{Aloud) Whatis your dearest wish, Lavangikd.
Lav. That he, whose heart now pines in hopeless passion.
May soothe his sorrows with this bright resemblance.
Of the fair cause of his distress.
(Shews Mdlali the picture drawn hy Mddhava )
Mai. (contemplating it}
My heart is now at ease. I doubt nie much
That this will prove a treacherous comforter-;^
What have we here-—
(Reads Makaranda's lines.)
Oh Mddhava — the graces of thy form.
Thy flattering tongue, and fascinating gaze
Are all alike resistless — happy she.
Who never has beheld them— On my heart
They, Cruel, shed interminable anguish, (weeps-^
Lav. Why, dearest friend, despond?
Mai. What should I hope !
Lav. Be sure of this — that he on whose account.
Like the young blossom from its slender stem
Pluckedrude you droop, and taste no moretlie fragrance,
Of the sweet Jasmine — He, be sure, will^ weary
Love's. God with prayers to mitigate the pain.
( 28 )
You both are doomed to suffev.
Mai. OJi, be they heard, and be at least his portion
Happiness — for me, I dare not ch«rish hope.
This is a day of strange, and changeful feeling.
Love spreads through every vein like subt'est poison.
And like the fire that brightens in the breeze
Consumes this feeble frame — resistless fever
Preys on each fibre — Fatal is its fury.
]\o one can bring me aid— nor tender mother
Nor father — nor Lavangikd can save me. —
Lav. S^uch mutual passion may, in sooth, bestow
Delight Avhen lovers meet ; but when apart
Condemns them to affliction. From a brief
And passing gaze, thy life was brought in peril.
And now to day his nearer presence sheds
A fiercer fever on thy delicate frame.
What now is to be said? — We must admit.
The rarest and most difficult attainment
Of all, on earth, is union with a lover.
Of equal excellence, and like affection.
Mai Life is distasteful to me : leave me, friend :
And yet I wrong tliy gentleness. Repeatedly
Recurring to the anguish of my heart,
I lose all fortitude, and in my grier
Become capricious and unjust— forgive me.
Let the full moon blaze in the nightly sky :
Let love rage on — Death screens me from his fury.
What should exact my love and veneration ?
JRIy father, and my mother, and my race.
Of still unblemished honour — not my life :
No — nor the mortal who subdues my heart. '
Lav. (Ajmt) What is to be done—
( 29 )
(Jn atlcndant enters hit jvithout aJvanclng far)
Ail. The venerable Kdvumdaki
Both. What would she ?
Ait. She seeks admission to the princess.
Both. What should delay her ?
(Attendant retires^ Mulali concccds the picture.)
Lnv. (Aside) In good time she comes
Enter Kdtnanduki and Avalokitd.
Kam. (Soliloquises)
So fiiV;, my friend, respected Bjmrivasu,
So far is well : in either world, assent
Awaits thy answer to the King — He, of his own.
Is the undoubted lord. Fate is our friend.
In all that chanced to day in Kamos's grove.
And in the interchange of tender tokens.
The garland and the picture, all conspires.
To crown our sanguine wishes with success.
' jBest pledge of blissful union is the bond
Of mutual love; and well the sage* has said;
The marriage rite shall prosper, when the eye.
The tongue, and heart, unite the \vedded pair;
Lav. The Lady Mi'daii,
Kam. (Surveying ker)
I view her with affliction and delight-
Slender her frame, and delicate and pale.
Like the young plaintain, or the waning moon.
Soothing and pleasant is she to the eye,
Tliough thin antl pallid be her chsek, and all
Declare, the fires of love have triumphed here.
As well as in the youth's congenial breast,
* Angirai,
( 30 )
One thouolit alone ])ossc?es her, and still
She dwells upon her love -her garb is loose.
Her soft lip (pii vers— -starting drops suffuise
Her gentle lips — her bosom p;il|)itates,
An*l her dark e)'^ in soft abandonment
Moist, languid flo?ts— Each look and gesture spealc&
The fond ilcsires that agitate her youth.
(Approaches.)
Lav (To Mulati) Behold.
Mid. Priestess, I salute you. (hows)
Kam. May you enjoy, dear lady, in due season,.
The fruit of all your Avishes.
Lav. Pray be seated.
Mill. Is all propitious with the Priestess »
Kam. (Sighing) all.
Lav. (Aside) That sigh is but the prelude to our play,.
I have my cue. (aloud) And yet, respected Lady,
INIethinks that sigh is with your words at variance^
What can its import be ?
Kiim Behold these weeds:
Sorts such a garb with one you call your friend .''
Lav. What follows?
Kam. I am grieved, like unmeet union.
Should sentence youth, and charms inniimerable.
Born to no profit, to a worthless bridegroom.
Lav. You do not grieve a' one ; the common voice-
Condemns the minister's assent, and blames
His yielding Malali, to be the bride
Of yandana, because the king requests it.
Mai. (Aside) Alas, I am an offering to the monarch,
l^resented by my father.
( 31 )
Kdm. 'Tis most strange.
