discourse, Dushanta will try to find out her descent.  Shakuntala will be very much teased by a Bhramar (fly) hovering about her face.  The Rajah will then come forward and ask the cause of the disturbed state of her mind.  After a mutual exchange of polite respect they all take their seats beneath a shady tree, Dushanta will inform her of his country and descent, whereupon they will all go to the Rushi’s hut.

‘Here there is a pause.  A pleasing farce will then be performed.’

I have already stated that the ‘[S’]akoontala’ in the words of my own translation has been since performed at Bombay and recently at Trivandrum, the capital of Travancore (see Preface to this edition, p. vii, &c).]

[Footnote 4:  Rogers’ Italy, note to line 23.]

[Footnote 5:  The admirable Essay by Professor H.H.  Wilson, prefixed to his Hindu Theatre, is the principal source of the information which I have here given.]

[Footnote 6:  Wilson’s Hindu Theatre, p. xii.]

RULES FOR THE PRONUNCIATION OF THE PROPER NAMES.

Observe, that in order to secure the correct pronunciation of the title of this Drama, ‘Sakuntala’ has been spelt ‘[S’]akoontala,’ the u of [S’]akuntala being pronounced like the u in the English word rule.

The vowel a must invariably be pronounced with a dull sound, like the a in organ, or the u in gun, sun.  Dushyanta must therefore be pronounced as if written Dooshyunta.  The long vowel a is pronounced 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 haus, or like the ou in our.

The consonants are generally pronounced 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.

* * * * *

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

* * * * *

DUSHYANTA, King of India.

MA[T.]HAVYA, the jester, friend, and companion of the King.

KANWA, chief of the hermits, foster-father of [S’]AKOONTALA.

[S’]ARNGARAVA,}
} two Brahmans, belonging to the hermitage of KANWA.
[S’]ARADWATA, }

MITRAVASU, brother-in-law of the King, and superintendent of the
              city police.

JANUKA and SUCHAKA, two constables.

VATAYANA, the chamberlain or attendant on the women’s
               apartments.