
 
 Is worshipped near the city cemetery. 
 Kam. She whom her miscreant votaries aver 
 
 Delights in living sacrifice. 
 Av. The same. 
 
 From one of these, Kapulahutidald 
 
 I learnt the news, as I encountered her 
 
 By chance at eve — She is the pupil 
 
 Of a skull bearing seer, Aghora GJumla, 
 
 A wandering mendicant, but dwelling now 
 
 Amidst the neighbouring forest— he has late 
 
 Come from Sri Parvata, 
 
 « .^rtPari^flffl means Hie snme sulptiires on the monntain, and 
 
 as Sn* >'fl/.'a the mountain of 5/-t the great labour and cost be- 
 
 or Lakshmi, a place of sanclily stowed on the causeways by 
 
 in the Dekhin, nenr the Krishna whicli it is approachetl. It is 
 
 River. It stijl retains its sancli- described by Col. I^Iackenzie in 
 
 ty, but has lost the splendour it the 6lh vol. of the Asiatic Re- 
 
 formerly seems tft have possess- searches, and was more recently 
 
 ed by the extensive reaiains of visited by the late Dr. Yoysey.
 
 ( 11 ) 
 
 Kmn. This is enough. 
 
 Av. More pleasing themes attend, for Malcaranda 
 The early friend of Mddhava adores 
 The Lady MndaijantUca, the sister 
 Of the King's favorite, and to secure 
 His happiness will yield to Mddhava, 
 Scarce less delight than to ensure his own. 
 
 Kam. It has not been forgotten — Budulharakslilld 
 Attends that charge. 
 
 Ava. This Misti'ess was well done. 
 
 Kam. Come Daughter let us forth, and having learnt 
 How Mddhava has fired, repair to Malntt. 
 I know her spirit lofty: we must proceed 
 With prudence if we would obtain success. 
 Oh may the youth enj >y his fond desires. 
 Endowed by Heaven as its choicest work 
 With every excellence ; and be his virtues 
 Blest with the maid's affection, as the lotus 
 Buds in full beauty to the tender light 
 The moon autumnal sheds upon its leaves* 
 
 ^Exeunl. 
 SCENE II.— A GARDEN. 
 Enter Kalaliansa (with a picture. J 
 
 I wonder where my master is to be found : he may well 
 think his pei'son equal to that of Love himself since it has 
 
 * This is a very matter of fact previously been announced ; this 
 
 of scene hut it is precisely ac- is a Canon of thellindu dramatic 
 
 cording lonilc,and does not very code — and was formerly one of 
 
 l)a(ily prepare fur tlie appearance nur own ]aws. Massivger is 
 
 of the persons alluded to, the en- reniarkahle for his precision in 
 
 trance of some of whom is con- this respect. Beaumonl and 
 
 sideralily delayed. No character Fletcher are not unobservaut 
 
 is to l)c iutruduced that has not of the rule.
 
 ( 15 ) 
 
 made an impression upon the heart of Mulati. I feel rather 
 veary, and shall take the liberty of reposing myself in this 
 grove, till I see my master and his friend. 
 
 [Relirts. 
 Enter. Maharmida. 
 I learn from Avalokitu, my friend 
 Is in the grove of Madaiia, and there 
 I go to seek him — ha! he hither comes.* 
 Yet something sure disturbs him for his step 
 Has not its vonted nimbi cness — his eyes 
 Are fixed on vacancy — his Avhole attire 
 Is disarrayed, and heaves his frequent sigh. 
 Has love been busy here, whose potent will. 
 By every lovely attribute administered. 
 Pervades the Avorld, and on the form of youth 
 Works sad and wondrous change. 
 Enter Mddhava. 
 'Tis strange — 'tis passing strange, my vagrant thoughts! 
 No more return to me — Deserting sliame. 
 Or self-respect, or fortitude, or judgement. 
 They dwell perverse upon one fond idea. 
 The lovely image of the moon faced maid. 
 Wonder alone each faculty engrossed 
 As rapt I gazed upon her, and my heart. 
 As if immersed in heavenly nectar glowed. 
 Delusive extacy ; too late I feel, 
 I nursed a burning coal within my bosom. 
 Ma/c. (coming forward) Mddhava— 
 
 The sun is high, and darts his fiercest rays 
 Upon the aching brow— here let us enter. 
 And rest awhile beneath the garden's shades. 
 Mad. Even as you please, ^Exeunt
 
 ( 16 ) 
 
 Kolahansa advances. 
 My master and his friend are undoubtedly the two great, 
 est ornaments of this garden. Well ; I will now take hini- 
 this picture of himself— the delight of the eyes of Mulai'i and 
 solace of her amorous pain — I hope it will afford him too v- 
 lief. {_ExiU 
 
 Another pay- 1 of the Garden. 
 
 Enter. Mddhava and Malar anda. 
 
 Male. Here — at the foot of this wide spreading ti'ee 
 Amidst the fragrance that the breezes waft 
 Abroad from every bud — let us recline. 
 
 \_They lie down^ 
 To day was one of peril, Mddhaoa. 
 You could not sure behold the numerous concourse 
 Of all our City's beaut}'^ — bound to pay 
 Their annual homage at the Shrine of Love 
 And scape unharmed — in sooth, to me it seems 
 The shaft has lighted, and has grazed thy heart. 
 Nay, never the droop lotus of thy face. 
 If struck reveal thy hurt: why shame to bear it. 
 V/ho can resist the heart born deity. 
 Creatures of passion, all confess his power. 
 And Gods themselves are impotent as we.* 
 
 Mad. I own my weakness — listen to its cause. 
 By AvaloJiitd advised— I went 
 To Kdinadcms temple, Avhere I strayed, 
 
 * Literally — The same seiili- ed of his of his own daughter, 
 ment was evinced m the crea- Inspiring 5ivflwith love for /»«r- 
 tion of the world in Brahmd;u\A. vati was a more dangerous feat, 
 in Siva. Kama was scarcely and the archer God although he 
 created hefore I)e thoiiglit pro- succeeded was reduced to ashes 
 per to make Z?ra/j/«a enamour- by the object of his triumph.
 
 ( 17 ) 
 
 Till weary 1 recllnetl beside a fountain 
 
 That laves the deep roots of a stately tree. 
 
 Whose clustering blossoms wooed the wanton bee* 
 
 To cull their sweet inebriating fragrance. 
 
 Lulled by their songs, and tempted by the shadcj 
 
 I laid me down, and in pure idleness. 
 
 To while away the time, I gathered round mc 
 
 The new fall'n blossoms, and assiduous wove 
 
 A flowery garland — Whilst I was thus employed 
 
 There issued from the fane — a beauteous maid— • 
 
 Stately her gait — yet graceful as the banner 
 
 Love waves in triumph o'er a prostrate world. 
 
 Her train bespoke a princely rank — her garb 
 
 With youth's appropriate ornaments was graced. 
 
 Her form was beauty's shrine, or of that shrine 
 
 Hadiant she moved the guardian deity — 
 
 To mould her charms whatever nature offers 
 
 Fairest and best, liad surely been assembled. 
 
 And Love omnipotent was her creator. 
 
 Led by her maidens to collect the flowei's 
 
 That thickly hung on my o'ershadowing tree. 
 
 She neared the spot : uh, then too plain I noted 
 
 The signs of passion, for some happy youth 
 
 Long entertained, the lovely maid revealed. 
 
 As slender as the Lotus stalk her shape ; 
 
 As white as unstained ivory her brow. 
 
 And whiter than the moon beams: whilst each act. 
 
 Through kind compliance with her maiden's wishes^ 
 
 Displayed her own indifference. Scarce I gazed 
 
 Upon her, but my eye felt new delight. 
 
 As bathed Avith nectar, and she drew my heart
 
 ( 18 ) 
 
 As powerfully as attracts the magnet gem* 
 The unresisting ore, at once towards her. 
 That heart is her's for ever — chance what may 
 And though my portion be henceforth despair. 
 The Goddess Destiny decrees at pleasure. 
 The good or ill of all created beings. 
 
 Mak. Nay Mddhava this cannot be, believe me. 
 
 Without some cause — behold ! all nature's sympathiei 
 Spring not from outward form, but inward virtue. 
 The Lotus buds not till the sun has risen ; 
 Nor melts the moon gem till it feels the moon— . 
 What then ensued — 
 
 Mad. When her fair train beheld me, they exchanged 
 Expressive looks and smiles, and each to each 
 As if they knew me, murmured — This is he— 
 The music of their tinkling zones was stilled. 
 Repressed the silver echo of their anclets 
 Sharp clanging to their undulating motion. 
 Hushed was the melody their bracelets made. 
 Whilst their fair lotus palms, in sportive mood 
 Were beating measure to their merriment. 
 Silent they stood — and with extended fingers 
 As if they said — the fates have favoured us. 
 Lady — behold him here. 
 
 Mak. C To himself J This is indeed 
 A proof of preconceived regard 
 
 Kai. (Advancing) — What is all this about, some pleasing 
 story of which woman is the object. 
 
 * Ayashdnla viani Saldkeva that artificial ningnets as well 
 Like a rod of the Iron slonc as the projiertics of the Load 
 Gem. U should sccni possil)l<; »tuae wcru kuuTvu tu tlie ilindus.
 
 ( 19 ) 
 
 MaL Proceed my friend. 
 
 Mad, What words shall picture >\ hat those looks conveyed ; 
 The lore of love those lotus eyes revealed. 
 What firmness could resist the honest warmth 
 Of nature's mute expressiveness, nor fall 
 Before those orbs, that now like opening buds. 
 Beneath the creeper of the tremulous brow 
 Expansive bloomed, and now retiring shrunk 
 But half averted from the answering gaze. 
 Then dropj)ed the veiling lashes o'er their brightness. 
 I felt their influence, and those looks of love, 
 Beaming with mild timidity, and moist 
 With sweet abandonment, bore off my heart. 
 Nay plucked it from my bosom by the I'oots 
 All pierced with wounds. 
 Incredulous of my happiness, I sought 
 To mark her passion nor display my own. 
 Though every limb partook the fond emotion. 
 Thence I resumed my task, and wove my wreath 
 Seeming intent, till she at length withdrew 
 Attended by her maidens, and a guard 
 Of Eunuchs armed with staves and javelins. 
 A stately elephant received the Princes?, 
 And bore her towards the city — Whilst they moved. 
 As winds the lily on its slender stalky, 
 So turned her head toAvards the grove of Kdmaf 
 And from her delicate lids she shot retiring 
 Glances with venom and ambrosia tipped — 
 My breast received the shafts — a mingled flame^, 
 And deathly chillness, since alternate spread 
 Throughout my form, and doom me to such agony,
 
 ( 20 ) 
 
 Words cannot paint, the world has never witnessed. 
 Perception dimly pictures present obj cts. 
 And past perceptions fiide fi'om recollection. 
 Vain Avere the lunar ray, or ,^elJd stream 
 To cool my body's fever — whilst my mind 
 Whirls in perpetual round, and knows not rest. 
 Kal. The object of this passion must assuredly be MulatL 
 Mak. (To himself) IMy friend is lost — my councils were 
 
 but vain : 
 And e'en tlie wish were idle, that the Deity, 
 Self-born, should sj)are his year*, nor with sad change 
 Soil his pure mind — the flowery bow is strung 
 And ardent youth is reckless of the peril — 
 {To Mddhav(t) Know you the name and race of that fair 
 
 lady. 
 Mad. Hear how I learnt them — Ere she had departed 
 One of her train, apparently intent, 
 On gathering flowers, privately approached me. 
 And borrowing from the garland I had woven 
 A covert for her meaning thus addressed me — 
 '•' "Well has been strung this string of blooming beauty. 
 And pleasing is it in our Luly's sight, • 
 Who in like excellence herself excels. — 
 IMay then success reward such high desert ; 
 And this bright product of creative art 
 Bear richest fruit, exalted to that .station. 
 It's merit claims — suspended round the neck 
 0£Bhihtvasti's daughter — JSIulal). — * 
 
 + Tliis piece of double cnten- word has a douMe import— the 
 dri; i.s much more preci.sely fol- figure is termed Akshara San- 
 Jowed ia the original aud every ghiaa, Combiaaliou of Letters.
 
 ( 21 ) 
 
 Whose foster sistcv, and whose nearest friend, 
 Lavangikd — now stjinds before you. 
 Kal. This is as we wish — and fortune favours the 
 design of the flower armed deity. 
 
 31 a/i. JMdlati! the daughter of the ministei', 
 A mark for elevated rank — her name 
 Is ever in the mouth of our preceptress. 
 And rumour adds, the king solicits her 
 In marriage for his favourite Kandana. 
 Mad. Requested by Lavanglkt'i, I gave her 
 
 The flowery wreath — she took it with respect. 
 As 'twei-e a precious gift, and all the while 
 * The eyes of Mdlali were fixed on her. 
 Bowing with reverence, she then retired 
 And quickly disappeared amidst the tlirong — 
 The princess and the people left the grove 
 * And I directed hitherward my steps. 
 
 Mill: Your story, Madhavu, plainly shews^ 
 That Malalis affection is your own ; 
 And that soft cheek, whose pallid tint denoted 
 Love preconceived, is pale alone for you. 
 Whom slie has oft undoubtedly beheld — 
 Hence those expressive glances, interchanged 
 Amongst her maidens, whose love speaking eyes 
 Had never rested on a face unknown, 
 .Not precious to their mistress — and declared 
 The passion you had wakened in her bosom. 
 Then comes her foster sister's plain enigma. 
 And tells intelligibly, whose her heart 
 Kah (Advancing.) Look at this picture. 
 Milk. Mud/iaras counterfeit — whose work is this.
 
 ( 22 ) 
 
 Kul. Hers who has stolen his heart. 
 
 Male. What— Mi'dati. 
 
 KaL The same. 
 
 Jilad. Thisgives me faith, dear friend,inyour conjectures. 
 
 Male. But, Kalahansa, how came you by this. 
 
 Kal. MandarM gave it to me— She had it from !.«- 
 vangikd. 
 
 M(d: And what inchiced the princes> to delineate 
 This picture ; did Manddrikd inform you. 
 
 Kal She painted it to amuse and relieve her distress. 
 
 Mak. What say you Mddhava — this lovely maid 
 The soft light of your eyes, assuredly, 
 Eegards you bound to her in love's alliance. 
 And holds you dearer to her than her life. 
 What should prevent your union. — Fate and love 
 Combined, seem labouring to effect it — come 
 Let me behold the wondrous form that works 
 Such change in yours — you have the skill; pourtray her 
 
 Mad. To please you i will try — bring me the pencil. 
 
 (fj Kalahimsu) 
 {Draws ) 
 Hard is the task you have assigned me — 
 A chilly tremoi- spreads through all my frame, 
 ])amp dews distill from every opening pore. 
 And starting fast, my tears repeatedly 
 Dim the faint outline that my trembling hand. 
 Oh how unworthily, attempts to picture : 
 Yet with what skill I have, 'tis done. 
 
 Male. {Taldug the draiving) Most excellent and worthy 
 ofyour passion. 
 
 It may be said of her— (^writes, on Ihc dntmng.J
 
 ( 23 ) 
 
 " Whatevei' nature's loveliness displays 
 " May shew to all men beautiful and bright ; 
 " But since these charms have broke upon my gaze, 
 " They form my life's sole exquisite deliglit." 
 Enter Manddrikd hastily. 
 Man. Ha, Kalakansayou are at last overtaken —Makaratida, 
 
 Mddkava — i'irs I salute you. 
 Male. Approach Manddrikd what brings you hither 
 Man. I followed Kulahansa to recover a picture. 
 Kal. {Gives her the one Madkava has.) Here it is — take it. 
 Man. Mdlaii's -picture I protest — how came this here ; who 
 
 has painted it. 
 Kal. He whom she delineated, and with much the same 
 intention. 
 
 Ma/c. He tells you truth — and now do you be honest. 
 Inform us howj and where, first Mdlali 
 Saw Madhava. 
 Man. She was called to the lattice by Lavangika to look 
 at him, as he passed the palace. 
 Male. So I supposed — We frequently have passed in that 
 
 direction. 
 Man. With your permission I will communicate these 
 events to my friend Luvangikd.~^ 
 Mak. You have free leave. 
 
 (^Exist Manddrikd'") 
 Mak. The Monarch of a thousand beams now darts 
 
 His hottest rays; 'tis noon — let us go home. 
 Mud Willingly— 
 
 The day's warm influence surely washes off 
 The careful labours of the moi-ning (oilet. 
 And steals those saudal marks, so neatly laid
 
 ( 24 ) 
 
 In graceful lines across the flowery cheek. — 
 play o'er my limbs ye soft refreshing breezes. 
 Whose previous homage has been paid to beauty^ 
 And wrapt in soft embrace my fair one's charms ; 
 Diffusing o'er her form, the honied fragrance 
 Shook from the Jasmine's scarce unfoldedlossom. 
 Mak. Alas, the flower-armed, and resistless deity. 
 Has sadly changed the person of my friend ; 
 Like the young elephant, when fever preys 
 On his yet tender frame. Our only hope 
 Is now Kdmandaki. 
 Mad. 'Tis strange, most strange. 
 
 Where'er I turn, the same loved charms appear 
 On every side — Bright as the golden bud 
 Of the young Lotus gleams her beauteous face 
 Though oft averted from my fond regards — 
 Alas, my friend — This fascination spreads 
 O'er all my senses, and a feverish flame 
 Consumes my strength — my heart is all on fire 
 My mind is tossed with doubt; and every faculty 
 In one fond thought absorbed, I cease to be 
 Myselfj or conscious of the thing I am. 
 
 ExcunL 
 
 END OF THE FIRST ACT.
 
 ACT II 
 
 THE DWELLING OF MALATL 
 
 ENTER Tivo Female Attendants, meelbig. 
 
 First Ait. Hey friend, I saw you just now near the* Music 
 room, in deep conversation with Avalokitd; what were you two 
 talking about — 
 
 Second Alt. The whole story of the gi'ove of Kdmahas been 
 carried to Kdmandald by Mudhava's friend, and she being de- 
 sirous of seeing Mdlaii sent Avalokitd to her, who was telling 
 me, that she had left Lavangikd and the princess together. 
 
 First Alt. "Why ; Latangikd said she was going to gather 
 Bakula flowers in the grove of Mudana — since which she 
 bus not returned — ^Has she been heard of? 
 
 Second Alt. Yes, the Princess saw her coming, on which 
 she dismissed her attendants at the door of her apartment?, but 
 detained Lavangikd. 
 
 First All. She Imd some very agreeable news to tell MulatU 
 I suppose, of the youth 3/«rZ/^«w^ 
 
 Second All. It is a hopeless passion I am afraid, and to 
 day's interview will only add to her distress — to-raorrov/ the 
 king gives the prfncess to Nandiena; her father has consent-* 
 ed to the match— 
 
 First Alt. Consented— 
 
 - The Sangila Sdtd which we had occasion to notice in the 
 preceding drama.
 
 ( 26 ) 
 
 Second Alt. Yes— lie told the king that he was " Lord 
 over his own daughter". This will be a dagger to the heart of 
 MdlaJi and death to Mddhaim. 
 
 First Alt, Now then we shall, see what K'amandalci cacn 
 do — and whether she will put forth her power. 
 
 Second Ait. You talk idly. Come — let us depart — 
 
 Exeunt. 
 Enter Mdlali and Lavangikd, 
 M il. Proceed, my dear Lavangikd, proceed. 
 X.ai\ This flowery wreath then did he send by me. 
 JMcd. {Taking it) "lis strung unevenly. 
 Lac. The fault is yours — 
 JSIal. How should t!iat be ? 
 Lai. Where deem you, were his thouglits-: 
 
 Who caused that dark hued youth's deep agitation? 
 Mai. Dearest Luvangiku — 
 
 You ever speak me comfort. 
 Lavt Tiiere might be better comfort — He, himself. 
 Here in your presence — gazing rapt upon you 
 With look intent, from eyes that tremulous glow. 
 Like the blown Lotus shaken by the zephyr, 
 Forced from the timid plea of weaving chaplets. 
 To dart upon you glances of delight. 
 From underneath the arching brow thatAvaves 
 In curve as graceful as the bow of Kama 
 Mai. How can I credit this — how should I know 
 From such brief interview, if the graceful youtU 
 Ee true, or if he only seek to mock me. 
 Lav. You have no need to fear in this, believe me* 
 Mai. Weil — well— complete your Story — 
 Xai'. When I received the garland, I departed
 
 ( 27 ) 
 
 And mingled with the crowd— thence to Mandmiha 
 I hastened, to receive again the picture. 
 That in the morning had been left Avith her, 
 
 MaU With her — with what intent ? 
 Lav. She has a lover, Kuluhansaka, 
 
 A follower oi Mddhava, and I knew 
 Tohim the picture would be shewn, and all 
 That thence ensued, would be revealed to nie. 
 
 MaU {Apart) Then Mddkava has seen it. 
 
 {Aloud) Whatis your dearest wish, Lavangikd. 
 
 Lav. That he, whose heart now pines in hopeless passion. 
 May soothe his sorrows with this bright resemblance. 
 Of the fair cause of his distress. 
 
 (Shews Mdlali the picture drawn hy Mddhava ) 
 Mai. (contemplating it} 
 
 My heart is now at ease. I doubt nie much 
 That this will prove a treacherous comforter-;^ 
 What have we here-— 
 
 (Reads Makaranda's lines.) 
 Oh Mddhava — the graces of thy form. 
 Thy flattering tongue, and fascinating gaze 
 Are all alike resistless — happy she. 
 Who never has beheld them— On my heart 
 They, Cruel, shed interminable anguish, (weeps-^ 
 Lav. Why, dearest friend, despond? 
 Mai. What should I hope ! 
 Lav. Be sure of this — that he on whose account. 
 Like the young blossom from its slender stem 
 Pluckedrude you droop, and taste no moretlie fragrance, 
 Of the sweet Jasmine — He, be sure, will^ weary 
 Love's. God with prayers to mitigate the pain.
 
 ( 28 ) 
 
 You both are doomed to suffev. 
 
 Mai. OJi, be they heard, and be at least his portion 
 Happiness — for me, I dare not ch«rish hope. 
 This is a day of strange, and changeful feeling. 
 Love spreads through every vein like subt'est poison. 
 And like the fire that brightens in the breeze 
 Consumes this feeble frame — resistless fever 
 Preys on each fibre — Fatal is its fury. 
 ]\o one can bring me aid— nor tender mother 
 Nor father — nor Lavangikd can save me. — 
 
 Lav. S^uch mutual passion may, in sooth, bestow 
 Delight Avhen lovers meet ; but when apart 
 Condemns them to affliction. From a brief 
 And passing gaze, thy life was brought in peril. 
 And now to day his nearer presence sheds 
 A fiercer fever on thy delicate frame. 
 What now is to be said? — We must admit. 
 The rarest and most difficult attainment 
 Of all, on earth, is union with a lover. 
 Of equal excellence, and like affection. 
 
 Mai Life is distasteful to me : leave me, friend : 
 And yet I wrong tliy gentleness. Repeatedly 
 Recurring to the anguish of my heart, 
 I lose all fortitude, and in my grier 
 Become capricious and unjust— forgive me. 
 Let the full moon blaze in the nightly sky : 
 Let love rage on — Death screens me from his fury. 
 What should exact my love and veneration ? 
 JRIy father, and my mother, and my race. 
 Of still unblemished honour — not my life : 
 No — nor the mortal who subdues my heart. ' 
 
 Lav. (Ajmt) What is to be done—
 
 ( 29 ) 
 
 (Jn atlcndant enters hit jvithout aJvanclng far) 
 
 Ail. The venerable Kdvumdaki 
 
 Both. What would she ? 
 
 Ait. She seeks admission to the princess. 
 
 Both. What should delay her ? 
 
 (Attendant retires^ Mulali concccds the picture.) 
 
 Lnv. (Aside) In good time she comes 
 
 Enter Kdtnanduki and Avalokitd. 
 
 Kam. (Soliloquises) 
 
 So fiiV;, my friend, respected Bjmrivasu, 
 So far is well : in either world, assent 
 Awaits thy answer to the King — He, of his own. 
 Is the undoubted lord. Fate is our friend. 
 In all that chanced to day in Kamos's grove. 
 And in the interchange of tender tokens. 
 The garland and the picture, all conspires. 
 To crown our sanguine wishes with success. 
 ' jBest pledge of blissful union is the bond 
 Of mutual love; and well the sage* has said; 
 The marriage rite shall prosper, when the eye. 
 The tongue, and heart, unite the \vedded pair; 
 
 Lav. The Lady Mi'daii, 
 
 Kam. (Surveying ker) 
 
 I view her with affliction and delight- 
 Slender her frame, and delicate and pale. 
 Like the young plaintain, or the waning moon. 
 Soothing and pleasant is she to the eye, 
 Tliough thin antl pallid be her chsek, and all 
 Declare, the fires of love have triumphed here. 
 As well as in the youth's congenial breast, 
 
 * Angirai,
 
 ( 30 ) 
 
 One thouolit alone ])ossc?es her, and still 
 
 She dwells upon her love -her garb is loose. 
 
 Her soft lip (pii vers— -starting drops suffuise 
 
 Her gentle lips — her bosom p;il|)itates, 
 
 An*l her dark e)'^ in soft abandonment 
 
 Moist, languid flo?ts— Each look and gesture spealc& 
 
 The fond ilcsires that agitate her youth. 
 
 (Approaches.) 
 Lav (To Mulati) Behold. 
 Mid. Priestess, I salute you. (hows) 
 Kam. May you enjoy, dear lady, in due season,. 
 
 The fruit of all your Avishes. 
 Lav. Pray be seated. 
 Mill. Is all propitious with the Priestess » 
 Kam. (Sighing) all. 
 
 Lav. (Aside) That sigh is but the prelude to our play,. 
 I have my cue. (aloud) And yet, respected Lady, 
 INIethinks that sigh is with your words at variance^ 
 What can its import be ? 
 Kiim Behold these weeds: 
 
 Sorts such a garb with one you call your friend .'' 
 Lav. What follows? 
 Kam. I am grieved, like unmeet union. 
 
 Should sentence youth, and charms inniimerable. 
 Born to no profit, to a worthless bridegroom. 
 Lav. You do not grieve a' one ; the common voice- 
 Condemns the minister's assent, and blames 
 His yielding Malali, to be the bride 
 Of yandana, because the king requests it. 
 Mai. (Aside) Alas, I am an offering to the monarch, 
 l^resented by my father.
 
 ( 31 ) 
 
 Kdm. 'Tis most strange. 
 
 How he could overlook the vast defects 
 Of such alliance — but how can those 
 Feel natural affection for their offsprinp:. 
 Whose souls are sunk in schemes of crooked po-icy. 
 His onh' thought is a clearly, to secure. 
 The friendship of the monarch's chosen friend. 
 And boon companion — by his daughter's person. 
 
 Mai. (Apart) The king's regard is all in all with liini ; 
 His MdluVi is nothing. 
 
 Lav. 'Tis as you say, dame. 
 
 Or why should our young mistress thus be sacrificed. 
 To age and ugliness. 
 
 Mat. (Apart) Ah, luckless wench, 
 
 A thunderbolt has struck me to the ground. 
 
 i«y. To you, she ever has Ijeen like a daughter. 
 Save her, dear Lady, from this living death. 
 
 Kam. What can I aid — Fate and her si< e alone 
 Exact obedience from a daughter. 'J'rue, 
 Sahuntuld, of KusiJiu's high race. 
 Bestowed her love on a sell-diosen Lord — ■ 
 The king Dushyanta. — A bright nymph of heaven 
 Espoused a mortal monarch, Pururavas/ 
 And the fair princess, I'Ssavadatid, scorned 
 The husband of her Other's choice, and fled 
 
 * Although it is possible thiit tii'is. The term used for the nar- 
 
 reference may he here made to raters, is Alcliyuna I'ida, those 
 
 the Piudnas in Tvhich the Sto- who know stories, the eveiili of 
 
 ries alluded to, are contained, it past times, PuravriUa, which 
 
 seems more likelj- that Bhava- would scarcely have been np- 
 
 bTiiili had in his thoughts the plied to the inspired author' ur 
 
 dramas of his predecessor A'a/*- compiler of the I'uranas.
 
 ( 32 ) 
 
 With prinre Udayana* — So poets tell- 
 But these were desperate acts, and must not be 
 Proposed for imitation. Let tlie ministei*, 
 Compleat his will — secure his master's favour. 
 With the rich offering of his daughters peace. 
 And yield this maiden to the sovereign's friend. 
 Like the pale moon, to RdJui's foul embrace. 
 
 Avfi. Mistress, time passes, it were well to think 
 O^Mridhava, who needs your aid. 
 
 Kain. 'Tis well. 
 
 Permit me. Princess, to depart. 
 
 Lav. One moment, (aside to Malafi) 
 
 Say, shall I ask the dame, who is the youth. 
 And what his origin ? 
 
 Mai Do so ; I long to hear it. 
 
 * The story of Udayanas carry Res. X. 451.) on the* passage m 
 ing' off' Vdsavadaltd makes a the text, that no other trace has 
 very distiiif^uished figure in the been yet found of the story to 
 lighter literature of the Hindus, which Bhavahhnll alludes. I am 
 and is very fully detailed in the belter pleased to bear this tesli- 
 yi-ihat kalhd, hat \n Vhc popu- mony, because in consequence 
 lar version of the story Vdayana of jnisunderstanding the exact 
 carries off" the princess by her purport of Mr. Colebrooke's re- 
 father's connivance, and no men- mark, I considered him to have 
 lion is made of a Rival for her overlooked an allusion to the 
 hand, King Saiijayaw'i he is term- Story of Udayana in the Megha 
 ed, in the text, who was the IJida, which however is merely 
 husband of her father's choice, general, and therefore throws on 
 Neither is the circumstance light on the passage. It seems 
 meiilioned by Siihaiidhit in his probable that the story of 
 poem of Fusnvadallii^ iwd in- J'asavadatid underwent some 
 deed he seems to have given alterations subsequent to the 
 the story a new form altogether, lime of Bhavabhuli, and the 
 My own enquiry confirms the original form is lost, 
 remark of Mr. Colcbroykc (As.
 
 ( 33 ) 
 
 Lav. Inform us pious Dame, what youtli is tliis. 
 
 In whom you shew such interest. 
 Kdm. The story though of import, needs no preface : 
 1 he sovereign of Viderbha boasts for minister. 
 The sage and long experienced Devardta, 
 Who bears tlie burden of the state, and spreads 
 Throughout the world, his piety and fame. 
 Such as himself your father knows him Avell, 
 For in their youth they were in study joined, 
 And trained to learning by the same preceptor ; * 
 And rarely in this world, do we behold 
 Such characters as theirs ; whose lofty rank. 
 Is the abode of Avisdom and of piety. 
 Of valour and of virtue ; and whose fame 
 Spreads white and spotless through the universe. 
 Mai. I have often heard my father speak of him. 
 Kdm Bright as the rising moon, whose silver rays 
 First streaming o'er the eastern mountain, chai'm 
 The eyes of a!I mankind, a son from him 
 Has sprung — whose opening virtues early ^We 
 Occasion of rejoicing to the world. 
 Now, in his bloom assiduous to collect. 
 Ripe store of knowledge, has this youth been sent 
 From his paternal mansion to our city. 
 Here as he passes, many a lotus eye. 
 Shoots from each casement, soul subduing glances^ 
 But I'eckless he, along with Malaranda, 
 His friend and fellow of like years and worth, 
 
 * One or twoshort speehos of terrupliiig KdmandaUi's n^xtn^ 
 Ldvangiku and Jfufali Iiave lion, 
 been omitted asuimecessavilj iri- 
 
 E
 
 C 34 ) 
 
 Pursues his toils -his name is Mddhava 
 
 IMul (Ai)art IQ LavnngikdJ Heard you my friend 
 
 Lav In truth you have escaped 
 
 The perilous ocean, and the tree of heaven 
 Is now within your reach. 
 
 C Tlie Conch is sounded withont) 
 
 Kam. These echoing tones. 
 
 That through the deep recesses of the palace, 
 Kesoundii.g spread, proclaim the evening hour, 
 
 ( Thei/ all rise.) 
 
 Mill. CJpart) Alas, my father, thy ambition spurns 
 A daughter's happiness — yet in my grief. 
 Some hope I borrow from the youth s descent. 
 And trust, we meet again. 
 
 Lot). This is our M-ay. 
 
 Ka7n. (Apart) So far so well — an unsuspected messengeiV 
 I have discharged my duty — Malati 
 Is tutored to our wishes, and inspired 
 With hatred of the bridegroom — taught to question 
 Her father's love, reminded of examples 
 That vindicate the free choice of a husband* 
 Her admiration of her youthful lover 
 Is now approved by his illustrious birth. 
 And my encomium of his high descent : 
 Ai this must strengthen and confirm her passion. 
 And now their union may be left to fate. 
 
 END or THE SECOND ACT.
 
 ACT III. 
 
 THE HOUSE OF KAMANDAKL 
 
 Enter BuddkaraJcshitd and Avalohitd — fleeting. 
 
 Sudd. Ho, AvaloJcltd, where is our Dame. 
 
 Av:t. Do yovi not know — DI regarding the season for 
 co'lecting alms,* she is ever with the Princess. 
 
 Budd. And where have you been. 
 
 Jvfr. I have been to Mddhava by her orders, to tell Mm 
 to repair to the public garden of the temple of Sa?tkara, and 
 place himself in the grove of red Asoka treesj that extends to 
 the KantaVi bower. 
 
 Budd. For what purpose. 
 
 Ava. This is the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight. 
 Persuading the Princess that the God Sankara is to be pro- 
 pitiated with offerings of flowers gathered by one's self the 
 Dame takes her, and Lnva'iglkd thither, and whilst the for- 
 mer is collecting her oblation, she and Mddhava will as it 
 were by accident again encounter : but where are you go- 
 ing. 
 
 * Literally ihe Pindaputa re- or Bauddha mendicant : the 
 
 III explained to sifjnify the hour word means a lump or ball of any 
 
 of going round to collect the viands usually of rice or meal i 
 
 P/nrfffl which is the name given, the same authority adds the 
 
 the commentator says, to the time is the seventh G/;er/, which 
 
 Food collected by tha Saugala, will be one hour after uoour
 
 ( 3G ) 
 
 Jjudcl I am on my way to my friend Madayantikd to ac- 
 company lier to the temple of Sankara also. I looked in to 
 pay my respects to the Priestess. 
 
 Ava. And how speed you in what you have in hand. 
 
 Biidd. As our mistress could wish — I have won the entire 
 
 confidence of 3/rt(i'rt.yaM/i/i;a and by expatiating on the suifa- 
 
 llsnessand merit of Makai'anda, have excited in her bosom 
 
 the most lively affection for him. 
 
 Ava. This is well — Now to our several duties. [^Exciait. 
 
 SCENE SECOND. 
 
 THE GARDEJf. 
 
 Enter Kdmandaki. 
 
 JCam. Poor girl — the lesson 1 have lately hinted 
 Has bowed her lofty spirit, and she seeks 
 To will me to her : mournfully she pines 
 When I am absent; brightens in my presence, 
 Whispers her secret thoughts to me ; presents me 
 With costly gifts : when I depart she clings 
 Around my neck, and only lets me leave her. 
 When I liave vowed repeatedly return : 
 Then on my knee she sits, and bids me tell her 
 Again Jhe stories of the nymj)hs that loved. 
 And questions o'er and o'er, with flimsy plea. 
 Their fate and conduct — then she silent pauses 
 As lost iu meditation — 'tis enough : 
 To-day they me t— Daughter— this way— approach. 
 Enti.ii Mdlati and LavangtJid. 
 
 Mai {apart) Alas, my father loves his child no moi-e;,
 
 { S7 ) 
 
 But offers her a victim to ambition ; 
 One hope alone sustains me. 
 Lav. Taste, my friend. 
 
 The freshness of the breeze, that sweeps the blossoais. 
 And wafts around the Champakas perfume. 
 Breathing melodious with the buzz of bees 
 That cluster in the buds, and with the song. 
 The Koil warbles thick and hurried forth ; 
 As on the flowery mangoe's top he sits. 
 And all inebriate with its nectar sings. 
 The garden gale comes wooingly to sip 
 The drops ambrosial from thy moonlike face." 
 Come on, those shades invite us. (2Viey retire.) 
 
 Enter Mddhava. 
 
 The pious dame is here — her presence fills 
 My heart with rapture — so the peafowl hails 
 The flash that heralds the approaching shower. 
 
 Ldvrwgikd. the third 'tis she — — 
 
 'Tis M«/a^/- ah me — a sudden chill 
 
 Peivades my heart, and freezes every faculty. 
 
 To marble turned by her moon beaming countenance. 
 
 Like mountains ice bound, by the gelid ray 
 
 Shot on their summits from the lunar gem. 
 
 How lovely she appears, as o'er her frame 
 
 Like a fast fading Avreath, soft langour steals 
 
 And heightens every beauty. Now mine eyes 
 
 Are conscious of their being. As I gaze 
 
 My heart consumes, and love lights all his fires. 
 
 (Approaches unobserved ) 
 Mill- (advancing.) Come, Lavangifcd let us pluck flowers 
 From this delightful arbour.
 
 (2B ) 
 
 Kant. Nay rest my child, 
 
 Thy languid look, and sleppy eyes evince 
 Already, weariness — one might suspect. 
 Thy form such soft abandonment betrays — • 
 A lover's gaze were dwelling on thy beauties. 
 Come sit thee here — I have a tale to tell thee. 
 Mai. You are obeyed* - (Sits down by Kamandaki, who 
 passes her hand und^r Malati's chin so as to hold up her f,:ce 
 iOTVards Madhavn.) 
 
 Kam. There was a youth, named Madhnvi, who shared 
 
 With you an equal portion of my heart. 
 IjIV. So we have heard. 
 Kam. He, from the luckless day, 
 
 Of Kama's festival, has ceased to 1)P, 
 The master of himself, and though he told not 
 His sorrows to the moon or faithful friend — — 
 His changing form, still lovely in decay, 
 Kevealed the anguish he disdained to utter. 
 I hastened to his aid, and quickly guessed 
 The cause of h's distress, when I was told 
 He had beheld this lovely countenance. 
 The moon that swayed the heaving of his heart. 
 Like the deep waters of the tossing main. 
 Mad. (behind. ) How well she penetrates my secret.f 
 Kain. Reckless of life, his only pleasures now. 
 Are tasks that feed and aggravate his flame. 
 He gazes on the mango buds — he listens 
 Attentive to the Ko'ils song — he breasts 
 
 • Two or three short speeches more profnic fed hut it interrupts 
 are here omitted. Hie Ixisiness ami is more lechni* 
 
 t Mudhavas eulogy is rather cai than poetical.
 
 ( S9 ) 
 
 The breeze iinpi'egnate with the flowery fragrance! 
 He hii<Ts the lotus blossoms to his heart 
 And hasks ber.e'ith the deadly lunar beam— 
 Tliis first fond passion preys upon my son 
 And soon, I fear, cuts short his gentle being.* 
 
 ISIul. (To L'tVfingllcii.) 
 
 Why does the dame alarm me thus with few 
 For life so de.ir to all : what can I say. 
 
 XjUV {To K,imaiid:i/ci.) 
 
 You are not terrified alone — like fears 
 
 Pervade us for tlie princess — she has often 
 
 Beheld the youth, as by the palace walls 
 
 His cours^' has frequent chance ■.—since when fiiie 
 
 pines 
 As droops the lotus on its slender stem 
 Be-ieath the scorching sun : her youthful sport* 
 Delight no more: pensive apart she sits 
 Whole days, her cheek upon her hand reclined. 
 We fondly hoped those looks that were exchanged 
 In Kdm'is grove, when like the present God 
 'Jl'he youthful Mddhavn appeared to grace 
 Love's festival, amidst his blooming votaries. 
 Would dissipate this melancholy mood. 
 And cheer her heart with hope— but passion sincd 
 lutenser rages in her tender heart. 
 And threatens lier existence — oh ! befriend us. 
 If but a moment she could view the youth. 
 E'en that, were such relief, as earth receives. 
 When parched by sultry suns, she drinks revived 
 
 * Two short speeches of Madhava aad Mdlati arc here omiU 
 tc(L
 
 ( 40 ) 
 
 Tlie bland and life-bestowing dews of heaven. 
 
 The hapless state of Mdlati affrights us. 
 
 Unfit to struggle with the sports of destiny. 
 
 Do thou exert thy powers, and t)ien the pair. 
 
 Who claim alike thy pity and regard. 
 
 Redeemed from death, shall prosper in their loves.* 
 
 Kftm. BIy heart is filled Avith sorrow and deiight : 
 I pity her sad state, even whilst I joy, 
 To find her justly conscious of desert. 
 
 Lav. Behold these proofs this picture of her Lord. 
 (^Opniing Ihc garment over her breasL) 
 And this decaying Avreath, strung by his hands. 
 Dear as her life, thus clierished in her bosom. 
 
 T^J^ad. How enviable its fate — thus like a banner. 
 Floating triumphant o'er that lovely breast. 
 And clinging like a friend around her neck. 
 
 (^A noise hchi?id.) 
 
 " What ho, beware — in youthful strength and sport 
 
 The Tiger in the Temple's porch confined, 
 
 Has burst his iron cage, and roams at large. 
 
 With tail high waving like a banner — vast 
 
 And mighty limbed, he stalks along the groves. 
 
 Now in the midst of mangled forms his paw 
 
 As ponderous as the thunderbolt, has felled, 
 
 The monster stands -and in liis maw engulphs 
 
 Wide as a cave, the quivering flesh, or grinds 
 
 The cracking bones with hard sharp pointed teeth--» 
 
 From his deep throat, he roars'in thunder loud 
 
 * 
 
 + Zfly<7??.:n^z7:d's speech is in the and obscurities that by much the 
 crigimd so exlreinely diffuse and most considerable porttou of it 
 coutatus so many repclilious has beeo omitted.
 
 ( 41 > 
 
 And men and beasts fly trembling from the echo ; 
 Begrimed with blood and dust he follows fast 
 * And plies insatiate his death dealing talons- 
 Look to your lives — as best you may, avoid him." 
 
 Bicddharakshita. (^Wilhout .') Alas! alas, my dear friend 
 Madayaniikd. {rushes in.) 
 
 Oh save us, save us ; Madai/antikd, 
 Our friend, the sister of the Minister, 
 Is singled out and hunted by the tiger. 
 
 JSIal. Oh — horror. 
 
 Madh. (Rushing fonvard.) Where is the savagej 
 
 M(d. {With delight— (qmrt.) He here. 
 
 Madh. Now am I blessed indeed; her gaze surprised 
 Dwells greedily upon my presence, and enchains me 
 In flowery bonds, falls on my heart like balm. 
 And sheds a shower of heavenly nectar o'er me. 
 Lav. Can we not quit the garden. 
 
 Madh. Fo 11 o w m e . {going. ) 
 
 Kam. Beware my son. Though valiant be not rash. 
 
 Mai. {Apart to Lavungikd.) I tremble now. 
 
 Madh. A moment pause. I mark the savage spread 
 Dismay — his course is marked with carcases 
 And all his steps sink deep in mii'e and gore. 
 Oh horror — we are distant — noAV he views 
 A maid — she flies — he follows. 
 
 * This descriptioa is also ranga gamgaluggar abhivrida 
 
 somewhat compressed :the origi- gala gnhd gabbha gamdhira 
 
 nal Prakrit is very powerful al- ghaggharo valli — Roaring with 
 
 though too much laboured aud a loud roar from the depth of 
 
 abounding more than enough the cavern of a throat filled with 
 
 Ihwiallileralioa cv.gr. Nara tu- the flesh of men and steeds.
 
 ( 42 > 
 
 All- Madarj anli k a. 
 
 Kam. Behold a youth advances — now he stoops 
 To grasp a fallen sword. 
 
 Mad. lie throws himself. 
 
 Brave youth, before the tiger : 'tis iDy friend ; 
 'T is Makaranda. 
 
 Ml Noble valiant youth. 
 
 Modh. Alas — the beast has wounded him. 
 
 Kcivi. Joy — Joy ; the Savage falls. 
 
 jill. What fate have we escaped. 
 
 Kam. IMy generous son — he bleeds profusely : 
 Supported by the trembling maid, he rests 
 Upon his sword, along whose ruddy blade 
 The trickling torrent reddens to the ground. 
 
 Madh, He faints — help holy Dame — ^preserve my friend. 
 
 Kam, Fear not, fear nof, but liasten to his succor. 
 
 Exeiuil^ 
 
 liND OF THE THIRD ACT.
 
 ACT IV.* 
 
 THE SAME SCENE. 
 
 Madhava and Maharanda brought on h\f the women insensible. 
 
 Mud. (To Kdm.) Befriend him pious dame — oh save thi.3 
 youtli^ 
 
 Who to preserve my life has risked his own 
 The others. What should we do. 
 Kan. Sprinkle o'er their Lmbs, 
 
 Tlie Water of this Ewer, and fixn their faces. 
 With your light robes. 
 
 ( Theij fan the xjouths and cast mater from the Dame's- 
 Kama idalu or waterpot carried by an Ascetic.) 
 Mak. (Sighs and looks up) 
 
 Why thus alarmed my friend — I am well 
 Quite W( 11. 
 Mad. {JVith delight) Ah me — he is restored 
 Mul. (Puts her hand to Mddhavd' s forehead.) Lavangika, 
 
 How, happy you, your friend again is conscious. 
 Madh. {Reviving) Rash youth— where are you — here to 
 my heart. 
 
 (^Theij embrace — Kamandnki haiigs over Ihemf) 
 * An act is tlifrefore constitu- fection—pareiit;il yearning — still 
 ted by the fixit of all Ihe perfi)r- common in India — and a very 
 mors after a sufficient interval, ancient oriental practice however 
 and not by mere change of scene, odd it may appear to European 
 + Lileialjy— smells tlieir heads, notions: it was perhaps rather th-i 
 a mode of expressing iutcuse af- result gfthis practice Ihua chance
 
 ( 44 ) 
 
 Kdm. 1 revive (Thei/ all express delight) 
 Lav. We all partake your joy 
 
 Budd. C Apart to Madai/antikaJ You know methlnks 
 your brave deliverer. 
 
 3Iad. The friend oiMddhava :* I know it all. 
 Budd. Have I not spoke hina truly 
 Mad' "Were his v/orth 
 
 Less than it shews, you had not so described him. 
 (ToMdlali) ]\fethinks dear friend yon graceful youth's 
 deportment 
 
 Betrays some lurking passion — ( Turns to look at Ma* 
 Icaranda.) 
 
 Kam. (Observing them, apart) And it seems; 
 
 That form, with heightened interest is invested. 
 
 By that which destiny to-day has wrought. 
 
 {Aloud to Makaranda) Tell us, my son, by what propi-» 
 tious chance. 
 
