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

VASUMATI, the Queen of Dushyanta.

SANUMATI, a nymph, friend of Sakoontala.

TARALIKA, personal attendant of the King.

CHATURIKA, personal attendant of the Queen.

VETRAVATI, female warder, or door-keeper.

PARABARITIKA and MADHUKARIKA, maidens in charge of the royal gardens.

SUVRATA, a nurse.

ADITI, wife of Kasyapa; grand-daughter of Brahma, through her father,
Daksha.

Charioteer, Fisherman, Officers, and Hermits.

RULES FOR PRONUNCIATION OF PROPER NAMES

Observe, that in order to secure the correct pronunciation of the title of this Drama, “Sakuntala” has been spelt “Sa-koontala,” the u 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 fun, 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 baum, 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.

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.