How he could overlook the vast defects
Of such alliance — but how can those
Feel natural affection for their offsprinp:.
Whose souls are sunk in schemes of crooked po-icy.
His onh' thought is a clearly, to secure.
The friendship of the monarch's chosen friend.
And boon companion — by his daughter's person.
Mai. (Apart) The king's regard is all in all with liini ;
His MdluVi is nothing.
Lav. 'Tis as you say, dame.
Or why should our young mistress thus be sacrificed.
To age and ugliness.
Mat. (Apart) Ah, luckless wench,
A thunderbolt has struck me to the ground.
i«y. To you, she ever has Ijeen like a daughter.
Save her, dear Lady, from this living death.
Kam. What can I aid — Fate and her si< e alone
Exact obedience from a daughter. 'J'rue,
Sahuntuld, of KusiJiu's high race.
Bestowed her love on a sell-diosen Lord — â–
The king Dushyanta. — A bright nymph of heaven
Espoused a mortal monarch, Pururavas/
And the fair princess, I'Ssavadatid, scorned
The husband of her Other's choice, and fled
* Although it is possible thiit tii'is. The term used for the nar-
reference may he here made to raters, is Alcliyuna I'ida, those
the Piudnas in Tvhich the Sto- who know stories, the eveiili of
ries alluded to, are contained, it past times, PuravriUa, which
seems more likelj- that Bhava- would scarcely have been np-
bTiiili had in his thoughts the plied to the inspired author' ur
dramas of his predecessor A'a/*- compiler of the I'uranas.
( 32 )
With prinre Udayana* — So poets tell-
But these were desperate acts, and must not be
Proposed for imitation. Let tlie ministei*,
Compleat his will — secure his master's favour.
With the rich offering of his daughters peace.
And yield this maiden to the sovereign's friend.
Like the pale moon, to RdJui's foul embrace.
Avfi. Mistress, time passes, it were well to think
O^Mridhava, who needs your aid.
Kain. 'Tis well.
Permit me. Princess, to depart.
Lav. One moment, (aside to Malafi)
Say, shall I ask the dame, who is the youth.
And what his origin ?
Mai Do so ; I long to hear it.
* The story of Udayanas carry Res. X. 451.) on the* passage m
ing' off' Vdsavadaltd makes a the text, that no other trace has
very distiiif^uished figure in the been yet found of the story to
lighter literature of the Hindus, which Bhavahhnll alludes. I am
and is very fully detailed in the belter pleased to bear this tesli-
yi-ihat kalhd, hat \n Vhc popu- mony, because in consequence
lar version of the story Vdayana of jnisunderstanding the exact
carries off" the princess by her purport of Mr. Colebrooke's re-
father's connivance, and no men- mark, I considered him to have
lion is made of a Rival for her overlooked an allusion to the
hand, King Saiijayaw'i he is term- Story of Udayana in the Megha
ed, in the text, who was the IJida, which however is merely
husband of her father's choice, general, and therefore throws on
Neither is the circumstance light on the passage. It seems
meiilioned by Siihaiidhit in his probable that the story of
poem of Fusnvadallii^ iwd in- J'asavadatid underwent some
deed he seems to have given alterations subsequent to the
the story a new form altogether, lime of Bhavabhuli, and the
My own enquiry confirms the original form is lost,
remark of Mr. Colcbroykc (As.
( 33 )
Lav. Inform us pious Dame, what youtli is tliis.
In whom you shew such interest.
Kdm. The story though of import, needs no preface :
1 he sovereign of Viderbha boasts for minister.
The sage and long experienced Devardta,
Who bears tlie burden of the state, and spreads
Throughout the world, his piety and fame.
Such as himself your father knows him Avell,
For in their youth they were in study joined,
And trained to learning by the same preceptor ; *
And rarely in this world, do we behold
Such characters as theirs ; whose lofty rank.
Is the abode of Avisdom and of piety.
Of valour and of virtue ; and whose fame
Spreads white and spotless through the universe.
Mai. I have often heard my father speak of him.
Kdm Bright as the rising moon, whose silver rays
First streaming o'er the eastern mountain, chai'm
The eyes of a!I mankind, a son from him
Has sprung — whose opening virtues early ^We
Occasion of rejoicing to the world.
Now, in his bloom assiduous to collect.
Ripe store of knowledge, has this youth been sent
From his paternal mansion to our city.
Here as he passes, many a lotus eye.
Shoots from each casement, soul subduing glances^
But I'eckless he, along with Malaranda,
His friend and fellow of like years and worth,
* One or twoshort speehos of terrupliiig KdmandaUi's n^xtn^
Ldvangiku and Jfufali Iiave lion,
been omitted asuimecessavilj iri-
E
C 34 )
Pursues his toils -his name is Mddhava
IMul (Ai)art IQ LavnngikdJ Heard you my friend
Lav In truth you have escaped
The perilous ocean, and the tree of heaven
Is now within your reach.
C Tlie Conch is sounded withont)
Kam. These echoing tones.
That through the deep recesses of the palace,
Kesoundii.g spread, proclaim the evening hour,
( Thei/ all rise.)