 Conducted to this grove, you came to save 
 
 The life of this dear maid. 
 Male. X came to seek 
 
 My friend, directed to the grove of Kama 
 
 By Avahkila, and charged with news 
 
 I gathered in Hemant'i\ and the which 
 
 I fear ^/ill little please him — when I saw 
 
 that Tsaic notices llie smell of catesher reg-vrding himas ahu8- 
 
 Jac<)1)'spp'-son,"an(l lie came near band. 
 
 and kissed him, anil smeJlcd the + The expression is Hemanta 
 
 smell of his raiiient, and blessed J^''ugaraot\\\(iUyvinoi Hemanta', 
 
 lilm and sail! ; Se«, the smell of neither of the commentators 
 
 my son is as the smell of a field offer any remark on tlie name 
 
 which Hi'; Lord hath blessed." which should be that of some 
 
 * Her avoiding his uarne iadi- part of Ougein,
 
 < 45 ) 
 
 This noble maiden flying from the wrath 
 
 Of yon ferocious animal. 
 Kam. (Apart J "1 is time 
 
 To pledge the faith of Maluti. {aloud) Uly son, 
 
 (To Mddhava.) 
 
 For that I am most happy, that your friend 
 
 Is safe from harm — do you, on my behalf. 
 
 Present some token of regard to Mdldti 
 Madh. IMost willingly — but be it for myself; 
 
 To her, I owe re ^overy from the mist, 
 
 Theperilof my friend spread o'er my senses ; 
 
 And for returning]consciousnes5, I pledge her, 
 
 A free will offering each — my heart, my life. 
 Lav. I ansAver for my friend — she deems the gifts 
 
 Deserving her acceptance — 
 Mad. {Apart) On my Avord 
 
 The youtli knows when to proffer what is sure 
 
 To meet with willing ears. 
 Mai. {Apart) But tiiis news ; 
 
 What should it be to render Iiim unhappy. 
 Madh. Now Makaranda tell us what you hera-d. 
 
 That threatened to displease me. 
 
 Enter A messenger.* 
 Mess. ( ToMaday.) Lady, the minister, your brot]ier2Vrt«i?fl/rt8 
 
 Desires your presence — It has pleased the King, 
 
 In person to anounce, that Bhurivusii 
 
 Consents this day to give him Mdlalt: 
 
 He wills you therefore come, and share his happiness- 
 Ma1c. He brings you my intelligence. 
 
 ♦ The order is given behiud the Scenes in Ihe origiiia!.
 
 ( 41^ ) 
 
 (Mdlait and Mddhava express their despair^ 
 Mud. (^Etnbi acing MdlaLi — ) 
 
 My dearest friend, this is indeed delightful. 
 One city saw our birth; our infant sports 
 And opening youth have ever found us friends; 
 And now you are my sister — and the pride. 
 Of our iUustrious house. 
 Kdm. In truth my child, 
 
 Fate is propitious when she grants'ycur brother, 
 A brida like this 
 Mad. We rather thank your prayers- 
 My friend Lavangika, our every wish* 
 Is gratified, now we obtain your princess. 
 T,av. It may be : we have no concern with it. 
 Mad. Come wench, {to Buddharakshitd) let's hasten and 
 get every thing 
 In order for the bridal. 
 Biidd. I attend you (They rise.) 
 Lav. {Apart to lunn) This interchange of looks, from 
 eyes that roll 
 liike the soft tremulous lotus, and express 
 The dear emotions, and tlie new delights. 
 That fill and agitate the heart, reveal 
 This couple conscious of the like desire. 
 {MaJcarand I and Madntjantikd) 
 Kam. No doubt, they taste like pleasure from the look 
 S> oft repeated, and the furtive glancf, 
 Tells a plain story; side long and slow the eye 
 Glides to theang'e of the dropping lids. 
 Half closed by passion's birth ; tlie brow is raised 
 In gentle curve^ and the loose veiling lashes.
 
 C 47 ) 
 
 Tremble in soft abandonment : all speaks 
 The inward consciousness of new delight. 
 
 Nadh, (io Build.) Sure I shall see again this graceful 
 youth. 
 The Saviour of my life. 
 Budd. If fate so pleases. 
 
 ^Exeunt with atiendant. 
 
 Mad. (Apart) Now let the thread of hope, long idly che- 
 rislied. 
 Snap like the fibre of the lotus stem. 
 Come boundless anguish, but by death relieved. 
 And frantic grief: be destiny appeased. 
 And love Avork all his vengeance. Adverse fate. 
 Delights to aggravate my woes, and mocks me 
 With disappointment, after I have won. 
 No common prize, affection like my own. 
 I marked her as she heard her father's will : 
 Pale as the moon before the morning sun. 
 Her lovely countenance revealed her sorrows. 
 And added sharper poignancy to mine. 
 
 Kcan. (Apart) I cannot bear his grief; and hope des-« 
 troyed — 
 Life is a burthen, (alotid) Mddhava, my son. 
 Tell me, have you indulged the expectation ; 
 The minister Avould give his daughter to you. 
 
 ]\Ii.>dh. (bashfully) No, never, never. 
 
 Kam. Then were you ill apprised 
 Of past occurrences. 
 
 Mak. What mean you dame. 
 
 That Mdlati already is betrothed. 
 
 Kam, You know what you have heard j to all 'tis known^
 
 t 4S ) 
 
 That when the Monarch for his favourite sued ; 
 The minister, replied — Your majesty. 
 Is master of your own ■ . 
 
 ^lal. So rumor goes. 
 
 Kdm. To-d;iy we learn the king has given MdlatL 
 As if she were his own; but mark me Son ; 
 The bond of human actions is good faith. 
 And promises controul the acts of men : 
 In speech, the seeds of good and ill reside. 
 And all events are upon words dependant. 
 Do you not see, in Bhurivasu's answer, 
 A covert import lies, for Miilati 
 Is not the daughter of the Sovereign ; 
 Nor law, nor social decency, acknowledges 
 A monarch's Avill as the authority 
 To regulate a daughter's bridal compact. 
 Fie on it — It is not to be thought of — 
 And more, my son — Doubt you my vigilance. 
 Why then alarm the tender child with fears. 
 Of such a fate, I would not wish your foes — 
 Confide in me — I will not spare my pains. 
 Nor lil'e, if it be needed to secure 
 Your union with the maiden. 
 
 Male. Well resolved. 
 
 Their union is most suitable — your heai't 
 Most holy dame, though from the world estranged. 
 Is softened still with pity and affection 
 Towards these thy children, and thy active love 
 Howe'er opposed to penance and devotion. 
 Shall like the will of destiny prevail.
 
 ( 40 ) 
 
 Enter a Messenger. 
 The Queen commands you, dame, with speed conduct 
 The Lady Malati to the palace. 
 Km. Daugliter come. 
 Mad. and Mdl. (intC' chcttige looks and sighs ) 
 Madh. (Ap(ir') Oivt on the world's vicissitudes. 
 Fa:e like a friend first shews my blooming maid 
 With tender passion like my own inspired ; 
 Then with capricious fickleness afflicts, 
 jMy heart with deeper anguish. 
 Mill. {Apart) Come what may; 
 
 This happiness is mine, I have beheld him. 
 Lav. This barbarous minister has taught my friend 
 
 To hate her being. 
 Mai. (Apart) Love of life has borne 
 Its fruits mature — my father's cruelty. 
 Stern as the offerer of human sacrifice. 
 And fate, alike relentless, have achieved 
 Their task. Ah me, unhappy, to what friend. 
 To -what kind refuge, can I now repair. 
 
 \_Exit with Kiimandaki and Lavangil-d, 
 Madh. 1 fear tne much, the hope the dame encouraged. 
 Sprang from the dread she entertained for her. 
 Whom she has loved from birth. IMy luckless days 
 "\A'^ill bear [ doubt nofruit. What's to be done (//«*n/««^.) 
 Appiy to horrid mysteries, what else 
 Remains, {to Maharanda) How nov/, my friend, 
 
 methinks you grieve 
 For Mudayantiku. 
 Male. 'Tis even so : 
 
 My mind recalls her timid Avild embrace, 
 
 G
 
 ( 50 ) 
 
 "When fearful as the tender fawn, she clung. 
 With limbs diffusing nectar on my wounds. 
 Around me, heedless of her loose attii-e. 
 
 hladh. She will be yours, for Biiddh<irakskila, 
 
 Your friend is hers, and whom should she affect, 
 But you whom she embraced as her preserver ; 
 Snatched bv your prowess from the monster's fangs. 
 IS or did her looks proclaim you were a stranger. 
 Tlie fond regard those lotus eyes expressed. 
 Was clearly no new lesson. 
 
 Male. Let us hence. 
 
 Bathe where the S'lndhu and the Pura meet. 
 And then re seek the town. 
 
 (They rise and •proceed.) 
 This is the Spot. 
 
 The union of the streams, whose favoured bank. 
 Beholds the fairest of Ujjai/ini's* daughters. 
 Forego their robes, and with their tender hands 
 Veiling imperfectly their charms, commit 
 Their lovely bosoms to the friendly wave. — • 
 
 « Tl.is term fixes the sense in Paid may possibly be llie same 
 wJiiih radiiiilvuli is used ; tlie as the Sipra. 
 Sindhu is the Kali Sind. The 
 
 END OF THE rOUKTH ACT,
 
 ACT V. 
 
 SCENE—The Fifld in which dead bodies are burned 
 IN THE Vicinity of a Temple. 
 
 Enter in ike air in a heavenly car and in a hideous garb. 
 KAPAL aKUNDALA. 
 Glory to SaMindih,* upon whose steps. 
 The mighty goddesses attend — t whom seek 
 Successfully alone the firm of thought. 
 He crowns the lofty aims of those, who know. 
 And hold, his form, as the pervading spirit. 
 That, one with their own essence, makes his seat 
 The heart, the lotus centre of the sphere^ 
 Sixfold, by ten nerves circled. Such am I. 
 Freed from all perishable bonds I view, 
 The eternal soul embodied as the God, 
 
 * The Lord o^ Sakli or the as ZJ/jw/rayd, the terrific and des^ 
 divine energy under a female tnictive deity, wlio is propitiated 
 personificati<)n:ii\ thissense5tf/c<t byOiTerinijsof wine and flesh. 
 
 is applicable to every goddess, * Tlie Nari dialer a the iiearl, 
 
 but it is more especially the name as the centre of the circle of 
 
 of Zi/)aj'aii, and her lord or hus- thediffjrent orguis and tiilmlar 
 
 baiul is Siva. ves^sels along which the vital 
 
 * Surrounded by the Saklis or air or spirit is conveved, and 
 by the eight goddesses so termed, this spirit l>eii;g one with Siva 
 or Brdhini, Muheswari, Kaumuri (Sarvam Siva Mayam) his fornj 
 f'aishnuvi, fVtruhi, JMdhendri or nature (Rupa) may be said 
 Chdtnunda,M\ilChandikdAndeoyis to be seated in the heart. The 
 goddesses, who atteud upou Siva six orgaus are the ear, the uavel»
 
 ( 52 ) 
 
 Forced by my spells* to tread the mystic labyrinth. 
 And rise in splendovir throned upon my heart. 
 Hence through the many channelled veins I draw 
 *The grosser elements of this mortal body. 
 And soar unwearied through the air, divid'ug 
 'i he water-shedding clouds — Upon my flighty 
 Horrific honors Avaif — the hollow skul s 
 That low descending from my neck depend. 
 Emit fierce music as they clash together, 
 the heart, the throat, the ])uliile t Fixed l)y ihe Ni/dsa ; wliirh 
 and the eye. brow. Tlie Naris or is a form of geslicuhilion made 
 tnl)es :>re, 101 iu luiinber hut with a short and n)y.s!ic prayer to 
 ten are pri!\(i|>a], //«, Vhi^ald the heart, the head, Ihe crown of 
 Sushunihd,Gantlhari, Haslijilnvd the head ai\d the eye, as Grn 
 Pushu, Aruna, Alambushd, Guild, Sirase Namah. Om ; silutation to 
 Sankhini — These all unite in the head— witli the nddition of 
 the heart. These notions l)elong ihe Kavadia the armour or s\ 1- 
 to tlie Yof^a. According to other lahle Phat, and the Jslra the 
 doctrines, and the more obvious weapon or sylhihle Hum. The 
 meaning of the original text, entire Mantra, the prayer or iii- 
 there are sixteen principal i\'«ris. cautation, is then, Om Sirase 
 To those who have thus disco- Namah, Hum, Phut. 
 \ered tlie actual presence of + Agreeably to the text ^i//y- 
 divine spirit in themselves the dsdl Pasyate Suryam Paramdt- 
 deity Szua gives theeight 5irf/f/MS. mdnam Atmdnam. By practice 
 J^/fl/i//7;a the faculty of enlarging ( of the }'oga)he (the adept) 
 the bulk; Laghimd that of niak- beholds his own soul, the Supreme 
 iiig it light; Animd that of mak- soul, as the sun. 
 ingitsmall or atomic; PraZca/H^rt, * According to some the five 
 the power of gratifying passion ; senses, or siglit, smell, hearing, 
 jTflsi/a— that of subjecting all; taste and touch, or the five Ele- 
 Jsitd supreme sway; Prd;}ti—\.\\e meats. Earth, air, water, fire, and 
 faculty of reaching or grasping ^/ca* or ether, 
 objects however remote, and 
 Kumuvasdyilwam the destructi- 
 on of naluial desire.
 
 ( 53 ) 
 
 Or strike the tremWing plates that gird my loins. 
 
 Loose stream on every side my woven locks 
 
 In lengthening braids — Upon my poTiderous staff. 
 
 The string of bells light -waving to and fro, 
 
 Jan_g-les incessantly — my Banner floats 
 
 Up borne upon the wailing breeze, whose tone • 
 
 Is deepened by the echoes it awakes. 
 
 Amidst the caverns of each fleshless skull. 
 
 That hangs in dread array around my person. 
 
 (^alights and looks about ) 
 I scent the temple of Ktirdld — near 
 The cemetery, and perfumed of old 
 I5y fragrant odours from the tuneral pile — 
 It is my present object — for to day, 
 My wise preceptor, great Jghoraghanta, 
 Calls me to aid him in the powerful rite 
 That terminates his toils — to-day he offers 
 The promised gift — the gem of woman kind, 
 A victim to the Goddess. In this city, 
 The damsel dwells — and I must make her mine. 
 
 Looking out. 
 But who comes hitherward — of jleasing form. 
 With braided hair and in one hand a swovd; 
 The other — ha — it braves the world's restraint?. 
 And soiled with blood determinately grasps 
 A lump of human flesh — and now I look, 
 I know the youth— 'tis Mddhava the son 
 Of the old dame Kamandaki's dear friend. 
 What makes him vender of the flesh of man— . 
 It matters not ; Now to ray work; foi* see 
 The hour of twilight hovers o'er the west. 
 Along the skirts of the horizon steal
 
 ( 54 ) 
 
 The winding glooms like dark Tamdhi blossom?. 
 And earth's far bounds are lost as if immersed 
 In nascent waters— to the woods young night 
 Her own yet gentle shade im[)arts, as if 
 A wreath of smoke were wafted through the air. 
 And spread abroad in mist before the breeze. 
 
 Enter Mddhava. 
 May those endearments yet be mine, that spring 
 From young affection and the dawn of passion. 
 Now first awakened in ray Maluii ; 
 "Which for an instant only to imagine. 
 Inspires my heart with extacy unsullied. 
 By all impure admixture — 'twere enough. 
 To be enfolded in her arm?, to lean 
 My face upon her cheek, or to be prest 
 Against her firm and palpitating bosom, 
 Fragrant with perfume, and with pearls adorned. 
 Yet this is too remote : I will but ask 
 To see her face, the shrine of love, once more. 
 Once more — Ah no ; for ever in my view. 
 She lives — assiduous memory constant turns 
 To cherished hopes, and fed by hourly thoughts. 
 One sole idea, engrosses every sense. 
 Till all my inmost soul is Malati* 
 
 * The (ibvious purport of Ihis agreeably to the Fdvlchya pliilo* 
 
 Terse is clear enoiigii, but rt'fer- sophy, and without having cor- 
 
 ence is iiileiulcil by the original resjtonding terms to thosu em- 
 
 to the practice of ideiilifyiiig ployed, a close and iiiteliigii)Ie 
 
 the individaal spirit with the translalion is impracticable. Part 
 
 Supreme Spirit by the iiiteii- of the preceding, and a subse- 
 
 litj of abstract luedilaliou, queut vcisc have been oniitted>
 
 ( 55 ) 
 
 ("A Noise Behind.) 
 Now ■\vake the terrors of the place,* beset 
 With crowding rind malignant fiends ; the flames 
 From funeral pyres scarce lend their sullen light. 
 Clogged with their fleshly prey, to dissipate 
 The fearful gloom that hems them round. Pale ghosts 
 -Sj.ort with foul goblins, and their dissonant mirth 
 In shrill respondent shrieks is echoed round. 
 Well, be it so. I seek, and must address them. 
 Demons of ill, and disembodied spirits, 
 Who haunt this spot ; I bring you flesh for sale. 
 The flesh of man+ untouched by trenchant steel,:!: 
 as wenkening ihe general efi'ect mode in which the niiiid that 
 of the passage. The first de- perceives, and the ohject oi" ))er- 
 icr'iUes 31 dlat't''s f;ice in Ihe cus- ciplion, are comhinedso as to 
 tuniary strain, and in the hitler produce consciousness. 
 31 ddhai'ii ohserws tliat MuUiti * The S/nasa;/, the place where 
 is as firmly united with his heart bodies are l)urnt ; temples of 
 as if sewed to it, witli the Durgd in some of her terrifick 
 strong threads of recolleetion, forms were usually erected in or 
 ] inned to it, with the shafts of near it, and monuments of stone 
 Kama, melted in it, reflected by or brick were not unfrequenlly 
 it, inscribed or engraven on it, set reared were the pile had stood, 
 or planted in it, or fixed to it by t This was a necessary condi' 
 
 diamond glue {l''ajra lepa) — the tion : for the goblins, to the great 
 \erse is curious as illustrative discredit of their taste we must 
 of the progress of the arts. The presume, would not condescend 
 last is said to be a union of all to eat female flesh, 
 valuable articles externally, as % Flesh cut off with a wea- 
 diamonds, &r. so that they can- pon, was in disrepute on account 
 not be detached, but how this is of its being too common, in con- 
 eflected is not explained. Each sequence of the number of men 
 4)f these terms, is said by Jag id- killed in battle; it does not ap- 
 tlhara to bear also a nictuphjsi- pear how our hero comes by his 
 cal sense, and to refer to the dif- nierchaudise. 
 fereut scholastic uolious of the
 
 . ^ ( 56 ) 
 
 And -worthy your acceptance. (A great noise.) 
 How, the noise 
 
 Hi,£^h, shrill, and inch'stinct, of chattering sprites 
 
 Coinrnunicative fills the chai'nel ground. 
 
 Strange forms like foxes flit a'ong the sky ; 
 
 From the red hair of their lank bodies, darts 
 
 The meteor blaze ; or from their mouths that stretch 
 
 From ear to ear thick set with numerous fangs. 
 
 Or eyes or beards or broAvs, the radiance streams. 
 
 And now I see the goblin host : each stalks. 
 
 On legs like palm trees, a gaunt skelefo:i, 
 
 ^Vhose flesliless bones are bound by starting sinews, 
 
 i\ml scai-.tly cased in black and shrivelled skin : 
 
 Like tall and withered trees by lightning scathed 
 
 'I'Jiey move, and as amidst their sapless trunks. 
 
 The mighty sei'pent curls — so in each mouth 
 
 Wide yawning rolls, the vast blood di'ippmg tongue* 
 
 They mark my coming, and the half chewed morsel 
 
 Falls to the howling wolf — and now they fly. 
 
 (Pauses and looking round.) 
 r»ace — dastardly as hideous — All is plunged 
 In utter gloom, (considering J The River flows before rae, 
 TJie boundary of the funeral ground, that winds 
 Through mouldering bones its interrupted way. 
 'Wild raves the torrent as it rushes past. 
 And rends its crumbling banks j the wailing Owl 
 Hoots through its skirting groves, and to the sounds, 
 The loud long moaning Jackall yells I'eply. 
 Behind Ah cruel father, she you meant an offering 
 * The author iiuUiIgcs here in European taste to be faithfully 
 
 n strain of powerful l)ut (iissjnst- followed. 
 
 iiig descriptiou, loo revolting to
 
 C 57 ) 
 
 To the kingr's favor, now deserted dies. 
 ^Jadh. (Alarmed) What voice Avas that : so m usical and 
 wild. 
 That sounds like the affrij^hted osprey's cry. 
 It bursts not unfarniliar to mine ear ; 
 And penetrates my soul : my throbbing heart 
 Faint dies within me, and a lifeless chill 
 Steals along evei'y limb ; my tottering steps. 
 Can scarce sustain their load : what should this be— « 
 The dreadful sound came from Ktn-ahTs fane. 
 Fit scene for deeds of horror — be it so — 
 I must be sati;3£ed— 
 
 [^Rushes oJjT 
 
 SCENE. 
 
 JNSIDE OF THE TEMPLE OF Chdmundd.* 
 
 Aghoraghanta , Kapdlakiindald. 
 
 Mulali DRESSED AS A VICTIJI. 
 
 Mai. Unpitying sire — thy hapless daughter dies. 
 Mother beloved ; remorseless fate consigns 
 Thy gentle heart to agony. Revered 
 
 • Chdmundd was an emanation most respects with the allusions 
 
 of the goddess ZJMrg-«, springing in the text "From the fore- 
 
 from her forehead to encounter head of .^/ni/Aa contracted -with 
 
 ilie Demons C/i««</rt and 7J/?/nrffl, wrathfnl frowns sprang swiftly 
 
 detached to seize the latter by forth a goddess black and of for- 
 
 the soverei;:;n of the Daitt/ns, midable aspect, armed with a 
 
 •Sunibha, as related in the Burga scymitar and noose, bearing a 
 
 JV/«7i''(<»j^«, andher appearance, ponderous mace, and decorated 
 
 which is thus described in the with a garland of dead corses, 
 
 Marhandeya Purana, accords in — robed iu the hide of an cle- 
 
 9
 
 ( 58 ) 
 
 And holy dame who lived but for thy Mulalt, 
 Whose every thought was for her hap])iness. 
 Thy love will teach thee long and bitter anguibh. 
 Ah, my dear friend, Lavangikdy to thee, 
 I>ut ill thy dream-; I heuccfoi'th shail appear — 
 
 Madh. {Enters Behind) 2\ly fears Avere true— 'tis she-* 
 but still she lives. 
 
 Aghora {Running round quickly as in *nwfiiiip) 
 Hail — Hail — Chdniinuld, mighty Goddess hail ! 
 I glorify thy sport, when in the dance,* 
 'Ihat fills the court of Siva with delight. 
 Thy foot descending spurns the eart hly Globe. 
 Beneath the weight the broad backed tortoise reels j1" 
 The t-ei^g o? Brahma trembles at the sho.k; 
 And in a yawning chasm, that gapes like hell, 
 
 phant, dry and withered and worship or respect is an essential 
 hideous with jawiiinf; mouth and part of the homage to l)e offered, 
 lolling tongue and l)U)od shot * This dance is Ihe counter- 
 eves, and filling the regions with p:irt of that which Siva himself 
 her shouts." Having slain the is supposed to perform, and of 
 demons site hore their heads lo which notice was taken at the 
 her parent goddess, who told her opening of llie play. In this rite 
 that having slain Chiinda and the Uride of Sivti is descrihed 
 Minidu she should thence forth only in her terrific form as 
 he known on eartli as Cl.amunda. Chamunrld, in which she is inves- 
 Shc is also termed Kali from her ted with a garl» ornaments and 
 Hack colour, and KariUa or Ka- attributes, similar to those of 
 ri'tldbadana from her hideous Siva himself, or with those of 
 countenance. Kali- 
 
 * The slai2;e direction is Twa- + The Earth is in some legends 
 
 /am paj'/A:;fl/Hfl/< which may also supposed to rest 'jpon the back 
 
 mean only proceeding quickly, of a tortoise, 
 
 hut the limits of the stage must :}: The E»g of Brahma. \» the 
 
 restrict this motion, and theactof world, the Orphic or mundane 
 
 cu'cuinambululiiig aa object of Eg;; which floated amidst tb«i
 
 ( 59 ) 
 The sevenfold main* tumultuou.-^ly rushes. 
 
 Tlie elephant hide that robes thee, to thy steps 
 Swings to and fro — the whirling talons rend 
 The crescent on thy brow — from the torn orb 
 The trickling nectar fills, and every skull 
 That gems tliy necklace laughs with horrid afet — 
 Attendant spirits tremble and a})j)laud. 
 The mountain falls before thy ])owerfiil arms. 
 Around whose length the sable serpents twine 
 Their swelling forms, and knit terrific bands. 
 Whilst from the hood expanded, frequent flash 
 Invenomed flames — 
 
 As rolls thy awful head. 
 
 The lowering eye that glows amidst thy brow,:,'; 
 
 A fiery circle designates, that wraps 
 
 The spheres within its terrible circumference : 
 
 Whilst by the banner on thy dreadful staff". 
 
 High waved, the stars are scattered from their orbits. 
 
 The three e^^ed God exults in the embrace, 
 
 vater before creation, niul from of Siva and Durgd a necklace 
 which Brahma the first horn of skulls forms an invariaUje de- 
 emerged according; to some le- coration as docs the crescent or 
 ,o-ends, i)ut which according to hajf moon on the forehead, and 
 oHiers merely resolved itself into as we have before had occasion 
 tiie upper and lower spheres. to observe the moon is consider- 
 
 * According to the Geogra- cd to be the peculiar reservoir 
 
 phy of the Pur anas the Earth of Amrita or the beverage of 
 
 consists of a series, of a central immortality, 
 
 circle and six other amnilar con- ^ The eye in the forehead 
 
 tiiieiils, separated from each is one pecui'ar characteristic of 
 
 otiier i)y as many oceans of dif- Siva and of his consort wheu 
 
 ferent fluid substances. armed with his terrors. 
 
 i lu Ihedittcreul terrific forms
 
 ( CO ) 
 
 Of his fair Spouse, as Gauri sinks appal led, 
 By the distracting cries of countless fiends. 
 Who shout thy praise — Oh may such dance afford, 
 Whate'er we need — what e'er may yield us happiness.* 
 Mahd. (Behind) What luckless chance is this, that such a 
 maid. 
 With crimson garb and garland like a victim,+ 
 Adorned for sacrifice; sliould be the captive 
 Of impious wretcheSjJ like a timid fawn 
 Begirt by ravenous wolves: tliat she, the child 
 Of the ail powerful minister, should lie 
 Thus in the jaAVs of death — Ah, cruel destiny— < 
 How ruthless are thy purposes — 
 
 * Jagaddhara is rather shocked Sfrep. Whv this chaplet? 
 
 to think tiiat these pr;iises of Wouldst make of nie another 
 Cliamnnda shuu\d fail of produc- Athanias. 
 
 iig their due effect but consoles And sacrifice me to a cloud, 
 himself by the reflexion that tlie So niso in the IleracUdte, 
 
 worshippers were (lisappoinled of Macarin when offering herself 
 
 their object either on account of as a victim to secure thetriumph 
 
 their wickedness, or their inaccii- of the Atiienians, exclaims, 
 
 rate pronunciation of some part "To the scene of death, 
 
 of the ritual. Conduct, with p;arlands crown me."" 
 
 * We had occasion to notice The Translator of Euripides 
 
 these parnphernalia more parti- also observes, that human sacri- 
 
 cnlarly in the Mrichchalcati : in fices at their first origin appear 
 
 like manner the ordinary vie- to have consisted of virgins or 
 
 tinisof the Greeks were adorned young men in the state of celi- 
 
 with crowns and g arlands— as b;icy, and in this respect the 
 
 were hum in victims: as thus selection o( Mdliti offers auo- 
 
 jn the Clouds, in the scene iher analogy, 
 
 between Socrates and Slrep- * Pashimdn and Chandala 
 
 siade'i ; heretics and outcasts — theseepi" 
 
 Socr- Now take this chnplct thcls indicate little respect for 
 
 •—wear it. the worshippers of Durgd and
 
 ( CI ) 
 
 Kap. Fair maid. 
 
 Think upon him whom Uiou in life hast loved. 
 
 For pitiless deatli is near thee — 
 Jl'/«/. Ah Mddhdva, 
 
 Lord of my heart. Oh may I after death. 
 
 Live in thy memory — They do not die. 
 
 Whom love embalms in long and fond remembrance". 
 Kap. Poor child — her heart is Madhavas — no matter — 
 
 Come what come may — we must delay no longer. 
 Aglior. (^Raising his sroord) This offering vowed to thee, 
 divine C/i/nnniidd, 
 
 Deign to accept — 
 
 Mudh . (Rushes fonvardand snatches Matati tijp In his arms) 
 
 Vile wretch, forbeai*. 
 Kap. The term 
 
 Profane, is thine. 
 Ma/. Oh save me, save me (embracing MddhavaJ 
 JSladh, Princess do not fear. 
 
 A faithful friend, who in the hour of death. 
 
 Finds courage to declare his love, is near thee — 
 
 Be of good courage — on this impious wretch. 
 
 The retribution of his crimes descends. 
 Agho. What sinful youth is this that interrupts 
 
 Our solemn rite. 
 Kap. The lover of the IMaidcn, 
 
 The pupil of Kthnanddki, wno treads, 
 
 their applicalion so puhlickly wliich he gives the fexfs; Jhpy are 
 
 declared, would lead us to infer ''Lit him not eat from tlie leaf 
 
 that the author's sentiments were of the asdepiasnor sj.iy a female 
 
 those of his age—Jagaddhara nor child" and "Females of 
 
 states that iu the rite two legal every description of beiii^, it is 
 
 prohibitions are violated of well Lnown, are not to be slain."
 
 ( 02 ) 
 
 Tlic?e precincts ft)!* unholy purpoaes. 
 And vends the flesli of man. 
 
 Mad//. Inform me Princess, 
 How has tliis chanced. 
 
 1,1 ai. I kiiow not I reposed. 
 
 At cvc v-i^oi'. the terrace : \vhen I wolve, 
 I found myself a prisoner — But what led 
 Your steps to this retreat. 
 
 J\la:lh. ( A.'iiuiincd) By pi'.ssion m-ged. 
 Incited by the hope my life miglit be. 
 Yet blest by this fair hand, I hither came, 
 'i'o invoke the unclean spirits of the dead. 
 Your crie ; I heard, auvl instant hurried here. 
 
 I,I(d. And Avert thou thus regardless of thyself. 
 And wandering here for me. 
 
 lladh. Blest was the chance. 
 
 That snatched my love from the iipliftecl| sword. 
 Like the pale moon from Ruhu's* ravenous jaws. 
 IMy mind is yet with various passions tossed. 
 And terror, pity, wonder, joy and rage. 
 By turns possess my soul. 
 
 Agho. Hash Brahman boy, 
 
 Thon seek'st thy fate — the pitying stag defies 
 
 Tlu; tiger in the rescue of his doc. 
 
 And both are made the forest monarch's prey-— 
 
 So shalt thou perish, who dar'st hope to save 
 
 The victim of my sacrifice. Thy blood. 
 
 As flies the severed head before my scymitar. 
 
 Shall stream an offering to the mighty mother 
 
 Of all created beings. 
 
 * 1 he node or dr.i.'joifs lie.ul inoon is the supposed cause of 
 vbose allcmpt to swallow the Kclipscs.
 
 C G3 ) 
 
 'McuJJi. Wvctcli accursed. 
 
 Impious and vile. Couldst thou raise t'ly sworil 
 Against this delicate frame, that timid shruuk. 
 Even from the flowers her fond companions cast, 
 In sportive mood upon her : but my arm 
 Like iYumus mace now falls upon thy head. 
 Mdl. (to Madhavn) Lord of my life, refrain froxn violence: 
 His crime is baffled, let him be. Avoid 
 All needless peril. 
 K<tp (io Alitor a) Holy Sir — be firm. 
 
 Destroy the culprit. 
 Madh. and Agho ;* (Io the jvomcii) Banish your alarms 
 The villain dies — what other chance should wait 
 The issue of the contest, when the Lion, 
 Whose talons light upon the elephant's brow. 
 As falls the tliuiiderbolt upon the mountain, 
 Raises their miglit against the feeble deer. 
 
 A noise heliiiuL 
 V/hat ho — ye who are now in search of Mcilatt ! 
 The venerable Priestess, whose commands. 
 Are ever wise, enjoins ye to suiround. 
 The Temple o£ Kerala — this can be 
 The act of none but him who ministers 
 To the terrific Goddess, and the Pnncess, 
 Can be an offering for no other shrine. 
 Kctp. We are surrounded. 
 
 + Yama is Ihe Regent of hell cited Drama. It is common 
 anil judge of" the dead, he rides however in Spanish plajsfor two 
 upon a buffalo and is armed with or three characters to speak 
 a ponderous mace. together in the same words witfi 
 
 * We are familiar with such such trifling Tiodificutions as 
 consentaneous declaration in the may be necessary to render 
 Italiau opera but not in the re- them applicable to the speaker.
 
 ( <34 1 
 
 Jghi. Greater i:- tlie need 
 
 Of manly resolution. 
 Mai. Bly dear fatlier. 
 
 My venerable mistress. 
 Mudh. I will place 
 
 The Princess out of joeril with her friends. 
 Then swift return for verigeance. {he carries MahUi off 
 and returns confronting Jghoraglicmta) 
 Now let the falchion piece meal hew thy form 
 Ring on tliy bones, and cleave thy sinewy joints. 
 Sport in the yielding marrow, and divide, 
 Kesistless in its fury, limb from limb. 
 
 Exeu n t Jigh ling , * 
 
 * The Hindu theatre is as anabliidMnat from its not be- 
 
 prtilictilur as the French in pro- ing allowed to represent slau^-h- 
 
 hil)ilii gihe exhibition of death ter visibly in a drama, agreeably 
 
 upon tlie stage— the commeiila- to the Horatian precept— ' A>c 
 
 tor observes, the combatants pueros coram populo Medea 
 
 disappear A itlake sdkshdi badh irucidel." 
 
 END OF THE yiFTII ACT.
 
 ACT VL 
 
 A PUBLIC PLACE. 
 
 Entkr Kaj)al((hindald, 
 Alas — the cruel Mddhava has slain, 
 ^y venerable Master, in the cause 
 O? Mdl'iti — In vain, I strove to stay 
 His ruthless hand ; he spurned my supplications. 
 V.'liat now remains — vengeance — Yes, Mddhava.^ 
 Thou yet shall feel my fury — no repose 
 Can the Destroyer of the serpent brood, 
 Expect to taste - the mother snake retains. 
 Her wrath unmitigated, whets her fangs. 
 And hoards her venom, wakeful for revenge. 
 
 ( Without) 
 Ho, warriors, haste, be quick in preparation 
 Appointed by the Elders — Let the Brahmcms 
 Recite auspicious strains — Let all devise. 
 Ingenious shoAvs and fitting invocations 
 Propitiating fate — for near at hand. 
 The bridegroom train approaches — Till they come. 
 Obedient to the holy dame's injunctions. 
 The stately line of noble Ladies leads. 
 The maiden to the Temple of the deity* 
 
 * According to the Hindus, city under llie protection of 
 
 every city has i^s own Sri, its some well known divinity it 
 
 own fortune or prosperity more familiar to us, but an 
 
 which ill former limes seems analogous superstition with 
 
 to have been represented by that of the Hindus also pre- 
 
 an image with a temple of its vailed amongst the polylheists 
 
 own — the practice amongst of Europe. Thus in the Seven 
 
 the ancients of considering a chiefs before Thebes ; The 
 
 1
 
 ; 66 > 
 
 That guards our walls, to pray that nought molest 
 No evil interrupt the ha})py rite. 
 Quick—let a guard in rich caparison 
 Arrayed, upon the brilliant train attend. 
 Kop. 'Tis well — I will keep vigilant watch. 
 And in the bustle of this marriage feast, 
 I xnay perchance some fit occasion seize. 
 To wreak my -vengar.ce upon Mddhava. 
 
 EkU. 
 
 SCENE SECOND. 
 
 INSIDE OF THE TEMPLE. 
 
 Enter Kulahans(u 
 t was ordered by my Master who is concealed within tho 
 shrine here with his friend M ikaraiida, to go and see whe- 
 ther the Liuly Mdlali leads the precession to this Temple. 
 I shall delight him. 
 
 Entlu Madhdva and Makaranda. 
 Mad . IIov/ wi 1 this end^ — from the first day I saw 
 The lovely maid, events succeeding add 
 
 Theban women seek their who liaci protected the empire 
 
 gliriues of the Gods wlio are departed from the shrines, £xces- 
 
 tlie guardians of llie «ily. sere omncs adylis arisque relicli$ 
 
 Yet therefore to the ancient J)ii, qidbusimyerium hoc ste- 
 
 imagcs let at. Mn.'i. 
 
 Confiding in their sacred power The Gods that Mneas car- 
 
 1 r:in, rii'd with him to Rome appear 
 
 When at llie gales sharp sleet to have been of this order, the 
 
 of arrowy shower I'lMiales of Troy. 
 
 Drove hard ; my fears impelled J'ffigies sacra divum Phry- 
 
 me to implore giique Pcnales. 
 
 The hit st (lotls to protect the The Public Penates were 
 
 citv's strenglli. those who presided Over fort»» 
 
 N. B. And f'irs^il states that rcsscs and cities— 
 OU the fall of Troy the Deities
 
 07 J 
 
 Fresli fiiel to my passion— and to Acp 
 '1 he itlsis comes — will the sage dame's device^ 
 Secure me bhss^ or end in disap ointment. 
 Male. Fear not my friend — her wisdom cannot fail. 
 Kal. (Approaches) 3My lord yon are favoured by fortune. 
 The Lady Mulaii is on the road, at the' head of the pro* 
 cession. 
 
 Mndr Can it be triu'. 
 
 Male. Why shoult! you doubting question—* 
 
 1 hey are at hand — for hark a hoi ow murmur. 
 Like that of rushiug clouds, before the ga e 
 Comes sudden on the ear — and now the druma 
 That peal in joy drown every other sound- 
 Here from the lattice we may see their march, 
 Kol- Look master — see how the white umbrellis float 
 like trembling lotuses in the lake of the atmosphere — the nu-» 
 merous banners undulate like waves as they play before 
 the wind of the Chowris, which hover about like swans— 
 and now the elephants advance, their bells tinkling as they 
 stride ; they are mounted by bevies of damseb singing songs 
 of rejoicing, and blazing like rays of light with glittering 
 jewels of varriegated tints, as if they were so many porti- 
 ons of the heavens decorated with fragments of Indras bow^ 
 Mak. 'J'he state of Bhurivusit is in sooth. 
 
 Most princely — As the countless jewels shoot 
 Their blaze into the sky, the heavens reflect 
 The countless hues, as if tlie Peacock's plumagr» 
 Or the mixed (olours of the painted Jay, 
 Played through the air — or China's gorgeous silks. 
 Vested the Atmosphere, or India's bow 
 Displayed throughout its many coloured radiance.
 
 ( 68 5 
 
 Knl. Th* throng of attendants hastily forming a circle 
 fall off to a respectful distance, and keep back tbe crowd 
 ■with staves covered with silver and god: her Elephant 
 painted with vermilion resembles the ruddy dawn, or with 
 the starry garland* on her brow looks like the brilliant 
 night. But she herself, the lovely object of all eyes, as pais 
 and delicate as the new moon, advances from the ring. 
 Mafi. 'I'he beauteous damsel well becomes the grace 
 Of bridal honours. Her emaciate form, 
 And pallid cheek, although they plainly shew 
 Deep rooted grief, heighten her love iness. 
 Like some fair plant just budding into flower 
 And withered at the core— behold my friend. 
 The Elephiint kneels. 
 Madh. And Mdlali descends; 
 
 And with the priestess and her faithful fiiend 
 Lavangikd, comes hither. (//^e^ mlhdratv.') 
 
 SCENE THIRD. 
 
 ■ INSIDE OF THE TEMPLE. 
 
 Enter Malati, Kamundaki and Lnvangikd. 
 ^dm. {To l.erself.) May fateassist the wishesof our hearts; 
 And may the just Gods crown them with completion ; 
 May I attain my aim, and this device 
 That binds the children of my friends in love. 
 Secure their future happiness. 
 JSlal. {. ^ part) Ah me ; 
 
 What b'est occasion wi 1 afford the means 
 Of death to free me from the world ; but no 
 DL>ath coraei not to the wretch Avho prays his aid. 
 • The Nakshnlra ma'a -n garland of Iwenly icTCa pearl% 
 the uuiuberof Ibe JVakahatras or lunar maasiuai.
 
 Zav. (Apart) This final parting from Inr love hnsplunged 
 My poor friend in depair. 
 
 Enter a fcmal-j attendant with a Basket. 
 A't. (To Ki.n in l.i\i.) His ExceUency, Dame, desires me 
 to iuf )rni yoa t!iat Ilis IMajesty has sent this bridal dress, 
 and these ornaments, that Maluti may put them on in 
 presence of the deity— 
 
 Kdm. 'Tis rightly judged — the place is most propitious. 
 
 L^t us behold the gear. 
 Att. 1 his is the corset of white silk ; this is the red mus- 
 lin mantle — these are the ornaments ; this, the necklace — this 
 is sandal, this the chaplet of flowers. 
 
 Kam. (Apart.) It Avere a pleasant trick, and Madayantikd 
 Will not be sorry to behold the youths 
 (Aloud) Inform the minister — it shall be done. 
 As he directs. (Exit servant.) Daughter LavangikS 
 Attend the prin ess to the inner shrine. 
 Lav. Where tarry you mean while. 
 Kani. I would remain. 
 
 Alone, and leisurely investigate. 
 The value of these jewels. 
 
 Hal. (Apart.) KveT, lAivan-^ikd. 
 Jjiiv This is the door — Here let us enter— 
 (They enter. Scene changes to the interior of the Teniae.') 
 ■^Mildhav I, M ik irandi, and Kalahans i discovered. 
 Milk. They come — let us conceal ourcielves awhile, 
 
 B hind this pillar. [They hide. 
 
 ♦ It WIS custoiuiry also but at Alhensy no vir^jin w s- 
 amov'st the Greeks for the all(»^eJ to l)e mnrrleJ lief. re 
 inteiided bride to pwhsrailo- worilniiping Minerva, w!r) as 
 ration to soma tliviaity b:jfi)re in the preieat iiist mrc, was ihs 
 bor marriage, uiually to Diana, tulelarj deity of the cil).
 
 i 70 ) 
 
 Enter Multiarxd Lav^nglkd. 
 L(t^. Here is the perfume for the person— -herif 
 
 The flowery garland/ (ojfer'urg them ) 
 2d .1. What are thej- to me. 
 L'lV. Consider my dear friend — yo\i ars sent here? 
 
 By your respeted mother to propitiat'" 
 
 The deity — -^nd thus invoke* good fortune 
 
 On the commencement of the marriage rite. 
 ^lal. Why thus distract a wretcli whose heart is tern,. 
 
 With pangs intolerable, and whose mind 
 
 Is tortured by the wanton cruelty 
 
 Of unrelenting fate. 
 Z/fly. Alas— what would you say. 
 Mai. Whatever he, whose fortunes art,- lik" min?;^ 
 
 Blighted by unavailing hopes, migh*: counsel. 
 Mah. Heard you. 
 
 Nadh. I heard — Avhat little cheen my heart. 
 Mai. (Embracing Lavangilcu.) My dearesb friend — th.-». 
 Sister of my Soul. 
 
 Your hapless Mulali, about to d!s> 
 
 Un wedded — begs one proof of your affection^ 
 
 From earliest infancy you have replied 
 
 Unvarying to my confidence — ah, now. 
 
 Do not the first time disappoint my hopes— 
 
 ♦ G.irlands made pnrl of the falselv named, 
 
 bn;l:>l as well as sacrificial or- Your bride : vet I wilh floweO 
 
 naiiieiits amongst the Greeks, adorned her lirow, 
 
 thus ill Jgamemnon. Clyteiu A:>d fancied t'lat I ]ed her to 
 
 Iiestra ill addressinsf Achilles; votir arms; 
 
 Oflspring of Tiielis, pity my But now I to the bloody ::,1- 
 
 dislrcw, tar lead. 
 
 Eaccor atirgiu aaincd, Iho' Jphigenia in JuUs^
 
 C 11 ) 
 
 Bear still my image in your heart, and se^ 
 The lotus lovely countenani.e of Madhava, 
 The shrine of each auspicious excellence. (Weeps, 
 
 Madh. (Behind.) Delightful words, that fortunately shed 
 Their nectar through my hearty and o'er my frame 
 Diffuse the powerful medicine that restores 
 The vigorous bloom of life's decaying flower. 
 
 Mai. Then tell the brave preserver of my life. 
 He must not, if he ever prized my love. 
 When he shall hear that I am dead, attempt 
 His days, but live to cherish my remembrance. 
 Tell him, I hope he will not wholly lose 
 The recollection of this life's events. 
 Although the tenant of another world, 
 I here shall live in memory alone. 
 Do this and all your Malati's desires 
 Your kindness will bestow. 
 
 Male. Alas poor girl. 
 
 Madh. The sad yet sweet tones of her fond despair 
 Awake contending sentiments — her grief 
 Excites both joy and pain, and fills my mind 
 With anguish and delight. 
 
 Lav. I am overcome 
 
 With horror— let me hear no more ray friend 
 Words of such evil omen. 
 
 Mai. Ah Lavaiigikd. 
 
 You love the life of Mdlali alone; 
 Not Mulati. 
 
 Lnv. What mean you. 
 
 Mid. I have borne. 
 
 Thus long a hateful life, sustained alone 
 ^Y flattering promises I yet might wed
 
 ( 72 ) 
 
 The Lord of my election. 1 his is past— 
 
 But 'tis my firm resolve to enil my days. 
 
 Free from the stain of vio ated faith 
 
 To the divinity, whom I have served— 
 
 Then do not thou oppose me in my pui'pofj». 
 Falls at her feet. 
 Male. Her love is boundless. 
 
 Lnvnngikd beckons to Mddhata- 
 
 Go tnl<e her place. 
 M'idh I tremble. 
 M^ik. 'Tis a s'gn 
 
 Of present happiness. 
 Madh. I <ro. (approaches genilij and takes the station of 
 Laraigikd who retires* 
 
 Mill. (Kneeling,') Speak your assent my friend 
 Madh. Forego such desperate purpose, simple maid : 
 
 Aly heart, dear girl, wi 1 never bear thy loss.f 
 Mai. Behold me prostrate ti 1 you give consent. 
 Madh. What can I say — desponding as thou art — 
 
 Do as thou wiltj but first this fond embrace. 
 Mai. Now I am blest (rises and Ihi cms herself into Md-i 
 dhava's arms. J 
 
 I have but half my friend ; 
 
 For my fast flowing tears obscure my sight. 
 
 Firm as the lotus cup, and smooth with down. 
 
