SOMARATA, the domestic priest.

KARABHAKA, a messenger of the queen-mother.

RAIVATIKA, the warder or doorkeeper.

MATALI, charioteer of Indra.

SARVA-DAMANA, afterwards BHARATA, a little boy, son
              of DUSHYANTA by [S’]AKOONTALA.

KA[S’]YAPA, a divine sage, progenitor of men and gods, son of
              MARICHI, and grandson of BRAHMA.

[S’]AKOONTALA, daughter of the sage VI[S’]WAMITRA and the
              nymph MENAKA, foster-child of the hermit KANWA.

PRIYAMVADA and ANASUYA, female attendants, companions
              of [S’]AKOONTALA.

GAUTAMI, a holy matron, Superior of the female inhabitants
              of the hermitage.

VASUMATI, the Queen of DUSHYANTA.

SANUMATI, a nymph, friend of [S’]AKOONTALA.

TARALIKA, personal attendant of the Queen.

CHATURIKA, personal attendant of the King.

VETRAVATI, female warder or doorkeeper.

PARABHRITIKA} and

MADHUKARIKA,} maidens in charge of the royal gardens.

SUVRATA, a nurse.

ADITI, wife of KA[S’]YAPA; granddaughter of BRAHMA
               through her father DAKSHA.

CHARIOTEER, FISHERMAN, OFFICERS, AND HERMITS.

[S’]AKOONTALA; OR, THE LOST RING.

PROLOGUE.

BENEDICTION.

  I[S’]a preserve you [1]! he who is revealed
  In these eight forms[2] 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 toward the living-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[3]; and have to represent in their presence a new drama composed by Kalidasa, called ’[S’]akoontala; or, the Lost Ring[4].’  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.