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
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
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
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.
â– 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 — â–
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
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-