 Thy form recalls a contact that allays 
 
 * The Mtiintion Hint ensues and Prakrit according; to the 
 
 IS rendered exfravagnntly im- commentator, Sarale Suhaia 
 
 prnl)al)lehy the dial()£;ne. If llie ri'is;nm parihara Rembhohru 
 
 discovery were natural ilwould niurtcha ^awramhham, Vira- 
 
 not he iindraina'if. ^am virahai/d^am sohrumtava 
 
 + This verse is both Sanscrit chittam asahaiitme.
 
 ( 73 ) 
 
 The fever of my grief; oh bear its owneT^ 
 With hands thus elevated to your brow. 
 My farewell message — 'Tis long since these eyes 
 Have lost the sight of thy engaging countenance. 
 As brilliant as the broad bright beaming moon. 
 And lovelier than the full blown lotus fl iwer. 
 The sufferings of my frame, which not the rayg 
 Of the mild lunar orb, nor the cool breath 
 Of Malaya could appease, have long distressed 
 ]My friendly train, with bitterest affliction. 
 Firmness long since has fled this captive heart, 
 Uprooted by resistless destiny. 
 Impetuous torturing me with fruitless hope— 
 I hope no more. Let me still live, dear friend. 
 In your remembrance, and when 1 am gone, 
 INIay this, the work of Mddhava, preserved 
 Next to your heart, whene'er it meet your gaze, 
 Bring to your mind the Mdlati you loved — 
 Goes to hang the Garland roiuidthe neck of Mddhava and 
 discovering her mistake starts hack hi alarm. 
 
 Madh. {Apart.) The gentle pressure of her heaving bosom 
 Has spread delightful coolness through my frame. 
 As if combined upon my skin Avere strewed 
 Sandal and Camphor — Saivala^ and pearls— ( 
 The lotus fibre or the moonstone's dew. 
 Mai. Lavangikd betrays me. 
 Madh, Gentle maid — 
 
 * Au aquatic plant (Vallisneria) of supposed cooling 
 powers. 
 
 K
 
 Your o-vvn experience only lannot teach you/ 
 What otliers have endured — but this believe; 
 Such days as you have passed, such have I known. 
 Whose fevered flan;es have raged in every vein. 
 And anguisli wrung conscious existence from me. 
 Thy love nlone preserved my fleeting life. 
 Lav. You are ensnared my friend as you deserved. 
 Kcd. This mutual confession is pleasant enough. 
 Mak. Princess you are merciful — it is true, 
 IMv friend has undergone so sad a time. 
 And yet exists — now may his hopes be crowned. 
 And with that plighted hand ihe golden thread 
 Shall gird, be happiness his future portion. 
 Lav. Wow (an )'ou name the golden thread that girdS 
 The bridal hand — observe you not her heart. 
 Is agitated with the appi'ehension, 
 Of an immediate and unwelcome marriage. 
 ^lul. (Apari.) Out on it — what is this, it ill becomes 
 
 The daughter of a noble race. 
 Kam. (Entering ) How now-— 
 
 ]\ry gentle child. 
 (]\Ial(Ui throws herself into her (tuns ) 
 J\um. Look up, behold the youth who shared your suf- 
 ferings. 
 Whose eyes first caught the flame; whose heart was 
 
 next. 
 To tliee alone devoted ; and whose frame 
 Like thine emaciate equal loassion shews. 
 Behold liim here— Dismiss this weak timidity— • 
 Ee love obeyed and destiny fulfilled.
 
 ( 75 ) 
 
 Lav. What marvel dame, our friend should be alarmed. 
 This is, to say the truth, a fearful personage — 
 The conqueror of the fierce and impious wreteh, 
 Wlio braved his fatal arm, when on the night 
 No moon ilhunes, and with no good intent, 
 He trod the confines of the funeral ground. 
 Mak. (To himself.) Well said Lnvangika — the double 
 bond. 
 Of love and gratitude is well susriiested- 
 Mai. Alas my parents. 
 Kam. MddJmva my son. 
 Madh. Command me. 
 
 Kam. This is this dearest gem of Bhurivasu, 
 The mighty minister^ whose feet areblazoned^ 
 With the bright diadems of prostrate priuces. 
 Fate, pleased congenial merit to unite, 
 And Love and I their instrument, confer 
 This treasure to your care. f Weeps.) 
 
 Mak. Our hopes are gratified 
 
 By your kind aid. 
 Madh. But why these tears. 
 
 Kam. My son, long cherished friendship has endeared 
 The interests of your house to me, and now 
 That love is consummated, for mine o!d 
 And tried affection, and for other causes, 
 I may demand, you listen to my councils. 
 Then heed my words, and pledge your faith to me. 
 You cherish this dear child most tenderly. 
 When distant from her anxious sire, and me— « 
 (AboiU to fall, at the feel of Mudhava-J
 
 ( 76 ) 
 
 Madh. (Prevenl'mg her.) Forbear — forbear ; your kind- 
 ness overpowers me. 
 
 Muk. Why slioukl you need assurance dame of this — 
 The object of your praise — the living festival 
 Of human eyes — replete with warm affection. 
 And brilliant worth — why, one Avere irresistible— 
 Their union is your surety. 
 
 Kam. My son (io Mcidhava.) 
 
 Madh. Behold me. 
 
 Kam. Mdlati my child. 
 
 Lav. Slie waits upon your Avill. 
 
 Kum. Uemember children — 
 
 A virtuous wife, and a respected lord — 
 Are each to either all — kindred and friends. 
 Wealth, love, and life, and all the heart should covet, 
 
 Male. 'Tis justly said. 
 
 Lav. What further has the dame 
 To order. 
 
 Kam.. Mukarnnda — take these robes. 
 And dress you for the bridal. 
 
 Male. As you will. 
 
 Behind this curtain* I can make my toilet, (retires). 
 
 Madh. The act is easy but the end is arduous. 
 
 K'-m. Out on thee — what liast thou to do in this. 
 
 Madh. I trust me to your judgement. 
 
 * Chilra, Javanilcd, a psvint- Jca, it is ralher arras or tapes- 
 
 ed clolli, ascreeu or veil siis- try— he descrilies it as ch)th 
 
 pended iQ u temple before the covering the walls of a tcuiple. 
 ad} turn— according to Malan-
 
 ( '^7 ) 
 
 Enter Mahcn-anda in female atlire.^ 
 
 Mnk. My friend — behold your Mulati. 
 
 Madh. {Embructn^ lam.) In truth, 
 
 The priestess highly favours Nandana, 
 To yield his admiration^ for an instant, 
 A bride tike this. 
 
 Kam. Now my dear children (to Mdliti and Mddhava) 
 leave 
 This Temple by the sacred grove, and pass 
 Quick to the garden of my Sanctuary. 
 In the pavi ion, Avalolitd, 
 Awaits }'our coming, with all means prepared 
 To celebrate the nuptial ceremony. 
 The rite accomplished, to the grove retire 
 Where round the Areka trees, the betel vine 
 Curls its pale leaves, as pallid as the cheek 
 Of the fair dames of Kerala who mourn 
 Their absent lordst — The beauties of the scene 
 Begirt with waving oranges, and musical 
 With the sweet tone of numerous choristers. 
 Who sip delightedly the jujube's juice. 
 Shall breathe a warmer rapture on your loves. 
 There loiter till your friend, and his fair maid. 
 The princess Madcii/rintikci shall join you. 
 
 Madh. This were indeed to crown my happiness. 
 
 * A rather expeditious affair + Milahar. They are oftea 
 but as the dress consists almost alluded to in lliis strain, and 
 solely of one long wrapper it is to be supposed therefore 
 not so unmanageable as some that tlie women of this pro- 
 of the trausforraalioas of a Ma- vinre areof a fairer coraplexi- 
 thevrs. ou than usual iu India*
 
 ( 78 ) 
 
 Kal. If luck befriend us this will surely bcs- 
 
 Madh. 'I'liere cannot be a fear. 
 
 Jmv. Heard 3'oa my friend. 
 
 Ku)n. Livan^i'cd 
 
 And Makaranda — we must now depart, 
 
 Mdl. What; must you go, Lavan^ikd. 
 
 Lav. (Sm'dhi'^.) I must. 
 This is our way. 
 
 Exeunt Kdmmidaki, Lavangikd and Malcaranda. 
 
 Madh. Like some fair lotus is this trembling hand. 
 Along whose slender stalk, the downy filaments 
 Erect extend, and from whose leaflet fingers 
 The pearly tkops from love engendered fall — i 
 I clasp it now in mine — as with his tusk, 
 The^Elephant entwines the tender flower. 
 And gently wrests it from its native lake. 
 
 Exit with Mulatk 
 
 END OV THJS SIXTH ACT,
 
 ACT VI r. 
 
 THE PALACE OF N AND ANA. 
 
 Enter Buddharakshilu. 
 
 So far so well. Malaranda well became his disguise as 
 Mdlalt^ and by the instructions and good fortune of the 
 Danie, has played his part unsuspected, and has been wed- 
 ded to Nandana in the palace of the minister. Kamandaki 
 then took leave, and went home, anticipating that the attend- 
 ants would all be Avearied Avith the bustle of the festival of 
 bringing the bride to her husband's house, and that the 
 evening would be favourable to the execution of our design. 
 In the mean time Nandana impatient to possess his bride, 
 first esuleavoured to sooth her alarms, and humble himself 
 at her feet : finding this in vain he had recourse to violence, 
 but he was so severely handled by the supposed maiden that 
 he was compelled to desist. Enraged at the treatment— the 
 tears starting from his eyes with pain and vexation, and his 
 speech inarticulate with fury, Nandana vowed he would 
 have no more to say to one, who was no better than the 
 wanton of a boy — with this determination he left the house, 
 and now on this pretext, we may bring Madayaniikd and 
 Makaranda together. Exit.
 
 f 80 5 
 SCENE SECOND. 
 
 Lavanrr'ikd, and Makaranda on a conch in ivoniaWs attire, 
 discovered. 
 Male. You are confident that BuddJiarakshitd, 
 Will make no blunder, and so disappoint 
 The project of the priestess. 
 Lav. Never fear. 
 
 And hark — the tinkling foot bells — that proclaim 
 Their near appi'oach: quick, spread this mantleover you. 
 And seem to sleep. (lie lies down as she covers him. 
 
 Enter Madaij an tiled and Buddharakshitd. 
 Mad. I\Ty brother is indeed 
 
 ]\Iost grievously displeased with Mcilali. 
 Buddh. No doubt. 
 Mad. But this is unbecoming — let us go 
 
 And take to task this rude ill mannered girl. 
 Buddh. This is her chamber door. 
 Mad. Lavangikd. 
 
 Sleeps your fair friend. 
 Lav. Yes, do not break her slumbers. 
 
 She has been sadly vexed of late, and now 
 
 Her cares awhile forgot, she tastes repose. 
 
 Here gently, seat you on the couch. 
 Mad. (Sits down.) Indeed 
 
 She may be vexed ; that she Is rude I'm sure. 
 Lav. Plow should she not be fretted —with a husband 
 
 So gently kind, affectionate and mild. 
 
 So skilled to Avin a maiden's confidence. 
 
 As is your brother.
 
 ( Si > 
 
 Mad. irey BiiddJinrahshUd 
 
 We came to tell a very different story. 
 Suddh. Perchance not quite so different. 
 Mud. How so. 
 Buddh. "lis true she treated with but scant respect 
 
 The husband prostrate at her feet ; still this 
 
 Was maiden bashfulness, and might be pardoned. 
 
 You cannot deem so of your brother's anger. 
 
 Who in resentment of a coy resistance, 
 
 Such as became a virgin bride to offer. 
 
 To boisterous violence, forgot all sense 
 
 Of his own dignity, and had recourse 
 
 To sheer abuse — such conduct is disgraceful 
 
 To you, not us — The poets well observe— 
 Women like flov/ers are of tender fabric 
 And should be softly handled — they detest 
 
 The furious passion that would force their love 
 Impatient, ere their confidence be won. 
 Lav. Alas — who ever heard of such behaviour. 
 In many a house, men of exalted rank 
 
 Are wedded unto maids of gentle birth; 
 
 But who, like fire the breeze blows into flame. 
 
 Is rendered furious by the chaste reluctance 
 
 Of his young, fair, and unoffending bride. 
 
 A husband's harshness renders home distasteful 
 
 To the desponding wife, tortures her heart 
 
 With poisoned shafts, and makes her wish for death. 
 
 Occurrences like these compel a family . 
 
 To murmur sorely when a girl is born.
 
 ( 82 ) 
 
 Mad. (To Buddh) Our friend iavfif/igi/cw seems sadly 
 grieved. 
 What fault so lieinous is my brother charged with. 
 
 J?M Idh. Did we not hear his Avords. 
 
 Mud. What Avere they. 
 
 Buddh. " I will naught 
 
 Of one no better than a stripling's wanton." 
 
 Mad. Folly — insanity — my iYie\\(\. LavavgiJcd ; 
 It is with shame I look you in the face. 
 But I should have some voice iu this alFair, 
 So hear what I advise. 
 
 LaiK I am attentive. 
 
 Mad/i. Dismiss the memory of my brother's rudeness. 
 Remember only that he is the husband 
 Of our friend Mulali, and, to confess 
 The truth, you must admit there was some cause 
 For this intemperate languagCj though unmeet 
 For female ears. 
 
 Lav. I knoAv no cause. 
 
 Madh. It has been noised abroad, 
 
 That Mdlai'i had plighted her affection 
 
 To the youth Mad/iava. This is no mystery— = 
 
 But noAV, dear friend, exert your utmost skill. 
 
 That such ill starred aversion to her husband. 
 
 May utterly be rooted from her heart: 
 
 If not, a grievous shame Avill light upon her, 
 
 For wives resentful and vuigentle plague 
 
 The hearts of men — this fear that I have hinteil 
 
 You Avill not speak of.
 
 ( 83 > 
 
 Itav. Hence you heedless girl, 
 
 To be beguiled by loose report so easily:: 
 I hold no farther talk with you. 
 Mad. Nay — nay. 
 
 Be not displeased: you need not hesitate 
 
 To own the truth— v* hat, I suppose we knew not. 
 
 That Mdlati had nearly pined to death. 
 
 On Mudhava's account: we did not mark 
 
 The delicate beautj' of lier wasting form. 
 
 Like the )'^oung tender Ketaki — we saw not 
 
 The animating influen e of the wreath 
 
 Of Vakida flowers^ wove by the hand of Mudhavaf 
 
 Nor did we note ihe evident sympathy 
 
 Each frame expressed, when either shewed as wan 
 
 As tlie moon's pallid disk when morning dawns— 
 
 You may forget, that I beheld their glances. 
 
 When in the garden of the flower- armed god. 
 
 The youth and maiden met : their eyes encountering; 
 
 Swam with delight, and brilliant flashes shot 
 
 From each soft orb, uttering intelligibly 
 
 The language prompted by the soft emotion 
 
 That played throuo'h every agitated limb — 
 
 Then, when the news arrived the king had given he? 
 
 In marriage to my brother — was not a change. 
 
 As if the hand of adverse fate had scorched 
 
 Her charms, and rudely from its living bands 
 
 Had wrung her heart, that moment manifest—- 
 
 Nay, I remember too — 
 
 Lai\ What more. 
 
 Mad. When by the shrewed suggestion of the Dame,
 
 { 84 ) 
 
 The youth was counselled to give Mnlati 
 Some token of his happiness, that his friend. 
 The bi'ave preserver of my life;, "as brought 
 Again to conscious being — he presented her 
 His heart — and life — and if I heard aright, 
 X>ava?igika replied, " my friend esteems 
 Tliese liberal gifts most Avorthy her acceptance. 
 Lav. And who was he — the saviour of your life, 
 
 I have forgotten him. 
 Mad. Think — think again — ■ 
 
 When I was ciiased by the ferocious beast. 
 And had no hope — that guardian youth appearec?. 
 And heedless of a person wliich ensln-ines 
 1 he Avorth of all the world, quick interposed 
 His powerful arm to snatch me from destruction. 
 For me, he braved the monster's mighty blows. 
 Falling like thunder strokes; his manly breast 
 Was scored with wounds, and ruddier than a wreath 
 Of c:imson roses. But the tiger plied 
 His fangs and claws in vain — the hero triumphed— 
 The furious savage fell beneath his sword. 
 Lav. Ah, I remember now — 'Twas Makaranda. 
 Mad, Whom say you. 
 Lav. Makarand:i. (taking holdoj lier.) 
 How now — 
 
 AVhat are we all alike — how chances \i 
 That one so free from passion should betray 
 Without apparent cause, this agitation^ 
 And blossom like the round Kadamhu flower.* 
 
 * The Kadamha flower when projecting anthercc hkc the 
 full blown is iuvested with erect bristles of a hedge-hog-—
 
 ( 85 ) 
 
 Mad. Why laugh at me: I own I often think 
 
 Of that brave youth, who reckless of his safety 
 Rushed to my aid, and snatched me from the jaws 
 Of all devouring fate — I frequent view him. 
 As the sharp pain of his inmunerous wounds. 
 Forced the big drops from his exhausted limbs. 
 And leaning on his sword, awhile he stood. 
 Then closed his lotus eyes and fiinting fell — 
 Content to leave this g'orious living world. 
 For Madayaniika, and inhtr presence. 
 Should I think less of one who saved my life. 
 
 Biiddh. Then why this evident uneasiness. 
 
 Mad. Away — away— It is because T find. 
 My oldest friends mistrust me. 
 
 Lav. Na3% dear girl — 
 
 We know that which we know — come — be composed 
 Confess the truth — there should be no disguise 
 Amongst such friends as we are — let us taste 
 The pleasure mutual confidence bestows. 
 
 Buddh. Lavangikd is right 
 
 Mad. Well I must need. 
 Obey my friend. 
 
 Lav. Come tell us how of late 
 You pass your time. 
 
 Mad. Hear me: when first 
 
 I saw this youth with Buddhm-alcsJiitd, 
 Confiding in her consciousness, I checked not 
 My heart from dwelling on his pleasing image. 
 
 delight according to the Hin- to the down of the body — the 
 dus gives a bristly elevation phenomenon here alluded to.
 
 - ( 86 ) 
 
 A brief indulgence — Destiny full soon 
 
 Withdrew his presence — It -was then I found 
 
 How deep a wound had ^Madaiia inflicted — 
 
 Life was distasteful to me — on my form 
 
 The scorching flames of passion fiercely preyed. 
 
 And filled my kind attendants Avith affliction. 
 
 The only remedy I saw Avas death ; 
 
 And anxio is sought such welcome liberation. 
 
 Still Buddharakshila opposed my purpose. 
 
 Assuaged my growing sorrows, and persuaded me 
 Still to endure this transitory Avorld. 
 
 My dreams since come to animate my hopes; 
 
 Place in my eyes the object of my wishes. 
 
 Bring to my ears the music of liis voice, 
 Fold me within his grasp, and picture moi*e 
 
 Than I dare tell you— till I wake and view 
 
 Ah me — the world a lone and dreary Avaste.f 
 Lciv. 'lis honestly avowed, and well I know. 
 
 It costs onr friend here no small pains to liide 
 
 Some of these feelings from 3'our tittering train* 
 Mad, You chatter giddily — I have done Avith you. 
 Buddh. Regard lier not, be sure that Miduti, 
 
 Has for her ear some similar confession. 
 Mad, Nay — nay — you must not laugh at Mdlati. 
 Bud. ^Vell I have done, and now my tender friend, 
 
 I have a question for you, if you promise me 
 
 Inviolate secvecy. 
 
 * The Hindu Cupid. is somewhat compressed from 
 
 ■\ The latter part of ibis speech tlic origiaal.
 
 C 87 ) 
 
 Mad. What breach of trust 
 
 Have I committed, that there needs such promise. 
 
 ]\ry heart is wholly yours, and Lavangikas. 
 Su'ldh. If Makaraii la cross your siarht asfain 
 
 By any accident, wliat would you do. 
 Mad. My eyes would rest unwearied^n his form, 
 
 And on my heart would heavenly rapture fall. 
 Baddk. And if by love directed he should offer 
 
 Such gentle violence as Rukmini 
 
 Endured from Purnsliollama'^ and wrung 
 
 Your bridal vows from you. 
 
 * A nnme of A>/.«//w«: accor- kinsmen carried her ofTto Difff- 
 
 ^\na^\.o\\\c Hari Bans, Rukmini raid: a hot jnirsiiit follower', 
 
 •was the daugliter ©f Bhishmaka and an engngnient took place 
 
 kins^of Knndina, and was soli- in wliich Rukmi was struck to 
 
 tited ^in iriiirriage by Krishna the ground by Kesava, but his 
 
 of vhom she was enamoured, life wns spared at liis sislcr's in- 
 
 biit the son of Bhiskmn, Riiknii tercession and Krislma remained 
 
 jenlons of Krishnns fame and possessed of his prize. The mar- 
 
 bei:.g incensed by the dtalli of riap;e was solemnized at 7)jiyflrffAtf 
 
 Kansfh hisfriend.washostile to the and Rukmini remained the chief 
 
 nKitch,andneg()riated his sister's of Krishnfi's wives. He had ten 
 
 rn-^rriage with Sisupala king of sons by her, of whom Fradj/u- 
 
 C/ie<i*,likewi:;einimicnlly disposed en7ut h the most celebrated, 
 
 towards Krishva. All the kings The Rape of Rukmini is also 
 
 of India were invited to the narrated nearly in the same words 
 
 ■weddin'".andain0ngstthem came as in the //«?/uaHs« in the 5lh 
 
 Krishna, who seeing Rukmini Section of the Vishnu Purana 
 
 proceed lo offer her devotions at and more in detail in the 10th 
 
 a temple, way laid her on her re- Book of the Bhagar a I, ami^ia 
 
 turn, and with the assistance of the Krishna Junma Khanila of 
 
 his brother Balarama and his of the Brahmavaivcrllu Piiranu.
 
 ( 88 > 
 
 ^lad. (Sighing ) Why tease me, 
 
 Witli such vain hopes, 
 Buddh, Nay answer me. 
 Lav. Those sighs 
 
 Deep drawn, betray the secrets of her heart. 
 And give you plain reply. 
 Mad. \\liat do you tliink of me. 
 ' He bought this body when he risked his own. 
 And snatched me from the tiger — I am his. 
 L<tv. 'Tis generously and gratefully resolved. 
 Bud. You Avill remember what you have now saidi 
 Mad. Hark, (drums wilhout.) 
 
 The drum proclaims the second watch begun. 
 I must disturb my friend, and try to soothe 
 Her indignation at my brother's conduct. 
 And then to rest — why, Mulaii — asleep. 
 (Goes to the couch, Makaranda shews his face, and catches 
 hold of her hand.) 
 
 Hey who is this. 
 Mak. Fear nothing gentle maid ; 
 
 Let not that palpitating breast distress 
 Your slender waist — in me, behold your slave 
 By your avov/ed affection elevated 
 To highest ecstacy. 
 Ll.v. {Holding up Maiayantikus face.) 
 Behold your lover. 
 
 The object of your hopes. Within the palace. 
 The servants soundly sleep— the night is dark. 
 Now shew j^our gratitude, let us take off 
 Our tinkling anclcts, and depart. 
 Mad. Where should we co.
 
 ( 89 ) 
 
 Buddh. Where Mdlati has gone. 
 
 3i1ad. What, has she fled. 
 
 Buddh. She has ; now let me see — ■ 
 What I must think of you. 
 
 ( Madayiiidika weejjs.) 
 
 (ToMnha.J Noble youth 
 
 My dear friend gives to you — herself. 
 
 Mak. This is 
 
 A glorious conquest, and to day T reap 
 
 The harvest of my youth — upon whose festival. 
 
 In p; oof of friendship, the fish-bannered god* 
 
 Presents me in his bounty this dear maid. 
 
 Come, by this private entrance let us fly — t 
 
 Our nightly journey will not want its pleasui'es. 
 
 The breeze that cool and fragrant sweeps along 
 
 The lofty terrace, or the palace top. 
 
 Reveals the joyous scenes it has surveyed. 
 
 As with the camphory balm, and flowery perfume. 
 
 And winy odours, redolent it blows. Exeunt. 
 
 * Kama or Cupid who bears t The original here directs 
 
 upon his banner the Malcarnvin their exit and the following lines 
 
 aquatic monster, something like are supposed to be spokeu iu 
 
 the sign of Ihe Zodiac, Capti- the street, 
 curuus. 
 
 END OF THE SEVENTH ACT. 
 
 H
 
 ACT VIIl. 
 
 THE MANSION OF KAJMANDAKI. 
 
 Enter Avalokitd. 
 Whilst my mistress has gone to the palace of Nundimrr, 
 I -will seek Mcidhava and Malati. A\\, there they sit— upon 
 the marble platform crowning the steps of the lake, refresh- 
 ing themselves after the heat of the day — I will join them. 
 
 Exit. 
 
 THE GROVE. 
 
 Mdlatiand Mddhava discovered To them, Avalokitd 
 
 Madh. Night, ever friend to love, now spreads its shades. 
 Faint in the east the gentle moonlight gleams 
 Pale as the Pahii's sear leaf, and through the air 
 The slowly rising breezes spread around 
 The grateful fragrance of the Ketaki.* 
 How shall I win this maid to confidence. 
 My dearest Mdlali ; whilst I retain 
 The cooling influence of the evening bath, 
 You are oppressed with heat : the trembling drops^ 
 Steal from A^our hair, and quiver on your bosom ; 
 And o'er your graceful form, the down erect 
 Profusely rises : whilst you suffer thus 
 Cling to my side, as once you favoured me. 
 
 * A strong sceuted flower (Pandanus odoratissimus.)
 
 ( 91 ) 
 
 Why thus averse. Let those confiding arms. 
 
 Upon whose taper length the sudden dews 
 
 Start with alarm, as if the living gem 
 
 Kissed by the muon distilled its gelid moisture. 
 Twine round my neck — and if this may not be—* 
 
 Why may I not be blessed with your discoui'se. 
 
 What, if this frame, long scorched by southern gales 
 
 And by the lunar beams, may not aspire 
 
 To 3'our embrace — yet, let mine ear distressed 
 
 By the wild Kail's song, be now regaled 
 
 By your melodious voice, more musical 
 
 Than are the choirs of heaven. 
 Ava. (Advancing) What folly, this— 
 
 What inconsistency — late in my presence 
 
 When Mddhava but a brief interval 
 
 Had disappeared, you were most misei'able ; 
 
 And thus exclaimed " Where can my lord delay ; 
 
 Would he were come -that I might gaze upon him, 
 
 With eyelids never veiled, and a 1 reserve 
 
 Discarded wholly, I might fly to him. 
 
 And clasp him in my arm->" — those were your words ; 
 
 And now, what contrast. ^ 
 
 (Mdlati looks at her spitefidlij.) 
 Madh. {Apart.) The Dame's disciples 
 
 Are all endowed with clear intelligence. 
 
 And eloquence of speech (aloud.) How, Mdlati, 
 
 Speaks Avalokitd the truth. 
 
 (Mdlati shakes her head.) 
 
 Or are you sworn to siience by the lives 
 
 Of those whom best you love
 
 ( 92 ) 
 
 Mai. (In a hesUa'ing mcmner.) How should 1 know, mj 
 lord — (pauses) 
 
 Madh. Delightful though unperfect sounds— but see 
 Whet should this mean— The starting tear drop steals 
 From those fawn eyes/ and gli.-tens on that cheeii — 
 Upon Avhose pallid hue the moon beams play. 
 As if the lunar orb desired to quaff 
 The nectar of its beauty. 
 
 Aiw, Why is this ? 
 
 Why start these tears ? 
 
 Mai (To her.) How long must I regret 
 The absence of LctV'ii:g-kd : is it 
 Not possible to gather tidings 'of her 
 
 Madh. (To Avalokitd.) "What says my love. 
 
 Ava You have recalled the memory of Lavangikd^ 
 And she is anxious for some news of her. 
 
 Madh. It was but now, I ordered Kalah^insa 
 To go, and secretly collect intelligence. 
 At Nnndana's abode— We need not fear — 
 The plan that was to win my friend a bride 
 Cannot have failed. 
 
 'Ava. Be sure of it. 
 
 But tell me Madhava ; 
 
 You gave your life and heart to Mdlati, 
 
 When brought again to consciousness — suppressed 
 
 By fear for Makaranda's h eeding wounds. 
 
 Now, if that friend beloved should Avin the maid. 
 
 And thus your happiness should be increased. 
 
 What gift remains to speak your gratitude. 
 
 To him who may impart the pleasing tidings.
 
 I 93 I 
 
 Mad/i. She tells me what to do. (loolcifi^ at his bosom.) 
 
 This garland, wove 
 Of the sweet flowers of that beauteous tree. 
 That graced the grove oi Madana, beneath 
 Whose conscious shade I first saw Malali, 
 Shall be my free will-gift. — It has been prest 
 Already to her bosom — from my liands 
 Conveyed by her dear friend Lavini.iJcd ; 
 And in her error, thinking that she gave 
 The garland to Luvangikd again. 
 To bear to me, it came to me once more 
 From her, by whom, all that I prize is given me. 
 
 Arm. Molali — This garland ought to be 
 
 Something in your esteem — be on your guard 
 It do not pass into a stranger's hands. 
 
 Mai. You counsel well. 
 
 Madh. (Looki?ig out.) 'Tis Kalahansa. 
 
 Mai. {Approaching.) Fate favours you and Madayantihd 
 Is won. 
 
 Madh. (Embracing her.) The news is ecstasy — 
 
 Takes the garland from his neck and throws it on Mdluti's 
 
 Ava. The charge consigned to Buddharakshitd, 
 Is well accomplished : 
 
 Mai. And I see 
 Lavangikd again. 
 Enter hastily Kalahans^, M idat/a-iliku, Buddharakshitd, 
 and Lavangikd. 
 
 Lav. Help, prince, the city guard have sto >ped midway 
 Your gallant friend — he checks piu'suit alone; 
 That we with Kalahansa might escape.
 
 Kal. And as we fled, we heard on every side 
 
 The gathering tumult ; so that I fear fresh force 
 Has joined the guard. 
 Ava. Aias — how sad a chance ; 
 
 One hour produces happiness and terror. 
 Madh. Come Madaycmlikd, my dwelling 
 
 Is honoured by your presence — for my friend. 
 
 His prowess is we)! known — be not alarmed ; 
 
 Dread not, thou^'h singly he contend with multitudes^ 
 
 To such as lie — odds are of little moment — 
 
 He noed-s no succor but his own right arm. 
 
 Resistless as the Lion, when deliglitedly 
 
 He rings his clashing claws, and cleaves asunder. 
 
 The elepha-it's broad temples, from whose hollows 
 
 I'he trickling dew flows over the shattered cheek—* 
 
 Am')it:ous to pursue the glorious path 
 
 A hero treads, I haste to aid my friend. 
 
 Exit milk Kalahaiisa. 
 Aoa. Assuredly these heroes will return] 
 
 Unhurt — 
 Mai. Do you and BuddJiarakshitd 
 
 Apprise Kdmandaki of this mischance — 
 iMvungikd, overtake my lord ; intreat him, 
 1 hat he and his brave friend will think of us. 
 And shun all needless danger — go, be speedy. 
 
 Exeunt the three, 
 After a pause. 
 Mai. Lavangikd delays — why comes slic not : 
 
 This is a fearful interval — dear girl (to Madai/antikd) 
 I will go forth along the road, and see
 
 X 95 ) 
 
 If any of our friends return 
 
 Ma J. My right eye throbs.* (re('ireit) 
 
 As Mdlali is goin^ enter Kapahhindald 
 
 Kap. Hold. 
 
 31aL {Screams.) Ah! Husband (in an under tone — stops 
 terrijial. 
 
 Kap. Yes, call upon him. 
 
 Where is your love — the murderer of the pious-^ 
 
 The youthful paramour of wanton girls. 
 
 Let him — your husband save you — if he can. 
 
 Bird of the wild, that tremblest to behold 
 
 The hovering hawk— what canst thou hope — long 
 
 marked 
 My prey. I bear thee with me to Srt Parvald : 
 There to consign thee to a painful death. 
 Torn piece meal — victim of my just revenge. 
 
 Carrier off Malati--' 
 
 Mad. C Coming forrvard.) I will even follow Maluli ; 
 Ha! Mdlali. 
 
 Lav. (Enters.) 'lis T, Livangikd. 
 
 Mad. How, have you seen the Princes. 
 
 Lav. I have not. 
 
 Scarce had we left the garden's boundaries 
 When hearing the int reasing noise, the youth 
 Sprang speedily away, and in an instant 
 Was lost amidst the throng : in vain I followed 
 And thought it better to retrace my steps. 
 As I returned, I heard from every house 
 
 * Ad unlucky oraea in a female— a lucky one la men.
 
 ( 95 } 
 
 I?pjTvct for Mciloraiida and his friend — 
 Tlie citizens were grieving for their fate. 
 The King, they said, had been informed the youths 
 Had borne away the daughter of the minister^ 
 And f.iriously incensed had sent his guards 
 To seize the fugitives — himself awaiting 
 Upon the palace terrace their return. 
 Mad. Ah me unhappy, I have heard my death, 
 Lov. But where is Mdlaii -^ 
 Mad. She went to watch 
 
 The road you should return — I then pursued 
 Her steps, but have not seen her since — most likely 
 She has gone into the garden — 
 Lav. Let us seek her — Hold, who comes here. 
 'Tis Kalaha7iSit, quick, your news. — 
 
 ^ Enter Kalahansa^ 
 Kala. We have got well out of the scuffle — Oh dear me.' 
 I think I now see the glittering gleam of the polished Sa- 
 bres flashing in the moon light — a pretty but awful ap^ 
 pearance : and then what a tumult from the hostile force : 
 assailed by the ii*resistible, merciless, and active Maka< 
 randa, they fled in dismay and confusion, with a clamour 
 which filled the whole space of heaven, like that emitted by 
 the tossing waves of Kalindi\ when they were turned from 
 their course by the mighty plough of Balardma in fulfil- 
 ment of the menace that wine had dictated.;}: I shall not 
 
 * In the original Kalahansa connect his narrative with the 
 
 enters and tells Ihe story to the business of the piece. 
 
 Audience which is a very clumsy + The Yamuna or Jtimni. 
 
 and Chinese mode of conducting + Balarama, having paid a 
 
 the plot. A short speech or two visit to his friends and rehiti.ms 
 
 has therefore been introduced to at Gokula, speut two moalha
 
 ( 97 ) 
 
 forget either the prowess of my master Mddhava — he soon 
 cleared the road of the soldiers : they ran with no little speed, 
 those who could, Avhile covering the road with heaps of va-. 
 rious weapons thrown away in their flight, from the concent 
 trated thunder stroke of his formidable arm — The king has 
 truly a regard for merit — His eye dwelt with complacency 
 on the lovely countenances o^ Mddhava and Makara?ida as 
 they stood before him on the terrace — whither after the 
 affray was composed by the monarch's attendants they had 
 been respectfully conducted, — Having heard their rank and 
 connexions from me, the youths received every honour, and 
 hismajestyturningto Bhunvasu and Nandana who stood nigh, 
 — their faces as black as ink with rage and disappointment, 
 said to them very condescendingly ; How now — are you not 
 content with kinsmen such as these, ornaments of the world, 
 eminent in worth and descent, and handsome as the new 
 moon — so saying he withdrew to the interior and Mudhava 
 and Makarunda were dismissed, — they are now coming 
 and I have been sent on before to carry the tidings to the 
 Pious Dame. 
 
 Lav. (To Mad/vjuntiku ) Delightful news for you, nor 
 less acceptable 
 To our dear Mdlati : let us haste to find her. 
 
 Exeiait severally'. 
 
 there chiefly iu the society of Jieing elevated with wine vowed 
 
 the Gopis or nymphs of that dis- lie would compel her, and accord- 
 
 trict— on one occasion, heiiig diiigly dnigged her to him willi 
 
 desirous of bathiug in the Jh/hma, his plough share, the weapou 
 
 from which he was a little w:iy he usually wielded, and only let 
 
 remote, he summoned 'the river the river go again, upon the 
 
 to his presence. VaniundTefas- promise of future good behavi* 
 
 ed to come, on which Balaruma out—Bhasavut x. 65- 
 
 N
 
 ( 08 ) 
 
 Enter Madhava and Makaranda. 
 Madh. I cannot chuse but marvel at thy prowess 
 So more than mortal — breaking thy way resistless 
 Througli uU opposing- ranks ; scattering the timidj 
 And levelling the fiercest with thy arm. 
 On either hand the frightened troops retired. 
 As forced my friend a path amidst the wave 
 Of battle, tossing with innvimerous heads. 
 Mak. I do foresee the valiant wi 1 lose credit 
 
 With their fair nymphs, who in these festal nights, 
 Irradiated with the lunar beam. 
 Pledge deep the wine cup, and impatiently 
 Court amorous dalliance from their lords returned. 
 They will declare that men are pithless grown, 
 When they shall find how ill the limbs are tuned 
 To love — crushed, bruised, and mangled by thy vigour. 
 Madh. We must not be unmindful of the clemency 
 
 The king displayed, whose favour overlooked 
 So readily our offences — come— I long 
 
 To hear the story Kalaliansaka 
 
 Has told, I know full well, to both the damsels. 
 You must prepare to tell ihe tale again. 
 
 Whilst Madoyaniikci declines her head. 
 
 Veiling her eyes with modesty, afraid 
 
 To meet the sidelong smiling glance o^Malaii.^ 
 
 Here is the garden gate. 
 
 * Laughing at MadmjanULd text and comment wllh regard to 
 
 say the conimeiiljitors as the tliespeakers of this and the pre- 
 
 causeofso much disturbance— ceding speech, 
 there is some confusion in the
 
 ( 99 ) 
 
 They enter 
 
 Mitdh. How— all deserted. 
 
 Male. Alarmedj no doubt, at hearing our return 
 Was intercepted, tliey must have dispersed. 
 And hid themselves amid the garden shades. 
 Search we about. — 
 They search, and enter Lavangikd and Madayanlika, 
 
 Lav. Ho Madayantikd. 
 
 Here's Mdlat'i — Ah no — yet fate is favoui'able ,; 
 The princely youths return — 
 
 Blak. and Madh.— But where is Malati. 
 
 Ldv. AVhere Malati — alas, we thought the tread 
 Of feet, bespoke her here. 
 
 Madh. ]My heart misgives me — ■ 
 
 ]\Iy mind on that dear maid alone intent 
 Desponds, and all my inmost soul gives way. 
 ]My left eye throbs — and then these words— ah me 
 What hope remains, she's lost to me for ever. 
 
 Mad. When you had left us, Malati dispatched 
 The Dame's attendants to their pious mistress — 
 Lavangikd, she bade, convey her prayers 
 To her loved Lord, to shun all needless peril- 
 Next anxious for your tidings, she herself 
 Went forth to watch the road — and siuce that time 
 I saw her not — -we were even now engaged 
 In quest of her, amidst the shady groves^ 
 When we encountered you — 
 
 Madh. My dearest Malati. 
 
 How many thoughts of evil omen crowd 
 Upon my spirit — if 'tis in sport thou hidest.
 
 ( lOO ) 
 
 Forego the barbarous pastime, if in anger. 
 
 Behold me humbled— if thou wouldst try my love. 
 
 The test is undergone: oh, yield reply — 
 
 My heart can bear no more— now thou art cruel.— 
 Women. Oh dearest friend where art thou. 
 Mafc. (to Madhavu.) Do not yield 
 
 Thus to despair — uncei-tain of her loss. 
 Madh. Oh think what agony she must have suffered. 
 
 In terror for my safety. 
 Mak. That may be. 
 
 But we have not yet thought to seek. 
 
 The venerable priestess. 
 Wome?i. Let us fly to her. 
 Madh. Yes let us haste. 
 
 Mak. C Apart.) If we should find the damsel with the 
 dame, 
 
 'Tis well: if not, I tremble for her life. 
 
 Alas, too often is the happiness. 
 
 That Kindred, Friends or Lovers, taste, as brief 
 
 As Lightning's transient glare. 
 
 * So Sha kespeare says of the happiness of Lovers, it is, 
 " Brief as the lightning in the collied night" 
 
 And again, of the interchange of vows betweea Romeo and 
 JuUet'\i is, 
 
 " Too like the lightning which doth cease to be 
 Ere one can say it lightens." 
 
 END OP THE EIGHTH ACT.
 
 ACT JX. 
 
 THE VINDHYAN MOUNTAINS. 
 
 Enter Sauddmiin. 
 
 * From the tall mount Sri Saila, I, Sauddmitii, 
 Have sought the royal city Padmavati, 
 And now the steps of Mddhava pursue. 
 Unable to endure the scenes where late 
 His Mulati was lost — the youth is wandering. 
 Attended by his ever faithful friend. 
 Amidst these rugged paths, and rocky vallies. 
 
 Alights. 
 How wide the prospect spreads — mountain and rock. 
 Towns, villages and woods and glittering streams. 
 There, v^here the Par a and the Siiid/m wind 
 
 * This is precisely in the however less ir/miile than the 
 
 style of one of the Prologues Grecian, who makes his chnrac- 
 
 of Euripides, who as Brumoy oh- ters not only introduce thera- 
 
 serves, thought it expedient that selvesbut their connexions to the 
 
 a leading character should an- audience. The Chinese historical 
 
 Bounce himself to the audi- Drama offends I)y the same self- 
 
 ence as speedily as possible, or enunciation of the person and 
 
 according to Boileau, Qic" il purposes of the character, much 
 
 declarat son nom. Et dit, Je more extravagantly and con- 
 
 suis Oreste on Men ^gamem- slantly than the Hindu. 
 non. The Hindu writer is,
 
 ( 102 ) 
 
 The towers and temples, pinnacles and gates. 
 
 And spires of ^Padmuvati, like a city 
 
 Precipitated from the skies, appear. 
 
 Inverted in the pure translucent wave. 
 
 There flows the Lavana's frolic stream, whose groves. 
 
 By early rains refreshed, afford the youth 
 
 Of Pudniavati, p'ea^ant haunts, and where 
 
 Upon the herbage brightening in the shower 
 
 The heavy uddered kine contented browze — 
 
 Hark, how the banks of the broad Sindhu fall. 
 
 Crashing, in the undermining current. 
 
 Like the loud voice of thunder laden clouds. 
 
 * Padmavati as his he"n noti- 
 ced is idenliiied by llie poelwith 
 TJjjayin (p. 5^) but the city must 
 liave been situated much nearei* 
 to the mountains lliin :it pre- 
 sent from tlie description here 
 given. The old city however 
 lay two miles north of the pre- 
 sent, according to Sir J. Mal- 
 colm, Dr. Hunter says one, and 
 there must consequently have 
 been a still older Ougein in a 
 more southerly direction if not 
 more lo the East also. The Pa- 
 ra, and the Madhumati named 
 below, appear to be the same, as 
 each unites with the Sindhu or 
 Sindh. If either or both intend 
 the Sipra, the river th;it now 
 washes Oujeiu, it is difficult to 
 
 conceive how that could hare 
 united with the Sindh. \(h\ that 
 river the Kali Sindh o( the pre- 
 sent day he intended. The only 
 confluence in the vicinity of 
 Oiigeiu now is that of the See- 
 rcuply (Saraswali) nriA. Sipra 
 about five miles to the south — 
 the Chota Sindh falls into the 
 Sipra a long way to the north, 
 and tiie larger Sindh flows into 
 tjie Chumbul. It seems most pro- 
 bable that Ougein stood more to 
 the South East than it now does, 
 and nearer to the sources of the 
 Sipra and the Sindh, in which di- 
 rection we have also a range of 
 mountains which may be those 
 alluded to ia llie text.
 
 ( 103 ) 
 
 The sound extends, and like Heramha's* roar. 
 As deepened by the hollow echoing caverns. 
 It floats reverberathig round the hills. 
 Those mountains coated Avith thick clustring AA''oods 
 Of fragrant Sundalf and the ripe MdUiru.X 
 iJecall to recollection the tall hills 
 That southward stretch, where the Goddveri 
 Impetuous flashes through the dark deep shade 
 Of skirting forests, echoing t > her fury — 
 Where meet the Sind/tu and the Madhianuii, 
 The holy fane of Swernavindu§ rises. 
 The lord of Bhasavati, Avhose famed imaffe 
 Is not of mortal fabric, (bowing.) Hail, all hail ; 
 Creator of the universal world — Bestower 
 
 * A iiarae of Ganesd who hav- 
 ing the head is supposed to have 
 the voice of an elephant. 
 
 + The tree specified in the 
 text is the Chandana which usu- 
 ally signifies Sandal, but the 
 commentators iiiliniate,what Dr. 
 Roxburgh {Flora Indicd) con- 
 firms — that the white or true San- 
 dal, only grows on the moun- 
 tains of Malabar or the Malaya 
 mountains— The commentators 
 suppose the Rakla Chandana 
 may be the red Sanders (Ptero- 
 carpus Sanlalinus) but perhaps 
 the tree intended may be the San- 
 tnliim or Syrium mijrlifolinm 
 which grows in the northern cir- 
 cars and which Dr. R. considers 
 
 a strongly marked variety of 
 the Malabar Sandal tree. Flora 
 Indica 2.464. 
 
 'X A fruit tree commonly 
 called Bel. ( .'Egle marmelos.) 
 
 \ This was likely to be a Lin- 
 ga, for which form of worship, 
 Ugcin was particularly celebra- 
 ted about the period of the Mo- 
 hammedan invasion, and proba- 
 bly long before. Of the parlicu- 
 l:\r deity or Linga howeverhere 
 alluded to, no mention elsewhere 
 has been traced, nor are the Pun. 
 dils acquainted with any legend 
 relating to it. The name implies 
 the drop (I'indu) of gold (^wer- 
 na.)
 
 ( 104 ) 
 
 Of all good gifts — Source of the sacred Vedas / 
 God of the crescent crested diadem— Destroyer 
 Of love's presumptuous power — Eldest Lord 
 And teacher of mankind, all glory be to thee— . 
 
 Guhig. 
 
 This mountain is in truth a grateful scene. 
 The peaks are blackened with neAv dropping clouds. 
 And pleased the peafowl shriek along the groves. 
 The ponderous rocks upbear the tangled bowers. 
 Where countless nests give brightness to the gloom. 
 The inarticulate whine of young she-bears. 
 Hisses and mutters through the caverned hills ; 
 And cool, and sharp, and sweet, the incense spreads. 
 Shed from the boughs, the elephant's tusk has sun- 
 dered — ■ 
 
 Looking. 
 
