Hindu literature Part 47

Observe, that in order to secure the correct p.r.o.nunciation of the t.i.tle of this Drama, "Sakuntala" has been spelt "Sa-koontala," the _u_ being p.r.o.nounced like the _u_ in the English word _rule_.

The vowel _a_ must invariably be p.r.o.nounced with a dull sound, like the _a_ in _organ_, or the _u_ in _fun, sun. Dushyanta_ must therefore be p.r.o.nounced as if written _d.o.o.s.hyunta_. The long vowel _a_ is p.r.o.nounced like the _a_ in _last, cart; i_ like the _i_ in _pin, sin_; _i_ like the _i_ in _marine; e_ like the _e_ in _prey; o_ like the _o_ in _so; ai_ like the _ai_ in _aisle; au_ like _au_ in the German word _baum_, or like the _ou_ in _our_.

The consonants are generally p.r.o.nounced as in English, but _g_ has always the sound of _g_ in _gun, give_, never of _g_ in _gin. S_ with the accent over it (s) has the sound of _s_ in _sure_, or of the last _s_ in _session_.

SAKOONTALa

PROLOGUE

Benediction

Isa preserve you! he who is revealed In these eight forms by man perceptible-- Water, of all creation's works the first; The fire that bears on high the sacrifice Presented with solemnity to heaven; The Priest, the holy offerer of gifts; The Sun and Moon, those two majestic orbs, Eternal marshallers of day and night; The subtle Ether, vehicle of sound, Diffused throughout the boundless universe; The Earth, by sages called "The place of birth Of all material essences and things"; And Air, which giveth life to all that breathe.

STAGE-MANAGER [_after the recitation of the benediction, looking towards the tiring-room._]--Lady, when you have finished attiring yourself, come this way.

ACTRESS [_entering._]--Here I am, Sir; what are your commands?

STAGE-MANAGER.--We are here before the eyes of an audience of educated and discerning men; and have to represent in their presence a new drama composed by Kalidasa, called "Sakoontala, or the Lost Ring." Let the whole company exert themselves to do justice to their several parts.

ACTRESS,--You, Sir, have so judiciously managed the cast of the characters, that nothing will be defective in the acting.

STAGE-MANAGER.--Lady, I will tell you the exact state of the case.

No skill in acting can I deem complete, Till from the wise the actor gain applause: Know that the heart e'en of the truly skilful, Shrinks from too boastful confidence in self.

ACTRESS [_modestly_].--You judge correctly. And now, what are your commands?

STAGE-MANAGER.--What can you do better than engage the attention of the audience by some captivating melody?

ACTRESS.--Which among the seasons shall I select as the subject of my song?

STAGE-MANAGER.--You surely ought to give the preference to the present Summer season that has but recently commenced, a season so rich in enjoyment. For now Unceasing are the charms of halcyon days, When the cool bath exhilarates the frame; When sylvan gales are laden with the scent Of fragrant Patalas; when soothing sleep Creeps softly on beneath the deepening shade; And when, at last, the dulcet calm of eve Entrancing steals o'er every yielding sense.

ACTRESS.--I will. [_Sings._ Fond maids, the chosen of their hearts to please, Entwine their ears with sweet Sirisha flowers, Whose fragrant lips attract the kiss of bees That softly murmur through the summer hours.

STAGE-MANAGER.--Charmingly sung! The audience are motionless as statues, their souls riveted by the enchanting strain. What subject shall we select for representation, that we may insure a continuance of their favor?

ACTRESS.--Why not the same, Sir, announced by you at first? Let the drama called "Sakoontala, or the Lost Ring," be the subject of our dramatic performance.

STAGE-MANAGER.--Rightly reminded! For the moment I had forgotten it.

Your song's transporting melody decoyed My thoughts, and rapt with ecstasy my soul; As now the bounding antelope allures The King Dushyanta on the chase intent. [_Exeunt._

ACT FIRST

Scene.--A Forest

_Enter King Dushyanta, armed with a bow and arrow, in a chariot, chasing an antelope, attended by his Charioteer_.

CHARIOTEER [_looking at the deer, and then at the King_].-- Great Prince, When on the antelope I bend my gaze, And on your Majesty, whose mighty bow Has its string firmly braced; before my eyes The G.o.d that wields the trident seems revealed, Chasing the deer that flies from him in vain.

KING.--Charioteer, this fleet antelope has drawn us far from my attendants. See! there he runs:-- Aye and anon his graceful neck he bends To cast a glance at the pursuing car; And dreading now the swift-descending shaft, Contracts into itself his slender frame: About his path, in scattered fragments strewn, The half-chewed gra.s.s falls from his panting mouth; See! in his airy bounds he seems to fly, And leaves no trace upon th'elastic turf.

[_With astonishment_.

How now! swift as is our pursuit, I scarce can see him.

CHARIOTEER.--Sire, the ground here is full of hollows; I have therefore drawn in the reins and checked the speed of the chariot. Hence the deer has somewhat gained upon us. Now that we are pa.s.sing over level ground, we shall have no difficulty in overtaking him.

KING.--Loosen the reins, then.

CHARIOTEER.--The King is obeyed. [_Drives the chariot at full speed_.]

Great Prince, see! see!

Responsive to the slackened rein, the steeds Chafing with eager rivalry, career With emulative fleetness o'er the plain; Their necks outstretched, their waving plumes, that late Fluttered above their brows, are motionless; Their sprightly ears, but now erect, bent low; Themselves unsullied by the circling dust, That vainly follows on their rapid course.

KING [_joyously_].--In good sooth, the horses seem as if they would outstrip the steeds of Indra and the Sun.[33]

That which but now showed to my view minute Quickly a.s.sumes dimension; that which seemed A moment since disjoined in diverse parts, Looks suddenly like one compacted whole; That which is really crooked in its shape In the far distance left, grows regular; Wondrous the chariot's speed, that in a breath, Makes the near distant and the distant near.

Now, Charioteer, see me kill the deer. [_Takes aim_.

A VOICE [_behind the scenes_].--Hold, O King! this deer belongs to our hermitage. Kill it not! kill it not!

CHARIOTEER [_listening and looking_].--Great King, some hermits have stationed themselves so as to screen the antelope at the very moment of its coming within range of your arrow.

KING [_hastily_].--Then stop the horses.

CHARIOTEER.--I obey. [_Stops the chariot_.

_Enter a Hermit, and two others with him_.

HERMIT [_raising his hand_].--This deer, O King, belongs to our hermitage. Kill it not! kill it not!

Now heaven forbid this barbed shaft descend Upon the fragile body of a fawn, Like fire upon a heap of tender flowers!

Can thy steel bolts no meeter quarry find Than the warm life-blood of a harmless deer?

Restore, great Prince, thy weapon to its quiver; More it becomes thy arms to shield the weak, Than to bring anguish on the innocent.

KING.--'Tis done. [_Replaces the arrow in its quiver_.

HERMIT.--Worthy is this action of a Prince, the light of Puru's race.

Well does this act befit a Prince like thee, Right worthy is it of thine ancestry.

Thy guerdon be a son of peerless worth, Whose wide dominion shall embrace the earth.

BOTH THE OTHER HERMITS [_raising their hands_].--May heaven indeed grant thee a son, a sovereign of the earth from sea to sea!

KING [_bowing._]--I accept with grat.i.tude a Brahman's benediction.

HERMIT.--We came hither, mighty Prince, to collect sacrificial wood.

Here on the banks of the Malini you may perceive the hermitage of the great sage Kanwa. If other duties require not your presence, deign to enter and accept our hospitality.