 'Tis noon : the *Lapwing for the tCassia's shade. 
 From the XGamhhdri wings its way. The Pelicanf 
 
 * The Koi/ashthiJca which as § The Purtiilcd which is con- 
 
 Ihe commentators say is asyno- sidered by some to be the same 
 
 i.ime of the Titima or Lap- with the Parukauri which ac- 
 
 wing.-It is also said to imply cording to Buchanan as quoted 
 
 the Koitui moaniii- perhaps tiic in Carey's Bengali Dictionary is 
 
 "'''''^- ^ kind of Pelican (Pclecanus 
 
 + The Cassia Fistula. fnsicollis.) In the Vocabularies 
 
 + The Gamhhnri is a tree, itappears as a synonirae of 7\ «- 
 
 (Gmelina arbor ea.) iuckinnd or the the Cleft-nose
 
 X 103 5 
 
 Whose beak has sipped the acid fruit* beside 
 The sti-eam, hastes now to plunge amidst its waters. 
 The Gallinule creeps panting to the hollow 
 The t Tinisa presents, and lower down. 
 Amidst the woods, the wild fowl make reply. 
 To the soft murmuring of the mournful Dove, 
 As in her nest she pours her frequent song — 
 Enough — I now Avill to the youths, and ofFer them 
 Such consolation as I may. \_Exit. 
 
 Enter Mddhava and Mahurunda. 
 
 Muk. How deary is the state, when nor the miud 
 Dare cherish hope, nor may indulge despair — 
 Like helpless brutes fate whirls us round at will 
 And ever plunges us in new misfortune — ' 
 
 Madh. Ah Mdlati where art thou — how so soon 
 
 Couldst thou desert me ere my truth was known. 
 Remorseless maid, relent — behold my sorrows. 
 How canst thou prove thus cruel to that Mudhava. 
 Once so beloved, — behold me — I am he, 
 
 commonly Nakchhali. But wliat Hog plum. It is also a Synonime 
 
 bird is inlciiiled by that appel- of firana, Andropagon vuirka- 
 
 lation is not known unless it be /us, and of other plants, hut that 
 
 a kind of Toucan— or Horn, bill intended by the author is a legu- 
 
 according to some authorities minous plant as the bird is said 
 
 Purnika is considered synoni- to have tasted the Simbi of the 
 
 mous with A'M»/^/ti''" makshiku, plant, the Pod or legume. Ano- 
 
 the Crocodile fly commonly ther Synonime is the Sinsapa or 
 
 Pankhi or Pulavinga—a, largu Sii>n,J)all)crgiaOugeiniensis. 
 
 moth or Butterfly — t The Tinisa is a tree the 
 
 * The name in the text is name of which has not been as- 
 
 Asvianlaka which is one Syno- certaiiied : carriage wheels are 
 
 uime of Spondida Mangifera or made of its wood.
 
 ( 106 T 
 
 On whom thy liand, bound with the golden thread,* 
 Conferred in otlier days embodied bliss. 
 Alas, my friend, where in the world again 
 
 Shall equal tenderness be found 1, long. 
 
 Endured with withering limb«, like drooping flowret*^ 
 The feverish pangs of love, till in the end. 
 Unable further to sustain the conflict, 
 I was content to cast away my life 
 Like worthless grass — What then remained for me. 
 But to secure with gentle violence. 
 That precious hand. Before the marriage rite. 
 Ere I had dared to hope, you may recall 
 My still encreasing passion, sealed with tears. 
 Emaciate limbs, and heart distracting anguish. 
 Such as I was, I am, and still my mind 
 Is tossed with agony. How strange it is. 
 This heart that sorrow lacerates does not break ; 
 This frame that sinks with anguish, cannot lose 
 Its conscious being — on my vitals preys 
 A burning fire, yet turns them not to ashes ; 
 Fate piecemeal tears my bliss — yet spares my life. 
 ]\Ia\: As fierce as destiny, the flaming sun, 
 
 Accords but ill with your exhausted strength : 
 Let us here rest aAvhile upon the marge 
 Of this wide lake-^-across whose shallow waters. 
 Cool with the spray, and fragrant with the odour* 
 Gleaned from the yet young lotus, gently blows 
 The fresh and friendly breeze — It will revive you. 
 
 * Tart of (he innrriiige cere- or thread round the wrist of th« 
 luony coiiiiuls in tying a string bride.
 
 ( 107 ) 
 
 They sit. 
 (Makaravda continues — to himself.) 
 I will endeavour to divert liis thoughts — 
 (Aloud) JVIy friend, a moment interrupt your tears. 
 Behold awhile the beauties of this lake, 
 Where on its slender stem, the lotus trembles. 
 Brushed by the passing- Swan, as on he sails^ 
 Singing his passion. 
 
 Mddhavajumps tip. 
 Mali. He heeds me not, and now would hence — myfriend 
 One instant pause — taste the delightful perfume 
 That o'er the wave the bending Bay as* scatters. 
 Or tJasmine clustering round the flowery shore. 
 Observe, how smile the mountains, thickly set 
 With budding Kutajaa,^ up to the very peaks. 
 Where stretches dark the canopy of clouds. 
 Inspiring rapture in the dancing peafowl. 
 Thick on the hill's broad bosom the Kadamha^ 
 Shews bright with countless blossoms : on the summit. 
 Rest the black clouds in lengthening line: the streams 
 Descend through rows of budding Ketukas,\\ 
 
 * The Bayas or Bent a kind of tal tree. The corollels of tlie 
 cane (Calamus Ilolan.; ) Flower are numerous, forming a 
 
 + Yulhika great flowered Jas- large peifeclly globular heauti- 
 
 luine (J grandiflorum.) It is ful orange coloured head, with 
 
 also a name of a creeping kind the large white clubbed sligmas 
 
 of Jasmine. (J auriculatum) projecting /"/or. /nf^tcrt '2. 121. 
 
 + The Kuluja is a small tree |1 The Kelaka or Kelaki has 
 
 (tFrighlea unlidyisenleiica.) been already noticed as a flower 
 
 k The Kadamba has been l)e- with a strong odour. (Pandanwt 
 
 fore alluded to as the Naudea odora lUsimuii.) 
 Cadamka, a large aud uruamcu-
 
 I 108 ) 
 
 And fill the waving woods now laugh emblazoned 
 With the "^SUindhra and the Lo(lhrn\ flowers. 
 
 Madh, I mark, my friend, the distant woods present 
 A beauteous sight, but what of that — Ah me. 
 What else should thought suggest— the days approach 
 AVhen the long line of clouds shall shed on earth 
 Their amaranthine drops — trembling in the breeze 
 That from the east comes powerful, and embued 
 With the rich odors of the SdlX and Arjuna§ — • 
 Those days that boast the grateful interchange 
 Of heat and moisture, and the fragrant breath 
 The earth bestows, sprinkled with gonial showers- 
 Ah ! Mdlali, how can I bear to contemplate 
 The young \\Tamdla bowed beneath the Aveight 
 Of the light rain ; the quivering drops that dance 
 Before the cooling gale; the joyful cry 
 That echoes round, as pleased the peafowl hail 
 The bow of heaven propitious to their loves. (Faints) 
 
 Mak. How hapless is the state of my dear friend 
 
 My heart of adamantine mould could feel 
 Some taste of pleasure — now alas all hope ' 
 For Mddhava is lost. How void of sense 
 He lies — Ah! Mala/'/, how canst thou be 
 
 * The SHindhra is a tree the % The Sal is a vahiable timber, 
 
 name of which is not yet to be tree (Shorea robusta.) 
 
 found in Botanical works on In- ^ A kind of tree (Pentaptera 
 
 diiin plants. t4rjuna.) 
 
 + The Lodhra or Lodh is a j] A tree remarkable for black 
 
 tree (Symplocosracemosa) the flowers (Xanlhocymus pictori- 
 
 astringcnt l):uk of whicii is ns.) 
 used in dying and in making ink.
 
 ( 109 ) 
 
 Thus unrelenting — once for him you scorned 
 Your friends and ventured boldly — He has done 
 No wrong to thee, then why this stern desertion. 
 He does not breathe — Fate ro!)S me of my happiness. 
 My heart is rent — my fibres fall apart. 
 The world is blank — I burn Avith inward fires — 
 My soul sinks plunged into the glooms of hell. 
 And dim obscurity veils every sense. 
 What shall I do — .The gentle source of pleasure 
 To friendship's heart ; the orb whose radiance shed 
 Ambrosia on the eyes of Mdiali — the happiness 
 Of Makaranda, the bright ornament 
 Of all the world, now perishes — alas 
 My friend — my Mddhava — ihon wast to me 
 The Sandal of my form, the autumnal moon 
 Of these fond eyes — and rapture to my heart. 
 Now am I slain — untimely fate uproots 
 A life that knew no other wisli than thee — 
 Remorseless, deign to smile upon thy friend. 
 Speak to me — if but to say — dost thou not ku-ar 
 The anguish of your old companions's breast. 
 
 (Mddhava appears to recover.) 
 
 Delightful shadows shedding on the world 
 New life — the cool refreshing drops that fall 
 From yon coerulean cloud* revive my friend. 
 
 + The expression is Achira plies a light ami clear bine, I)iit 
 
 dhaula Rdji pattariichirachhavi why does not appear. The liajd 
 
 Shades of the lint of Rujii palla palta is properly a royal fillet or 
 
 •which has not loncj been cleaned: tiara. Jagaddhara says it means 
 
 this the commentators say im- Kheti, and MalanUa explains it
 
 ( UO ) 
 
 Madh. (Recovering. J Where in this thicket may I hop» 
 to find 
 An envoy to my love — ha, yonder winds 
 Around the mountain's brow, the gathering cloud ; 
 
 Black as the tall Tamula As it stoops 
 
 From it's high course, it pours its tribute dowu 
 Into the river bed, that gliding laves 
 The ebon Jamhu groves laden with fruit. 
 
 (Rises and hows.) 
 
 Thy form the lightning lovingly entwines ; 
 Thy coming, thirsty t6'A«^//irt^ proclaim, • 
 
 Rtiyutipraslara or R ay all 9,\oi\c. JVer mil each wanderte, mil euch 
 
 Imt neither of these words are schiffte, 
 
 fouiul ill any Dictionary, Hindi Gritssct mir freundlich mein 
 
 vv Bengali, nor can the Pnndils Jugcndland. 
 
 explain Ihetn. Ich bin grfangeii, Ich bin in Ban- 
 
 * An address to a cloud as a den, 
 
 messenger to a beloved ohject t/icli ich habe'' kein andern ge- 
 
 is a standin;^ rule in IliiuUi poe- adnlen 
 
 Irv, A lengthened sn|)plicati()n Frey in L'uj'ter is cure Balm 
 
 cfsncha character 1 have given Ihr scs/d nick dieser hiiniginn 
 
 to the public in the Megha Diila untcrlhan. 
 
 orClond Messenger, the celehri- Light clouds, ye l)arks of air, 
 
 ty of which poem probably made Who with ye sails or flies? 
 
 such kind of invocation com- To my youth's home, oh bear, 
 
 inon place. We have however a My hearts recordinj; sighs — 
 
 similar address in a poet of ino- In captive bonds I lonely pine 
 
 (lern Kuropeand although Bha- Nor other envoy now is mine. 
 
 rahhnli may have borrowed Save ye, who freely track your 
 
 from Kalidus we cannot suppose way 
 
 Schiller WAS under a similar ol)- And no tyrannic queen obey, 
 
 ligation when in hisMariaStuart. + A bird which is said to drink 
 
 Mary addresses the clouds. no water but rain. 
 Eiltnde wolheti, Seglci der Lvflc
 
 c in > 
 
 The e.ast wind fans thee with its gentle bi-eath ; 
 And India's bow irradiates thy course — 
 Hark ; with deep voice, he answers, and the sound 
 INIixed with the Peacock's raptured cry, reverberates 
 
 Along tha eclioing caves. He bids me speak, • 
 
 Majestic cloud — if haply as thou roamest — 
 Free on thj"^ aii'y path, thou shouldst behold 
 My love — allay the conflicts of her mind. 
 Tell her her M/idhava'x distress — but heed. 
 You do not snap the slender thread of hope 
 That now alone sustains her fragile life. 
 He onward bends his course. I too will hence, {'going.) 
 Mak. Alas, the reason of my noble friend 
 Is clouded by insanity — Pious dame 
 
 Observe his state, and h nd thy guardian aid 
 
 Madh. How now — the beauty of my love I view 
 In these young buds — her eye, the deer display. 
 The Elephant has stolen her gait — her grace 
 The waving creeper shews — she has been slain. 
 And all her charms are scattered through the wild. 
 My love — my Malati (he faints.) 
 MaJc. Obdurate heart — wliy break'st thou not, afflicted 
 ^y Mdhhavn's affliction— as my friend. 
 The shrine of all desert, lord of my life, 
 The fellow of my childhood's sports — in youth 
 My fond associate, thus laments Jiis love. 
 Nal. (Sighing and rising.) Such close similitude the 
 hand of Brahma. 
 Creates but sparingly — it must be so. 
 Ho', ye, who tenant these high toAvering rocks. 
 And Ijafy Avood* I call to you ; a while
 
 ( 112 ) 
 
 Grant me attention*— Tell me have you seen 
 Amidst these wilds a nymph of lovehest beauty. 
 Or know ye where she strays — I will des ribe 
 Her charms — Love rages tyrant in her bosom. 
 But lavishes his bounties on her form — 
 Alas, the peafowl as he dances wild 
 With rapture, drowns my sorrows with his cry— • 
 With rolling eyeballs the Lliakorai flies 
 After his mate — the Ape in sport besmears 
 His cheeks with flowery dust — whom should I sue to; 
 Vain the request imseasonebly proffered 
 There, leaning on the Rohin's% hoUoAV stem, the elephant 
 Wearied supports his trunk upon his mate ; 
 With the sharp points of his vast tusks he rubs 
 The corners of lier eyes — he fans her form 
 With his broad ears, and thrusts into her mouth 
 The broken fragments of the incense bough. 
 How blest the master of the forest herd- 
 But yon dejected animal bewails 
 His absent female. To the muttering clouds 
 He breathes no murmured echo — from the lake 
 He gleans no grateful fodder, and he roams 
 With humbled brow, where silent sits the bee. 
 Deprived the nectar of the frontal juice. 
 Enough of this despondence — I will hence. 
 
 * The commentator is prosaic of the soil and the forest, to the 
 
 enough to assert Mudbava ad- Faun , and Dri/ads who prt-side 
 
 dresses the animals of the forest, over llieniounlain and the wood. 
 
 It may besojbullhe Hindu system + The red legged or Greek 
 
 authorises an appeal lo the ^ihala Partridge {Tctrao rvfus.) 
 
 Devalas and Vana JJcvatas, Ccriii ;}: A livt{^tidt'riouia Rohitaka.)
 
 ( 113 ) 
 
 This is indeed tlie proud exultin<T monarch 
 Of the huge herd : his mighty roar invites 
 Grateful his willing mate ; down his broad cheek. 
 The viscid fluid sheds such cooling odour, . 
 As from tlie newly ripe Kadamha breathes. 
 He rends away the lotus leaf, and stem. 
 And roots, and filaments, as in the lake 
 He madly plunges, frightening from their nestg 
 1 he osprey and the heron,* and to the tune 
 Of his ferocious love, his ponderous ears 
 Waved dancing, lash the water into foam, " 
 I will approach him. Sovereign of the wild. 
 Thy youthful prowess merits praise no less 
 Than thine ingenious fondness for thy mate. 
 With water fragrant with the rich perfume. 
 Drawn from the flowery lake, thou washest down 
 The savoury morsels of the lotus stalk. 
 With wiiich thou erst hadst fed her — then in sport 
 Thou scatterest with thy trunk the silvery spray 
 Upon her brow — ah shame —why wav'st thou not 
 Tile straight stemmed lotus over her, as a shade 
 Against the sun — Ah me — upon the brute, 
 I waste the hours due unto my friend. 
 Yet Malcaranda I lament the most 
 In this, I grieve alone—nor would I taste 
 Of any pleasure that thou couldst not share— ■ 
 Perish the day that is not spent with thee. 
 And with my Mdlati. False are the joys. 
 That spring for any source but her and thee. — ^ 
 
 * Or more correctly the Siiras or Indiaa Crane. 
 P
 
 ( 114 5 
 
 Male. Alas, amidst his wanderings he recalls 
 
 The fervour of his friendship — and some chord. 
 Awakes his love, though reckless of my presence. 
 C Advances.) Behold me here— your faithful^ sorrow- 
 ing, friend. 
 
 JMcidh. My friend, can il be true — oh let me be 
 Convinced by thine embrace — -alas, I die. 
 1 have no hope — my Mdlaii is lost (faints.) 
 
 Mak' (Looking.) Alas — The consciousness that my em-< 
 brace 
 Had waked, again has flown — wliat hope is left me. 
 Alone, the sad conviction now survives 
 ]My friend is lost to me — ah — Mad/iavu — 
 I now may banish all those needless fears 
 For your tranquillit}', my anxious heart 
 -Has in its love unceasing entertained — 
 Ah, happier were the moments of dit^tress 
 That still evinced perception. All is over. 
 And now, this body is a barren load ; 
 Life is congealed — the faculties are dim. 
 And all the world a blank — Time is the source 
 Of ceaseless anguish, and the living world. 
 Cold, dead, and cheerless, now that thou art gone. 
 Now what have I do, beholding thus 
 The fate of Madliava — it shall be so — > 
 From this tall mountain summit, will I plunge 
 Into the stream — the herald of my friend, 
 And glad precede him to the shades below* 
 (Approaching and looking at Mddhava.) 
 
 t Allhougli not in the text lifiable for the Hindu mylho" 
 this csprcssion is i-crfccllj jus- logy accords precisely with the
 
 . ( 115 ) 
 
 Is this the form I have so oft embraced 
 Insatiate — and wliose grace the eye of Mdlali, 
 
 . Bewildered with a love till then unknown. 
 Delighted drank — how wonderful, combined 
 Such countless merits witli such early years— 
 Upon the world's tiara didst thou shine 
 Tile glittering gem, and now thou fills't, a prey 
 To death — like the full moon to Rcihu's jaws 
 
 . Consigned — or like the volumed cloud, thin scattered 
 Before the driving breeze, or like the tree. 
 That ere it puts it goodliest blossoms forth. 
 Consumes to ashes in the forest's blaze. 
 Let me once more embrace him, and address 
 
 "My last farewell to my expiring friend 
 
 Shrine of pure knowledge, and of noblest wortli ; 
 
 Lord of the life of Mulaii — Reflexion 
 
 Of ail surpassing loveliness — Divinity 
 
 Of female hearts — Autumnal moon that swaj'ed 
 
 The tide of friendship's main — and charmed the days 
 
 O? Mafcaranda and the pious priestess 
 
 My friend, my Mi'ulhava — accept this lasf'. 
 This fond embrace — from him whose life began 
 Before thou wast, and who now terminates 
 His blighted days. A little while he lives— 
 And do not thou forbid his fixed design — 
 Through life I have partaken of thy fortune, 
 And drank in childhood of thy mother's milk ; 
 
 Greek in sending the souls of judge, they are thence conveyed 
 
 the dead to receive judgement to Tartarus or Elysium, to JVa- 
 
 in the infernal regions, and ac- raka or Suerga, according to 
 
 cording to the sentence of their their evil or good deeds.
 
 •^ 116 ) 
 
 It must not be, that thou slialt quaff alone. 
 The sad Kbations of thy sorrowing kin. 
 
 {^Leaves him and retires.) 
 Deep iniderneath the precipice, the stream 
 Flows rapid — Mighty Lord of Gaarl hail — ■ 
 Grant me with Mddhava such future birth. 
 That, as in this life, I again may be. 
 In that to come — his follower and friend — ■ 
 (Going to precipitule himself is withheld hy Saudamini'y 
 Forbear — my son — forego your desperate purpose 
 Mak. And who art thou — that seek 'st to stay my will. 
 Sand. Art thou not Muharanda. — 
 Mak. Let me go — 
 
 I am that luckless wretch. 
 Sand. In me behold. 
 
 The mistress of supernal power,* and see 
 The vestiges of Mdhitt — (shews the Bakula garland.) 
 Mak. How — lives she. 
 ^Saud, Do not fear — but what insanity 
 
 Is this, and how unwelcome to your friend- 
 Where is he. 
 Mak. With despair o'ercome, even now 
 I left him — let us seek him — haste — 
 Madh. (Recovering.) Who wakes 
 
 My soul to sorrow once again — the wind. 
 Scattering the new and heavy laden clouds. 
 Regardless of my woes, has broke my slumbers— 
 Male. Blest sight — my friend revives 
 
 + Or I am a Yos;ini one who by the pracllce of the Fogd 
 has acquired supeiiiiitural powers
 
 ( 117 ) 
 
 Sciitd. (Looking al Mddhava— then npar(,) The forms of 
 both 
 
 These youths — has Mdluti with truth described. 
 Maih. Hdil eastern Gale — disperse the drooping clouds^ 
 
 And disappoint the longing Chdtaka — 
 
 Silence the peafowl's cries, and turn to stone 
 
 The blossoms of the Keiaki — aAvhile — 
 
 The absent lover lost to sense forgot 
 
 His misery ; thou again hast called his soul 
 To conscious agony: what wouldst thou more — 
 Male. The all pervading wind diffuses life 
 
 To creatures animate 
 JSIuih. Celestial breeze, 
 
 Bear, with the fragrant odors thou hast wrung 
 
 From the A'«f/a?»6a blossoms, to my love. 
 
 The life of Mudhava — or rather breathe 
 
 From hei, impregnate with the cooling perfume 
 
 Of her delicious form — thou art alone 
 
 My hope. 
 
 (Bows wUh joined hands applied to his forehead.^ ^ 
 Saud. 1 his is the season to present 
 
 The well known garland. (Throws it over his hands.} 
 Madh. — Ha — the wreath I wove 
 
 Of Baknla flowers, amidst the sacred shades 
 
 Of Kama's temple, and long fondly worn 
 Upon the bosom of my best beloved — 
 
 It is the same — this is the part 
 
 S In Ihe Jnjali— or respect- ed laterally to the middle of the 
 ful obeisance, the headisslighUy forehead, so that the tips of the 
 bowed— the p.ilins of the hauds tiiunibs only are in contact with 
 are brought together, and rais- it.
 
 I 118 ) 
 
 Lavangikii was pleased to hear ray Malali 
 Pretend was strung awry ; a mere pretext. 
 To veil the irrepressible delight. 
 Her radiant countenance too p'ain revealed. 
 
 (Jumj^s up ) 
 Now Malati behold — ah no, you heed not 
 My hapless state — my parting breath escapes, 
 ISly heart desponds — my body is on fire. 
 And darkness spreads around me — oh be quick ; 
 You need not mock my soitoav — cast upon me 
 One bliss^diffusing glance— oh, be not pitiless. 
 
 {Looking rojind, then at the garland-) 
 ilow did she give me this — welcome dear wreath 
 The favourite of my love — and long her friend — 
 Oh whence soever borne, v/elcome, most Avelcome» 
 When on that gentle form, the scorching flame 
 Of love resistless preyed, and all her maidens 
 DespaH-ed — thy grateful succor saved the days 
 Of Malati — she clasped thee to her bosom. 
 And dreamt she pressed her lover to her heart. 
 Well I recall thy various passages 
 Between my neck, and that of my beloved. 
 Engendering tenderness, exciting hope 
 And animating passion's glowing fires. 
 
 (Puts the garland to his heart and faints.) 
 Male, llevive my friend — {fanning him.) 
 Madh. Ila Maharanda I 
 
 Didst thou not see— how i\Mfl//V affecff on 
 Was sealed with her f lir hand— how chanced it say- 
 Dost thou not knoAv.— .
 
 C 119 ) 
 
 Mai. This holy dame has brought 
 Some tidings of the maid. 
 
 Madh. ( Boiling.) With favouring ear 
 
 Receive my prayers --oh tell n\Q--Mdl(Ui 
 Say, does she live. — 
 
 Saml Be of good clieer my son ; 
 She lives. 
 
 Madh. How — where — oh speak. 
 
 Sand. Some while ago it chanced, 
 Aghora ghanta at Kardld's shrine 
 Fell by the arm oi MduJiava, in rescue 
 Of his fair maid. — 
 
 Madh. Enough — I know the whole, 
 
 Mah. How so. 
 
 Madh. Kapcihdundald — his partner. — ■ 
 
 Mak. Is it e'en so — 
 
 Saud. My son conjectures riglitly. — 
 
 MuJc. Alas — how beauteous did the imion shew 
 Of the bright moon light, and the lotus bed, 
 1 ill, like a dark unseasonable cloud. 
 Fate frowning came to intercept their joys. 
 
 Madh. Into Avliat dreadful hands has Mdlali 
 Now fallen — to what exposed — oh lovely maid 
 How couldst thou bear the grasp unpitying 
 Of the fierce fiend — like the pale struggling moon 
 By hideous meteor seized. Kdpalakundald 
 Respect her tender form — repress thy spirit 
 jMalign, and learn benevolence — the flowret 
 By nature delicate, should not be crushed 
 AV^ith blowS;, but gently twined around the broWt
 
 ( 120 ) 
 
 Sond. Enoiif?h— Tie calm— remorseless as she Is, 
 She flares not harm the maid— I will prevent her 
 
 Mctdh. and Med: {Ixming.J Accept our thanks— oh say, 
 to what we owe 
 Thy friendly care. — 
 
 Saud. It is enouj^h at present. 
 
 To learn, that in yom* cause 1 will exert 
 
 The powerful knowledge, mystic rites and prayers, 
 
 Devout observance and a sainted teacher. 
 
 Have armed me with — come Mddhava — attend mei 
 
 (Takes hdd of Mddhava, and they disapj)ear.J 
 
 Mak. Astonishing reverse — the fearful gloom 
 
 Yields to the lightning flash of hope, and instant 
 The cheated eye resumes its wonted faculty — 
 
 (Looks 7 0iind.) 
 How now — my friend not here — wliat can this be : 
 The dame is powerful in her magic rites. 
 But this alarms me — from one fear escaped 
 Another comes to agitate my heart. 
 My mind is tossed amid.it delight and dread. 
 And doubts one moment caused, subside the next— 
 I'll seek the priestess, who amidst the woods 
 Is roaming with her friends, and to her ear 
 Impart these wonderous chances—* 
 
 Exit, 
 
 rAJ> OF TirE KJNTII ACT.
 
 ACT X. 
 
 ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST. 
 
 Enter Kdmunduli, Dlr/duT/cmtlkd mid Lavangikd. 
 
 Kujn. My pride, my child, my Mdlali, where art thou— ^ 
 Oh yield me a reply — your countless graces. 
 Your modesty, your elegance, your gentleness 
 Rise to my memory, consume my frame. 
 And rend my heart asunder. Oh, ray daughter, 
 I well recall your infant countenance. 
 Your pleasing prattle, and the transient tears. 
 And smiles, that shewed the young teeth budding 
 forth. 
 
 Mad. and Lav. Oh dearest friend, more radiant than the 
 
 moon. 
 Ah whither hast thou flown : can fate assail 
 Remorseless thus, thy form as delicate 
 As the Sirisha blossoms, and pursue thee 
 Unfriended and alone. Oh Mddhava 
 Thy promised joys are blighted in this world. 
 
 Kam. Alas my children, in your fond embrace 
 And new delight, fate, like a rising gkle. 
 That fells the tree and tender vine together, 
 Q
 
 ( 122 ) 
 
 Ha-; strudv ye to tlie ground. 
 
 Lav. Oh cruel maid^ 
 
 How can you punish thus the stony hearts 
 That cease to beat with hope. 
 
 Mad, Nay do not yet. 
 Yield to despair. 
 
 Lau. Alas, vny life is turned 
 
 To adamant, and will not leave me. 
 
 Kam. My dear child ; 
 
 From birth, Lavanglkd was dear to thee, 
 Anddojt thou not compassionate her now, 
 Disdrinlng life —Deprived of thee, her days 
 Are fading into gloom, as fluttering sinks 
 The lamp no oil supplies — How canst thou quit 
 Knmnnduki \\ ithin whose garb enfolded. 
 Thy infant limbs to health and beauty gi'ew. 
 From the maternal breast, v/ast thou confided 
 A * delicate plaything to my guardian care ; 
 At first to ply thy sports, but more advanced 
 U'o l::arn the duties of thy state : now grown 
 To vears mature, I have beheld thee wedded 
 T ) a loved husband, picked from all the world, 
 Blorethan a mother's claims upon thy love. 
 Have I~Ingrate — thou leav'st me to despair. 
 Ah me, I vainly hoped I should behold 
 A beauteous boy, hang fondly at thy breast. 
 Or sport upon thy 1 ip, his brow and forehead 
 
 * Literally, an ivory doll; Dnnlii panchdlihd ; Danla Iiere 
 sncauiiig the tooth of the Elepliant.
 
 C J23 ) 
 
 White with protecting flour,* liis lovely face 
 Brightened with causeless smiles. 
 
 Lav. Most holy dame, 
 
 I can no more endure this load of life : 
 This precipice relieves me of the burthen: 
 Grant m-> your blessing that in after life 
 I may once more behold my friend. 
 
 Kayn. ^ly daughter. 
 
 Life is alike unwelcome to my bosom. 
 Deprived of my dear chihu-en, and defspair 
 Invades my heart, but different merits claim 
 A different birth, and if we should not gain 
 Reunion with our friends in days to co.i e. 
 Abandonment of present life would yield 
 No fruit but vaia repentance. 
 
 Lav. Be it so. 
 
 Kavu Daughter, Maday^intikd. 
 
 Mad. Your commands — ■ 
 
 If they direct me lead the way to deathj 
 Behold — T am prepared. 
 
 Lov. Dear friend — refrain 
 
 From self-destruction — Keep me in your memo'y. 
 
 Mad. Away, I am not subject to your will. 
 
 Kam. (Apart.) Alas! there is no hope. 
 
 * The powder of white r.iiis- itiixtiire of the s.ime with nil nnd 
 
 tartl is applied to the toj) of Ihe rice i^ scatlercj about in every 
 
 headaiul Iheforelieaii, and other quarter upon the rommencenient 
 
 parts of a new l)oru child, as a of a sacrifice to keep off gliosis 
 
 prolGclion against cyil spirits. A and fiends.
 
 ( 124 ) 
 
 Mad. Jpart.) Dear husband, fare thee well. 
 
 Law 'Jhis is the loftiest point, and far below 
 
 The Madhumati twines its glittering zone. 
 
 . Kam. Enough — aur pirpose brooks not of delayj 
 
 (Thetj are about to casl Ihemselves dotvn.) 
 
 £JFithoul.'] Asionishiiig reverse — the fearful glooii* 
 
 Yields to the lightening flash of hope. 
 
 Kani. Who comes, — 
 
 My son. 
 
 Enter Mi'Jcuranda, 
 
 Say how is this. 
 
 Mah. A (lame of more than mortal powers has usedi 
 
 Her art in our behalf. 
 
 \JVHh(Ad.~\ A fearful crowd is gathered — BhurivusUy 
 
 Desp'sing life, and spurning worldly hopes. 
 
 Since he has learned his daughter's death, repairs, 
 
 To cast himself into the raging flames 
 
 At Siveniav'mdu's shrine — Alas, we all. 
 
 Shall mourn his fate. 
 Lnv. and Mad. How short an interval 
 
 Rejoiced those lovers in each others sight. 
 Earn, and Male. Tis most miraculous j what strange 
 events 
 
 This day alternate; drops of fragrant sandal 
 
 And sharp edged swords in the same shower commingle; 
 
 And sparks of flame, and streams of heavenly nectar. 
 
 Descend together from unclouded skies. 
 
 The life restoring drug with poison blends 
 
 And light and gloom; and destiny entwines 
 The thunderbolt and lunar rays together*
 
 ( 125 ) 
 
 Mai. (W'dhout.) Dear father hold— oh, let me view 
 
 again. 
 
 The lotus of thy countenance — oh turn 
 
 Thy gaze upon thy child — liow, for my sake. 
 
 Canst thou desert thyself, the brillian boast 
 
 Of an an«:picious race whose fame pervades 
 
 Both eartli aiid heaven — ah, wherefore purpose thus. 
 
 Again to plunge me into bitterest woe. 
 Kuni. My daughter how is this : art thou redeem^ed 
 
 From death, once more to be exposed to peril ; 
 
 As lurk the demons of eclipse to seize 
 
 The feeble moon scarce struggling out of darkness. 
 JL,av. Behold our friend — 
 
 Enter Mudhava carrying i\I('il.ii senselesS' 
 Mudh. Alas ! from danger rescued, has again 
 
 Fear fallen upon thee — v.'ho shall bar the .^ate 
 
 To shut out adverse destiny. 
 liak. IVIy friend 
 
 Where is the dame. 
 Madh. With her Ave hicher speeded. 
 
 Swift from Sri Pdrvaia, but wiien Ave heard 
 
 The news the foresttr imparted to us ; 
 
 I missed her suddenly. 
 Kam and Mul-. Oh Dame of power 
 
 Befriend us still ; why hast thou disappeared. 
 Mctd end Lav. i\Iy Mdlati, I speak to thee, thy friend- 
 Priestess, preserve us, still she is insensible; 
 
 She does not breathe, her heart is cold. Alasj 
 
 The sire and daughter are to each other
 
 ( 196 ) 
 
 111 turn, the instrument of death. 
 Kam. My deav child. 
 Madh. My Love. 
 ]\I(ik. My friend. 
 Katn. (Looking up.) What we'come drops are these 
 
 That fall from heaven to aid us. 
 Mcidh. She revives — 
 
 Long sighs relieve her hibouring breast, her hei rt 
 Resumes its pulse ; her gentle eye unf.)Ids, 
 And from unconscious stillness that dear face 
 Once more expands, as at the dawn of day 
 The lotus bares its bosom to the sun. 
 (Behind.) — Deaf to the king's entreaties, and the prayers 
 Of Nandatia, though humbled at his feet. 
 Upon the flaming marge, the minister 
 By m^ iias been prevented, and recalled 
 To life and joy. 
 Madh, and Mak. (Looking up.) Mark, ho!y dame — From 
 heaven, 
 TliC kind m.ngician pours upon ouv hearts-, 
 Th? nectar of her tidings: they surpass 
 1 he virtue of the ba my shower. 
 Kam. Blest news. 
 AIL Our happiness is now secure. 
 Kam. My ihildl 
 Mai. 'Jhe priestess! 
 
 (FaUs at her feel, Ki'imandaJd raises and cmhraca her.) 
 Ka?n. Restored to life my cliiid, to life restore 
 Your friends, and with your fond embraces, cool
 
 ( 127 ) 
 
 As lunar rays^ reanimate existence. 
 In those who live for you. 
 Madh. (To Makannida.) My faithful friend; 
 
 This breathing Avorlcl may now be well endured. 
 I^Jak In sooth it may. 
 Mad. and Lav. Dear Malati confirm 
 
 The happiness we see, by 3'our embrace. 
 J\/«/. My valued friends. (Embraces them.) 
 Kant. Tell m?, my sons, how chanced these strange events. 
 Mad. Our past misfortunes were the wrathful work 
 Kfipaluhiiiidald's revenge inspired ; 
 And that we 'scaped her toils, our thanks are due 
 To this propitious and all pov/erful friend. 
 Kam. Aghoraghantas death was then the source 
 
 Of these mischances. 
 Mad. and Lav. Strange vicissitude: 
 After repeated trials, adverse fate 
 In kindness terminates its chequered course. 
 Enter Saiiddmiui. 
 Fan. (To Kdmanduki.) Hail holy Dame — your scholar 
 
 pa)s your homage. 
 Kam. Sauddmvii - most wel come. 
 M (dh. aid Mak. Then we owe 
 
 Our succour to the priestess : this, her first 
 Disciple, all is clear. 
 Knn. This is well done. 
 
 And many a life preserved has sanctified thee. 
 'Tis long since we have met, dismiss this reverence^ 
 And let me grateful press thee to my bosom.
 
 Etnhracing her. 
 
 Thou hast deserved tlie praises of the world, 
 
 "Whose lofty powers^ the harvest of the seed 
 
 By early study sown, are shewn by deeds 
 
 That shame the mightiest masters * 
 Mad. n7)d Lav- Is this Sauduminu 
 Mul. It is : by her, 
 
 'Jhe friend and pxipilof my pious j^uardian. 
 
 The fierce Kap:'il ikjouhila was foiled. 
 
 She bore me to her dwelling, and there leaving me 
 
 Secure, conveyed the wreath of Ba'cula flowers. 
 
 To snatch you from despair. 
 Mod. and Lav. She has indeed, 
 
 Been scarcely less propitious to us, than our old 
 
 And reverend preceptress. 
 Madh. and Mah. The bright gem, 
 
 That grants whatever h desired, demands 
 
 The suppliant's prayer : the Dame's assistance came 
 
 All unsolicited. 
 Sau. (Apart.) These thanks oppress me — 
 
 Respected mistress, from the king I bear 
 
 A letter to the youth — it was inscribed 
 
 With Nandanas concurrence, and the assent 
 
 * The expression is nilheisiu- ever in harmony \Tithlhe charac- 
 
 <rnlar, "exceeding a Bodhisal- ier of Kdmandaki—-nhQie sanc- 
 
 7tv;" — a jiioU'i person endowed tity and the respectful allusions 
 
 villi iniracnlouspowers,and who to the Bauddhas, shew Ihal Ihe 
 
 is considered as an inferiorincar- play was composed before their 
 
 nation of Buddha — il is, how- decliue.
 
 ( m ) 
 
 O^ Bhurivasu. (gives her a letlcr.) 
 Kam. (Takes if and reads.) 
 
 '' Unto all, be health — 
 
 " The King commands — We are well pleased to greet 
 
 " A Son in you — of noble race descended ; 
 
 '' Amongst the worthiest eminent, and late 
 
 " From great calamity redeemed — and more ; 
 
 " In love and grace to you, we do permit 
 
 " Your well loved friend, to wed the youthful maid^ 
 
 " Whom first affection yielded to his hopes" 
 
 You hear my son. 
 Mad. I do, and all I wished. 
 
 Thus hearing, have obtained. 
 Mai. The lingering dart 
 
 Of fear is now extracted from our hearts. 
 Lav. The loves of Mdlaii and Mudhava 
 
 Will now no more be thwarted. 
 Mak. See, where come 
 
 Our other friends, and faithful Kalahansd. 
 
 Enter Avalokitd, Buddharukshild, and Kalahansa. 
 
 All (botving) Glory to Kamandaki — the sage 
 Perfector of all aims : glory to Mddhava — 
 The IMoon that sheds delight on Makaranda. 
 Now Fate propitious smiles. 
 
 Lav. Who does not share 
 This general J03'. 
 
 Kam. Our interesting story 
 
 Full of strange varied incidents, is closed, 
 
 R
 
 ( ISO ) 
 
 There still exists cause for congratulation. 
 Sail. And Devardta and his ancient friend, 
 
 Will see with joy their children now are joined. 
 
 In that affiance they so long projected. 
 Mai (J part.) Hey— how is this. 
 
 Male, and Madh. {To Kumandaki. ) How sorts the Dame's 
 discourse 
 
 With past events. 
 Lav. {Apart to Kam.) What's to be said. ' 
 Kam. (To her.) We need no longer fear 
 
 The wrath of Nandann, now Ave obtain 
 
 His sister's aid (aloud-) 'Tis even as you have heard. 
 
 Whilst yet I taught your fathers, they agreed, 
 
 That when their children came to years mature. 
 
 Their hands should be united, and they left 
 
 Saiidamim and me, to take those cares 
 That might secure your union, hoping thus 
 
 To shun the anger of exalted rank. 
 Mai. C Apart.) What marvellous secrecy. 
 Madh. and Mat. It moves our wonder. 
 
 Yet must the schemes of the illustrious, planned 
 
 For virtuous ends, and prudently conducted^ 
 
 Ever enjoy success. 
 Kam. My son, what more remains. 
 
 The happiness that was your earliest hope 
 
 By my devotions, and the skilful pains 
 
 Of my disciples, is at last ensured you. 
 
 The king and Nandana approve the suit 
 
 Of your dear friend, and hence no fear prevents
 
 C 131 > 
 
 His union with his love. If yet there be 
 A wish ungratified, declare it, speak. 
 Mad. (Bowing.) My happiness henceforth is perfect: all 
 The wish I cherish more, is this, and may 
 Your favor, holy Dame, grant it fruition. 
 Still may the virtuous be exempt from error 
 And fast to virtue cling — may monarchs merciful. 
 And firm in equity, protect the earth — 
 May in due season from the labouring clouds 
 The fertile showers descend, and may the people 
 Blest in their friends— their kindred, and their children 
 Unknowing Avant, live cheerful and content. 
 
 ^Exeunt all. 
 
 The preceding Drama requires less allowance for any pe- 
 culiarity in national manners than most of the specimens 
 of the Hindu Theatre. It offers nothing to offend the most 
 fastidious delicacy, and may be compared in this respect, 
 advantageously, with many of the dramas of modern Europe, 
 which treat of the passion that constitutes its subject. 
 
 The manner in which Love is here depictured is worthy 
 of observation, as correcting a mistaken notion of the 
 influence which the passion exercises over the minds of the 
 Natives, of at least one portion of Asia. However intense 
 thcgfeeling, and it is represented as sufficiently powerful to 
 endanger existence, it partakes in no respect of the impetu- 
 osity, which it has pleased the writers of the West to attri- 
 bute to the people of the East;
 
 ■( 132 ) 
 
 The barbarous nations, whose inhuman lore, 
 Is wild desire, fierce as the Suns they feel. 
 
 The fierceness of their Suns is a very efficient cause for 
 
 the gentleness of their passions, and the hardy children 
 
 of the north find their complicated system of social restraint. 
 
 insufficient to curb those impulses which they derive from 
 
 a less enervated frame and a more lofty spirit. 
 
 If however the love of the Hindus be less vehement than that 
 of the Goth, Dane or Norman of uncivilised days, it is equally 
 remote from the extravagance of adoration which later times 
 have learnt from those who never taught the lesson, the mn*- 
 rors of Chivalry, who were equally vowed to the service of 
 God and the Ladies. There is no reason to think their love 
 was a whit purer than that of any other people or time, but 
 the fancy was fctvourable to poetical imagination, and has un- 
 doubtedly influenced the manners of modern Europe. The 
 heroine of this drama is loved as a woman : she is no goddess 
 in the estimation of her lover, and although her glances may 
 inflame, no hint is given that or frowns can kill — At the 
 same time Mudhava's passion is as metaphysical as need be, and 
 
 Malati alone, 
 Heard, felt, and seen, possesses every thought. 
 
 Fills every sense, and pants in every vein 
 
 The passion of Mdlati is eqvxally intense with of Juliet but 
 her unconquerable reserve, even to the extent of denying her 
 utterance to him she loves more than life, is a curious pic- 
 ture of the restraint to which the manners of Hindu Women 
 were subjected, even whilst they were in enjoyment, as appears 
 from the Drama, of considerable personal freedom.
 
 (133 ) 
 
 The fervour of attachment which unites the difierent per- 
 sonages 01 the Drama soindisso'.ubly in life and vU-r.th, is cre- 
 ditable to tlie national character. Unless instancesof such dis- 
 interested union had existed, the Author could scarcely have 
 conceived, much less depictured it. 
 
 There is no great discrimination of character in the piece, 
 nor could it be well expected as the business is so limited. 
 It is not however wholy wanting and Makaranda and 
 Madayantikd are much less mere lovers than Mudhava 
 and Mdlali. The cautious, though devoted, perseverance of 
 Kdmandaki is well maintained throughout, and the benevo-. 
 lence of Sdudamini is well contrasted Avith the malignity of 
 Kapdouknn dald. 
 
 The incidents of the story are varied, and some of them 
 are highly drarnr.tic — they are rather diffusely spread out, 
 but they are all essential to the denouement, the concurrence 
 of ill parties in the union of the lovers. 
 
 There is more passion in the thoughts o£Bhavabhuli than 
 in those o£ Kail Ids a but less fancy. '1 here ar3 few of the 
 elegant similitu les in .iiichthe latter is so rich, and tliere is 
 more, that is common plac;>, and much that is strained ar.d 
 obscure. In rone of his dr.-.i^iias does BhcvdJit:!'!. in;.!;.? nnv 
 attempt st wit, and we Lav.,' no charact(;r in eitlier oflsis 
 three dramas approaching the J^i inshaka of cither of the t-vo 
 precediii^- pieces — on tiie otherhaodhe expatiates ?-norelar;;e- 
 ly in the d. c •" -tic : of p cturesque scenery, and in the re- 
 presentation i*f i}u'i)an e:notici: , anu :sppr!:;!ps ei I : . > 
 even a higher ])\:xce, thr. i Lio .v;;!, as a .. t
 
 VTTARA RAMA CFIERITRA, 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF RAMJ, 
 
 A DRAMA 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL 
 
 SANSCRIT, 
 BY 
 
 Horace Hayman Wilson, Esq. 
 
 Secrelary lo the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Sjc. 
 
 CALCUTTA : 
 y. HOLGROFT, ASIATIC PRESS. 
 }^Q. 3, Cmncil House Sired. 
 182G.
 
 UTTARA RAMA CHERllRA, 
 
 OR 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF RAMA.
 
 The Uttara Rihiia Chcrilra, or Continuation of the His- 
 tory of Rama, is one of the three Dramas attributed to Bha^ 
 vabhtUi, and the internal evidence of the composition fully 
 corroborates the traditional appropriation. The style is 
 equally vigorous and harmonious as that of Mdlati and 
 Mcidhava, several of the sentiments found in that play recur 
 in this, and the ^neral character of the two Dramas not- 
 withstanding the difference of their subjects offers many 
 analogies. We have the same picturesque description, and 
 strong pathos , in both. 
 
 The subject of the Uttara Rdma Cheritra is, as the name 
 impl'-es, a continuation of the history of Rama, the prince of 
 AyodJujn, and comprises the events that occurred subsequent 
 to the war which constitutes the subject of the Rdmayaiia. 
 It is taken from the last or supplementary section of that 
 poem, one of the two principal poetical works of the Hindus 
 not wholly mythological, and which have some pretensions 
 to be included in the Epic class. It is however moi'e 
 correctly speaking a continuation of a play by the same 
 author, the Vira Rama Cheritra, in which the martial exploits 
 of Rdma as described in the Rdmdyana are dramatised. 
 The date at which the Uttara Rdma Cheritra was composed, 
 cannot be deduced with certainty from any thing that occurs 
 in the course of the play. It offers nothing however that is 
 incompatible with the period, at which the author is said to
 
 ( n ) 
 
 liavo flourished, or the eighth centur}^ as noticed in the 
 introdiiction to Mdlali and MacJhava. The style is classical^ 
 and although elaborate, is not deformed by extravagant re- 
 finement. The thouglits are pure, and undisgraced by con- 
 celt'^, and altogether the composition belongs to the era of 
 good taste in Hindu writing. But the most decided 
 evidence of an ea;*ly date is furnished by the allusions to the 
 Vedas_, and to some parts of the Hindu ritual which are not 
 now familiarly known, and which there is reason to think have 
 long fallen into disuse. The condition of the Hindu religion 
 must have been very different, v/heu this Drama was com- 
 pos?:!, from any under which it has been observable for some 
 centuries past. 
 
 The story of Rama has been communicated to European 
 readers so fullv\ in the writings of Jones, Wilford, IMaurice, 
 Ward, and Faber, as well as in the Hindu Pantheon of 
 JMoor, and in the translation of the two first books of the 
 Humdyana by the Revd. Messrs. Carey and Marshman of 
 Seiampore, as well as probably by this time in the translation 
 of the whole poem by Augustus Schlegel, that the events 
 which precede the action of the following Drama, will be 
 familiar to many of those who may peruse it. In order 
 however to render it intelligible to those to whom the story 
 may be unknown, a brief recapitulation of the previous ad- 
 ventures of its hero may not be superfluous. The author 
 himself has not thought a preparation of this kind unnecessary 
 even for a Hindu audience, as he has introduced, with some 
 ingenuity, a summary sketch of the leading incidents of 
 lliimds previous career. A reference to the notes accompa- 
 nying tliat part of the Drama will more fully explain the
 
 ( iii ) 
 
 circumstances there alluded to, and supply some particulars 
 of llamas adventures not comprised in the following brief 
 narrative. 
 
 'Ihe Deities of tho Hindu Pantheon by no means enjoy 
 undisturbed possession of divinitj', and they are obliged to 
 contend for their own supremacy, or for the protection of 
 I'^e world, with various formidable races known as Asuras, 
 Dailijos, Divavas, and Kdlcshasas, ox different orders of Tita- 
 nic arid Gigantic beings of super human strength and vita- 
 lity, who from tlic earliest periods, 
 
 Extruc':'e monies ad sider?, sumnia parabant, 
 Et magnum bello solicitare Jovem — 
 
 Of these, the Rukshasas bear the least of a celestial cha- 
 racter, and bL'long to the malignant creations of ancient and 
 m^tderii fable, wJio to gigantic strength and stature xiriite 
 particu'.ar hostility to man, and an appetite for human flesh. 
 1 I t]\e poetical mythology of the Hindus they ave descended 
 from Bralund through one of his wid-born progeny, the 
 S;ige and Saint Pulnsti/ct, but their numbers are every day 
 au.riiTented bj'^ the addition of the disembodied Spirits of 
 Vi'icked men, condemned to this form for a season, in punish- 
 ment of their crimes, and the class also comprehends sundry 
 deformed and hideous bands, Avho are especially attached to 
 the service of the God of wealth, and are supposed to keep 
 watch over his treasures. 
 
 The first and most celebrated of the posterity of Pulastya, 
 
 were Rdvana and his brethren. 
 
 ' propago 
 
 Contemtrix superum, soevseque avidissima caedis, 
 Et violenta
 
 C Iv^ ) 
 
 The half brother of Kiivera the God of wealth, R/iunna, a 
 liakshasa with ten heads, dispossessed that deity of his 
 capital Lanka, in which he seated himself, and thence spread 
 terror not only over the world, but throughout the 
 heavens, compelling many of the subordinate Divinities to 
 perform the menial functions of his palace. To terminate 
 these violences and alarms, Vishnu was obliged to come down 
 to Earth, where he was born as Rama ov Rivinchandi a, the 
 eldest son of Dasaratha, a Prince of the solar Dynasty and 
 Suvereign of Aijodhya or Oude, by his wife Kausalijd. Other 
 portions of the same deity animated the sons of Dasnratha, 
 by his other wives Kaikeyi and ^SMj/i/^z-rt, the foi'mer of whom 
 gave birth to Bharata, and the latter to Lakshmana and 
 Sah-itghna — a number of the progeny of the minor deities, 
 and theattendant spirits of heaven, likewise assumed terrestrial 
 shapes, and in the form of apes and bears became the wai*- 
 riors and allies of Rama. 
 
 AVhilst yet a lad, the services of Rama were solicited by 
 the sage ViswdmUra to repel and slay the fiends by whom 
 the religious rites of himself, and other pious individuals were 
 interrupted. Rama accordingly accompanied him, destroyed 
 the Rdkshasi or female fiend Tdrukd, and slew or chased 
 other evil genii from the residence of the sages — on this oc- 
 casion Visivdmiira transferred to Rama and his descendants, 
 the command of the celestial weapons, or the power 'to wield 
 the elements' in war. 
 
 After these exploits Fishxhiiilra conducted Rama to MifMld 
 the kingdom of Jannka, whose daughter SUd now marriage- 
 able, was to reward the prowess of the prince who should 
 bend a bow, given to an ancestor of the Monarch of Mithild
 
 C V ) 
 
 by the God Siva. Rama alone succeeded in the attempt, 
 and snapt the bow asunder. The indignity thus offered to 
 liis tutelary divinity, aroused the wrath of Paras i/rchna, 
 a previous incarnation of Vishnu, still upon Earth, who 
 coming to Milhila to defy and exterminate Ramachandra, 
 was foiled by his junior, and obliged to return, humbled and 
 in peace, to the retirement Avhence he liad hastened on 
 hearing of the bow's being broken. Rdma received the 
 recompense of his vigour in the hand of Sila, and at the 
 same time Urmild her sister, and Mundain and Srutukirlli, 
 her cousins, were married to the other three sons of Dus^ 
 araiha. 
 
 When Rama approached to years of maturity, his father, 
 by the advice of his ministers, and accortiing to the wishes 
 of his people, proposed to associate him in the government 
 as Yuva Raj a — Young King, or Caesar; a delegation of 
 authority that seems to have been constant under the old 
 political system of the Hindus, and traces of which have been 
 preserved to the present day, in the petty Hindu states to the 
 East of Bengal — Domestic intrigue however forced Dasa- 
 rutha to forego his purpose, and to change the elevation of 
 Rdma into exile. His second wife, Kaikeiji, instigated by 
 the councils of a female attendant, insisted upon the king's 
 fulfillment of a promise which he had formerly made, 
 and which like the pledge of the Gods of Oli/mpus, was not 
 to be recalled, whatever mischief might ensue. Dasarulha 
 •when formerly wounded dangerously in battle, was preserved 
 by the cares of Kaikeiji, in acknowledgment of m hich service, 
 he offered her two boons whenever she should demand them. 
 These she now claimed, the installation of her son Bliurata,
 
 ( vi ) 
 
 and the banishment of Rama for fourteen years, and Ddsa- 
 ratlin v.'as forced to comply, although iipoii the depavturc of 
 his son, he expired witli gtief. Bhanttit reuised to arc; pt the 
 succession to the throne, and hastened after Bam i to bring 
 him baciv to the capital, but that prince, in veneration of his 
 fother's memory, determined to fulfill his injunction notwith- 
 standing his decease, and leaving Bharali regent diu'irig liis 
 absence, repaired to the forests of Souther,! India, accom- 
 panied by his wife, and Lakshmana his brother. 
 
 Conformably to current traditions, and the evidence of 
 names assigned to different places in the peninsula, /ir/??^a 
 passed from Aijodhyd to the South East, and first established 
 Inmself near tiie sources of the Goddveri in the Dundaka 
 forest. On his journey, and during his residence in the 
 thickets, he encountered and discomfited various members 
 of the Ruhshasa tribe, and amongst others maltreated iiur- 
 2)anahkd the sister of lidvuna, requiting the tender senti- 
 ments with which he inspired her, by cutting off her nose 
 and ears. — She first applied to her brother?, Khara and Diish- 
 «?m who guarded the forests with numerous bands of Rdks- 
 husos, to avenge her, but when they v. eve slain in the quarrel 
 by the sons of Uasaratha, she carried her complaints to fia- 
 vuna iu Lcmkd, and instigated him to resent the injuries that 
 had been inflicted on her person, especially by inspiring him 
 •with a passion for Sitd. In order to effect his j)urpose itw- 
 vaiiu repaired to Panchdvati, the residence of Udma, with 
 Maricha the son of 2\irakd Vfho transforming himself into a 
 deer beguiled Rdma from his cottage in chase of the sup- 
 posed animal — Lahslivmna by desire of Siiu going to look 
 for his brother, she was left alone, on wliich Jidvana approach-
 
 . ( vii ) 
 
 ing her as an old mendicant, then dhcarded his disguise and 
 carried her off. On liis Avay he was at first stopped by Ja- 
 iaiji.i, a mythological being, a chief of the winged tribes, and 
 a friend of Dasarafha, who was sneedily overcome, and left 
 mortally wounded, and Rdvana effected his retreat to Laiilcd 
 without further opposition. 
 
 On returning to his cottage, and searching for his missing 
 bride, lid/na discovered the wounded Jatarjus, and before he 
 expired learnt from him who was the Ravisher of S'lta, but 
 not his residence; in quest of whi.h, he plunged into the 
 forests in the central part of the peninsula, and by the advice 
 of a headless monster, whom he slew, repaired to the moun- 
 tain Rishyumuka at the sources of the Pumpd river, where 
 Sugi'ivu the monarch of the monkies held his court — On 
 arriving at this spot, he found the monkey monarchy dis- 
 tracted by intestine divisions, and Sugriva deprived of his 
 wife and shorn of his authority by his brother Bali. Rama 
 having formed an alliance with Sugriva, engaged and killed 
 Bali, and restored to his associate the supreme sovereignty 
 over the baboons, and the capital Kishkindha. Sugriva in 
 acknowlegement of this service, dispatched his principal 
 monkies in all directions to discover Sild, in which search 
 Hanumdn was successful — the party he accompanied, headed 
 by Angada, the son of Bali proceeded southward to the sea, 
 where they encountered Sumpdti the brother of Jatdijus, by 
 whom they were apprised of the site o^ Lanka a.nd tlie deten- 
 tion of Situ there by its ten headed king. Hanumdii under- 
 took to seek her there, and jumping across the arm of the 
 sea, obtained access to the palace nhere Sita was confined, 
 and an interview with that princess. Having thus ascertained
 
 ( viii ) 
 
 the place of Iiev existence, Hanumdn after setting Lanhd 
 0(t fire, returned to Rama, and conveyed to him the informa- 
 tion which he had been sent out to procure. 
 
 On receipt of this intelligence, Rama accompanied by 
 Su^riva and an innumerable host of his monkey subjects, 
 advanced to the point of the Peninsula, opposite to the 
 northern extremity of Ceylon, where a passage across the 
 channel by which that island is separated from the Coro- 
 mandel coast was accomplished, by casting rocks and moun- 
 tains into the sea, and thus constructing a bridge, the vestiges 
 of which ai'e said to be still visible in the reef of rocks which 
 rend r the straits of Manar impassable to vessels of burthen. 
 At this point Rama was joined by VihMshana, the brother 
 of Rcivann who having in vain counselled the restitution of 
 Sitd, and incurred by his advice the displeasure of the sove- 
 j-eign of La7ikd, deserted his cause, and went over to the 
 enemy. 
 
 Having crossed the Sea and encamped in the vicinity of 
 the capital of Ruvana, the baboon army was encountered by 
 the monstrous bands in the service of Lanka, and a variety 
 of engagements ensued, which although attended with the 
 occasional discomfiture of the assailants ended in the utter 
 defeat of the Rdkshaaas, and the death of Ruvana by the 
 hands of Rdma. Upon his fall, S'lta was recovered, but be- 
 fore being re-admitted to her husband's embraces she was 
 compelled to vindicate her purity, by undergoing the ordeal 
 of fire. Having passed unhurt through the blazing pile, 
 and been further justified by the oral testimony of Brahma 
 and other Gods, as well as the spirit of Dasaratha her father 
 in law, she was once more united to Rdma, who installing
 
 ( ix ) 
 
 Vibhishanu In the kingdom of Lanku^ over which he is sup- 
 posed still to reign, he vcturued to Ayodhja where Bharala 
 gladly restored the sovereignty to his Brother. 
 
 The incidents that immediately followed the return of 
 Rama to his Capit'il form tlie Subject of the Drama, and 
 therefore require no notice in this place : the catastrophe is 
 however differently broiiglit about in the Runiayana and 
 Ra^kuvrtns't, a poetical account of Rama and his race, 
 and closes in a dlflerent manner. Riona discovers his sons 
 in consequence of tlieir recital of the Rumayuna at his sa- 
 crifice, and Slid upon her innocence being recognised by the 
 people, is suddenly carried off by tlie God dess of the Earth, 
 and disappears for ever. This denouement is very judiciously 
 altered to her reunion with her sons and husband, in the play. 
 Rama died soon after the disappeance o^ Situ, and divided his 
 kingdom between his sons, but Knsa being the elder and 
 having established his capital at Ayodhya is regarded as the 
 coiitinuer of the line o? Raghu. 'I'he K(ich7vaha Rajputs, 
 affect to derive their descent from Kiisa, whilst another RnJ- 
 piil tribe, the Badkuja regard Lava as the founder of 
 their race.
 
 UTTARA RAMA CHERITRA. 
 
 DRAMATIS PERSONjE, 
 
 MEN. 
 
 Rama. King of Ayodhyd. 
 
 Kusa, ■),.,. o 
 
 \.m% twin Sens. 
 
 Lava, J 
 
 Lakshmana. The brother of Rama. 
 
 Lhandraketiu The son of Lakshnia?ia. 
 
 VdlmtkL A holy Sage, the author of the Ramayana, and 
 preceptor of Kusa and Lava. 
 
 Janaka. The father of SiUi^ formerly king of M'Ukild, now 
 leading an ascetic life. 
 
 Samhuka. An ascetic killed by Rama, but appearing in. 
 his spiritual character. 
 
 Ashtavakra. An ascetic. 
 
 Suma?itra. The Charioteer of Chandralcetu. 
 
 Dunyiukhru An emissary employed by Rama, 
 
 Saudhatahh 1 ^^^ ^f Fa^msAi'. pupils. 
 
 Bhanddi/ana, J 
 
 A VidyddJiarU:^ A male Spirit of air. 
 
 WOMEN. 
 
 .SiVff. The wife of Buma. 
 
 Arundhati A pious dame, the wife of the sage VasisliCha 
 and guardian of Sitd,.
 
 { 2 5 
 
 Atrctfi. A pious dame, the wife of the sage Airi. 
 
 Kausahjd. The aged mother of Rdtna. 
 
 Vdsanii. The guardian spirit of the forest of Janast'hdna. 
 
 Tamasd. A River Goddess. 
 
 Murald. The same. 
 
 A Vidyadhari. A female Spirit of air. 
 
 Characters in the Scene in the last Act. 
 
 Gatigd. The Goddess of the Ganges. 
 Prithivi. 1 he Goddess of the Earth. 
 Celestial Spirits, guards, pupils, &c. 
 
 The Scene of the First Act is in the Palace of Rdma at 
 Axjodhyd, of the second, in the forest of Janast'hdna al ;ng 
 the Goddvcri~^in the rest of the piece, it lies in the vici-« 
 tiity of Vdlmiki's hermitage at Bithur on the Ganges. 
 
 An interval of twelve years occurs between the First Act 
 and the remainder of the play : the time of each Act is 
 that of representation.
 
 UTTARA RAMACHERITRA. 
 
 A DRAMA 
 
 PRELUDE 
 Enter Manager. 
 
 Mnna. I bow to the feet of the illustrious \ioet Bhava-^ 
 hhiiti* — By thus honouring the celebrated bards of old we 
 propitiate the Goddess of eloquence who is a portion of the 
 Supreme Spirit. 
 
 Thi.s being the festival of the glorioust Kalapriya Ndth 
 1 apprise you. Sirs, that we purpose representing the Uttara 
 Rama Cherifra, the composition of Bhavabkidi, entitled Sri- 
 Kanlha — of the race of Kcisyapa, and assimilated to an equa- 
 lity with BraJnnd by the favour of Saraswatt.% I enact a na- 
 tive of Ayodhya^ and a stranger approaches — 
 
 * This salutation must of the nime now given to a xvhole 
 course be the work of a later province or kingdom Awadh or 
 hand: the whole of lliis brief Oude. It was formerly confined 
 introduction is very peculiar. to the capital, the kingdom bear- 
 
 + The Mdlati and Mddhava ing the designation of Kosald. 
 TPas composed for a similar fes- It was for many years the sove- 
 tival, as has been noticed. reigiity of the princes of the 
 
 + The Goddess of eloquence Solar line. The remains of the 
 and wifs of Brahma ~\\\e aliu- ancient city are still to be seen 
 sions to Bhavabhuti's family de- at the town of Oude, situated on 
 scent have been explained in the the banks of the Ghagra 79 
 Jildlati and Madhava. miles from Luckuow and ad- 
 
 * ^yodhya is Vhe original of joining Fyzabad.
 
 ( 4 ) 
 
 This is the season of the inauguration of the renowned 
 Rama, the threatening meteor of the race of Pulasiya;* 
 and the dinim of rejoicing, sounds unweariedly by night and 
 day — butj what should this mean — why are the public places 
 to day so silent and unfrequented. — 
 
 * Intending especially the Gi- 
 ant king of Lanka, Ruvana, and 
 his brothers destroyed iu the 
 war with Bdma. Ravana was 
 the son of the sage Fisravas by 
 Ndilcasi the daughter of Sumdli, 
 a demon, viho observing the 
 splendor of Kuvera, a son of the 
 sage bv his wife Irviru, directed 
 his daughter to propitiate the 
 sage thatshealso might havechil- 
 dren by him. Having succeed- 
 ed in obtaining the good graces 
 of Visravas, J\''aikasi had by 
 him Ruvana, Kumbhakerna, and 
 Vibliishana, and a daughter Sur- 
 panakhd. 
 
 Ravana was engendered 
 after the performance of a sacri- 
 fice with fire, in conseqnence of 
 which he was born of an uncouth 
 appearance with ten heads and 
 twenty arms — P'isravas his fa- 
 ther, was the son oi Pulaslya one 
 of the will begotten sons of 
 of Brahma — although therefore 
 a h()ly sage, he is often alluded 
 to as the progenitor of the Rdks- 
 hasaSy of which race Ravana and 
 his brethren vicre such distin- 
 
 guished members. Utiara Ra- 
 may ana and Padma Purana. The 
 Bhdgavat agrees nearly with 
 thembut names the mother of the 
 Rdkshasas, Kuvihlunasi. 
 
 A very different legend is 
 given in the Vana Parva of the 
 Mahdbhdrat. Pulaslt/a the son 
 of Brahma, begot Kuvera, who 
 who by paying great attenlioa 
 to his grand father was made by 
 him immortal and appointed the 
 God of wealth. His capital was 
 ian/c«, and the /JaA-sAflsa swere his 
 guards. His curryingfavour with 
 Brahma incensed his father, and 
 Pulastya assumed the form of a 
 holy sage named Visravas. To 
 propitiate this wrathful mani- 
 festation of his father, was Ku- 
 verd's next olyect and with this 
 view he gave him three Rdks- 
 hasisas handmaids, Pushpotkatd 
 Ruku and Mdlini-^hy the first 
 Visravas, had Kumbhakerna and 
 Ruvana, by the second Khara 
 and a daughter Surpanakhd, 
 and by Mdlint, ribhishana. 
 We have a different account, 
 again iu the Zinga Purana
 
 '( 5 ) 
 
 ENTER Actor. 
 
 Act. The monkey chiefs,* and friendly fiends, and all the 
 Warriors in alliance with the prince, have been dismissed to 
 tlieir several homes ; in their stead, the holy sages have ar- 
 rived from various realms, and their reception has been the 
 occasion of perpetual festivity — 
 
 Mana. True— and the mothers of Rdghava,f under 
 the guidance of Fasislhtha,X and with Anindhati^ to preside 
 in the sacrifice, have departed to the dweLing of their son 
 in law.— 
 
 Act. I am a stranger here you know — inform me who is 
 this son in law. — 
 
 (ch. 63.) Pulastya Iiad by flavilu, 
 the daughter of Ttinavindu, a 
 a SOD, named Visravas who had 
 four wives Devavarnini the 
 daughter of Frihaspati, Pusli- 
 potkata and Ruled (or Fdlcd) the 
 daughters of the demon Mdlya- 
 van, and Naikasi the daughter 
 of the Demon Sallaki: by the 
 fist he had Kuvera or Faisra- 
 vana, by the second Mahodara, 
 Prahastay Mahaparswa, and 
 Khara, and Kernanasi a daugh- 
 ter; by the third he hnd Trisiras 
 Dushana and Fidyujjihwa and 
 Syamika a daughter, and by the 
 last or Naikasi the virtuous 
 Fibhishana. 
 
 * Rama was accompanied on 
 his return to ^yodhyd by Fi- 
 bhishana the brother and succes- 
 sor of Rdvana and by the muu- 
 
 key chieTs,Sugriva, Jngada, and 
 Hanumnn — they assisted at his 
 coronation, nnd then returned to 
 their dwellings in the Bekhin., 
 and Lankd. 
 
 + Or Rama ; the term is a pa- 
 tronymic implying his being a 
 descendant of Rnghu. His mothers 
 are the widows of his father 
 Dasaratha — KausaJyd the mo- 
 ther of Rama ; Sumilrd the mo- 
 ther of Lakshmana, and the 
 youngest son 5fl/rKg/j«a, and A'crj- 
 keyi the mother of tiie third 
 son Bharata. 
 
 X The family priest of Rama's 
 race, Ihe son of Brahma in one 
 birth, and of Milra and Fdrmia 
 or the sun and the sea in ano- 
 ther. 
 
 ^ Arundhati is the wife of the 
 Sage.
 
 ( G ) 
 
 Maiia. The late king* Dasarat'ha had a daughter named 
 Santa, whom he gave to king Lomapdda to adopt, and whom 
 RisJnjasrhigaf the son of Vibhdndaka espoused^: — He 
 now holds the ceremony of the§ twelve years sacrifice, and 
 the elders have gone to assist as its celebration— leaving 
 with his permission, the daughter of ^Jana/ca at the capital. 
 But, come, time wears — let us go meet our friends at the Pa-* 
 lace as was appointed. 
 
 Act. But tell me, in your opinion, has the tit'e of Most 
 Ture been very judiciously granted by the king to his bride. 
 
 * Dasaralha the son of Jja 
 and father of Rama was a dis- 
 tingnished prince of the Solar 
 dynasty- Bifc/rana« supposes him 
 to have lived in the 15lh cen- 
 tury hefore the Christian era. 
 
 i Rishi/asringa the deer- 
 horned was born of a doe, and had 
 a small horn on his forehead, 
 whence his name. 
 
 ^ These circumstanes are all 
 narrated in the Ramui/ana at 
 length. Book 1 Sections vii. ix. x. 
 Lomapiida was king of Anga. 
 
 ^ This numher offers some ana- 
 logy to the visits of Gods to Ethi- 
 ophia's blameless race when ; 
 " Twelve days the powers in- 
 dulged the genial rite." JiTacrO' 
 bius however would read this, 
 twelve hours or the interval be- 
 tween Sun set and Sun rise, 
 when Jove as that planet is be- 
 low the horizon : it is true the 
 
 original leaves him at liberty to 
 propose such a reading as nei- 
 ther days nor hours are specified 
 in tills place. The return of the 
 deities however is more specific. 
 Twelve days were passed and now 
 
 the dawning liglit 
 The Gods had summoned to the 
 Olympian height. 
 The same critic conceives also 
 that some allusion may be made 
 to the signs of the Zodiac (Sat. 
 1. 23. Sonm. Scipiou. lib. 2) 
 The number has very possibly 
 somesecret import, astronomical 
 or mythological, both amongst 
 the Hindiis and Greeks. 
 
 H Janaka was king of Mithila 
 and a man of great piety and 
 learning. He was the reputed 
 father of 5i^<i the wife of /Jama 
 having found her an infant iu 
 the earth upon ploughing it for 
 a sac ri lice.
 
 ( 7 ) 
 
 Mana. Mind your oAvn affairs— wliy talk upon improper 
 subjects— men are ever evil disposed towards the purity of 
 ■words and women. 
 
 Act — Most maliciously— true — especially as the calum- 
 nies insinuated against Vaideki,'^ inconsequence of her resi- 
 dence in the dwelling of the Rdkshasa, were refuted by her 
 passing the fiery ordeal. t 
 
 Mana. Yet should such reports as are still current reach 
 the king they will cause him great distress. 
 
 Act. The sages and the Gods will provide for the best — 
 Where is is his Majesty (listening.) Oh, I hear, Janaka his 
 father in law has just left him to return to his own kingdom, 
 
 * 527a bears the patronymic being thus dissipated, he J03 fully 
 VaideM as the daughter of the received his bride. Utlara lldmd- 
 hmg of Fideha. ijana. AccotH'iwg lolhe Brahma 
 
 + After the recovery of Kaivertta Purdna, Sila herself 
 Sitd from Rdvana, Rama wel- was not carried off by Rdvana. 
 corned her coldly, and after in- Her shadow or Chlidyd being 
 timating some suspiciuns unfa- substituted by ^gni for her siib- 
 vourable to her chastity, refused slance. It was this semblance 
 to receive her: on which Sita also that entered the fire in or- 
 determined to commit herself der to give Jgni an opportu- 
 to the test of Fire. Having nlty of restoring the original to 
 entered the fire prepared for Rdina. The Padma-Piirdna 
 this purpose in the presence of (Paldla Khattd) dispenses with 
 the Gods and of Dasaratha, the ordeal, but brings forward 
 the deceased father of Rama, it Jgni, Vdyu, Varuna, Brahma 
 proved innocuous, and Agni its and Dasaratha to swear to Silas 
 deity restored Rama his bride innocence. Brahma, further con- 
 unhurt, and declared her purified soles Rama l)y declaring, it was 
 by the ordeal she had underone. necessary Sita should have been 
 Dasaratha also bore testimony carried off by Rdvana, as his 
 to 5i7a'svirtue and iffl/Hfl's doubts rape of a virtuous woman
 
 ( 8 ) 
 
 and the king has quitted his seat of justice to repair to the 
 inner apartments, and console the queen. 
 
 Exeiintt 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE FiaST. 
 
 THE PALACE. 
 
 Ravi a and Sitd, discovered. 
 
 Droop not dear Sitd ; our respected friends. 
 Have parted from us with no less reluctance 
 Than we have felt, but duty must be done. 
 To loftier claims must self indulgence yield. 
 And they who venerate their household fire. 
 Must bear the task such sacred charge imposes * 
 
 was the only cause of destruc- fire as in theother authoritiesC 
 
 liou to which he was subject, * The inaiatenatice of a per- 
 
 agreeably to the curse denounc- petual fire implies also the ob- 
 
 cil upon him by JVala Kuvera servance of all the occasions on 
 
 and the previous boon con- which sacrifices with fire are 
 
 ferred upon him by Brahma, offered, and all those duties 
 
 In the Utiara Khand of the which a householder is enjoiaed. 
 name Purana she enters into the
 
 ( 9 ) 
 
 Sila. I know the trutli of this, my dearest Lord, 
 13ut stiil to separate from our uearjst friends. 
 And cherished kindred, euar.ot chuae but grieve us. 
 
 Jiam- ] rue, love — 
 
 But these, tlie sorro\vs of a feeling heart. 
 Are the sad portion of man's social life : 
 'Tis hence, the wise repair to caves and woods. 
 To que 1 desire by solitude and penance. 
 
 Enter Aiieiidant. 
 Raniabkadj-a — (Checking himself.) Maharaja. 
 
 Rcima. (Smiling.) j\Iy worthy friend: I better love to hear 
 The name of Rdmubhudra, from the mouths 
 Of those who were my father's followers.* 
 What is your message. 
 
 All. Ashtdvalra Avaits : 
 
 From Rishi/asn'nga's hermifage. 
 
 Sit. What should delay his entrance. 
 
 ENTEa the Ascetic Ashldvakra.f 
 Ash. Health and Peace to both. 
 
 * The mode here adopted of he rather neglected his bride, 
 delineating Rdma!s kindly dis- when far advanced in her prog- 
 position is very Shakespearian. nancy, and was rebuked for his 
 
 + Ashtuvakraxa, the hero of a conduct by his son yet unborn— < 
 curious legend in the Mahahhd- the lather indignantly pronounc- 
 rat. Kahora his father was the ed, that he should be born crook- 
 pupil of lArfrfa/fl/ifl and married cd in punishment of liis inipertin- 
 his preceptor's daughter— he was ence, and lience his name Ashta 
 so much addicted to study that eight (^liuibs) and Fafira curved.
 
 C 10 ) 
 
 Rdin. rtespect await you venerable Sii'— 
 
 Be seated. 
 Sit. I salute you with respect ; 
 
 And hold me highly honored to receive 
 
 The pious kinsman of my sainted Sister. 
 Ham. No cares disturb my brother's holy peace, 
 
 Nor my respected sister's. 
 Sif. Dwell we ever in their recollection. 
 Ash. Assuredly — They are well — Lady, to you. 
 
 The sage Faslsld'ha thus addresses him. 
 
 Thy mother is the all-sustaining Earth; 
 
 Thy father is a king of no less fame 
 
 Kaliora went to the great sacri- 
 fice of Janaka k\n% of Milhild 
 soon after the hirlh of his son — 
 to that festival came a seeming 
 Bauddha sage who overcoming 
 all his competitors in argumeat 
 had them thrown into the river. 
 Kahom venturing to encoun- 
 ter him, suffered this fate. 
 When AshlAvakra was in his 
 twelfth year, he first heard of 
 his father's mischance, and to 
 revenge it, setoiTfor the yet un' 
 finished sacrifice, it heingone of 
 those already noticed, as of 
 twelve years duration. Although 
 young in age the Saint was ma- 
 ture in wisdom, and overcame his 
 father's conqueror; when he in- 
 sisted on his hcing thrown into 
 the river, the supposed disputant 
 
 declared himself to he the son 
 of f'uruna the god of tlie wa- 
 ters, who had commenced a si- 
 milar sacrifice with that of Ja- 
 naka, at the same time, and to 
 secure the attendance of learned 
 Brahmans, had adopted the ex- 
 pedient of sending his son to de- 
 feat them in disputation, and 
 give them a suhsequent duciuag : 
 the ohject heing effected, they 
 were dismissed with honour, and 
 the parlies separated mutually 
 content. Ashtavakra by his 
 father's instructions bathed in 
 the Samangd river, and by so 
 doing was rendered perfectly 
 straight. MuhubMraty Vava 
 Farva. He was married to the 
 daugliler of the sage Vddanya. 
 Dana Dhevma.
 
 f 11 ) 
 
 Than the primjeval patriarchs ; thy Lord 
 
 DraAVs his proud lineage from the King of day. 
 
 And his illustrious house have ever owned 
 
 Our spiritual guidance : what alone remains ; 
 
 That from thee spring an offspring to inherit 
 
 The conjoint honors of each giorious race. 
 Rama. I thank the sage. In this imperfect woi'ld, 
 
 Man's tardy speech lags afcer things foregone ; 
 
 But with the saints, the thoughts their lips express, 
 
 Precede, and presage sure, events to come. 
 Ash. Arundhali and all the holy dames. 
 
 And Santa — bid thee well consider this : 
 
 If thou have hope of heirs, v/hat must be donc^ 
 
 Must be effected speedily. 
 Ram. Declare it. 
 
 What must be done. 
 Ash. This Rishynsringa tells me to impart. 
 
 Let the fair *Queen repair imto the forests. 
 
 Such separation gives to Rimia happiness,, 
 
 And I shall see her bearing on her lap 
 
 A smiling progeny. 
 Ram. So let it be. 
 
 Is there aught else VasishVha's wisli ordains* 
 Ash. Attend. 
 
 The holy sacrifice absorbs our care ; 
 
 And you, my son, are 3'^oung in years and power. 
 
 Remember therefore that a king's true wealth, 
 
 * Or in the text Kathoragerhhd, in reference to her protract- 
 ed pregiiaucy.
 
 I 12 ) 
 
 His real glory, is his people's welfare. 
 Ram. So ^Maitnlvuriini has ever taught us : 
 
 And I am ready, pity, pleasure, love. 
 
 Nay even SUd, to resign, content. 
 
 If it be needful for the general good. 
 Sil. In this, my Lord, does honor to his race. 
 J?«7rt. Who waits. Attend upon the sage. 
 Ash- (Bises and cl, cumamhidate^ them ) 
 
 Behold the Prince. [_Exit. 
 
 E.ntlr hakshmana. 
 
 Lalcsh. Glory to Bdma. 
 
 Come my most noble Brother, on these Avails, 
 Behold a skilful aitist has pourtrayed, 
 Your story as he learnt the tale from me. 
 
 Ram, You have the skill. 
 
 To dissipate our queen's uneasiness- 
 How far proceeds the tale good Brother. 
 
 Laksh. To where the Queen 
 Was purified by flame. 
 
 Ram. Most pure by birth, 
 
 She needed not the consecrated wave. 
 Nor sacred fire, to sanctify her nature. 
 
 Laksh. Daughter of sacrifice, respected Siid 
 Secure of a devotion that will cease 
 With life alone — forgive me. 
 
 Ram. The base herd. 
 
 Of men, may censure rank and worth unheeded ; 
 
 * A name of rasishtha, the son of JllUra and Faruna.
 
 ( )3 ) 
 
 JBut tlieir foul calumnies do not deserve 
 By thee to be repeated. The flower that breathes 
 With nature's fragrance^, on the bro^v should blossom, 
 Nor with contempt be trampled on the ground.* 
 Sita. Come let us see these pahitings- 
 
 {Thcy I iic and Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE SECOND. 
 
 THE GARDEN OF THE PALACE WITH 
 A PAVILION, 
 
 Enter Lakslimana, Sitd and Rama. 
 Laksk. Behold the picture. t 
 Sita. What are these that crowd 
 Around my Lord and seem to hymn his praises. 
 
 * This idea occurs in Malati provinces to meet with a kind 
 a d Mdlhava see pige 119. of fresco painting upon the walls 
 t A long scroll in compart- of ;2;rtrdens,orenclosiiresof tanks: 
 raents apparently fixed aj^ainst a favourite subject for this kiud 
 a wall. Such pictures, heing pa- of erulieliishmeut about Malhu- 
 uoriuiiic representations of holy ra and T^rindavan was the re- 
 place usually, are still not un- pulse of the British before 
 
 c p.mion, whilst the M«/i/z/y/,'araf Bharatpur in 1805* They will 
 
 and llumayana in illuminated now, probably (1826) be tflaced, 
 
 and emhellished portahlo scrolls to make room for the ileUue- 
 
 are very frequent. It is notun- atioa of its capture. 
 
 commoa also in the westem
 
 ( u ) 
 
 Lalcsh. They ate the heavenly arms, that Viswumltra,^ 
 The holy sage from Kusa sprung — the friend 
 Of all mankind, obtained from great Krisdsnm,^' 
 And gave them to the Prince to wage the fight 
 
 * Viswamilra was born a and not impossibly the Greeks, 
 prince in the Lunar dvnasty. triumphed hy their means. Vis- 
 Accordin£^ to the Rdmdyana he wamitra was born a s.ige in con- 
 was the f'dirtli from Praiapati sequence of his mother parlak- 
 biil the Bhagnvat makes him ing of some charmed food pre- 
 the fifteenth from Brahma— pared by the Muni Richika 
 they a<rree in calling him the for his wife, her daughter. After' 
 Son oT Gfidlii who according to observing the superior might of 
 the first was tiie son of Kusand- the Brahmans, he engaged in a 
 i»;ja,and according to the second, course of austerities to rise from 
 the Son of Kusamba two differ- the martial order in which he 
 ent sons of Giidhi. Fiswdinitra was born, to that of the sacer- 
 was sovereign of Kanoj, and en- dotal, and ultimately compelled 
 gaged in war with the snge F'a- Brnhmii to grant him that ele- 
 sis^i/m for the possession of the valion. Rumuyana 1. Sect. 41- 
 aU bestowing Cow. In this con- 52 Jllahabharat. t4di. Porva. 
 test the Cow produced all sorts of Bhagnvat ix. 1 5. &ca. 
 forces, particularly MIechhas t Two Sovereigns of the name 
 or barbarians, by whose aid f^a- of Krisuswa are traceable, one 
 sishtha overcame his adversary, a king of Jyodhya the other of 
 There can be little doubt that F'isald. The position of the for- 
 this legend is a metaphorical nier in the solar genealogy stand* 
 account of a real transaction, thus in Buchanan's authorities; 
 and that by the Cow we are to Bhdgavat Vansa Laid Hari Fanst 
 imdersland India, or the most NikHinbha Nikumbha Neliumbha 
 valuable portion of it, for the Vdrhanaswa Vurhandswa Sanghatdswct 
 sovereignty of which either two Krisaswa Krisdstea Krisaswa 
 princes, or two tribes, the Brah- Sennjit Yuuanaswa Prasemjit 
 nians and ^s/iefrryas, contended, Yuvanniwa Vuvandswa 
 oneof the parlies calling to their But the Fishtiu Purana goes 
 aid the barbariaus, the Persians, from A'ikumbha to Prasenajil
 
 C 15 ) 
 
 With, tliat malignar.t demon Ti'irakd* — 
 11(1771. Pay reverence Situ to the arms divine. 
 
 The ancient sages deemed themselves most blest 
 To view them for a while ; and painful toils. 
 Thousands of years endured, by Gods themselve.?. 
 Obtained these weapons for the wars of heaven.t 
 
 at once, omilting the two inter- or Dcvarshi is said to hnve mar- 
 
 mediate princes. tied two of tlie daughters of 
 
 Krisdstva Ihe sovereign of Daksha, J ay a and I'ijayd ac- 
 f'isala is the son of Samyama cording to the Rdmuyana, but 
 and father of Somadatta accor- ^rchi and Dhishaud ii\ tlie Bha- 
 A'\\\g lo ihe Bhdgaval nnd Fansa gavat. — He is also said to have 
 Lata. Buchanan is mistaken in been a writer on dramatic repre- 
 supposing the former interposes sen tation whence an actor or 
 a Sahadeva between him and dancer is termed in the Amera 
 Samyama. Devaja or Devaka Kosha Krisaswi — nothing fur- 
 is the son of Samyama, with ther of him has been ascertained. 
 Krisuswa or his brother— the * A female fiend the daugh- 
 mistake arises from consider- ter of the Yaksha Suketu and- 
 ing Saha^ with, as part of the wife of the Daitya Sunda. She 
 name — the text has Samyamad was changed into the form of a 
 dsit Krisdsiua Saha Devaja ; ex- Rdkshasi after the death of her 
 plained by the comment, Dewa- husband by the curse of the 
 jena or Devakena Sahita. s;ige Jgasfya. H iving devasla- 
 
 Buchanan places the .^^orfZ/j/a led the flourishing districts of 
 
 prince in the 18lh century before Malaja and Karusha and ob- 
 
 Christ and the Sovereign of f^is- structing the sacrifices of the 
 
 ala in the 14th— the latter is sages, I'iswdmitra applied to 
 
 therefore made subsequent to Rama for aid, and her destruc- 
 
 lldma who is supposed by him tion was his first exploit. Riimar 
 
 to have flourished in the 15th. ay ana 1. 23 — 25. 
 
 Neither of these persons how- i These weapons are of ave*- 
 
 ever appears to hQ\\ie Krlsdsiva ry unintelligible character. Some 
 
 of the text who is more proba- of them are occasionally wielded 
 
 blyasage— one so named, ail/ j<Hi as missiles, but iu general they
 
 ( 10 ) 
 
 Sila. f Bowing.) Receive my adoration — 
 
 Rum. They will aid 
 Thy chihh-en. 
 
 Sit a. I am grateful. 
 
 Lak,sh. 'I here, the scene 
 
 Is changed to Mil hild.* 
 
 Sita — -Yes, I see my Lord. 
 
 Dark as the deep blue lotus is his hue. 
 And strength and grace in every limb appear-— 
 The dazzled eye shrinks from his lovely fiice. 
 With graceful curls set off, whilst high disdain 
 Swells every feature, as with force divine, 
 
 appear to be mystical powers, iniiul, render me assistance. They 
 
 exercised by the iniliviclual, such then circumambulated Rama 
 
 as those of paralysing an enemy, and having said, So be it, re- 
 
 or locking his senses fast in ceived his permission to depart, 
 
 sleep, or bringing down storm and went whence they came.'' 
 
 and rain and fire from heaven. The RdnuiT/ana calls tliem also 
 
 In the usuil strain of the Hindu the Sons of Krisdswa and the 
 
 mythology they are supposed to sons of Jai/a and Vijaya the 
 
 assume celestial shapes, endowed daughters of Priijdpati. Rdma- 
 
 wilh human faculties, and in this yara. I. Sec. 20 2G and 42. 
 capacity are alluded to in the * The country north of the 
 
 text. The list of Iheui, one hnn- Ganges between the Gandaki 
 
 dred, is given in the first book of and A'osj rivers comprehending 
 
 the Rdmdyana, and there also the modern provinces of Pura- 
 
 they are described as embodied, niya and Tirhnt : the remains of 
 
 and address /?a?na saying--" Com- the capital founded by Janaka 
 
 mand us Oh Rdghava of migh- and thence termed Janakipur 
 
 ty arn>— Here we are, Oh chief of are still to be seen according to 
 
 men, command us, what shall we Buchanan, on the northern fron- 
 
 do for thee. The Son of /f«g-//M tier; at the Janickpoor of the 
 
 replied; Depart all of you, and in maps, 
 lime of ueccssilv wheu called to
 
 ( 17 ) 
 
 He snaps asundev the celestial bow.* 
 JLaksh. See where V asishlha a.n({i\\e\\o\y %oxi 
 
 Of Gaulama, the priest of Ja!iida,i 
 
 Concur in approbation of the nuptials. 
 Ram No wonder ; for the alliance that united 
 
 Raghu with Janaka, could to none 
 
 Be else than pleasing, and Avhere Viswamltra 
 
 Himself j was donor and receiver. " 
 
 ^ita. A solemn scene, where gifts of kine secure 
 
 Auspicious destiny, and four bright youths 
 
 Are knit in marriage bonds with four fair maidsj— 
 
 Ah well I know its import — there — and then. 
 
 My happiness began. 
 Ram. Nor less the boon 
 
 That ever cherished day on me bestowed ; 
 
 When the sage son of Gautama, thy hand 
 
 With golden bands begirt, as if it were 
 
 * This Bow origiiiKlly belong- + Sutnnanda,\\iQ so:\ of Gaii- 
 
 ed to Siva who wielded it victo- tama and Ahiilyd and family 
 
 riously against the other gods priest of the king of i!/gf/t«7a. 
 
 at Z)rt/vs7ia'ssacrifice,hut without :{: The Sons of Dasaratha 
 
 success, against /^VsftrtM, on which were H ana, Lakshmana, Bha- 
 
 he "-ave it to Dcvarata one of raia, and 5a<rz/^/j«a: at the time 
 
 Janaka s ancestors, subsequent that 5//« was married to the for- 
 
 to whom it remained in the fa- mer, the other daughter of Ja. 
 
 niily. Like the bow of Ulysses naka, Urmila, was given to 
 
 it w^s employed by Janaka to Lakshmana, and the two other 
 
 ascertain the strength of the i)r()thers were married to Mdn- 
 
 candidates for his daughter's davi and Srutakirtli the daugh- 
 
 hand, none of whom were ai)le tersof A'«srt.rta;a'ja,thesovereigrt 
 
 to bend it, but it was broken of ^flw/lrttsj/fl, or according to the 
 
 with ease by /Jama. Ildmui/ana JgniPurana, of Kdsi or Bena- 
 
 B. I. Sec 32, 53 & 0'2. res, and brother ni' Janaka. 
 
 c
 
 ( 18 ) 
 
 The festival embodied, placed in mine. 
 Lalcsh. Beho'd the princess, and this is Mdndavi — 
 
 This Sriila/iiiii. — 
 Sita. And the fourth. 
 Lci/csh. Why ask me ; 
 
 You know that this is Unnild. 
 
 But here direct your eye — 'tis Bhdrgava.* 
 Sita. His look alarms me. 
 Ram. Reverence to the Saint. 
 
 Lalcsh. You should observe him ; for this hero vain— 
 Ham. (internipling.) 
 
 Much e!se remains that moi'e deserves attention. 
 Siia. This modesty full well becomes my Lord. 
 Lalcsh. Here we are in Ji/odht/d- 
 Ram. Happy days — 
 
 When yet an honoured Sire was alive. 
 
 Whilst yet a mother's love watched o'er our being; 
 
 When all was joy — See here— the youthful bride 
 
 Fair S'ltn wins maternal admiration : 
 
 Her smiling countenance resplendant shines 
 
 * The descendant of Bhrigii, return to punish him forbrcaking 
 Parasurdma, who was an incar- the bow of that deity. He was 
 nation of T^ishiui for Ihe de- compelled however to acknow- 
 slruciioii of the Kshelriijas .- he ledge the superiority of the 
 ■was the son of J amadagni, the younger warrior, and after de- 
 son of Ekhika, the son, of precating his anojer, retired to a 
 Bhrigu-, according to some and life of devotion on mount 
 grandson according to others. tMahendra. Ramdyana I. "2. In 
 Being a disciple of Siva he the Mahabharal, Rama shoots 
 was hifjhly incettsed at the arrows at hira, aud strikes him 
 presumption of Rdmacharidra^ senseless. 
 and intercepted him ou \m
 
 '( 19 ) 
 
 With youth and loveliness — her h'ps disclose 
 Teeth white as Jasmine blossoms — silky curls 
 Luxuriant shade her cheeks, and every limb 
 Of slightest texture moves with natural grace, 
 Like moon beams gliding through the yielding air. 
 
 Laksh. Here is the wretched MuntharH* 
 
 Ram. Dismissed 
 
 Unnoticed — see the groves o^ Srin^avera^:, 
 Where from ihs monarch of the forest tribes 
 We met a friendly welcome. 
 
 Laksh. (J pari.) He omits 
 Wliat chanced between. | — 
 
 Sila. And now behold assumed. 
 The braid of penance § 
 
 Laksh. Yes: the task severe, 
 
 The elders of our race, their state deposed. 
 In favour of their progeny adopted,^ 
 
 * The ronfiilential attendant ried over to the Soulh bank of 
 
 of Kaikeyi, the second wife of the Gauges, a day's march above 
 
 Daa.iralliii, by wliose instigitions its junction with the Jumna, 
 
 that princess opposed lidmas :{; Or the circumstaaces of his 
 
 accession to the throne, and exile, 
 
 ijisisted on hi> exile. ^ The Jutd or matted hair 
 
 + Srins^avera was a city on assumed by Rtlma and Laksh' 
 
 the Norlb l).i,ik. of the Giiiges, or 7Hana on dismissing the royal 
 
 more properly a \illiige, as the chariot at the vijhige of 5r/«^tt- 
 
 coimlry on both sides of the vera to indicate tlieir entering 
 
 Ganges was here a forest, inha- upon a forest or ascetic life — 
 
 bited by Aishadas or wild tribes Ham. II. 40. 
 
 of whom Guha was the chief, It It appears to have custo- 
 
 by whose assistance Rama mary for the ancient princea of 
 
 Lakshmana and Siia were fer- the Hiudus, wheu eafeeblcd by
 
 ( 20 ) , 
 
 Was here by youth sustained ; and opening life. 
 Content to languish in the forest's gloom. 
 
 Sita. Beliold — the Bhagii'athi-* 
 
 Ham. Goddess beiiign^, Avho oer the race of Raghie 
 Thy guardian care extendest, I salute thee — 
 Thy downward path Bhagiratlis prayers propelled 
 And thy pure waves redeemed his ancestry. 
 Reduced to ashes by the wrath o^ Kanila, 
 As through the bowels of the earth they sought 
 The steed escaped from Sagaras sacrifice.t 
 
 years to transfer the crown to as a sage, whom the Sons of 
 the successor and retire to a her- Sagara challenged as the tliit-f 
 milage. of the horse. Kapila incensed, 
 * The Ganges, so named from reduced them all to ashes with a 
 having been brought down to blast from his nostrils- Ansuinuti 
 earth by the devotions of king the son of .^samawjas, theson of 
 Bhagiralh. Sagara by his other wife Kesitn\ 
 + S'ffgara purposing to perform afterwardsdiscoveredlhereliques 
 an Aswamedha or sacrifice of a of his uncles, and le:iriied from 
 horse, set, as an essential Garura, their uncle, Ihil the 
 part of the ceremony, the horse waters of the Ganges were neces- 
 at liberty, who was carried off sary to procure them adinission 
 by one of the Serpents of Pa/rt- to heaven. Neither Sahara nor 
 la. The king directed his sons his successors Ansumdn and 
 by his wife Sumati, sixty thou- Dillpa were able to effect the 
 sand in number to recover the descent < f Gaiiga, this l)eing 
 steed. Their efforts although un- reservedfortheSon and successor 
 availing were enough to alarm of Uielatte<-,C//a^s^i?-a//j. Theaus- 
 Ihe gods and de mons, and to en- terities of this prince successive- 
 sure their own destruction. Af- ]y propitiating Brahma, Umi, 
 ter penetrating deep towards the anA Mahkdeva, the Ganges was 
 subterraneous regions, they came by their power compelled to 
 upon the horse grazing near flow over the Earth, following 
 ^apjYa, aaiacarnationot>7*/zw?< lihas'tralha, to ihe Sea, and
 
 ( 21 ) 
 
 Deign heavenly mother to bestow thy care 
 On this tliy daughter, and with emulous love. 
 Like chaste Arund/taii — her days defend. 
 
 Laksh. See — *Bhurudwajas hermitage— the road 
 To ChilrakutaA Jiiid tlie sable tree 
 That ghades KdUndtsX l)orders- 
 
 Sita. Does my Lord 
 
 Recall these scenes to memory. 
 
 Ram. Could it be, 
 
 That I should ever cease to recollect them. 
 I see you now, as on my breast reclined 
 And in my arms sustained, that delicate frame. 
 Exhausted with the long and weary way, 
 
 thence to Pdlula where the and the father of Drona the 
 ashes of his ancestors were lav- military preceptor of the Pall- 
 et by its waters. The Ganges dava and Kaurava princes. He 
 was called Uhdgirathi in honour is also the parent of Arundhali 
 ofthe king, and the ocean term- tlie wife oi fasishUia. 
 ed Sdgara in commemoration + A mountain not far from 
 of Sagara and his Sons. R&ma the south bank of the Jumna, 
 I, 35. Rdma^i Qrst residence in his exile 
 * Tlie accounts of tliis indi- and according to the Rdmayana 
 vidual are rather obscure, but at that time the seat of falmi- 
 he was a Muni and expounder kis hermitage. Many temples 
 of the f^edas. la some places and establishments of Faishnava 
 he is called the Son of T^'rihas- ascetics exist at this spot, now 
 pail, and in the Tlari vans\% called C/tiVrrtAro/e, and it is at dif- 
 said to have been adopted ferent seasons a place of great 
 by Bharata as king of Prntish- resort. 
 
 tliana. In the Rumdi/ana he ^ The Kallndi is the Jumna 
 
 appears as a Sage residing at river, the daughter of Knlinda, 
 
 Praydga or Allahabad where a a name of the sun. The tree 
 
 temple dedicated to him still should be the imperishable Ber 
 
 exists. \n.i\\Q Mahubharal he is tree, which has long been famed 
 
 described as residing at Haridwar at Allahabad, and Trbich is
 
 ( 22 ) 
 
 Sinks in oerpowering slumber. 
 
 Laksh. Behol.l Virddha* who denies admission 
 To +Fj«rf//_y a'* thickets. — 
 
 Sit a. He is too horrible 
 
 IMark where my Lord collects the broad Palm leaves — 
 And weaves a shade to screen me from the sun. 
 
 Ham. We come to where amidst ihe Southern forests. 
 By mountain brooks the holy sages dwell. 
 And here they spread their simple stores,^ and cheer 
 The stranger guest with hospitable rite. 
 
 Lahsh From craggy precipices start the streams. 
 And fall like rushing rains into the channel. 
 Where amidst hanging rocks, and chasms deform, 
 
 slill represeoled hy a williered on which it is now traditionallj 
 
 stem in the cave of P&tula puri venerated. 
 
 Ufidergroiind,l)iilit shouldappear * A Demon of formidable size 
 
 from the text thul it grew in day and aspect, tlie son of A'a/a and 
 
 light, and the play probably pre- Salahrudd residi g in Dandnkd' 
 
 certeti Ibe coiistriiclion of the ca- rfl?/,yrt and encountered by liana 
 
 VfM) — there was nodonbt a very on his leiving the hermitage of 
 
 aiiciriitand venerable Fig tree Atri. — Hiving seized 5i/a, and 
 
 at A'.fih ihad. perhaps for some threatened to devour the princes, 
 
 centuries, for it is alluded to in he was altackcd I)y lliem :ind 
 
 various vocabiilnries, as Medhii shiin by Edna Udmui/ana B. L 
 
 &c. it is also descril>ed in the Sect. 7. 8. 
 
 Kasikhayida and Kunna Parana t Tbe Vindhva inountaiiis 
 
 —the first notice iu)wever is in extead across central India, 
 
 the Jfdwdi/ana (B. 2 Sect 41 & and throw out branches be- 
 
 4'2.) liana wilh his wife and hind Agra and Debli to the 
 
 brother resting tinder the shade North, and on tlie South to the 
 
 of it, aftcrcrossing the Jumna, so extremity of the Peninsula, 
 
 that not only was the tree in the :}: Or, dre«s a handful of the 
 
 open air. but it was on the op- Nivara or wild rice, 
 posite side of tbe River to that
 
 '( 23 ) 
 
 And clustering thickets closed against the day. 
 Winds tlie Godaveri her arduous course. 
 
 Ram. Recali'st thou love our humble happy dwelling, 
 Upon the borders of the shining stream. 
 Where every hour in fond endearments wrapped. 
 Or in sweet interchange of thought engaged. 
 We lived in transport, not a wish beyond 
 Each other, reckl, ss of the flight of time. 
 
 Laksli. See* Punchdvati next, and here behold 
 The demon Surp'iiiokhd.f 
 
 Sita. Ha, my dear Lord. 
 Behold — (as if (lUn-med.) 
 
 Ram, How now — afraid of separation, 
 Tis but a picture love. 
 
 Sita. I tannot chuss 
 
 But suffer terror at so vi'e a presence. 
 
 Ram. The sad events that Janasthuna* witnessed 
 Are here too true'iy traced. Although gone by ; 
 The cunn ng of the fiend, the frowns of fate 
 1 hat robbed me of my dearest treasure, still, 
 
 * The forest along the Goda- maraa by his brother's commands 
 
 ireri. cut off her nose and ears. — She 
 
 + The sister of Ravdna a fe- fled lo her brothers Khara and 
 
 male fiend of hideous form and i)ws7/fln</, and inrited them to re- 
 
 sunfnin-.iry propensities. Having veiig:; her. Itdinay. B. III. Sect, 
 
 seen liUma on the banks of the 23. 24. 
 
 Godaveri she offered herself as a :}: According to the comment, 
 bride to him, and on his refusal this place in tlie present age is 
 to Lakshmana, but both reject- called Nasik, situated on the Go- 
 ing her advances, she attempted daveri, not far from the western 
 to destroy Sita, ou which Laksh- Ghats, and a place of pilgrimage.
 
 ( 24 ) 
 
 Are anguish to my heart. Here^ — lonely left. 
 The forest saw my griefs, and senseless things. 
 The rugged rock — the eternal adamant, 
 Disolved in pity of my lorn complainings. 
 
 S'da. Nor grieved my Lord alone, my every joy 
 Was dashed to earth when I behel d myself 
 Torn from tliy- arms. 
 
 Laksh. Let us avert our thoughts. 
 
 To, subjects more auspicious — here, observe 
 Displayed, the valour of the great Jutayii, 
 'Jhe ancient monarch of the winged tribes 
 Of days coeval with a Menu's reign 
 From Kasyupa descended* — Here, extend. 
 The forests of the west, where from the gloom 
 The headless spritet our devious path arrested. 
 
 * Jatayu a bird of divine n:i- + This Kabandha or Headless 
 
 lure and descent, and preteriia- Monster is possibly the original 
 
 liiral longevity, the son of Ga- of the Anthropophagi of the 
 
 riira, the son of Kasyapa. He East, and the "men whose heads 
 
 •was the friend of Dasaratha and do grow beneath their shouUlers." 
 
 on one occasion saved his life ; He is described as vast as a 
 
 that Prince having gone to the inoiintaiu, of a sable hue, wilh- 
 
 ccliptic to rescue llohini from out legs, but with arms a league 
 
 the hands of Sani, his carriage long, a formidable mouth in his 
 
 was consumed by a glance from belly, and a single eye of vast 
 
 the eye of the latter. Dasaratha dimensions in his breast. He 
 
 falling was caught and sustained seized with his long afms both 
 
 by Jatayu on his expandfd Rama and Lakshmana with an 
 
 wings. When S'lla was carried intention to devour them, but 
 
 «fl" by /fttra??fl, Jfl<«^M attempt- the princes extricated them- 
 
 cd to stop him, but was slain by selves by cutting oiF his arms, 
 
 the Rdhshusa. The monster then enquiring
 
 ( 25 ) 
 
 The mountain *Rhhi/amulca see, and here 
 The dwelling- of Malanga.f — This, the :{:dame 
 Whose life of penance now obtained reward. 
 
 who they were, and being 
 informed of their names, and 
 lineage, rejoiced in his niutila- 
 ti"n ;ts llie means of freeino^ him 
 from a form to which he had been 
 inetninorphosed from that of a 
 hatidsoino J)dnava,ihe grandson 
 of Danu one of the wives of 
 Kas7/apa, in consequence of the 
 imftrecaliou of a Rishi named 
 Sthufa Siva as a punishment for 
 his frightening the Ascetics by 
 assuming hideous shapes. The 
 effects of the curse were produc- 
 ed l)y his defying Indra, who in 
 the contest struck off his head 
 and legs with his thunderbolt 
 but could not kill him, as he 
 had obtained the boon of 
 longevity from Brahma, The 
 appearance of Rama was the 
 term of his transformation, and 
 his body being burnt by his de- 
 sire, he recovered his original 
 shape and returned to Swerga — 
 previously directing Rama to 
 seek the residence of Sugirwa. 
 Ramayana. Aranyakaiida 82. 
 83. 84. 
 
 * This mountain and the scenes 
 in its vicinity alluded to are said 
 to be known by the same appel- 
 
 lations in the neighbourhood of 
 Ahagundi a part of the Dekhiii 
 the maps of whicii are disgrace- 
 fully defective. The mountaia 
 itself was the residence of the 
 deposed monarch of the Moukies 
 Sugriva. It comprised of course 
 the whole of the tract about the 
 sources of the Pampa, but ia 
 the Rumdyana, Rdma passes 
 them before he comes to the 
 dwelling of the monkey chief. 
 
 t On the ascent to the moun- 
 tain occurs the forest of Matari' 
 ga or the Meghaprabha wood, 
 in which the trees never wither 
 and the flowers never fade. The 
 Saint and his disciples had long 
 disappeared, but his hermitage 
 had remained inaccessible to 
 noxious or inimical beings, and 
 the cooking utensils left by 
 him awaited in perfect order the 
 arrival of Riima, being destined 
 for his accommotlation. 
 
 :|: A Savari or female forester 
 named Sravanu who had attend- 
 ed on Malanga's disciples, and 
 whose ascension to Swerga was 
 to be the reward of her acting 
 as guide to Rama.
 
 t 2G ) 
 
 Heve are the source? of the Pampci,* where 
 The grief of i2«OT« boke bey end restraint 
 And fast descending tears at intervals. 
 Concealed from view the beauties of the scene. f 
 Here, mark the Son of air, the monkey chief. 
 Of strength resistless, and wide wasting wrath. 
 Tlie guardian of the woild — the firm ally 
 Of Raghu's race — illustrious Hanumim 
 
 Ham. Reverence and glory to our hero friend. 
 Here let us pause — for every scene suggests 
 Heart rending recollections. 
 
 Laksh. But a moment — 
 
 Regard the deeds incredible, the hands 
 
 Of Monkey warriors in their rage achieve — 
 
 Here — view our triumph;!: — ^ Now we close the scene. 
 
 S'tla. ]\Iy dearest Lord this picture has inspired 
 A fo( lish fancy — may I give it utterance. — 
 
 T.am Fear not to speak it love. 
 
 S'Ua. I long once more to wander through the shades§ 
 Of the brown woods, and plunge amidst the wave 
 O^Bhftgirathl's cool translucent stream. 
 
 * A river rising in the /?/.s7(^« 5 A few exchmatory sen- 
 
 muka mountain and flowing tences are henceforward omitted, 
 
 into the Tungabhadra below and the description of the 
 
 Anaghondi • Picture is compressed. 
 
 + Not however hefore expa- ^ Sita's exposure required 
 
 tiating upon them at great her own concurrence which the 
 
 length, at least in the Rama- desire she has just intimated af- 
 
 2)ana. Jninyakaud last sec- fords. It is also ominous of 
 
 tioii- what is to follow. 
 
 X The death of litivana, and 
 defeat of his troops, with the 
 capture oi Lanka.
 
 ( 27 ) 
 
 Ram. Lakshmana. 
 
 Lciksh, I understand you — and will order forth 
 The easy rolling car -without delay ; 
 As such desires the learned have declared 
 Should speedily be gratified. — ■'* 
 
 Exit. 
 Sila. But you will sure be with me my good Lord 
 
 Ham. Cruel : what need to ask your Lidma this. 
 
 . Come, let us enter this pavilion, love. 
 Sita. J\Iost villingly — unusual lassitude 
 
 Creeps oer my frame, and wooes me to repose. 
 
 Ravi. Recline, on me, thy couch — and round my neck 
 Throw those dear arms, more lovely than the band 
 Of moon gens melting in the lunar ray. 
 As start the pearly drops. 
 
 What can this mean — a sudden transport glows 
 In every nerve — shedding such strange emotion. 
 I know not whether it be pain or pleasure— 
 If poison parch my veins, or I have quaffed 
 The maddening wine cup — can such magic hid 
 In this fair touch — thus overcome my nature. 
 
 Sita. It is thy constant love. No charms of mine. 
 
 Ram. Thy tender voice revives life's languid blossom ; 
 And wliilst its sound subdues each softening sense> 
 It comes like heavenly nectar on the ear. 
 And poui's its balmy medicine on the soul. 
 
 Sita. Dear flatterer cease — here let us taste repose 
 
 * The term Dohada usually signifies the desire of a pregnant 
 woman or longing to y?hich the Hindus attach equal importance as 
 did the nations of Europe.
 
 r 28 ) 
 
 Looking round. 
 Bam. Wiiat seeks my Slid. — Be these arms thy pillow^ 
 Thine, ever since the nuptial knot united us. 
 Thine, in the days of infancy and youth. 
 In lonely thickets, and in princely palaces. 
 
 Thine ever thine alone. 
 
 Sila. True — true — my ever kind and cherished Lord. 
 
 (Sleeps.) 
 Ram. Her latest waking words are words of love. 
 And nought of her but is most dear to me. 
 Her presence is ambrosia to my sight ; 
 Her contact fragrant sandal ; hor fond arms 
 Twined round my neck are a far richer clasp 
 Than costliest gems, and in my house she reigns. 
 The guardian goddess of my fame and fortune—* 
 Oh, I could never bear again to lose her. 
 Enter Attendant. 
 Alt. My Lord there waits — 
 Ram. Who ? 
 
 Alt. Your personal attendant DurmuJcha. 
 Ram. He brings me word of what reports are spread 
 Amongst the citizens — go— bid him enter. 
 
 {Exit Attendant, 
 Enter T>iirmuk'ha.^ 
 Dur. (To himself.) How can I venture to communicate 
 The idle rumours of the giddy people — 
 "Would that the task had never been assigned rae. 
 Sit a. (In her sleep.) Where art thou dearest Rama. 
 Ram. She dreams that I have left her — or the view 
 
 * Tlie Kanchuld or chamberlain; aa old Brahmaa is the 
 fittest person,
 
 ( 29 ) 
 
 Of our pourtrayed adventuves has disUivbetl 
 Hti gentle slumbers — ah — how blest is he. 
 Who ever dwells in long confirmed affection. 
 Alike in pleasure or in pain, whose heart 
 Reposes tranquilly m every fortune. 
 And on whose waning, as his budding life, 
 Love constant waits — Oh hoAV can fate be won. 
 To grant such happiness. 
 
 Diir. Hail to the King. 
 
 lidm. What hast thou to report. 
 
 Diir' The people are ill pleased the general cry 
 
 Is, Riimabhadra disregards his subjects. 
 
 Ram. What reason have they thus to think of me. 
 Declare what fault they chai'ge me with. 
 
 Diir. Tis thus they talk {whispers.) 
 
 Rum. Shame on the vile traducer who assails. 
 Domestic happiness — no common means 
 Redeemed* VaideM from the former scourge 
 Of foul calumnious tongues — yet scandal foams 
 Like a mad hound with still o'erHowing venom. 
 What's to be done — alas — what choice remains. 
 The general good must be preferred. To that. 
 My father sacrificed his son — his life — 
 And I must do my duty — Now it chances. 
 As by the sage Vasishiha 'twas foretold. 
 My noble ancestors — the lofty race 
 That boast the sun their sire, have bequeathed 
 A spotless reputation to my keeping ; 
 And how shall I deserve the glorious charge. 
 If calumny attach to aught that's mine, 
 * Sila.
 
 ( 30 ) 
 
 DaugbAter of sacrifice Fair child of Earths- 
 Glory of Junakas exalted race ; 
 The loved of Sages and their sainted dames ; 
 Casket of Rama's being ; Cheerin:^ light 
 Of the dark forest dweUing — Utterer 
 Of tender eloquence — Alas, what cause 
 Has rendered destiny thy ruthless foe. 
 All thy good deeds di-torted turn to ill ; 
 All thy munincence awards thee shame ; 
 And whilst thou art about to give the world 
 A worthy Lord - that world, ingrate, condemns;, 
 1 hef, to a widowed solitary home, 
 
 D'lrmul'hn go bid Lakshmana attend, 
 
 "[I'o lead the queen to exile. 
 
 Dm: How so my Lord— must she whose spotless fame 
 The flame has evidenced ; in whom there live 
 The hopes of Rughu's line — be banished hence; 
 To please a tliankless and malignant people. 
 
 Ratn. Nay — blame them not — no lack of love or honour 
 Towards the royal liouse, but adverse destiny 
 Instils these thoughts — they witnessed not the act 
 Of virtue's wondrous truimph — and their doubts 
 Are venial go yerform our bidding. 
 
 Dm: Alas poor queen. \^Exit, 
 
 ham Cruel task T have become a Savage— 
 
 The wife whose every day has passed with me 
 
 In tenderness and confidence, I yield, 
 
 Like a domestic bird, to sacrifice. 
 
 Wretch tliat I am— why shall my touch impure 
 
 Pollute these charms — hold me not thus — let loose 
 
 Your tender grasp, dear SUd, from a man
 
 C 31 ) 
 
 Whom every crime degrades. You think, you cling 
 Around the Sandal's fragrant trunk, and clasp 
 The baleful Poison tree — let go — thus — thus 
 
 Detaches himself and rises. 
 What now is life — a barren load— the world — i 
 A dreary — arid — solitary wild — 
 Where can I hope for comfort — sense was given me 
 Only to make me conscious of affliction. 
 And firmly bound in an unyielding frame. 
 Departed sires — ^ prophets and sages — all 
 Whom I haAe loved and honoured,* and all ye. 
 Who have shewo honour and regard for Rama ; 
 Celestial flame — auspicious parent. Earth — 
 To whom amongst ye, dare I raise my voice. 
 What name may I invoke, nor wrong its sanctity. 
 Will ye not shrink from my solicitation 
 As from an outcast's touch — fi-om me, who chase 
 My wife, the honour of my house, away. 
 And doom Katoragerhhd\ to despair. 
 Like a dread offering to infernal fiends. 
 
 Bows doivii to Sita'sfoet. 
 Adored Vaideki — for the last — last time 
 Thy lovely feet exalt the head oi Rama. 
 Without. Help — help for the Brahman Tribe— ^ 
 Ra7n. How noAV. 
 
 Enter Messenger. 
 Mess. The assembled Sages on the Yajnunu's bank, 
 
 * The term is Abrahmanyam Brahmans, and their incurring 
 Abrahmavyam implying llie some dis tress, 
 absence of protection to the + Sila,
 
 ( 32 ) 
 
 Disturbed amidst their ritual by Lavand* 
 The demon, fly to Ruma for protection. 
 
 Ham. Still this profane intrusion— I will send, 
 fScdruglma, to chastise this impious son, 
 O^ Kumhhinasi. {Going, looks back.) 
 Alas my queen — what will become of thee. 
 Goddess divine, all bearing Earth — protect 
 This, thine own daughter — at the solemn rite. 
 By thee brought forth : the only stay of JanaJca, 
 The sole remaining hope of Raghu's race. 
 
 \^Exii. 
 
 Sita. (Waking.) Oh my loved husband — Ah — deceived 
 By evil dreams I call on him. How — gone 
 Left me alone — asleep — well — well ; 
 I Avill be very angry with thee, Rama. 
 I will henceforth be mistress of myself. 
 Suppress my foolish fondness, and will learn 
 Henceforth to chide thee — who attends — how now 
 Enter DurmuhlKU 
 
 Dur. Prince Lakshnana requests you will be pleased 
 
 To come and mount his chariot. 
 Sitd* I will come — 
 
 But gently my good friend, the pleasing load 
 
 * The Son of the Asura -weapon. Lavana was sovereign 
 
 Madhu, by Kumbhinasi the of Mathurd to the government 
 
 daughter of Visravas and sister of which his conqueror succeed- 
 
 of Rdvana. He inherited from ed. Mathura was previously 
 
 his father, a Trident presented called Madhuvana or Madhii- 
 
 by Siva to Madhii the holder of puri the grove or city of the 
 
 which was invincible. Salru- demon Mudhit. 
 
 ghna subdued and slew him by t The youngest of his Bro- 
 
 surprising him without his thers.
 
 ( 33 ) 
 
 1 hew, retards my steps — Accept my homage, 
 G( di of the race of Ragliu and of Janaka, 
 Feet of my honoured Lord, and all 
 Propitious Saints.— 
 
 END OF ACT FIRST. 
 
 \Exit, 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 SCENE JANASTHANA FOREST. 
 
 Enter * Alreyi a female ascetic. 
 I see the genius of these groves approach. 
 She bears her flowery tributet — 
 Enter Vdsaiiti the Dryad of Janaslhuna with 
 flowers nhich she presents. 
 Vas. Hail holy Dame — thy presence brings;': 
 Delight to all our groves and springs — 
 Thy blessing and thy prayers be mine — 
 These fountains and these bowers are thine.. 
 Here, in the tall tree's shade repose 
 Where cool the limpid current floAvs, 
 And feast upon the blameless root, 
 
 * The wife of the sage ►^h'j, X The conversation of Mytho- 
 
 more usually termed .4nasuyu, logiciil personages is so little 
 
 the daughter of Kerdama Hishi. attractive in general, that I have 
 
 + She comes witli an ^4rghya attempted to give it relief in 
 
 a present indicative of respect lliis Drama hy a lighter mea- 
 
 to a superior. It matters not sure, at the expence soraelinies 
 
 of what it consists, and in tliis perhaps of close fidelity, 
 case is appropriately of flowers.
 
 ( 34 ) 
 
 Or pluck ilie overhanging fruit. 
 The fitting fare of those who dwell. 
 In silent grove and hermit cell. 
 And consecrate the calm retreat. 
 With pious thoughts and converse sweet. 
 Atr. (Takes the present) 
 
 Kindness of heart, and gentleness of speech 
 JModest demeanour — innocence of thought — 
 Unsullied natui'e — 'and devout associates — 
 These are the charms and mystic pov/ers of virtue. 
 And with sincerity united, hallow 
 The grossness of existence. [["Sifi^. 
 
 Vas. Tell me venerable Dame — 
 
 Who thou art, and what thy name. 
 Atr. Behold in me the wife of Alri.* 
 Vav. Tell me — Partner of the Seer, 
 
 What thy holy purpose here — 
 Atr. Amidst these forests dwells the great Agastya,f 
 And many other holy teachers here 
 With him reside — from them, I come, to learn 
 The holy Vedas, having lately left 
 The lessons of Valmiki.X 
 * One wf the will-born sons India, to Koliipur, where he 
 of Brahvui, and progenitor of continued to reside, and appears 
 the raoon. to h;ive been mainly instriimen- 
 
 t Agalya was the son of ta] in introdnchig the Hindu 
 M'Ura and J^'artina conjointly Religion into the Peninsula, 
 and born in a water J;ir along :j; The author of the lidmd- 
 "Vfiih F'asishtha. Having com- J/an a se\llnd nt Chit rakuta withe 
 mandcd the flndln/a monnlaiu time of Rama's exile but at this 
 to lie prostrate till his retiun, \im<i BUhur. 
 he repaired to the South of
 
 ( 35 ) 
 
 Vas. Yet wise,* Prachcfas' son — his mind 
 The deepest, darkest, truths can find. 
 And on him other sages wait. 
 Familiar with the laws of ftite. 
 The book of Brahm were there made clear — 
 Why then this weary journey here. 
 
 Air. I'll tell thee Spiri; — In Vdhmk''s bower 
 What causes were there of delay and hindrance 
 
 To interrupt the weiglity task Attend. 
 
 Borne by some Deity, two infant children, 
 Of more than common natures, at the hermitage 
 Arrived, and from tlseir Iioly studies whiled 
 The gravest sages — nay th^ very animals 
 Confessed the same surprising fascination. 
 
 Vds, 'S heir names 
 
 A:r. Kiisa and Lava were the names assigned 
 By their ce'estial guardian, and in pi oof 
 They Avere rot of mere mortal race, they brought 
 Along with them ihe arms of heavenly fabric. 
 Tha sage received them ; and with care paternal 
 VdlmlLi rears them — in their earliest years 
 
 * J^ulmiki was Ihe son of Fa- Rama reversed or Mara, Mara, 
 
 runa, tlie regent of the water in the inaudible repelilion of 
 
 one of whose names is Prache- which he remained immoveable 
 
 tas- Accordir^ to the Adhyut- for Ihon sands of years, so that 
 
 jKff iTftmaywwa, the sage, although ^vhen the Sages returned to the 
 
 :i Ijrahnian by bith, associated same spot, they found him still 
 
 ill his youth with foresters and there, converted into a /^fl/7H^/^« 
 
 robbers: attackir-r on one occa- or ant hill by the nests of the 
 
 sion the seven liisliis, \hey ex- Termites, whence his name of 
 
 postnlated witlihim successfully, fdlmihi' 
 and taught him the mautra of
 
 ( sa ) 
 
 The use of anns Avas their especial study. 
 But Avhen they saw ten summers, he invested them 
 After the kingly fashion with the cord/ 
 And placed the hoy VetJas in their hands. 
 Scicii is their aptness, they have far excelled 
 The oldest scholars, whose less active intellects, 
 Ti)il after them in vain — The mind alike. 
 Vigorous or weak, is capable of culture. 
 But st'.ll bears fruit according to its nature — 
 'Tis not the teacher's skill that rears the scholar— 
 The sparkling gem gives back the glorious radiance 
 It drinks from other light, but the dull earth 
 Absorbs the blaze, and yields no gleam again. 
 Vas. 'Tis justly urged, and this compels 
 
 Thy feet to seek our saintly cells. 
 Ah'. Another cause disturbed our pious studies— 
 The sage Valmikl in his walk, where Tamasd,f 
 A placid current glides, beheld a fowler 
 Strike to the ground, one of a gentle pair 
 Of birds, that murmured love upon the bank. 
 Filled with affliction at the piteous sight 
 The sage gave utteiance to his wrath, and prompted 
 By the inspiring goddess. ,:|: thus proclaimed 
 
 * A thread worne by the thread of tlie military class is 
 
 three fust orders of the Hindus nuule of fliix, and should he put 
 
 over the left shoulder and under on iielweeu the ages of tea and 
 
 the right arm. It is imposed twei\ty two. 
 with much solemnity as part of + A small river near Chilra- 
 
 tlie ceremony »>f regeneration, kole commonly called th«^ To/^s^. 
 whence Ihethreecaslesare term- 1^ Saraswali or P^dni ihe god- 
 
 ed Dwijas or twice-born. The dess of speech and eloquence.
 
 ( 37 ) 
 
 His thoughts in unprenieditated verse. 
 " Hope not. Barbarian, length of days to know 
 " Whose hand could deal so merciless a blow, 
 " One of a harmless pair could thus destroy, 
 " Consigned to death, amidst the thoughts of jo}'."^ 
 Fas. 'Twas genius spoke, and ilr^t on tarth 
 
 A heaven descended art had birth. 
 Atr. The verse Avas scarcely uttered when — \o — Brnhmci, 
 Appeared before the sage, and thus addressed him ; 
 " Thy Spirit is awakened — now thou feelest 
 "The present God, whose soul is eloquence. 
 " Complete thy task — declare in lofty strain 
 *' The deeds of Ruiua to the listening world. 
 " This day, the new born ray of heavenly knowledge 
 " Breaks on thy sight — First Poet amongst men." 
 This said he disappeared — the sage obeyed 
 And first of mortals, clothed in measured lanffuage. 
 
 The actions and events of human beings. 
 Vas. To all the world the sacred tongue 
 
 Of gods and Veds, shall hence belong. t 
 Atr. 'Tis true, and thus on our retired studies 
 
 Profane intrusion may be apprehended. 
 
 Enough— I now have rested — Friendly spirit 
 
 Show me the way, to great Agastya's dwellino-. 
 Vas. The road through Panchavatl leads; 
 
 And here across the stream pi'oceeds. 
 
 * The original here i,isnr!s + The literal expression is 
 the Stanza of llie Rdmai;ana, Ilanta, Pandita Sansdra—x\ha, 
 I. 2. 18. which is there also the world is learned, 
 stated to be the first Sloka or 
 Stanza ever coinposed.
 
 ( 38 ) 
 
 Air. The clear Goddvari — yonder extends 
 
 Prasravuna, whose high tops touch the clouds ; 
 
 This is the sacred forest, Janasthdnu, 
 
 And thou if I mistake not art Vasanli. 
 Vas. You speak my name. 
 Atr. These scenes suggest most painful recollections. 
 
 ]\Iy poor child JdnaH, t^vas here thy fate 
 
 Once placed thee, and I think I see thee stilly 
 
 Although, alas, thy name is all that's left 
 
 Of one who was so dear to me. 
 Vas, How say you— does aught ill attend. 
 
 The fortunes of my dearest friend. 
 Air. Not evil fortune only — evil fame (whispers.} 
 Vas. Alas, alas, relentless fate. 
 
 Is there no limit to thy hate, (faints. J 
 Air. Revive my child — be comforted. 
 Vas. Such gentle Silci, beauteous queen. 
 
 Thy der.tiny hath ever been. 
 
 Ah Rama ! but I will not chide— 
 
 Declare Atreyi, what beside. 
 
 Befell my hopeless friend, conveyed 
 
 By Lakshmana to forest shade. 
 Atr. It is not known. 
 Vas. But where — oh where — 
 
 Was then Vasishihas guardian care: 
 
 Where was Arundhali divine. 
 
 And all the chiefs of Roghu's hne ; 
 
 TJie ancient Queens — Were all content. 
 
 To murk unmoved such sad event. — 
 Air. The elders of the race had all repaired
 
 ( 39 ) 
 
 To Tlishi/asringa' s hermitage — but late, 
 The twelve years rite is finally effected. 
 They quit the hermit — but Arundhaii 
 Returns not to Ayodhjd whilst deprived 
 Of SUa, and with her the Queens agree. 
 'Twas therefore by Vuslshtlm counselled, they 
 Should for a while be tenants of those grove?^^ 
 Where wise Valmiki and his pupils dwell. 
 
 Vas. And what doth Rama, 
 
 Air. Pie prepares — 
 An* Asivamcdh ■ 
 
 Vas. What female shares 
 
 The solemn rite— I fear him Aved 
 To some new Queen. — 
 
 Air. 'J is idly said. 
 
 A golden image of his cherished Sitd 
 The sacrifice partakes. 
 
 Vas. 'Tis well. 
 
 He holds his faith — yet hard io tell 
 Men's hearts — the purest comprehend 
 Such contradictions, and can blend 
 The force to bear, the power to feel. 
 The tender bud, and tempered steel. 
 
 Air. Already the pure steed, oer whom the charms 
 By Vdmadeva spoken, are pronounced. 
 Is loosed to roam at Avill — his guards attend 
 According to the ritual. By the son 
 0£ Lakshinana, the noble Chandrakeln, 
 Arrayed in mail, and with bright weapons armed, 
 
 * The soleraa sacrifice of a horse.
 
 •( 40 ) 
 
 From heavenly arsenals^ the bands are led — • 
 
 Scarce Avent they forth, when lo, a Brahman brought 
 
 His son's dead body to the palace gate. 
 
 And called for succor to the Brahman tribe. 
 
 Reflecting, when unseasonable death 
 
 Afflicts his people, that the monarch's faults 
 
 Must be the cause, full sorely Rama grieved. 
 
 When to console him came a voice from heaven 
 
 Commanding him go forth, and seek Samhiika — 
 
 One of an outcast origin, engaged 
 
 In pious penance — he must fall by Rama, 
 
 And then the Brahman's son will live again. 
 
 This heard the king assumed his arms — ascended 
 
 His car celestial, and he traverses 
 
 Even now the realms in quest of this Ascetic. 
 
 Vas, Speed Rama — speed — the foe inhales 
 In these deep shades the healthful gales. 
 His only sustenance : but now. 
 Thy coming terminates his vow ; 
 And thy blest steps shall spread around. 
 New glories on this sainted ground. 
 
 Atr. Come friendly spirit, haste we hence. 
 
 Vas. I lead— the sun with glow intense. 
 
 Shoots through the sky, and drives to shade 
 
 The silent songsters of the glade. 
 
 Alone amidst the loftiest boughs. 
 
 The dove repeats her tender vows. 
 
 By tangling branches overhead 
 
 A cooling gloom beneath is spread,* 
 
 Where rests the elephant, reclining
 
 ( 'il ) 
 
 Against the ancient tr'.nk, or twining 
 His tusk avo'ind the branchy bower 
 He scatters roiind a leafy shower. 
 Of flowery buus, that falling seem 
 An offering to the sacred stream. 
 Whose crystal Avaters pUicid flow 
 Along the verdant shore below — 
 
 \^ExeunL 
 
 Enter Rdma in his car. 
 (With his swoi i drawn.) 
 Hand — thou hast done thy duty, and let fall 
 The sword of vengeance on the Sudra's head. 
 To grant existence to the Brahman's son. 
 This act was worthy him of whom thou'rt part— 
 Kot such thy deed, when thrusting Sit a, forth 
 TobeaY her burthen to the lonely woods. 
 Enter* Sumbuha as a celestial spirit. 
 
 Sam. Glory to Kama, death's terrific king 
 Awed by thy prowesp, renders back to life 
 The Biahman's son— the youth is with his sire-. 
 Thou art the benefactor of mankind. 
 To tliee I owe the iionours that attend 
 JMy present state, to be obtained alone 
 By acts of piety, not bought with gold. 
 
 Ram. Long may your happiness endure ; 
 
 Long may you live a tenant of those realms 
 To which yuur penanc:s have raised you ; where 
 The pure and ur impas^ oned sages dwell. 
 And taste the bliss that recompenses virtue. 
 
 * "Hnving been killed bj diviae hands he of course obtained 
 deificaiioii.
 
 ( 42 ) 
 
 Sum. Not to my penance, but to thy benevolence 
 I owe this exaltation ; yet I wrong 
 Tlie force of my devotions— which have brought thee 
 In quest of such an abject woi'm as I. 
 Thou shouldst be sought out by the world, its great 
 And powerful defence — yet tiiou hast deigned 
 To quit Ayodhya for the Dandak forest. 
 And hither bend thy steps in search of me. 
 Ram- And is this Dandaka : do I once more 
 Behold the vast, the venerable shades. 
 Awful and dark with aged trees, and echoing 
 With roaring torrents from surrounding hills. 
 The haunt of pious seers, and holy pilgrims. 
 Sam. This is the scene of thy triumphant prowess 
 Where countless demons fell beneath thy sword* 
 Hence Janasthdna's timid denizens 
 Pass their calm days in undisturbed devotion. 
 Ham. Lies Jimasthana here. 
 Sam. Towards the South, 
 
 It skirts these thickets, through whose spacious bounds 
 Wander at will the monsters of the wild. 
 Fierce o'er the mountain stalks the ravenous Tiger, 
 Or lurks in gloomy caves ; through the thick grass 
 Curls the vast Serpent, on whose painted back 
 The Cricket chirps, and with the drops that dew 
 The scales allays his thirst. Silence profound 
 Enwraps the forest, save where babbling springs 
 Gush from the rock, or where the echoing hills 
 Give back the tiger's roar, or where the boughs 
 * Or in the text 14014 principal, Khara, Dushana aud 
 Rdkshasas besides the three Trisird,
 
 C 'i3 ) 
 
 Biirst into crackling flame, and wide extends 
 The blaze the dragon's fiery breath has kindled. 
 Ram. I recognise t!ie scene, and all the past 
 Rises to recollection — these drear shades 
 Appalled not Shu, well content to brave 
 The forest gloom with Rama at her side. 
 SucJi was her wondorous love, that cheerfully 
 She trod the wild. What wealth need man dciire, 
 Who in the fond companion of his life. 
 Has one, that shares his sorrows, and disperses 
 The thought of piiin with exquisite deliglit. 
 Sam. Dismiss such melancholy thoughts; observe 
 The peafowl's glorious plumage, as he lights 
 Beneath yon copse — behold, through tufted grass 
 Where come the trooping deer, bounding to covert^ 
 Nor fear the gaze of man : there cooling fall 
 The sparkling torrents ; as they flash beneath 
 The overhanging willows, or the boughs 
 Laden with fruit declining to the stream. 
 And vocal with innumerable choristers. 
 The she-bear growls along the flowei'y brinks 
 And from the incense bearing tree, the elephant 
 Snaps the light brand), and all its gum exudes. 
 And breathes rich perfume through the balmy air — 
 I quit thee Lord ; to visit with thy leave. 
 Ere I ascend to heaven, Agaslyas cell 
 Ram. Be thy path propitious. 
 
 \_Exit Samhuka, 
 'T was here that long and happily I dwelt. 
 Ere other duties, and the cares of empire
 
 '( 44 ) 
 
 Disturbed my tranquil joys — but such our lot — 
 Each various station has its proper claim — 
 The hermit's cahn suits not the rank of king, 
 Nor kingly state the peaceful hermitage. 
 Scenes of repose, with lavish nature graced ; 
 Haunts undisturbed of timid birds and deer ; 
 Streams decorated with the untrodden fringe 
 Of flowery blossoms, and luxuriant creepers, 
 I know ye well. Yon distant wavy ridge. 
 Like a faint line of low descending clouds, 
 Defines Prasruvana, whose lofty crest 
 Was once the vulture king, Jutayus, seat ; 
 And from whose sides precipitously falls 
 The broad Goddvcri — At the hill foot. 
 And on the margin of the stately wood. 
 Where tlie dark trees upon whose branches, bowed 
 Into the broad Godaveri, the birds 
 Sang sweet and oft, our leafy cottage stood. 
 And here is Panchdvali, long the witness 
 Of our contented stay, and the abode 
 Of Silas dearest friend the fair Vasanti 
 The kindly genius of these ancient Shades. 
 Alas, how changed my fortune — Sad I pine 
 In lonely widowhood— afRiction sheds 
 A deadly venom through my veins — despair 
 Like a barbed arrow shot into my heart 
 There sticks, and rankles in its cureless wound. 
 Let me beguile the hoiu', and try to lose 
 The memory of my sufferings, as I gaze 
 Once more on these dear scenes : yet even they
 
 ( 45 ) 
 
 Are not unchanged : -where once the river flowed 
 A verdant bank extends, and where the trees, 
 Close wove, denied admittance to the day. 
 An open champain bares its breast: to heaven — j 
 
 Scarce could I deem the spot the same, but still 
 The mighty landmarks tower aloft, and round 
 The same tall mountains mingle witl; the skies. 
 
 \_Scnnb{ika returns, 
 
 Sam. Al! hail to Rdma—tlwxs A^astija wills — 
 His glorious spouse the tender Lopaviudrd,* 
 And all his pious household — having heard 
 Thy presence in these wilds, they pray to see thee 
 Ere thou reseek Ayodhyd. 
 
 Ram. Be it done. 
 
 Bear with me, PaJichavall, that obeying 
 The pleasure of the sage, I still presume 
 To trespass on thy confines. 
 
 Sam. Here lies our path — 3'onder is tall Kraunchdvat 
 Amidst the dark glens of whose wooded sides, 
 
 * Agastya having seen his She was named Lopamudra from 
 ancestors suspended by their the distinctive beauties (Mu- 
 lieeis in a pit, was told by thciu dra) of animals, as the eyes of 
 that they could only be ex- deer &ca. being subjected to 
 tricated from their position by Joss (Lopa) in her superior 
 his beo'etting a son. In order charms. When marriageable 
 to obtain a wife for this pur- »4gasti/a demanded her of her 
 pose, he made a girl of the father, and although sorely 
 most graceful parts of the ani- agiiinst liis will, the king was 
 nials of the forest and gave her, obliged to consent to her be- 
 without his privacy to the king coming the wife of the Sage. 
 of Fiderbha to be his daughter. Mahubhdrat Vanu Parva.
 
 ( 45 ) 
 
 Tlie Raven numerous shrieks, and hoots the Owl, 
 And whines through whistling caves the shrilly breeze. 
 And coi.mtless Peafowl, with discordant shrieks. 
 Chase into sapless trunks, and time worn trees. 
 The frightened snakes. Far to the South extends 
 The lofty range of hills, whose towering peaks 
 Are diademed with clouds — whose central caverns 
 Roar loud with mighty waters, as from the earth 
 The springs of the Goddveri burst foith. 
 And at whose base, the sacred conflux blends 
 In one broad stream, the loud encountering torrents. 
 
 END OF THE SECOND ACT.
 
 ACT 111. 
 
 THE DANDAKA FOREST CONTINUES. 
 
 Enter Tumasd and Murala. 
 
 Two River Goddesses. 
 
 Tarn. How now, sister, whither btnt. 
 
 Mur. By the holy Mati'on sent, 
 Lopanmdra, charge of care 
 To Goddveri I bear. 
 Thus the Matron bids me say. 
 Rama still through many a clay 
 Though exterior calmness screen 
 His sorrow, deeply mourns his queen ; 
 And his declining form declares 
 The anguish that his bosom tears : 
 For soonest shall the soft heart pei'ish. 
 That loves a secret grief to cherish. 
 As gourds with coat of clay encased 
 Earliest into ripeness haste. 
 Brooding o'er his bosom's woes, 
 Rama now desponding goes 
 Through the forest confines, where 
 Every object wakes despair. 
 Fond, he lingers on each spot. 
 Speaking of a happier lot. 
 When delightedly he strayed
 
 ( 48 ) 
 
 With his Sita, through the shade. 
 Happiness for ever flown. 
 Now he weeps, and weeps alone. 
 And such sad despairing mood, 
 Nursed by gloom and solitude, 
 Slay to fierce distraction gi'ow. 
 And the firmest mind o'erthroAV. 
 Lest such iiapiess chance befall 
 Thou i)!S sinking- sense recall. 
 Moistened by thy geiid spray 
 Ciooling breezes round him play : 
 Balmy with the lotus bloom 
 Shed the breeze its soft perfume; 
 So tliy friendship shall dispense, 
 Freshre.'S on each fading sense 
 
 Tam. 'Tis kindly done, but mightier art 
 To day performs its surer part. 
 
 Miir. What art. 
 
 Tam. Attend: 'tis not unknown 
 When 8ita Ixelpless and alone. 
 Left by Lakshmana, deplored 
 Her hapless fate and cruel lord; 
 The suddf n throes of nature came 
 Distracting, oe'r her tender frame. 
 And wild with agony she gave 
 Her beauties unto Ganga's wave. 
 
 Mnr. 'Tis true, and in the xnoment bore. 
 Two lovely boys — whom to the shore 
 Beneath the wave, the realms of shade, 
 'i he Goddess of tlic Stream conveyed :
 
 C 49 ) 
 
 And there with Earth's great goddess, tended. 
 With pious pains, till time liad ended. 
 The first and fond maternal care ; 
 Whea Gangu took the nursling pair. 
 To wise Valmiki's hermitage. 
 And gave them to tlie assenting sage. 
 Now grown in strength and sense, appears. 
 Each youth beyond his childish years. 
 Worthy his high imperial line. 
 The holy Sage and nurse divine. 
 Tam, And now, throughout the regions flies. 
 The fame, the fierce ascetic dies. 
 In Janasthdna's drear domain 
 By Rdmahhadra's falcliion slain; 
 And Lopamudru, Ramus grief 
 
 To Ganga sends his sure relief 
 
 The Goddess brings — she comes in haste 
 
 To see Goduvari embraced 
 
 Some fair pretext, she hither speeds. 
 And with her lovely Sitd leads. 
 
 Mur. 'Twas wisely thought — amidst affairs 
 Of empire, Ramas private cares 
 Are scattered — but whilst thus he wends. 
 And grief alone his steps attends. 
 He feels his loss— but what device 
 To Rama shall his ({ueen entice. 
 
 Tam. ' lis thus contrived— the Queen of floods 
 Sends Sitd to these ancient woods, 
 'J'o gather flowers, and with them pay 
 Devotion to the God of day,
 
 ( 50 ) 
 
 From whose bright loins the glorious race 
 
 Of llaii/in their high Hneage trace. 
 
 And homage therefore should be done 
 
 This day to their great Sire, the Sun, 
 
 For that the lucky knot* has told. 
 
 Twelve years their rapid course have rolled, 
 
 Since, from the daughter of the Earth, 
 
 Kiisa and Lava drew their birth. 
 
 Go forth, exclaimed the Queen, my child 
 
 Nor fear the monsters of the wild, 
 
 Hy my command, the forest train 
 
 A guard around thee thall maintain; 
 
 By her behest too, I attend 
 
 Her tender pupil to defend. 
 
 From aught of harm, and hence am found 
 
 To day upon this holy ground. 
 JSIur. To Lopaniudra I depart, 
 
 Tlie blissful tidings to impart. 
 
 But "who comes here — 
 Tam "i'iriSild: mark — 
 
 IIow lovely througli her tresses dark 
 
 And floating loose, her fixce appears. 
 
 Though pale and wan, and wet with tears. 
 
 She moves along like Tenderness 
 
 Invested with a mortal dress ; 
 
 * The Mangala GrantJd. year of a person's life, in the 
 
 literally rendered in the text, string or thread which is wound 
 
 The cxpri'ssiou alludes to the round the paper scroll on which 
 
 prutlicc still i" list; amongst the the caleiihitions of his nativity 
 
 Hindus, of making a knot every are itiscrihed.
 
 I 51 ) 
 
 Or like embodied Grief, she shines^ 
 That sad oer love in absence pines. 
 Mur. Bowed down by anxious tliought, she droops^ 
 Like the soft lotus as it stoops 
 Its head, when some rude hand has broken 
 The slender stem — those sighs betoken 
 A labouring heart, and withering care 
 With wasteful hand is busy there 
 
 For every limb more fragile shows. . 
 
 So when the sun of autumn glows. 
 
 The tender leaflet languid lies. 
 
 Shrinks in the scorching blaze, and dies. 
 
 \^Ex'U Mvrald. 
 Enter Sild (as described) iv'Uh flowers. 
 Sita. 'Tis very strange — methought I heard the voice 
 
 Of my dear friend Vdsanii once again. 
 Voices in the wood. The elephant is Silas, whom the Queeu 
 With her own tender hands is wont to feed ; 
 And now he perishes — as to the stream 
 He with his mate repairs, a monstrous elephant. 
 Wild from the woods, approaches to assail liim. 
 SitU' Ah my dear Lord — haste, haste thee to preserve 
 My favorite from destruction — ah; the view 
 Of these familiar scenes, suggests to me 
 Phrases alike familiar once — but now— 
 Ah me — unhappy — (faints.) 
 
 Re-emter Tamasd. 
 Tarn. Revive my c\n\(S..— {recovering hei .) 
 Ram. (Without ) Here guider of the car—here stay 
 our coui"se.
 
 ( 52 > 
 
 Sita. What voice was that— oh — it comes o'er my soul. 
 Like the low muttering of the thundercloud. 
 
 That promises refreshing dews to earth. 
 And calls me back to life. 
 Tarn. What means this i-apture : 
 
 Why such delight from inarticulate sounds 
 Chance uttered — 
 Sila, Inarticulate, saidst thou : 
 
 To my enraptured ear it seemed 
 
 My dear lost Lord had uttered the blest sounds. 
 Tarn. It may be — for 'tis noised amongst mankind. 
 
 The subjugation of the ascetic Sudra, 
 
 Conducts the hero to this ancient forest. 
 Sita. Thus pays he faithfully the lofty dues 
 
 Ejfactcd by his station — but he comes— 
 
 Do I again behold him — yes 'tis he ; 
 
 His gait declares him — but how pale and thin. 
 
 Like the fast waning moon in morning skies. ' 
 
 Oh support me {throws herself into the arms of Ta:na\u.) 
 Rain. (Rushing in. )'^ Goddess adored 
 
 Celestial daughter of FiJchas kings, f fulls fainting.^ 
 Sita. Ah me — illfated — see his lotus eyes 
 
 Close at the sight of me — his deep distress 
 
 O'ermasters every sense — Oh save him ! save him ! 
 
 \^To Tamasd- 
 Tarn. Dismiss your terrors — you can best restore him : 
 That gentle hand can bring liim back to life. 
 
 *■• la the original Rama is when they are again discovered, 
 supposed to fill! behind the or in the langniige of the text, 
 scenes and Sila goes out to him, Enter Rama fainted.
 
 ( ^^^ ) 
 
 Silu. Say'st thou 
 {Kneels; takes one of Rama'. i handa in one oj hers, and 
 applies the other to his forehead.) 
 'Tis so — his spirits are recovering. 
 Ram. Whatshouldthismcan : the heavenly balm that wakes 
 The dead to Hfe is poured into my heart ; 
 Or from the moon, ambrosial dews descend. 
 Drop on my soul, and rouse me to existence. 
 Such is the power that well known touch possesses. 
 To change insensibility to life. 
 And cheer the chill of dark despair with hope. 
 Sita. (Withdraiiiii^) Oh this is much for me. 
 Ram. Why ; was it not 
 
 . My SUc'i that restored me. 
 Sita. Ah — my lord now seeks me 
 Ram. I will searth. 
 Sita. (To Tamasd) I must not meet 
 His gaze vincalled — He will be angry 
 That I approach him thus unbid, 
 Tam. Fear not 
 
 By Bhaguvati's powerfuU will, enshrined. 
 You walk unseen, even by the sylvan deities. 
 Ram. Sita — loved Sita — no — she is not here. 
 WJiere art thou flovv^n — or was it but a dream. 
 Oft has my fancy anxiously explored 
 ]My Jdnaki's retreat, and noAv, illusively. 
 It finds her in these shade?.* 
 
 * A few speeches that f .'How also left out, as injurious to the 
 are here on.iltetl, ami several ftitcrest of the scene. 
 fiubsequeut passages have been
 
 I 54 ) 
 
 (Behind.) Help— Help 
 
 Or Silas elephant will be destroyed 
 ham. My Sita's favorite — who dares molest 
 
 The animal she loved. 
 
 Rises, and is going, Enter Vdsanli. 
 
 Vas. The pride of Raghu in these honoured groves 
 
 Hail, prince ! 
 Sita. My friend Vasanli. 
 Rum. Do I see 
 
 My Silas dearest friend. 
 Vas. The same : but speed 
 
 To save the elephant — cross the Goddveri 
 
 Where SUd's name gives virtue to the ford. 
 
 Leaving Jatuyiis mountain on the right. 
 Sila. Alas, Jaluyu ; 
 
 The forest is a Avaste deprived of thee. 
 Ram. How many recollections do these names 
 
 Sadly recall. 
 Vas. No more delay — quick follow me — 
 
 [^Exeunt. 
 
 Sila. Tell me, dear Tamnsd, cannot in sooth 
 
 The wood nymphs see me. 
 Ta7n. V/hat should you doubt — 
 
 The might of Gungd far exceeds the power 
 
 Of every deit}'^. 
 Sila. Then let us follow 
 
 My lordj and my dear friend. 
 
 ^^Exeiini.
 
 C 55 ) 
 
 THE BANKS OF THE GODAVERI. 
 Enter Kama and Vdsanti and ajlcnvurds Silci and Tamasd. 
 
 Ram. Glory Xo Goduvcr't. 
 
 Vas. Now, Prince, secure 
 
 The victory to him, w iiom as a child 
 Thy princess fondly cherished. 
 
 Ram. Live and conquer. 
 
 J^ns. 'Tis even thus — he triumphs o'er his foe. 
 
 Ram. Fate, Sild, has obeyed thee, and the elephant. 
 Whose sportive frolic pilfered from thine ears. 
 With blithe and slender trunk, the lotus fibres. 
 Their fragrant pendants — now in earliest youth. 
 Defies the mighty monarch of the woods. 
 Nor less his tenderness than prowess— Mark 
 The arts he practises to gain the favour 
 Of his loved mate — as he imbibes the wave 
 Perfumed with lotus buds, and with his trunk. 
 Sprinkles the fragrant dews upon her form. 
 Or rears the broad leaf of the lotus, high 
 Above her head, to screen her from the Sun 
 
 Sila. Well pleased, my Tamasd, I view this child 
 Of my affections, but, alas, the sight 
 Recalls the memory of far dearer sons. 
 How fare my boys 
 
 Tarn. In him, you may behold them — 
 
 Such strength and courage as are his, are theirs. 
 
 Slid. Ah me, unhappy — not alone condemned 
 To separation from my lord, but dooxned 
 To live divided from my children. 
 
 7fl7«. Fate has so v/illed it.
 
 ( 56 ) 
 
 Slid. How have I deserved 
 
 A doom so harsh — what sins have I committed. 
 That the sweet faces of ray love'y boys, 
 Sliaded Avith curling locks, and bright with smiles, 
 Where the red lips the budding teeth display. 
 Should never knoAv the kisses of a father. 
 
 Tcnn. If fate be gracious, they may know them yet. 
 
 Sita. As they recur to memory, my bosom. 
 
 Swells with a mothers passion — and their sire 
 Full in my gaze, I seem once more to live 
 Blest amongst mortals. 
 
 Tewi. Truly it is said ; 
 
 The love that children waken, is the bond. 
 
 That binds their parents strongest to their faith. 
 
 And even when the wedded pair are held 
 
 By fond affection, still there needs this tie 
 
 * To make their happiness compleat and lasting. 
 
 t^as. Be seated Prince — here in this plantain grove 
 Behold the marble which in happier days 
 Supported thee and Siici — here she sat. 
 And from her hands gave fodder to the deer ' 
 That boldly crowded round their gentle mistress. 
 
 Ram. I cannot bear to look upon it. (weeps.) 
 
 Fas. f Aside.) Oh, that my lovely friend, could now behold 
 The altered state of her once beauteous Lord. 
 
 * A few speeches of the dia- length in tlie original, especi;illy 
 
 logue :ire here, and iu some as the speeches of Sitd and 
 
 following passages, omittetl, mere- Tamasd sometimes suspend the 
 
 ly to compress a scene which conversation of Rama and 
 
 being devoid of action is ex- fduniti through aa iucouveui- 
 
 leuded to a diproporliouate cut iulcrval.
 
 ( 57 ) 
 
 His manly form, whose graces ever new 
 Were once the grateful objects of her siglit. 
 Now shrunk and withered, and by ceaseless grief 
 Now paie and haggard liis once blooming cheeks. 
 Aloud. Put forth your brightest fruits and flowers, ye trees; 
 Ye breezes breathe the perfume of the lotus ; 
 And ye soft choristers pour all your voices 
 In sweet continuous song, for Rama comes. 
 Once more he visits his erst loved domains. 
 
 Ram. Here let us rest awhile. 
 
 Vas. Permit me ask 
 
 How fares the Prince brave Lalcshn ana. 
 
 Ratii. (Not hearing her, apart,) 
 Twas in these scenes. 
 The gentle Maiihili delighted fed 
 The innocent animals confiding round her.. 
 Where'er I turn, sad recollections rise. 
 And all my heart resolves itself in deAV» 
 
 Vas. The Maharaja dost not speak of Lalcshmnna.. * 
 
 Ram. (Apatl.) Her cold respectful manner, and her voice 
 With starting tears, broken and indistinct, 
 I comprehend— she knows the tale: (io her) the Prince; 
 Is well, (weeps.) 
 
 Vas. Then why these tears. 
 
 Sita. Vdsanli — this is cr uel— 
 
 My Lord demands respect from all, and most 
 From those who love me. 
 
 Vas. How hadst thou the heart. 
 
 To drive "that gentle being from thee— once 
 
 H
 
 ( ^^^ ) 
 
 She was tby love, thy otiier, dearer life 
 Light of thine eyes, and nectar of thy soul. 
 How can «u-h deed be credited of Rama. 
 
 limn. Tlie wox'ld com[:el,ed it. 
 
 Vas. Why. 
 
 licim. It knew ro cause. 
 
 Vas. Obdurate man, to heed the world's reports, 
 Alone, nor reck the scorn that waits tlie cruel. 
 Ila-t thou forgotten, what disastrous fate, 
 Befel the fawn-eycd SHd, when she dwelt 
 Before in lonely w')ods — Avhatthen occurred, 
 May make thee tremble for whtt fcince has chanced, 
 
 Ra7n, What horrible suggestions— yes, I see. 
 My dila, once again, the spoil of fiends — 
 In vain, her slender form and lovely looks 
 Demafid compa'^sion—vainiy do tliose eyes 
 Roll wild with terror, fearful as the glance 
 Unsteady, of the yearUng fawn, and vain 
 The tender burthen that she graceful bears, 
 To move the savages to pity — where 
 Oh, Avhere, abandoned Stt'i, art thou now. 
 
 Siia. My Lord, my honoured — ' 
 
 (Her speech ceases in commlsive slmggles.) 
 
 Tarn. ITow now my child. 
 
 Nay give thy sorrows way, sufferers should speak 
 1 heir griefs — tii^; bursting heart that overflows 
 In words obtains relief ; the swelling lake 
 Is not imperilled; wiien its rising waters
 
 ( o9 ) 
 
 Find ready passage through tlieir wonted channel.* 
 
 Mark Rdmdhlt.ii'rn little cause has he 
 
 To thank rnankin;], yet faitlti'ul to his dnty. 
 
 He labours for tiieir good, who oft have been 
 
 The source of ill to hini;, and sti;l aHiiction 
 
 Unceasing for thy loss preys on his life. 
 
 As scorching .Mimmers [;ar h the fragile flower. 
 
 He knows no pieasure? — norjiartakes the joys 
 
 Of social converse — all the recreation 
 
 He covets — solitude, and sighs and tears. 
 
 Ham. The haunts of populous life, are not for Sltci; 
 Her home I, know_, is some sequestered shade. 
 Where she may mourn neglected— but by me 
 And all who pine in misery, her loss — 
 Be satisfied — is felt — is f.Jt most bitterly 
 
 Vas. {Aside. ) He is much moved, I will divert his thoughts. 
 To other objects — Look around you. Prince, 
 And mark the scenes that Janasthdna ofTtrs. 
 Behold the spot, Adhere in your shady bower 
 Of twining creepers wove — you often sat?. 
 To watchj impatient Situs homeward course, 
 
 * Lit "By those wlio are in sorrow th^ir sorrows should be 
 uttered, as the heart in the agitation of griof is upheld by wurds." 
 The sentiment is faniiliar to the Dramas of Shakesi>ear. Thus in 
 Richard the 3rd. 
 
 Eliz. Why should calamity he ful] of words. 
 Duch of York. Lfttheni have scope, 'hough wh:»f tliey do impart 
 Help nothing tise, yet do Ihcj cise the he;nl. 
 and in Macbeth. 
 
 Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak 
 Whispers the o'erhuught heart, and makes it break.
 
 ( 60 ) 
 
 From the Godaveri's pure stream, and she. 
 Who conning marked remote your fond anxiety. 
 As fearful of rebuke for long delay — 
 Bowed sportive!}' her head^ and with closed palms. 
 Touched her fair front to deprecate your anger. 
 
 Sita. Cruel Viisanli — this is unmerciful. 
 
 Thus with heart piercing shafts, incessantly. 
 To wound the bosom of my Lord, and mine. 
 
 Ram. Relentless Jdnuki where'er I gaze, 
 
 I view thy charms — in vain, for thou art pitiless. 
 ]My heart is bursting — all my vigour flies me. 
 The world is a wide desart — I am burnt 
 With inward fires — deep, deep, in thickest glooni. 
 My soul is plunged — and all is night around me, 
 
 (faints. 
 
 Sita. Alas, his senses fail him — as his thoughts 
 Revert to me, unhappy — his existence 
 The hope of all, is thus again endangered. 
 
 Tarn' Fear not, your hand revives him. 
 (Situ ads as before. J 
 
 Vas. He recovers. 
 
 Ixam. Once more, ambrosia. 
 
 Spread o'er each limb, b}^ that celestial hand. 
 Restores my parting spirit, and converts 
 ]\Iy sorrows to ineffable delioht. 
 Joy, joy, Vusanti, thou wilt share ray joy. — 
 
 Vas. Whence is this transport. 
 
 Bam. S'du — she is found. 
 
 Fas. Where. 
 
 llwii. Here — before us — do>i thou not see her.
 
 ( Gl > 
 
 Fas. Why naock my sorrows^ why thus rend a heart 
 Already broken by my Sifuv loss. 
 
 R(Wi. I mock thee not; I could not be deceived ; 
 Too well I know the touch of that dear hand. 
 The maiTiage rite first placed in mine — even now. 
 Cool as the snow drift to my fevered palm. 
 And soft as Jasmine buds I grasp it — here — 
 CB^ a sudden effort he catches hold ofSitcVs hand.) 
 
 Sita. Alas, I yield, (struggling.) 
 
 Ram. Vdsanti — it is real— 
 
 This rapture is too much — it quite unmans me; 
 'Tis no delusion —touch, and be convinced. 
 
 Vas. Alas — he raves. (Sita gets away.) 
 
 Ram. ' ris gone again — I feared it. 
 
 The world is rotten at the root — my grasp. 
 Trembling ill held the tremulous prisoner. 
 And it has slipped away — what ; no where ; speak. 
 Pitiless Vaidehi. 
 
 Sita. I am rightly called. 
 
 To mark this agony, and live. 
 
 Ram. Oh wliere — 
 
 Where art thou dearest — hear my call — appear. 
 Be not unmerciful — oh, fly me not. 
 'Tis strange — it must be phantasy, or else 
 Vasanti would have seeii her — do I dream-« 
 Does Rama sleep, or doth the mighty power 
 That framed the universe, and oft delights 
 To spread delusion, fabricate a phantom, 
 To cheat me of my senses. 
 
 Sita> Nay, loved Rama,
 
 ( 62 ) 
 
 'Tis I who play a phantom, and deceive thee. 
 
 Ram. My friead rdsanli -those who Jove me ttitl. 
 Can gatlier little pleasure from iny presence- 
 Why should I longer cause tliy tears to flow. 
 Forgive me — let mc hence. 
 
 Sif'i. (To Tamcisd.) Again I l'>?e him. 
 
 Tnio. Yield not to despair — seek we the feet 
 Of Bha ■avail, to perfect the rites. 
 That wiUfar Ku.<^'i and for Lava win 
 Auspicious days to come. 
 
 Sila. Oh, let tne look, 
 
 A little moment longer, on a form, 
 1 never, never, may behold again. 
 
 Ham. I go to finish, now, my Aswamedha, 
 I have my bride. — 
 
 Sila. What is it that I Iiear. 
 
 Ram. The image of my Sitd 
 
 Wrought of pure gold will grace the festival.* 
 
 Sila. Thou art indeed the son of Dasavdt'ha. 
 I\Iy pa=t affliction all is now effaced — 
 Thrice h-ippy she, whom my loved Lord reveres. 
 Who glads his heart, and is the hope of nations. 
 
 * Thus in the .4lcest;s of Eti- The spirit with which Rama 
 
 rtpides, J dmelus\aordhv to con- has the iinygH of "^a Torsne ! is 
 
 sole himself for the loss of his much more woi Ihy of a hero 
 
 spouse declares, ihi!. and Ling: hi nil his conduct in- 
 
 By the huiul of skilful artists deed he is vnsily sunfiiorto ^4d- 
 
 framed. ?«e<«s, and in the dcrme;iiioii of 
 
 Her image shall he placed upon a situation in some respects si- 
 
 niy couch. mihir the Hindu poet is equally 
 
 superior to Ihe Grecian.
 
 ( 63 ) 
 
 Tarn. You speak yonr own eii'cgium love, 
 
 S'lta. Forgive mc (seems ashamed) 
 You must c't'?pise this ■\veakrxess— 
 
 Tam. Let us depart. 
 
 Situ. I follow you. 
 
 Tam. But with averted eye, 
 
 Casting f<-i languid looks, not to the path 
 
 The feet should tread— the painful effort strives, 
 
 In vain to overcome the strong attraction. 
 
 Siia. I bov.' nie to the feet of my dear Lord, 
 The source of every blessing, (fainting.) 
 
 Tam. Be of coui-age. 
 
 Sit it. Alas, hoAv long am I condemned to watch. 
 
 The pale moon struggling through contending clouds. 
 
 Tam, How manifold the forms affection takes. 
 And yet is one unchanged, as water, seen 
 In bubbles, eddies, billows, is the same 
 Unaltered element. 
 
 Ranu (In his car — lo the charioteer.) 7his way, direct 
 
 my rapid car. 
 
 AH. (Addressing miiiually each other.) iMay holy mother 
 
 Earth, 
 The empress of the floods, the Bard inspired, 
 Tii8 sage Vasishlha, and his pious dame. 
 Protect your path, and guide you unto happiness. ' 
 
 END OP THE THIRD ACT.
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 THE HERMITAGE OF VALMIKT. 
 
 Enter SaucUidtaki and Bhdndayana, 
 Two Ascetic Disciples. 
 Bhan. Behold, Saudhatahi, our humble dwelling* 
 
 Vdhmhi's holy hermitage, assumes 
 
 The face of preparation — he expects 
 
 Unwonted guests to day : the wild deer feed 
 
 Upon unusual fragments, and the air 
 
 Is filled with savoury odours.* 
 Sail. There must be 
 
 Some wondrous cause, to make our grey beards lay 
 
 Their lectures by to day. 
 Bhan. There is a cause. 
 
 And that of no mean import. 
 Sail. Tell me,'T pray you. 
 
 What venerable ox may we expect. 
 
 To visit us. 
 Bhan. For shame; refrain fi'om jests : 
 . The great Vasishlha hither brings the queens 
 
 Of Dasaratha, with Anmdhati, 
 
 * The text tleais more in par- the air is charged with the sraell 
 
 ticulars; the deer is said to drink of ghee, boiled rice aud vegeta- 
 
 the scum of the water in which blcs, mixed with the fruit of the 
 
 the ordinary sort of rice as well Jujube in the course of culinary 
 
 as wild lice has been boiled and preparation.
 
 ( 65 ) 
 
 From R'isJiyasrhis;a, to our master's dwelling. 
 
 JSan. Vasishtha is it. 
 
 Bhan. The same. 
 
 Sail. I crave iiis pardon — I had thought at least 
 It was a wolf or tiger we should look for. 
 
 Bhan. How so. 
 
 Smi. Why else, was there provided 
 The fatted calf for his regale. 
 
 Bhan. Why know you not — 
 
 The Vcdas,'* which enshrine our holy law. 
 Direct the householder shall offer those 
 Who in the law ire skilled, the honied meal. 
 And with it flesh of ox, or calf, or goat. 
 And the like treatment shall the householder 
 Receive from Brahmans learned in the Vedas.^r 
 
 * He quotes the text Sa- " He wlir. ents animils which 
 
 viunso Madhuperka, a ratlier raay he eaten is not defiled by 
 
 extraordinary liberty in such a the daily pr.ictice of the act, 
 
 plare. for animals which may be eaten, 
 
 + Some lexis of Menu would and those who eat them, were 
 seem to authorise the ealing of alike created by Brahma. 5. 30. 
 animal food at all seasons, oh- He admits also that animal 
 serving merely the preliminary food lias been used by ancient 
 ceremony of offering a portion sages, even as nourishment with- 
 of it to the Gods or Manes, like out regard to sacrificial conse- 
 the heroes of Homer with whom cration. " Deer andbirds were 
 a sacrifice is only the prelude to killed by Brahmans for sacri- 
 a feast, thus. fice ; also for the nutriment of 
 " Having l)onght flesh himself, dependants, as was formerly 
 or obtained it by aid ofanolher, done by ^gasli/a.'" 5. 22. How- 
 he who eats it after worshipping ever, Menu prohibits the expen- 
 the Gods or Manes commits no diture of life for the gratification 
 sin" Aleuu 5. 32. of the appetite, and restricts
 
 ( C6 ) 
 
 San- You must mistake. 
 
 Bhan. How so. 
 
 Sau. Admit the meal of flesh 
 
 Was for Vasishtha dressed — why was it not 
 
 Alike provided for the royal sage. 
 
 'Yo Janaka were curds and honey given; 
 
 No flesh. 
 Bhan. 'lis true^ for though the sages use 
 
 llie tise of animal food to the Go^/mff or Cow killer"— A. Res. 
 
 Madhuperka Sacrifice, and offer- 7. 289. Flesh was also distribut- 
 
 iiigs to Ihe manes and to the ed on public occasions when 
 
 gods. "..¥c?zM has declared that Z?rfl//7nflns were assembled, thus, 
 
 niiimals may be killed in offer- YudhishlJiira on taking pos- 
 
 ii gs to thegods in s:icrifice and session of the splendid hall of 
 
 the Madhuperka but not on any audience, constructed for him by 
 
 other occasion." The Jladhu- Maya Dunava, fed many thou- 
 
 jierka — here, implies the respect- snnd Brahmans with all sorts 
 
 ful reception of a guest wiiich of viands, including the flesh of 
 
 included the presentation of a bears and deer. The greatrepug- 
 
 mixture of curds and honey nance to animal diet that now 
 
 (Madhu honey and Perka As- exists amongst the Hindus ia 
 
 persion^ this is the ceremony some provinces, must iiave heeii 
 
 alluded to in the text — andagree- of comparatively modern origin 
 
 ahly to the law of Menu meat — we may be satisfied from the 
 
 was added to the offerings, con- above that the Brahmans sel- 
 
 formably to the text : "Let him dom wanted excuses for partak- 
 
 olfer to a Brahman versed in ing of it, and the other castes 
 
 the Vedas a large Ox or Goaf were not likely to be more scru- 
 
 Mituk p. 48' Mr. Colebrooke pulous. In fact, the Kshelriyas 
 
 observes that "It seems to have were especially authorized to 
 
 been anciently the custom to use it, and never hesitated to 
 
 slay a Cow on this occasion, and avail themselves of the permis- 
 
 the guest was therefore called a sion,-thus Rama in his peri-
 
 ( 67 ) 
 
 To eat of flesh, yet Janaka foregoes 
 
 The practice. Sorrowing for his daughter's fate. 
 
 He leads an anchoret's abstemious life. 
 
 And in the woods of Ckandradwip has spent. 
 
 Long years of solitude and self denial. 
 
 Sate. ^Vhat brings him here, 
 
 Blum. To see the sage Vdlmiki ; and Kausali/d 
 Is summoned by Arundhati to meet 
 Her ancient friend Vaideha. 
 
 Sail. Let us leave 
 
 These elders to themselves, and join the youth. 
 Who make the utmost of their holiday. 
 
 Bhan. Agreed. 
 
 See from the dwelling of FaLtAki comes 
 The royal sage — a deep and ceaseless sorrow. 
 Preys on his heart, like a destroying fire, 
 
 grinationsisdescribedby /^tt//«/fri the dinner of his Spouse and 
 as catching killing and cooking himself. 
 
 Their thirst alhiyed the princes ply the chr.se, 
 
 And a fat stag soon falls beneath their arro\^s. 
 
 A fire they kindle next and dress their prize 
 
 Then, offering to the gods and manes made, 
 
 With Situ they the social banquet share. — Rumayana B. luSec. 40. 
 
 The Mahd'jliarat however food, placing chariness of life 
 
 lias in some places a leaning to amongst the first of virtues, a 
 
 the opposite doctrine, and in the doctrine adopted apparently or 
 
 Ddna Dhernia section, Ehhlxma at least more rigidly professed, 
 
 expatiates to Yudhishlhira at in order to compete upon aa 
 
 considerable length npon the equal footing with the Baud- 
 
 merit ef abstaining from animal dhas and Jains,
 
 { 68 ) 
 
 That lighted In the trunk of some tall tree. 
 Consumes unseen its sap — let us withcbaw. 
 
 [^Exeunt. 
 Entur Janaha. 
 My anguish, like a sharp toothed saw, corrodes 
 Incessantly my heart — whene'er I think 
 Upon iTfiy child, my sorrows freshly flow 
 Like the continuous current of a river. 
 How hard it is, that neither age nor grief, 
 Nor penances austere, release my spirit 
 From this consuming frame — nor dare I loose 
 The vital spark myself, for deepest hell 
 Where the Sun never shines, awaits the wretch. 
 Who lifts his hands against his own existence. 
 By recollection every hour renewed. 
 In spite of fleeting j'ears, my griefs survive. 
 Alas, my Siia, could not all thy virtues 
 Avert this heavy doom — still to my memory 
 Recur thy infant charms, thy lotus face. 
 Chequered with smiles and tears — thy first attempts 
 To give articulation to thy speech. 
 Daughter of sacrifice — what now, alas. 
 Is thy sad portion — Earth, all mighty goddess. 
 And thou bright sun, the god of llaghu's race. 
 Sages and saints, who should have been her guidance. 
 Cruel, why left ye SUd to her fate. 
 Anindhali approaches ; with her comes 
 The queen of Dasciral'ha, my dear friend 
 Kautnhjd. Who shall put his trust in life. 
 Once in the royal mansion did she shine
 
 ( G9 ) 
 
 The goddess of prosperity — I shame her 
 By such comparisoQ — yet, now, she bows 
 To tja'ant destiny, and pines in anguish- 
 Why should I heed my sufferings, Avhen I mark 
 The sad reverse she feels ; alas her sight 
 That once was bliss, is now as painful to me 
 As brine to a raw wound — 
 
 Enter Kausalya, Amndhati, and Attendant. 
 
 Arun. You must compl)'. The sage commands you come 
 To meet the king — he is already here — 
 Why this reluctance Lady. 
 
 Allen. Be advised. 
 
 Arouse your firmnes, madam, and obey 
 The orders of the sage Vasis/d'ha* 
 
 Kail. , I obey. 
 
 Yet hard the task to face mine ancient friend. 
 His grief and mine are one, and mine already 
 O'erpowers, my heart — its fibres must give Avay. 
 
 Arun. Such pain is unavoidable — the griefs, 
 Man feels when absent from a faithful friend. 
 Renew at his encounter, and again 
 Extend, and deepen through a thousand channels. 
 
 Kan. Alas, how can I meet his gaze, deprived 
 Of his beloved child. 
 
 Arun. Think, you behold 
 
 In him a venerable relative ; 
 
 To whom the great preceptor oft his race, 
 
 * Tlifi attendant has one or t Yajnayu^alk-ya a saje and 
 two speeches more ■whicli are legislator and leachcr of one 
 omitted iu tlie translation. portion of llie Yajiir Feda.
 
 ( 70 ) 
 
 The sacred knowledge of the Feds has given. 
 
 Kan. I see in him a royal sage, the friend 
 Of an illustrious sovereign^ and the sire 
 Of her I called my daughter — ah, I dream. 
 Of other days and joys, that destiny 
 Has now alas unsparingly destroyed. 
 
 Jail. All hail, Anmdhali, to whom the earth 
 
 At twilight bends its wavuig head in homage : 
 Whom the three worlds revere, and who enjoyest 
 The love of him, of sages first and best. 
 Who lives the source exhaustless of pure light. 
 
 Anin. May light supreme illume thee — may the sun 
 *That shines eternal, hallow thee. 
 
 Ja?i. IMy friend ; 
 
 How fares the noble mother of the king. 
 
 Kan. Alas, (faints. J 
 
 Jan. What's this. 
 
 Arun. Your sight too well recalls 
 
 Her lord — her children, and the long past days 
 Of happiness — now gone — the fond remembrance 
 O'ercoraes her strength — the matron's heart is still 
 As soft and delicate as the tender flower : 
 
 Jan. Alas, that I should be the cause of suffering 
 
 * The salutation and rc|)]y text oi Janaha's speech is cor* 
 
 are both very curious; the first rupt, but Arundhati's reply is, 
 
 is a httle uniulcUigihle, bulboth Param Jyotis te prakdsaldm. 
 
 are precisely in the spirit of the Ai/ani ttsiiim jmnutu Dtva Paro 
 
 GUyalri or sacred verse of the Raja ya eshah tapati—SAnj 
 
 I'edas, and iiidicate a system, supreme light enlighten thee, 
 
 very different from the com- may this divine lij^ht who glows, 
 
 nion Iliadu polylliL-ism. The purify thee.
 
 ( 71 ) 
 
 To one I have not seen so long, the wife 
 Of my still cherished friend — united witli me 
 In closest bonds — dear as my heart, my peace. 
 Dear as my person, or my life itself. 
 The present fruit and object of my being. 
 Or whatsoever else were dearest to me — 
 And is not this his wife— and can I give 
 Her pain, that does not equally afflict 
 My friend, for she was ever one with him, 
 In joy and sorrow — Fate is here alone. 
 To blame, then let me, as I think of him. 
 Forbear to agonise her sinking heart. 
 
 Kan. Where art thou, dearest JoHo/a*— methinks 
 I still behold thy graceful limbs, as light 
 As lunar rays, and mark thy lotus face. 
 Budding with playful smiles, and shedding pride 
 And fortune on thy marriage celebration, 
 As the delighted monarch, cal.ed thee child. 
 And bade thee sit upon his knee, and termed thee, 
 lihehYideo^ R a glm's loftiest hope, the bond 
 0£ Jdnaka's exalted house, and his. 
 
 Jan. Imperial Dasaral'/ia, every way 
 
 "Within my heart, thy memory is secured. 
 
 Fathers in social life but rarely prize 
 
 Their daughters, and confine their fond regard 
 
 To those who wed them — but not thus didst thou. 
 
 For Sila ever was to thee a daughter. 
 
 And cherished as thy child — but thou art gone. 
 
 And the dear seed of our alliance blighted. 
 
 "Fie upon life — the world is now a hell.
 
 ( 72 ) 
 
 Kau. Jsly cliild, my Januki, in vain I mourn thee^ 
 Nor will my lift', enfeebled by despair. 
 Yet bound in chains of adamant, release me. 
 
 Arun. Take comfort Princess, give your tears some respite^ 
 Recall the words your pious teacher uttered. 
 Who prophesied at Rishyasringa's dwelling. 
 The dews of happiness would yet descend. 
 And cheer the last days of your closing life. 
 
 Kau. I have no relish, now, for worldly happiness. 
 
 Aran. You cannot doubt the seer's prophetic sight : 
 Trust me, what he hath said, will surely be t 
 Whate'er is uttered by the holy Brahman, 
 Who is the light divine made manifest. 
 Must come to pass — the blessing which invoked 
 Propitious Lakshmi to the nuptial lite. 
 Was not unmeaning, nor pronounced in vain — , 
 
 A noise behind. 
 
 Jan, The boys amidst their sports. 
 
 Kau. Little suffices to the joys of youth, {looks out) 
 But who is yonder — strong, and light, and active. 
 He bears the noble port oi Rdmabhadia : 
 Who should this be — that he so charms my sight. 
 
 Arun. (Apart.) This must be one that -BA«g-2>ar/«" named 
 To m.e in secrecy — which should it be — 
 Kusa or Lava— we will ascertain. 
 
 Jan, In sooth, he bears a strong similitude : 
 His parted locks, dark as the lotus leaf. 
 Denote the warrior tribe, and 'mongst his fellows, 
 He shews a proud pre-eminence — it seems 
 That Rama once more has become a boy —
 
 ( 73 ) 
 
 Who is this youth that thus delights our sight. 
 Anin. Some Kxhctriya lad, who here awhile pursues. 
 
 Hi? sacred studies. 
 Jan. You have rightly judged 
 
 His birth : for see, on eitJier shoulder hangs, 
 TJie martial quiver, and the feathery shafts 
 Blend with his curling locks — below his breast. 
 Slight tinctured with the saci-ificial ashes, 
 TLe deer skin wraps his body: with the zone 
 Of Murvd bound, tlie madder tinted garb 
 Descending vests his limbs — the sacred rosary 
 Begirts his wrist, and in one hand he bears 
 The Pipal staff, the other grasps the bow.** 
 Arunclhati, whence comes he. 
 Arun, You forget ; 
 
 I came here but to-day 
 Jan. (Tothe altendanl.) My worthy friend. 
 Go to Vdlmiki, and of him enquire 
 Who is. this boy — and tell the boy himself. 
 Some aged persons wish to talk with him. 
 Alten. As you command. 
 
 * These iiisiguia of llic mili- to the 5'fl«t)a faith. T\\q Pipal 
 
 tary student are according to staff is :i staff made of the wood 
 
 Menu, with the addition of the of the P//>flZ or Holy Fig tree. 
 
 ashes of the fuel used in sncrifice, The zone of Mttrva is a girdle 
 
 and the bracelet or rosary of the fastened over one hi[) and h.iiig- 
 
 seeds of the Elneocarpus, wliich iiig loosely over the other, made 
 
 are not indispensihle acconii»;i- of the fibres of a kind of creeper, 
 
 niuients, and iiuiicate a bias Sunsevicra zeylaniea.
 
 ( 74 ) 
 
 Kail. What think you— will he come. 
 
 Arlin. What busy fancies has his sight suggested: 
 
 Dismiss them — they are idle. 
 Kail. (^Approaches-) Thenaturalgi'acesofexpanding youth. 
 
 Though lost to fools, familiar to the wise. 
 
 Shed not the virtue that in him resides. 
 Jan, As lie advances, he attracts my mind, 
 
 Fii'm though it be, as sways the slender rod 
 
 Of magnet force, the ponderous iKiass of iron. 
 ENTEii Lava. 
 Lava. To talk Avith me — and yet I know them not. 
 
 How am I to address them — ignorant 
 
 What claims their birth, or tribe, or namemay give them 
 
 To my respect : yet, to the aged this. 
 
 At least is d\ie. (approaches.) Conceive the brow oiLava, 
 
 Has bent to do you reverence. 
 Aran, and Jan. Long life await you, 
 Kan. Long be thy days* my child. 
 
 Aniiu Come hither child. ( Embraces him ; then apart.) 
 
 This dear embrace fulfills 
 
 Present and past desiie. 
 Kau. Come hither youth, (embraces him. J He is indeed 
 
 most like,. 
 
 Not only in his stature, nor in hue 
 
 As jetty as the sable leaves that float 
 
 Upon the stream, nor in his mellow voice. 
 
 Deep as the wild duck's cry when gathering pleased 
 
 The fibres of the lotus Stalk — but most 
 
 His firm flesh is like Rama's to the touch — 
 * The beut'diction h literally Lonjj be ri}' life.
 
 C 75 ) 
 
 Hard as the seed tup of the watei* hly : 
 Then in his countenance — there well I see- 
 Dost thou not note it — fto Janaka.) in Iiis eager gazej 
 The animated, speaking glance of Sitd. 
 
 Jaii% I mark it weli. 
 
 Kan. j\Iy heart misgives me : hast thou a mother, child. 
 Or lives thy father in thy recollection. 
 
 Lav. Neither. 
 
 Kan. Whose art thou. 
 
 Lava. Wise Vdbniki's. 
 
 Kau. Say on. 
 
 Lava. I know no more 
 
 (Behind.) Warriors take heed, 'tis Chandrakc{ic\iovdeT, 
 Tliat none disturb the holy hermitage. 
 
 Arun. The prince is here, he leads the martial escort 
 That guards the consecrated steed — haply 
 We may behold him — Fortune smiles upoii us. 
 
 Kau. The dear son o{ Laktionana — 
 This is indeed a happiness. 
 
 Lava. Reverend Sir, Avho is this Chaiidrakeiu. 
 
 Tarn. Hast thou ever heard, brave youth. 
 Of Rdina and of Lakshnana. 
 
 Lava. The heroes 
 Of the Rumdyaiia 
 
 Jan. The same. 
 
 Lava. I know them. 
 
 Their names and actions are familiar to me. 
 
 Jan. The son of Lukshmana is Chandrakclu. 
 
 Lava. The son of Urmildy the other daughter 
 Of Mithilas pious king.
 
 C 7^ > 
 
 Jriifi. He knows the history. 
 
 Jan. Since you are so well skilled in tliis, clear boy^ 
 
 'J'ell us, what other oiFspring had the sons 
 
 0£ Dasaratha. 
 Lava. So much of the tale^, 
 
 Is not yet taught us. 
 Jan. Is it not composed. 
 Lava. It is, but not imparted — save a portion 
 
 For Bharala, the master of the Drama, 
 
 To be performed, prepared, and by the Sage 
 
 Himself, transcribed, for an especial purpose* 
 Jan. Whatpuipose. 
 Lava. To be taught by Bharata 
 
 To the* Apsarasas, that they enact it 
 
 Before the kiuff of Swerva. 
 Ja7i. This we would see. 
 Lava. It is not in our dwelling. 
 
 The part I mention was conveyed from hence 
 By some, the chosen of the class, and with them> 
 
 Their guide and guard, in arms my brother went 
 Kau. Hast thou a brother child. 
 Lava. I have, his name is Kusa. 
 Kau. Is he the elder. 
 
 Lava. In that his birth had just the start of mine. 
 Jan. Twin brethren are you then. 
 Lava. Grave sir — we are. 
 
 Jan. Tell us, how far the tale of Itdma comes. 
 Lava. To Lahshmana' s return, Avhen he had left 
 
 * The nymphs and actresses of Indrat paradise.
 
 ( 77 ) 
 
 The delicate Situ in the pains of travail, 
 Amidst the lonely woods, deserted thus. 
 To still the foul aspersions of the people. 
 
 Kau. Alas, my luckless child, how shall thy frame 
 Of tenderest mould, support such trying pangs. 
 Remote from human aid. 
 
 Jan. Poor helpless queen. 
 
 Disgrace, the forest terrors, and the pains 
 Of chill birth, all, at once assail thy life — 
 The fiends impure close round their fated pre}'. 
 Nor cm thy Sire pronounce the spell of power 
 To chase them baffled to their haunts again. 
 
 Lav. Dame, who are these (lo Arundhati.)* 
 
 Arun. Janakct and Kaiisalyd. 
 
 Jan. Shame on the thankless race that wronged thy fame. 
 And Rama's haste to listen to their calumnies — 
 The cruel blow that has o'erwhelmed my child 
 Arouses all my soul, and tempts my wrath. 
 To deal with arms, or direr imprecations. 
 Destruction on my Situs persecutors. 
 
 Kau. Preserve us Dame — appease the royal sage. 
 
 Arun, Such expiation still must be performed 
 By all whom public calumny assails. 
 Remember — Rilma is thy son: he claims 
 Thy love— the subject race, alike, demand, 
 A king's compassion. 
 
 Jan. I indulge no hate 
 
 To either — Rama ever is m}' son — 
 
 * The stage direction here is t'lon -. Lava surveys them with 
 expressed with German preci- respectful and painful curiosilv.
 
 C 7'S ) 
 
 And fov the citizens, I call to mind, 
 "Women and children, men infirm with years,, 
 And sacred Brahmans, form the varied throng. 
 Enter Pupils. 
 
 r.:f. The horse, the horse — so often in the Vedas 
 Read of, unseen, comes living in our sight, — 
 
 I^dv. The horse — the horse — the mighty beast of war-— *» 
 The beast of sacrifice— how looks he— tell me. 
 
 Fup. With four firm hoofs he spurns the ground — Erect 
 lie bears his arching neck — behind he lashes 
 His flov/ing tail, and scatters Avide the grain. 
 Ai distance warlike troops observe his course— » 
 Come and behold, (lay Jioldof Lciva.J 
 
 La7}. Elders — they drag me from you» 
 
 Jfrnn. Follow your pleasure. 
 Ku:i. Let us accompany liim, 
 
 I live but in his sight. 
 A un. His speed defies 
 
 Our trirdy steps— we cannot keep in vieAV 
 
 So fieet a runner. 
 
 Enter Mtendarit, 
 Bless. I have seen VahnVci 
 
 Aiid to your questions thus replies the Sage^ 
 
 Taat which is fit for j^ou to know, in time. 
 
 Shall be made known. 
 Ja.i. Hi.s answer is mysterious — 
 
 Come matron and my friend ; seek we, ourselves, 
 
 The venerable sage. 
 
 ^Exeu7it.
 
 C 70 ) 
 
 ANOTHER PART OF THE GROVE 
 
 Enter Lava and the Pupils. 
 Pup. See prince — is it not Avonderfiil. 
 JLav. I see, 
 
 And recognise the Aswamedhih steed. 
 Pup. How know you him. 
 Lav. Have you not read 
 
 The section that describes him— -see— his guards 
 In mjiil arrayed, with spears and maces armed. 
 If you believe me not, go ask of them. 
 Pup. Ho — Soldier tell, why is this steed so guarded. 
 Lav. (apaii) The Asrvcmicdha is the glorious rite 
 Of all victorious monavch;^ — they who bend 
 The haughtiest Kshctrii/as to their power, and reign 
 The greatest of the great. 
 Guard. The liorse, brave youths — upon the banner look 
 Or hsten to the warriors cry — The steed 
 Is his : who triumphed o'er the seven fold world.* 
 Lav. Oh, these are animating sounds, 
 Fup. The prince 
 
 Is wise— he rightly said — hark; what a noise. 
 
 \_Shouls without. 
 Lav. What ho, U there no Kihetrii/a on the eavth, 
 
 That such insulting clamours vex the heavens. 
 Gud'd. Where lives the Kshelrija that should dare oppose 
 
 The I\jalidr''!ja. 
 Lav Despicable babbler?. 
 
 If such there be, they are, and will disdain 
 Tliis weak attempt to teach them fear— enough : 
 * The uuiversCj consisting of seven coiiliiieals.
 
 ( so ) 
 
 Away with idle words, foi- I, even T, 
 
 Will bear away the steed, though th'ckly liemmed 
 
 With fierce opposing shafts — hear me — my friends. 
 
 And fellows of my sports, drive off the horse. 
 
 With clods of turf, and let him scamper hence, 
 
 1 o gambol with the deer, (the Boys rim oj^. 
 
 ENTER a Soldier. 
 
 How noAV, imp of mischief, what would you do; 
 
 Away — a line of ruthless troops advances 
 
 To punish such mad pranks — the Prince observes you. 
 
 Watching with ready bow, the neighbouring thicket. 
 
 Quick to yon grove. 
 
 The Boys return. 
 
 (_To Lava.) 'Tis done — as you desired. 
 
 The Soldiers raise their bows, and point their shafts 
 
 Against you — and the hermitage is still 
 
 Remote — Fly — fly wiih the speed of deer. [^iwi oJ\ 
 
 Lav. Let the shafts fall, (bending his bow.) 
 
 Oh, this is glorious: the bud rattling bow 
 
 Rings with the clang of thunder clashing clouds. 
 
 And wide expands, like Ya7na's yawning mouth, 
 
 Opened to swallow nations. 
 
 lExiL 
 
 END OF THE FOURTH ACT.
 
 ACT V. 
 
 Behind. 
 Hoj Soldiers haste, or we are put to shame» 
 See hither speeds the Prince : his charioteer 
 Urges the fiery steeds : Sumanira whirls 
 The lash, and on they bound, whilst o'er the head 
 Of Chandrakelu^ his red banner floats 
 Loose to the breeze. 
 Enter Chandraketu in his car driven hy Sumatifra. 
 
 Chan. What marvel's this, Sumantra, what brave hera 
 Thus from his ceaseless-sounding bowstring rains 
 A shower of countless shafts upon our host : 
 Like a bright crest upon the brow of battle 
 The warrior shines, and as the mantling glow 
 Of scorn and anger kindles on his cheeks. 
 He wears a more than human loveliness. 
 Strange, that a lad, the son of some recluse. 
 Or holy sage, should with such desperate valour 
 Singly defy a multitude of foes. 
 As if he were a sciou yet unknov/n 
 Of Raghu's stock : he gratifies my coming. 
 With fiery darts that roar along the sky. 
 Like some wild elephant, that cries with anguish. 
 When on his front the cleaving falchion falls. 
 
 SwH' Like thine his person ; and his lofty bearing. 
 Defies both Gods and demons— as I gaae on liim.
 
 ( 82 ) 
 
 I call to memorj'^, Rama, when in youth. 
 He aimed his arrows at the host impure 
 '1 hat harassed Kusiku's exalted son. 
 
 CJum. I feel abashed when I observe his prowess. 
 
 Unmoved he stands, though round him madly rages. 
 
 The storm of battle — through the murky air 
 
 With clouds of dust obscured, the whirring sword 
 
 Flashes like lightning — rattle the rushing cars. 
 
 With jangling bells harsh pealing ; onward roll 
 
 Like thunderclouds the ponderous elephantSj 
 
 Dark laden with the tempest of the war. 
 
 He shouts defiance, and his battle cry 
 
 Is heard above the rattling drums — more loud. 
 
 And more reiterated, than the din 
 
 Which mountain bowers reverberate to the roar 
 
 Of the wild elephant: they press upon him — 
 
 The clustering heads are tossed with rage and terror — 
 
 He draws his bow — fearful as Ymnd's mouth 
 
 That gapes to swallow multitudes — they fall. 
 
 They break, they fly ; haste — onward to their rescue. 
 
 Sum. (Apart.) I dread to bring these daring youths 
 
 together. 
 Should Chanch akcHu fall — and yet his birth — 
 Demands the danger — if Ikshwdku's heir 
 Be wanting in the hour of peril, where 
 Shall man expect protection. 
 
 Chan. On every side the cowards yield — oh shame, 
 
 Sum. Prince, we are now within the hero's hail. 
 
 Chan. His name— — 
 
 Suvi. Is Lava.
 
 ( 83 ) 
 
 Chan. Lava — hero — hear. 
 
 Foi-bear these foes unworthy-— here am I— « 
 On me exhaust thy daring, as on thee 
 My prowess longs to satisfy its craving. 
 
 Sum. He hears you Prince, and for a noble enemy 
 Suspends ))ursuit — e'en so the lion's cub 
 Foregoes the timid deer, and turns to brave 
 The falling thunderbolt. 
 
 Enter Lava. 
 
 Lav. Hail valiant Prince, your words proclaim you worthy 
 Your lofty lineage, and of my encounter — 
 
 See — I obey your call (noise without.) 
 
 "What, do the slaves, once scattered from the field. 
 Return to seek the fight ; shall they intrude 
 When Princes are my foes — well — be it so. 
 Though louder Avere their shouts than ocean's roar. 
 When o'er the wreck of worlds, the blasts of fate 
 Drive his tumultuous waves, their clamours yield 
 Fresh fuel to my wrath, whose rising fires 
 More uncontroulable and fiercely glow. 
 Than the dread flames, deep caverned in the Earth, 
 And fed with splintered rocks. 
 
 Chan, Regard thein not. 
 
 Esteem me as tliy friend, for I admire 
 Thy merits ; and consider thou as thine 
 Whate'er to me belongs. Thine, are these troops. 
 And should not move thy anger ; be thy prowess 
 Tried by the test of mine, and mine alone. 
 
 LuiK (Turninii hack) This is indeed an honor, to receive 
 Such high encomium from this royal youth.
 
 C Si ) 
 
 7 he bravest of the children of the sun. 
 Why measure him with these — yet can I bear 
 Tliese clamorous menaces, that from the crowd 
 Defy me— no — I thus efface my shame. 
 
 \yushes out, 
 
 Chan. Behold him, where he speeds: with high disdain 
 He draws his bow against the crowds hi front. 
 Whilst others press his rear — so central gleams. 
 The bow o£ Indra, midst divided clouds, 
 Tossed in dissevered masses by the gale. 
 Ploa— warriors hear me — shall we thus be shamed 
 By such unequal fight ; shall valiant men 
 Attack a slender youth — shall plaited mail 
 Oppose the deer skin — and the rattling car. 
 And horse, and elephant, combine to crush 
 A single foeman, as on foot he braves ye. 
 
 Lav. (Retia'tting.) He pities me — Indeed ! this waste of time 
 Shall cease — with heavenly arms I fight 
 And they no more impede me. 
 
 f Stands ill the altitude of meditation. )* 
 
 Chan. What is this ; 
 The shouts ai-e stilled. 
 
 Lav. So much for these revilers. 
 
 Sum. This is no common deed: the youth must wield 
 Celestial weapons. 
 
 Chan. It is true ; for see, 
 
 * This is a specimen of the ployed is the Jr/wji/zfl/ira or that 
 
 use of Ihe heavenly aims of which causes drowsiness — its 
 
 ■which mention was made in the influence is the result of Dhydna 
 
 first act. The weapon here era- or meditation.
 
 ( 85 ) 
 
 In fearful change that equal pains the eye. 
 
 Alternate gloom to flasliing lightning, yields. 
 
 How like a painted army, stands our host. 
 
 As the resistless charm subdues their senses ; 
 
 And now along the sky, dark vapours float 
 
 In masses, ponderous as the peaks of VUidltya, 
 
 And blackness, gathered from the caves of hell. 
 
 Like molten brass, red sullen flames, by fits. 
 
 Glow through the gloom, and loud the breeze awakes 
 
 As 'twere the wind of final dissolution. 
 
 Suvi. Whence could he gain such power. 
 
 Chan, From whom. 
 
 But his great master, wise Prachetas son. 
 
 lium. Not his the gifts : Krisdswas progeny 
 By him, on Viswamilra were bestowed. 
 And he to Rama gave them. 
 
 Chan. Yet, perchance, 
 
 Others, who equally the light of truth 
 Within themselves possess, may of themselves. 
 Obtain possession of these selfsame powers. 
 
 Sum Enough. Be on your guard: he comes, 
 
 Chan. S)- Lav. ( Together) ' 1 is strange : 
 
 Some hidden cause my heart with rapture fills. 
 At sight of this fair youth — is it the hope 
 Of futui-e converse — is it his lofty worth- 
 Is it the fond transmission of regard 
 Felt in a former being — or does some tie 
 Of kindred undiscovered wake delight. 
 
 8um. Such is the sympathy that ever binds 
 Congenial excellence : the world's report,
 
 ( 'SO ) 
 
 The aspect of the stars, the eye's caprice, 
 
 Oft lead to love ere merit wins regard. 
 
 The sudden friend exacts no pledged requital. 
 
 The spirit that pervades his inmost core. 
 
 Is that of 'pure attachment. — (LooHii^ at Lava, then 
 
 aside.) Can it be — - 
 Ah no — fate in the germ destroyed 
 The lovely plant — the parent stem cut down. 
 What flower shall blossom more. 
 Chan. I quit the car. 
 iium. Why so. 
 
 Chan. To pay my homage to this valiant youth. 
 And do a soldier's duty — to assail ^ 
 At such advantaije, one Avho fis^htson foot 
 The God of arms* forbids. 
 Sim. (Apart ) What shall I do— 
 
 The Prince's will is worthy of his race. 
 And must not be opposed— yet — can I bear 
 To witness such a conflict. 
 Chan. What will you say, 
 
 When men shall ask my fatherr's honored friend. 
 If Chandrakctu did his duty. 
 Sinn. RIglit — • 
 
 War Is the Kshetriya's duty, and thy race 
 Has never shrunk from contest: then, proceed, 
 tAnd shew thee worthy thy Illustrious sires. 
 
 * The Sasira Devala, liter- heya be intended, 
 
 ally rendered in the text — l)ut + Several speeches of little iu- 
 
 the Hindu Pantheon recognises tercst are here oniitled. 
 110 such personage except Kurti'
 
 ( S7 ) 
 
 Lav. What mingled feelings rise, as I approach him. 
 Dear to the night flower as the rising moon 
 His presence offers rapture to my sight ; 
 But as I grasp the heavy clanging bow, 
 I fe'l my ardour for the figlit revive 
 And all my soul on fire. 
 Chan. (Descendhig from the car and hon'ing to Stimanlray 
 Accept my friend. 
 The lowly reverence of Chandralcctu 
 Born of a race that boast the Sun tlieir Sire. 
 
 Sun. I\Iay your great Sire defend the sons he loves 
 In the dread hour of battle — may Varaha* 
 All mighty and etei*nal, grant you fame, 
 And victory, and virtue, till you equal 
 The + founder of your house — may the great Sage 
 Your race's guardian aid you : may the gods 
 Of air, and fire, and heaven, and may SaparnaX 
 And Vishmis self, infuse into thy heart 
 Their own celestial daring — Be the clang. 
 Of Rama's bow string, and of Lakshmatia's, 
 The charm of potency to Avin thee victory. 
 
 Lav. Prince, you well become 
 
 The glittering car— this courtesy exceeds. 
 
 Chav. Bo you then mount 
 An equal chariot. 
 
 Lav. (To Sumantra.) Honoured Sir, persuade. 
 The Prince to keep his seat. 
 
 * The incarnation of J'ishuu giralh and father of Uaghu 
 asaBorr. X Ca/'wra the n;o;iarch of the 
 
 + KakutHha the son of Bha- bird*.
 
 ( 88 ) 
 
 Svm. So you assent. 
 
 To Chandraketu's wishes. 
 
 Lay. That would I do 
 
 Most cheerfully— but we are foresters, 
 
 The untaught tenants of the wood, and want 
 
 The prmcely skill to guide the c^r of battle. 
 
 Sum. It is more strange that you so well are skilled 
 In dignity and courtesy — trust me youth — 
 Could Rdmabhadra but behold thee thus. 
 His heart would melt with tenderness towards thee-. 
 
 hav. His fame has reached me, and I honour him. 
 And though I have presumptuously disturbed 
 The royal sacrifice, yet not the less, 
 I feel deep reverence for the pious chief. 
 His Taunting followers alone provoked me. 
 To wipe away the infamy they heaped 
 On all the Kshetriya tribe. 
 
 Chan. Is it so hard. 
 
 To own a Sire's pre-eminence. 
 
 hav. Not so: 
 
 But knows the Prince the duties of a Soldier. 
 
 Sum. You do not know the mighty Rdmachundra^ 
 Then speak not of him— you may boast 'tis true 
 You mastered feeble hearts like those, in fight ; 
 But when a foe like '^ Jdmudagnya, bends. 
 Beneath your arm, then you may vaunt your prowess* 
 i«v. A mighty triumph truly — is it not granted 
 A Brahmin's weapons are his words, and when 
 He wields a warrior's arms, his inexperience 
 * The SOQ o{ Jamadagni, Parasurdma.
 
 ( 8D ) 
 
 Bears them inert ; to conquer such a champion. 
 And such Avas Jdmada^nT/a—h methinks 
 But scanty matter for a liero's praise. 
 
 Ckan. Enouo-h, enough, what liero heavenly bom 
 Descends on earth, to hold in disesteem. 
 The son of Bhript, lie whose fatal arm 
 Had desolated worlds, but pity stopped 
 His all resistless sword.* 
 
 Lav. {In an ironical tone. ) I knoAv the deeds 
 O? Raghupali — long may he enjoy 
 His well earned honours — long may listening- worlds 
 Admire the tale of his hero'c exploits. 
 Still, glory Avait upon the oveithrow 
 Of a weak woman ; the advance that shewed 
 No sign of fear when Khar a felt his valour ; 
 And the bold scheme that conquered Indraj'U.f 
 
 Chan. Injurious youth thy pride indeed is vast. 
 
 * Hedestroyed the Ksheln't/a ordinary tenor of the story, which 
 
 or military raceexceptjitiss.iid in represents him as externiinutiiiff 
 
 some accouuts, those in the Sohir them twenty one times, a snccts- 
 
 line; other statements aver that sion of destructive feats he couid 
 
 he exterminated all except some scarcely have achieved, unless lie 
 
 of the females, who were iiiarri- sevea times, "thrice dew the 
 
 ed to Brahmans, and thus conti- slain." 
 
 nued the warrior tribe. As how- + The destruction of Tara/irw, 
 
 ever many Piinces of holh the the disturber of the sacrifices of 
 
 solar and lunar dynasties are flswamilra is rehited in the 
 
 long subsequent to i'arasardjua, first hook of tlie y/a/««^aHfl, and 
 
 we must understand his exler- the deatii of a woiu ui is forbid- 
 
 mination of ihe Ksheln'i/as \i\lh den to a soldier. The back- 
 
 a certain reservation. This is wardness of Rii/na, or as it is de- 
 
 evideutly necessary, from the scribed in the onjjinai, the three 
 
 isi
 
 ( 90 ) 
 
 Lav, Away, great Prince, I do not heed thy frown. 
 
 Sum. They burst with rage, and every limb is shook 
 With furious passion— glows each sanguine eye 
 Like the red lotus — the discoloured cheek, 
 And agitated brow, are like the moon 
 Stained with strange spots, or like the water lily. 
 When o'er its ruffled leaves the black bee spreads 
 His fluttering wings. 
 
 Lav. & Chan, (iogdhcr.) ^tlence to the field of fight. 
 
 steps that were not in advance, proved fatal to hiin was the 
 does not so occur in the ordi- result of p'ibhUhana's advice, 
 nnry copies of the Rdmayana, who was aware of a prophecy 
 and the passage may have under- anounced hy Brfl/imd, that vvho- 
 gone some modification as dero- ever should interrupt by force 
 gatory to the hero. Nothing of urms a certain sacrifice coin- 
 about Ramus retiring three nienced by that cliieflain would 
 paces has been met with in that provehisdeslroycr — fndrnjUvras 
 part of the Rumayana which engaged in tiie rite, wlien by the 
 describes the death of Khara in recommendation of Jibhishana, 
 the Aranya Kdnda, but it is Lakshmana and a party of Rd- 
 admitted that Ruma felt alarm, ?n«'s host were seat to attack the 
 upon the approach of a mace Rukshasas who guarded him. 
 hurled at hina by the Rdkshasai The latter were routed — Indrajit 
 "Seeing that weapon like the abandoned the unfinished ce- 
 mace of death approaching, the remony to come totiieir rescue, 
 Prince was alarmed, considering and was ultimately slain by 
 that Its flight could not be Lakshmana — the exploit there- 
 equalled nor opposed by com- fore added little to the glory of 
 mon arrows, the inace of the Rama as he took no part in the 
 demon being of celestial origin." conflict, and as its result was 
 The attack upon Indrajit which predestined. 
 
 END OF THE FIFTH ACT.
 
 ACT VI. 
 
 Enter a Vidycidhara and F'uli/ddkart 
 
 (a Male and Female Spirit of air) in their car. 
 M' Sp. A fearful fight : less fierce the blows 
 
 When Gods and Titans meet as foes. 
 
 See, Love — what bright achievements grace 
 
 The warriors of the Solar race. 
 
 Strained to each breast the bow is bentj 
 
 The shaft unintermitted sent. 
 
 The jangling bells incessant ring. 
 
 And frequent twangs the rattling string. 
 
 Whilst an alarum, long and loud. 
 
 Is sounded by yon thunder cloud. 
 
 Inflated by supernal power. 
 
 In honour of such battle hour . 
 Quick, on each youthful champion's head, 
 A shower of heavenly blossoms shed. 
 Culled from the nectar breathing tree. 
 Of youth and immortality. 
 F. Sp. But Avhat is this — o'er all the sky. 
 
 The sudden streaks of lightning fly. 
 M. Sp. 'lis Makddeva's eye of flame, 
 That opens on this battle game. 
 And from between the awful lashes 
 Terrific in its glory, flashes. 
 Such sparks, as scattered from the sun
 
 ( 92 ) 
 
 On *Trvashtras whirling circle spun. 
 Ah no, I see — the fiery blaze^t 
 'J'is Chandruketu's arm displays ; 
 Around his car, wiih banneret. 
 And spears, and waving chowries set. 
 The fatal radiance rapid dances. 
 And on the chieftain's armour glances^ 
 The warrior glows Avith yellow light. 
 The car is pale with ashen white ; 
 'Tis all m flame ; the God of fire 
 Puts forth his dread resistless ire. 
 And crackling, sparkling, roaring, strong. 
 His lambent furies curl along, 
 IS'ow with the force of falling thunder. 
 They rive the firmest rocks asunder. 
 'J he air is parching, love — beneath 
 ^ly mantling robe more coolly breathe. 
 And let us to a distance haste. 
 F. Sp. No further need — the peril's past : 
 The scorching vapour glows no more. 
 The clouds distil their ge'id store. 
 And ponderous through the ether float.. 
 As murky as the Peafowl's throat, 
 
 * Twashtra tlie artist of the in order to temper his fierceness, 
 
 Gods, the svme with I'iswa- jmt tlie planet oii the "grindstone, 
 
 Jcarina the fulher-in-law of and took off the edge of his 
 
 Siirya — when Sanjna unable to r;iys. 
 
 endure the splendors <if her lord, t The ^^gneya weapon, one 
 
 fled from his emhiaces, tlie sun of the celestial armoury or the 
 
 had recourse to her father, who weapon of lire.
 
 ( 93 ) 
 
 Save where along tlieir skirts entwine 
 
 The Lightniiigs like a wavy vine. 
 M. Sj). The shafts of Faruna* arrest 
 
 In Lava's hand the fiery pest. 
 
 Yet still in vain — for now the wind 
 
 From eveiy quarter nnconfined. 
 
 Comes sw^eeping forth^ as t'would displace 
 
 The world from off its solid base. 
 
 And swift along the tossing sky 
 
 The clouds before its fury fly — 
 
 'Twas wisely done, with f'di/u'sf force 
 
 To stem the torrent's gathering course. 
 
 And scatter thus the gloom of night 
 
 Back to the parent source of light. 
 F, Sp. But who is this, that from his car. 
 
 Alights to intercept the war. 
 
 And with his gentle speech, controulsi. 
 
 The fury of these daring souls. 
 M. Sp. 'Tis RaghtipatiX he has slain 
 
 The fierce ascetic, and again 
 
 He seeks his realm — his roice they hear 
 
 And cast aside the sword and spear— 
 
 Lava is calm — and lowly bends 
 
 The pi-iiice, as the gi'eat chief descends. 
 
 May fate conclude, as now begun. 
 
 This meeting of the sire and son. [^Exeunt. 
 
 * Tiie deity of water which ment opposed to that of water, 
 
 element is wielded in the con- % The Lord or chief of Ihe 
 
 flict. howsQ oiRaghu: Rdma. 
 + Thedeityof wind— -the ele-
 
 ( P4 ) 
 
 Entek Rdmrty Lava, and Cliandralcctu. 
 Ram. Come Chandrakela to my breast^ and cool 
 
 With thy embrace the fervour of my heart. 
 Chan. Receive my humblest homage. 
 Bam. Fate, assuredly. 
 
 That gives thee power to wield celestial arms. 
 
 Auspicious smiles upon thy course.- 
 Chan. My sire, 
 
 In this, does Fortune smile, that T have found 
 
 A friend in this brave youth : may Raghu's Lord, 
 
 Behold liim with the same complacent eye. 
 
 He turns on me. 
 Ram. This is indeed a jiresence 
 
 Of loftiest promise, active and robust. 
 
 As made a soldier's duty to fulfill. 
 
 To guard religion, and protect mankind. 
 
 Nor is there vigour only, lighter graces 
 
 Are there concentered, and apparent virtues. 
 
 As if each excellence the world admires. 
 
 Assumed a visible and human form. 
 Lav. (Ajxiii.) Is this the mighty chief, the friendof virtue. 
 
 The stay and trust of men, the comfortei'. 
 
 The living shape of wortli — embodied excellence: 
 
 Ili-s sight subdues me — all my enmity 
 
 At once subsides — anew and strong affection 
 
 Grows in my bosom— all my pride is gone, 
 
 And shame o'ercomes me — First of the first is he — 
 
 As holiest shrines have oft a holier still. 
 Ram. 'Tis strange, a single glance should soothe my sorrow 
 
 And fill my breast with passionate regard.
 
 ( 05 ) 
 
 What should the cause be — for without a cause. 
 
 How should affection ever be engendered. 
 
 When no exterior motives can be traced. 
 
 Some secret spring must influence the heart. 
 
 Such are the sympathies that nature prompts. 
 
 When to the rising sun, the flower expands, 
 
 And melts the moon gem in the lunar ray.* 
 ' i«'j. Instruct me, Prince, who is this glorioua chief. 
 Chan. The elder of our house. 
 Lav. How, Baghunddia — 
 
 Blest be the hour that I behold this deity. 
 
 (Advances and bows down to the feet of Rama.) 
 
 Accept the veneration. Prince, o£ Lava, 
 
 The lowly scholar o? P racket as son. 
 Ram. Arise, brave youth — forego this prostrate homage. 
 
 And find an equal welcome in ray arms. 
 
 (Embraces him.) 
 Lav. I merit not su ch graciousness — the less. 
 
 That blind presumption led me here in enmity. 
 
 Forgive, my Sire, the foolishness of Lava. 
 Ham. What faults require forgiveness for my son, 
 Lhaii. Those of his native valour, for disdaining 
 
 The proud pretensions of the guards who followed 
 
 The sacrificial steed — he has displayed 
 
 * The doctrine of sympathies the ohjects whence tliey are 
 was once very faiuirnr to the named — the latter is Ihe mn.gnet, 
 philosophy of Europe. The Moon- the other two are fanciful, but 
 stone, Suuslone, and Ironstone, probably the idea of them is 
 are three gems according to the derived from some natural sub- 
 Hindus, the properties of which stance. 
 are analogous to the nature of
 
 ( 96 ) 
 
 Himself a hero. 
 
 Jiavi. It was bravely done 
 
 And like a Kshelriya — the true warrior brooks not 
 The vain assumptions of superior glory : 
 Fierce as the sun may dart his rays, he finds 
 The sun stone give them back in fiercer fire. 
 
 Chm. His brave disdain approves my friend a Kshetriya / 
 But more— he wields no common arms ; observe. 
 Our troops are motionless, struck thus by him. 
 
 liayyi. (To Lava ) My son, undothe charm, and Chandruketu^, 
 Go forth and range them in array again. 
 And soothe their disappointed valour. 
 
 Chin. I obey. \_Exif. 
 
 L"v. ( '4jter med'daiing.) The weapon is withdrawn- 
 
 Ram. My son, these arms. 
 
 Are of celestial origin — their use 
 
 A mystery — the gods themselves obtained them. 
 
 By ages of devotion, and the Rishis 
 
 Of primal days and powers supernal, saw them, 
 
 Self-radiant and endowed with Avondrous virtue. 
 
 The holy texts that should enforce their service 
 
 The great Krisdsrva penned,* and 'twas the toil 
 
 Of full ten centuries — He, to Viswumilra, 
 
 His pious pupil taught the mystic lore. 
 
 And I from him received the sacred weapons, 
 
 * Literally, "he declared to staiuUheemployinentof charms, 
 J^hwamitra the Upanishad con- and tlie corain;iiid over the ele- 
 tainiug the Mantra" it is clear ivieiits with which we are fami- 
 therefore that by the use of liar iu the Magic of all countries, 
 these weapons, we are to under-
 
 ( 97 ) 
 
 Boimd to attend for ever on iny race — 
 
 Then tell me. Lava, by what potent means. 
 
 Whence, and from whom, didst thou obtain these arms ? 
 
 Lav. Of themselves — uncalled — unsought for, did they 
 
 come 
 To me and to my brother^ 
 
 Ram. Thy brother— 
 
 Chan. We are twin. 
 
 JRam. Where is he. 
 
 Kusa (heJdnd.) 
 What say you. Lava is engaged alone 
 With Chandrakclii's train: then shall to-day, 
 The pride of empire set in ignominy. 
 The towering crest of Kshetriya shall be humbled. 
 
 Ham. Whom have we here — of deepest jet his hue. 
 And at his voice, each hair upon my body 
 Starts up erect — like flowers that lift their heads^ 
 When hollow murmurs tell the coming storm. 
 
 Lav, ' Tis even he — my elder brother Kusa, 
 Returned fi'om Bharata's abode. 
 
 Ram. My son; 
 
 Invite him hither. 
 
 Lav. I obey— behold him— 
 
 Enter Kusa. 
 This bow whose string emits such vivid radiance 
 As gleams from heavenly arms, is fit for combat 
 With any of tl;e mighty chiefs that trace 
 Their royal lineage, through the high descent 
 Of Menu, Vuivaswata^ from the sun. 
 Although of prowess to protect the gods. 
 It
 
 ( 98 ) 
 
 And tame the fiercest of the foes of heaven. 
 Ram. What lofty daring does this j-outh display ; 
 What brave defiance sparkles in his eye. 
 He seems to hold confederated worlds 
 As grass to trample on ; he shakes the earth 
 With his proud tread, and though of tender years. 
 He shews of mountain stature — Is he mortal, 
 Or is it the spirit of valour that assumes 
 A mortal form. 
 Lav. Glory to your arms. 
 Kus. Rather to thine ; 
 
 How now — I hear glad news — what's this — war — M^ar. 
 Lav. Restrain this swelling poit, and hither come 
 
 With due humility. 
 Kus, Why so. 
 Lav. The god like Lord 
 
 Of Raghu's lineagCj deigns to give j'ou welcome* 
 Kits. The godlike hero of our masters' verse. 
 
 The guardian of the universal world— 
 Lav. The same. 
 
 Ktis. How may I dfre approach such majesty — 
 His presence awes me,* justly has the Bard 
 That sings his deeds, entitled him divine. 
 Great Sire— the scholar of Prachcias, Kusa, 
 Bows thus in veneration. 
 
 \Jo Rama. 
 Ram. Rise my child. 
 
 And yield me thy embrace, {emhraccs htm.) It is most 
 strange: 
 
 * A few short speeches of no importance are omitted.
 
 ( 99 ) 
 
 Alike from either of these youths, the touch 
 Spreads rapture tlirough my frame ; from every pore 
 The dews, affection born, distill, as if 
 External consciousness were manifest : 
 And as my heart dissolves with ecstacy, 
 BIy form in Avaves of nectar seems to float. 
 Lav. Please you. Sire, 
 
 lo rest beneath the shelter of this tree. 
 The sun is high, and on my father's brow,. 
 Darts fiercely.— 
 Ram. As you will— (//(cy sil under, a tree.) 
 
 (Apart.) In eveiy look cind act^ these youths display 
 The majesty thjit would become an empire. 
 Upon their forms, has nature set signs. 
 Like rays of light within a costly gem. 
 Or drops of nectar on a lo\ely lotus. 
 That indicate such glorious destiny. 
 As should alone to Raghu's sons pertain. 
 Dark as the Dove's blue neck, is their deep hue : 
 Such shoulders has the monarch of the herd : 
 Their dauntless looks are like the angry Lion's ; 
 And like the deep toned music of the drum, 
 Of holy sacrifice, each mellow voice. 
 I see in each, my own similitude. 
 And not alone my likeness — but in much. 
 They wear the lovely semblance of my Sitd. 
 The lotus countenance of Jdnaki, 
 Is even novv before me — such those teeth 
 Of pearly whiteness — such the pouting lip^ 
 The taper ear, and such the expressive eye
 
 ( 100 ) 
 
 Although 'tis tempered with a manly fierceness. 
 Their due, ling in these groves — the very same 
 Where SHd -".vas abandoned, and so like — 
 And then the heavenly weapons — self presented. 
 That as the sages say, would never quit 
 Our line without due cause — my queen's condition, 
 Burthened with promised joys — these thoughts distract 
 ]\Iy heart, and fi.l my soul with hope and tei'ror. 
 How can I learn the truth — how ask these youths 
 The history of their birth. 
 Lav. What should this be : the countenance that sheds 
 Delight on all, is now suffused with tears. 
 Like the bright lotus stained with drops of dew. 
 Kits. Remember, brother — of his queen bereft 
 The mighty Rama cannot chuse but sorrow, 
 'lorn from the heart beloved, the world becomes 
 A dreary waste, and this sad separation 
 Is doomed to know no term — how could you utter 
 Such simple doubts, Avho know ihe song of Rama' 
 
 Rum. I am afr.dd to ask the;n — let me hush 
 These fancies — my emotion has excited 
 Their notice and their pity — let me be firm. 
 Have you perused, my sous, Vdlmikis verse, 
 1 fain would hear something of his descriptioa 
 Of the bright glories of the solar race. 
 
 Kus. We have perused die poem. I retain 
 Some passages; please you, I will repeat them. 
 
 Ram. Let me hear them. 
 
 Kus. " She formed for love; and Rama's tender breast 
 To love, thg Prince was now supremely blest;
 
 ( 101 ) 
 
 Nor less her Lord did SUd's thoughts inspu-e. 
 And mutual passion crowned each heart's desire." 
 
 Bam. I cannot check my tears — so true this strain. 
 Alas — the uses of the world are now 
 Striie and unprofitable — a disordered chaos 
 Involved in care^ and closed by separation. 
 Where is the happiness, on which our hopes 
 May rest with confidence: where is the worth 
 That mutually delights : where is that firm 
 And lastiiig union of two lovingp hearts 
 Inseparably one, in joj' and sorrow. 
 Life ever blooms, but error ever blights it. 
 Blest be the vei'se that calls again to mind. 
 The least of all the thousand excellences. 
 That time, the foe of memory, would rob me of. 
 I see my Sild nov/ — when budding youth. 
 Expanded day by day into the bloom 
 Of woman, and when full blown beauty joined 
 "With ardent passion, to subdue my heart. 
 And animate my every thought with love. 
 'Tis past — how wonderful. — C Sinks into meditalion.') 
 
 Lav. How lost in thought he seems — not even a sigh 
 Steals forth, a sign of life: so silent lies 
 Some sacred statue iii its holy shrine. 
 
 Behind. 
 The Sages of the hermitage — the Queen 
 Of Dasarat'ha, and Arundhati^ 
 Alarmed to hear the violence, the youths 
 Have offered to the steed —prepare to leave 
 These solitudes with all the speed they may.
 
 ( 102 ) 
 
 Yet slow their progi'css — age retards their flight, 
 Their limbs are feeble though their minds are firm. 
 Riun. What, are Arundhati and J (maka, 
 
 rasis/it'hci and my honoured mother Iiere — ■ 
 ( llising and looking out ) 
 
 Yes, I behold the monarch Jdiialca — like a thunder bolt 
 His sight affects me : with the holy Priests 
 Who joined our hands ; with so much to recall 
 The hopes that all have perished ; thus to meet him — 
 What task remains for Rama to perform. 
 
 Behind. 
 Alas, the unexpected sight of Rama 
 O'er comes the aged king — and now the Queen 
 Hastening to aid her ancient friend, beholds 
 Her son, and senseless falls. 
 Ram. Revive, 
 
 My Sire — my dearest mother, live. 
 
 To see thy son — behold him — he is here 
 
 Kusa Si Laua — This way — This Avay. 
 
 \_Excunt rapidlt/. 
 
 END OF THE SIXTH ACT.
 
 ACT VII. 
 
 AN AMPHITHEATRE OS THE BANKS OF THE GANGES.* 
 
 Enter Lalshmana. 
 I have obeyed the Sage, and have arranged 
 A theatre to hold this vast assemblage. 
 Of Gods, and men, and Spirits of Earth, air, ocean. 
 The Serpent deities, and all the Forms 
 That move and breathe — called hither by Fdlmiki, 
 On Gangn's sacred banks — that they may hear 
 His inspirations, with dramatic art. 
 Recited by the nymphs of Indrn's heaven. 
 All is prepared, and the assembly waits — 
 And lo, the Prince, who in his palace bears « 
 The hardships of the Anchorite, approaches. 
 
 Enter Rama. 
 Now, Lakshmana, is the assembly gathered 
 For this performance. 
 
 Laic. All is ready. 
 
 Ram. Be the youths, 
 
 * A play in a play is a device essential to the plot however as 
 
 familiar to our theatre — that in this, and the play in Hamlet, both 
 
 Hamlet need scarcely l)e men- which representations indicate 
 
 tioned. Beaumont and Fletcher the opinion entertained l)v the 
 
 go further and combine Four authors of tiie moral eflicacy of 
 
 riays in one — They are not so such performances.
 
 C 104 ) 
 
 Lava and Ktisa, stationed with the Prince 
 Your son. 
 
 Luk. Your wishes are foreseen — they sit together. 
 This is the royal seat. 
 
 Ram. (Silling.) Let them begin. 
 Enter Manager. 
 The sage Prachetas son — the oracle 
 Of truth, thus issues his commands : let all 
 Assembled here, attend to the high tales 
 Of wonder, and of holiness, related, 
 As by the eye of saintly prescience seen. 
 
 Ham. Enough— we know the Kishis are all holy i 
 Their wisdom is exempted from the stain 
 Of passion, and with immortality 
 Impregnate — and their words can never fail 
 Our reverence and attention. 
 
 (Slid wilhin.) 
 Alas, alas, where art thou dearest Lord, 
 Brave Lakskmana — where thou — the Beasts of prey 
 Press round me to devour me — me — alone. 
 Unsheltered, undefended, in the forest. 
 What dreadful pangs — I can no more sustain 
 This agony — these fears — I will devote 
 ]My life to Bhdgiralhi. 
 
 JLal'. This is piteous. 
 
 The Manager. The daughterof the earth, thehapless queen. 
 Her Lord abandons to the lonely woods— 
 Now, as the pains of travail agonize her. 
 Consigns herself to Ganga's sacred wave. \^F.viL 
 
 Earn. C^larling up.) Dear love, forbear ;
 
 ( 105 > 
 
 I fly to thy asoi stance. 
 Luk. Does my Lord 
 
 Remember^, what he views, is but a fiction. 
 Ham. Alas, that such a portion should have been 
 
 Tlie gift of Rama to his tender bride. 
 
 The dear companion of his forest dwelling. 
 Lak. Suppress these thoughts — let us attend the story. 
 Ram. I am armed — picrceless as adamant. 
 
 \_sits down. 
 E.VTEU Slid supported hu Prilhivi (iJie Earth) and Gunga 
 (the Ganges) each bearing a new horn child. 
 Ram. Lakshmana I am lost, my senses stray 
 
 In a bewildering maze — support me. 
 Ga iga. Revive Vaidehi. Fate is now thy friend. 
 
 Amidst the waves in safety hast thou given, 
 
 Tw^o hopes to Raghu's line. 
 Sita. Can this be true. 
 
 Are these my infants — ah my loved Lord. [fainting. 
 Ganga. Resume tliy fortitude, my child — revive. 
 Sita. Who art thou. 
 Pri. Tis Bhd^irathi, the protecting goddess 
 
 Of your Lord's line. 
 Sita. (Bowing to Ganga.) Receive my adoi-atlon. 
 Ganga. May the reward of virtue ever wait thee. 
 
 Behold thy mother — reverend Goildess— Earth. 
 Sita. Am I so blest. 
 Pri. Let this embrace assure tlice. 
 Luk. The queen is fondly cherished by the Deities. 
 Ram. Their love for this, their child, o'ercomes their spirits. 
 This passion of the sou!, the common attribute 
 o
 
 ( 106 ) 
 
 Of sentient belng-s, is the knot that binds, 
 Tlie cord that hokls the universe, and till 
 The end of all, perpetuates the race. 
 Sita. Oh I were happy now, could I but think 
 
 I held a place in my dear Lord's remembrance. 
 Pri. Thy Lord — who should he be— hast thou a husband ; 
 Sita. Why need I name him — weli my parent knowshim. 
 Ga?i. Queen, reflect (to Prithivi) 
 
 Thou art the stay of all — and shalt thou share 
 The passions of the ignorant: consider. 
 What he has done, the honour of his race. 
 Imperatively Avilled ; for wide and far 
 The stain upon his name was spread : — the test 
 In Lanka undergone, not elsewhere witnessed 
 Was little credited — and it has been 
 The triumph of his high and royal race, 
 To claim the homage free, and unreserved. 
 Of all the world — what then remained for Kama 
 In this dilemma, else, than to pursue. 
 The course that he has trod. 
 Prl. Goddess, I hear. 
 
 Your censures with delight, but strong affection 
 Controuls my thoughts and language. Well I know 
 The love of Rama, and the grief he feels 
 For loss of this dear child, yet still he lives. 
 For the sole benefit of his subject tribes. 
 For which, in other worlds, rewards await hira. 
 ^lla Oh, let my mother take 
 And hide me in her bosom. 
 Can. Child, forbear.
 
 ( 107 ) 
 
 Yet many years thy presence shall dispense 
 
 Delight upon mankind. 
 Pri. And for the present. 
 
 These infants claim thy care 
 Sit a. A "widow I. — 
 
 Pri. How shovild this be, whilst yet thy husband lives. 
 Sila. Have I a husband. 
 Pi it. Can you then disdain. 
 
 The benefactor of the world, with whom. 
 
 Again united, fame and bliss aAvait you. 
 JmIcs. Heard you the Queen. 
 Ram. — Let all the world receive 
 
 This testimony — (a ?ioise ivllJiout) hark, what "wonders 
 
 more. 
 Sita. The heavens are overcast. 
 Can. 'Tis true; observe 
 
 The heavenly arms are visible, the ministers 
 
 O? Rama, from 7\ViiY76'/yrt first descended. 
 
 To Viswamitra next, and last to him. 
 Behind. 
 
 Great Queen,all hail — 
 
 Behold the faithful servants of thy children— 
 
 As Raghupati erst to thee announced. 
 
 His servants we, the servants of thy sons. 
 Sita. Oh, I am blest, the weapon gods appear 
 
 In all their glory. 
 Gan. Hail, celestial ministers. 
 
 Devoted to the race of Raghu — still to work 
 
 The will of his descendants — hail, *ill liail. 
 
 They disappear — now daughter turn thine eye.
 
 ( 103 ) 
 
 On tliese infantine pictures of thy Lord. 
 S'da. Ah, who .shall minister the holy rites. 
 
 Their birtli demand?, that great Vaiishtlui's care. 
 Has ever solemnised for liaghu's race. 
 Gan. This, daughter, need not dwell upon thy thoughts. 
 When they no more exact a motlier's charge, 
 Wc will convey them to Valmiki s bower. 
 Pradieias son, equal in power and knowledge. 
 To Angiras or to Fusishlha, shall. 
 Become their mighty master, and perform 
 'J he ceremonial rites their years require. 
 Ham. 'j'his Avasweil thought. 
 Luk. Does not the Prince perceive. 
 
 In this, the birth of Kusa and o? Lavct, 
 Is covertly apprised him — from their infancy. 
 Have they been masters of the heavenly arms; 
 They have received eacli sacred ordinance 
 From great Valmiki, and their vigorous youth, 
 Kumbers the years that now have passed away. 
 Since the fair Queen was sentenced tothewoods. 
 Ham. My heart beats high. I cannot speak my thoughts. 
 Vri. Come, Daughter, with thy presence hallow Earth— 
 Sit. Most gladly — I am weary of the Avorld- 
 Pri. Discharge thy dues maternal — 'when these boys. 
 
 No more require thee, thou shalt be contented. 
 S'lla. Let it be so. 
 
 \_Exen)if Slid, Gcmgu and Prifhivu 
 Ram. Gone- fhe is gone for ever, (faints.) 
 Laic. All wise Valmiki grant us thy protection — 
 For, suili tlie purpose of thy sacred poem.
 
 ( 100 ) 
 
 Behind' 
 Remove the Instruments of harmony — and let 
 All pres(Mit, mark the marvels that are wrought. 
 By great Vdlmiki's yviU. 
 L'l/t. The waters of the Ganges are upheaved, 
 With sudden agitation — all the sky 
 Is crowded with divinities — behold — 
 Where rising from the depth, the Queen appear?. 
 By Gan2;u and by Prifhivi supported : 
 Hither she comes rejoicing 
 Behind. 
 Jrun. Receive from us, the pure and faithful wife. 
 
 Unspotted Sila. 
 Laic. Prince, behold these Avonders : 
 Alas, he still is senseless. 
 
 Enter Arundhaii and Situ. 
 Ai un. Why thus bashful : 
 
 Haste thee my child, and let the consciousness 
 Of that dear hand, restore thy lord to life. 
 Sila. He wakes. 
 
 Ham. (Reviving.) My queen, my love • 
 
 My honoured mothei-, pure Jnindkati 
 With Rishi/asiinga and the pious Siintd — • 
 All here— all happy. 
 Anin. Prince, awhile attend ; 
 
 The goddess of thy race in favour speaks. 
 
 Ganga without. 
 Lord of the world— remember thy appeal.* 
 
 * See the first Act.
 
 ( no ) 
 
 Thou hast invoked my caves for this, thy queen. 
 That as a mother T should guard her ever, 
 As if she were Arundhati. Behold. 
 I have obe3'ed thy -will — my debt is paid. 
 
 Arun. Again attend, thy mother Earth, addresses thee. 
 Prithivi withortt. 
 Lord of the world — remember thy appeal : 
 Thou hast committed Silci to my charge. 
 And called updn me to [ rotect my child. 
 1 have obeyed thy will — my debt is paid. 
 
 Ram. (Prostrating himself.) 
 
 How have J, sinful as I am, deserved. 
 
 Such heavenly favour. \ 
 
 Aru7i. People of Aifodhija ; 
 
 Receive your queen, whom the great goddesses 
 Gangd and Prithivi, thus highly honour. 
 And now by me, Arundhati, presented you. 
 The Gods themselves have testified her purity. 
 And Fire borne witness to her spotless virtue. 
 From Sacrifice she draws her birth,* and reigns 
 Wife of the greatest of the sun's descendants. 
 Recall these things — and yield her veneration. 
 Lak. They feel the matron's censure : all the crov/d 
 Is bent in prostrate homage to the Queen, 
 Whilst from above, the guardians of the spheres. 
 And rulers of the planets, shed delighted, 
 A shower of heavenly flowers. 
 
 Arnn. Lord of the Avorld— imperial Bdmuhhadra, 
 In place of her similitude, be iSitd 
 
 * Slta was bora of the earth at a sacrifice performed by Janaka.
 
 ( 111 ) 
 
 Herself, the partner of your Scicredrite, 
 Ram. Most joyfiill}'. 
 Lak. ( To Sitd. ) Lady and Queen, the shameless Lakshmana; 
 
 Is bold enough to offer you his homage. 
 Sila. IMay length of days reward such worth as thine. 
 Aran. Now may the Sage lead forth the lovely twins, 
 
 Kiisa and Lava, to embrace their parents. 
 Ham. This is joy indeed. — 
 Sila. Where are my children. 
 
 Enter Valmiki with Kiisa and Lava 
 Val. BehoLl your Parents, children; the Prince Lakshmana, 
 
 And there you grandsire — this your father's mother. 
 Sit a. ]\Iy dear father too. — 
 Kits, and Lav. — Dear father — dearest mother. 
 Ham. (Embracing them ) This is a recompense for all our 
 
 sorrows. 
 Sita. Come hither Kusa — hither Lava — come 
 
 Embrace your mother — now indeed restored 
 
 To life. 
 Kusa. and Lava. We are most blest. 
 Sita. — Lord I salute thee (to Vdlniiki.) 
 Val. May thy days be many. 
 Sita. My dear father — thus, Avith all I love encompassed 
 
 How can I bear so vast a weight of happiness. 
 A noise behind. 
 Val. (Looking out.) The demon Lfl?)««a is slain, and here 
 
 The Prince of Madhura advances — 
 Lak. All. 
 
 Conspires to make our happiness complete — 
 Ram. I scarce can credit what I see — yet thus
 
 ( n2 ) 
 
 Does fate oppress the prosperous. 
 
 Val. Rama — 
 
 Is there ought else that may require our aicL 
 
 Rain. Nought, holy Sire, but thi , : 
 
 May that inspired strain, whose lines impart 
 This tale, de ight and purify the heart ; 
 As with a mother's love, each grief all:- 
 And wash like Ganga's wave, our sins avv,\y. 
 And may dramatic skill, and taste profound, 
 Pourtray the story, and the verse expound. 
 So that due honour ever shall belong 
 To the great master of poetic song. 
 Alike familiar with a loftier theme. 
 The sacred knowledge of the one supreme.* 
 
 This Drama labours under the disadvantage of a subject 
 drawn from national mythology, and although the more in- 
 teresting on that account to those to whom it was originally 
 addressed, it must lose much of itsmeritinthe eyes of those, to 
 whom the mythos of the Hindus is unattractive or unknown. 
 
 Another defect consequent upon the choice of its subject 
 is the want of action : theincidents are few, and although not 
 xniconnectedwith each other, nor independant of the denoue- 
 ment, th'jy occur abruptly, and are separated by intervals of 
 time and place, which trespass a little too strongly upon dra- 
 matic probabilities, and impair the interest of the story. 
 
 * The Poet acquainted with the Brahma Sahda^ the inspired and 
 uiiciealed I'cdas as iJenlifiable with Brahma or the Supreme being.
 
 ( 113 ) 
 
 Apart from these defects, however, the Drama has much 
 to recommend it, and has more pretension to genuine pathos, 
 than perhaps any other specimen of the Hindu Theatre. The 
 mutual sorrows of Rama and IS'itu in their state of separation 
 are pleasingly and tenderly expressed, and the meeting of 
 the father and his sons may be compared advantageously with 
 similar scenes, with which the fictions of Europe both poeti- 
 cal and dramatic abound. 
 
 Besides the felicitous expression of softer feelings, this 
 play has some curious pictures of the beau ideal of heroic 
 bearing, and of thedutiesof a AVarrior and a Prince. A higher 
 elevation can scarcely be selected for either. The true spirit 
 of chivalry pervades the encounter of the two young Princes, 
 and the quiet devotedness with which Rama sacrifices his 
 wife and domestic happiness to the prosperity of his subjects, 
 is a worthy counterpart to the immolation of natural affecti- 
 ons to public interests, which is so frequent in the early his- 
 tory of Greece. 
 
 The characters of the Drama are individualised by the 
 features just noticed as belonging to those of the heroic class, 
 and by the sentiments of piety and the tone of authority, whi. h 
 animate the religious personages introduced upon the scene, 
 amongst whom, that females bear so important a part, maybe 
 regarded as another characteristicpe culiarity. The incidents, 
 as already noticed to, are not numerous, but they are dramatic 
 and interesting, and upon the feelings of a Hindu must have 
 exercised a powerfid influence. — To a belief that vivifies 
 all objects, and gives to mountains and rivers divine forms 
 and sentient natures, the representations of this play must 
 have been awful and sublime. The most inferior of the
 
 ( !14 ) 
 
 personages exhibited are the Spirits of air, or of the forest or 
 the flood, who mingle fumiiiarly and affectionately with demi- 
 gods and deified Sages. Earth the mother of all beings, and 
 Gangd the river of the three worlds, are introduced in person, 
 and the final reunion of Rama with his family is witnessed, not 
 only by the people of Ayodliya, and the elders of either race, 
 but by the congregated deities of Earthand Heaven. 
 
 The language of the beings of fictitious existence is either 
 narrative or descriptive, and in the former is simple, and in 
 the latter picturesque. That, of the human characters, is, as 
 usual with our author, rather passionate than poetical, but 
 some brilliant thoughts occur, the justice and beauty of which 
 are not surpassed in any literature. The comparison of 
 Ckandraketu to a Lion's cub turning to brave the thunderbolt 
 is one of these, and another is the illustration of the effects of 
 education upon minds possessed or destitute of natural gifts. 
 It is needless to specify other passages. The general tone of 
 the piece is imaginative and elevated, and it is entitled at 
 least to the designation of a Dramatic Poem.
 
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