Mill. CJpart) Alas, my father, thy ambition spurns
A daughter's happiness — yet in my grief.
Some hope I borrow from the youth s descent.
And trust, we meet again.
Lot). This is our M-ay.
Ka7n. (Apart) So far so well — an unsuspected messengeiV
I have discharged my duty — Malati
Is tutored to our wishes, and inspired
With hatred of the bridegroom — taught to question
Her father's love, reminded of examples
That vindicate the free choice of a husband*
Her admiration of her youthful lover
Is now approved by his illustrious birth.
And my encomium of his high descent :
Ai this must strengthen and confirm her passion.
And now their union may be left to fate.
END or THE SECOND ACT.
ACT III.
THE HOUSE OF KAMANDAKL
Enter BuddkaraJcshitd and Avalohitd — fleeting.
Sudd. Ho, AvaloJcltd, where is our Dame.
Av:t. Do yovi not know — DI regarding the season for
co'lecting alms,* she is ever with the Princess.
Budd. And where have you been.
Jvfr. I have been to Mddhava by her orders, to tell Mm
to repair to the public garden of the temple of Sa?tkara, and
place himself in the grove of red Asoka treesj that extends to
the KantaVi bower.
Budd. For what purpose.
Ava. This is the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight.
Persuading the Princess that the God Sankara is to be pro-
pitiated with offerings of flowers gathered by one's self the
Dame takes her, and Lnva'iglkd thither, and whilst the for-
mer is collecting her oblation, she and Mddhava will as it
were by accident again encounter : but where are you go-
ing.
* Literally ihe Pindaputa re- or Bauddha mendicant : the
III explained to sifjnify the hour word means a lump or ball of any
of going round to collect the viands usually of rice or meal i
P/nrfffl which is the name given, the same authority adds the
the commentator says, to the time is the seventh G/;er/, which
Food collected by tha Saugala, will be one hour after uoour
( 3G )
Jjudcl I am on my way to my friend Madayantikd to ac-
company lier to the temple of Sankara also. I looked in to
pay my respects to the Priestess.
Ava. And how speed you in what you have in hand.
Biidd. As our mistress could wish — I have won the entire
confidence of 3/rt(i'rt.yaM/i/i;a and by expatiating on the suifa-
llsnessand merit of Makai'anda, have excited in her bosom
the most lively affection for him.
Ava. This is well — Now to our several duties. [^Exciait.
SCENE SECOND.
THE GARDEJf.
Enter Kdmandaki.
JCam. Poor girl — the lesson 1 have lately hinted
Has bowed her lofty spirit, and she seeks
To will me to her : mournfully she pines
When I am absent; brightens in my presence,
Whispers her secret thoughts to me ; presents me
With costly gifts : when I depart she clings
Around my neck, and only lets me leave her.
When I liave vowed repeatedly return :
Then on my knee she sits, and bids me tell her
Again Jhe stories of the nymj)hs that loved.
And questions o'er and o'er, with flimsy plea.
Their fate and conduct — then she silent pauses
As lost iu meditation — 'tis enough :
To-day they me t— Daughter— this way— approach.
Enti.ii Mdlati and LavangtJid.
Mai {apart) Alas, my father loves his child no moi-e;,
{ S7 )
But offers her a victim to ambition ;
One hope alone sustains me.
Lav. Taste, my friend.
The freshness of the breeze, that sweeps the blossoais.
And wafts around the Champakas perfume.
Breathing melodious with the buzz of bees
That cluster in the buds, and with the song.
The Koil warbles thick and hurried forth ;
As on the flowery mangoe's top he sits.
And all inebriate with its nectar sings.
The garden gale comes wooingly to sip
The drops ambrosial from thy moonlike face."
Come on, those shades invite us. (2Viey retire.)
Enter Mddhava.
The pious dame is here — her presence fills
My heart with rapture — so the peafowl hails
The flash that heralds the approaching shower.
Ldvrwgikd. the third 'tis she — —
'Tis M«/a^/- ah me — a sudden chill
Peivades my heart, and freezes every faculty.
To marble turned by her moon beaming countenance.
Like mountains ice bound, by the gelid ray
Shot on their summits from the lunar gem.
How lovely she appears, as o'er her frame
Like a fast fading Avreath, soft langour steals
And heightens every beauty. Now mine eyes
Are conscious of their being. As I gaze
My heart consumes, and love lights all his fires.
(Approaches unobserved )
Mill- (advancing.) Come, Lavangifcd let us pluck flowers
From this delightful arbour.
(2B )
Kant. Nay rest my child,
Thy languid look, and sleppy eyes evince
Already, weariness — one might suspect.
Thy form such soft abandonment betrays — •
A lover's gaze were dwelling on thy beauties.
Come sit thee here — I have a tale to tell thee.
Mai. You are obeyed* - (Sits down by Kamandaki, who
passes her hand und^r Malati's chin so as to hold up her f,:ce
iOTVards Madhavn.)
Kam. There was a youth, named Madhnvi, who shared
With you an equal portion of my heart.
IjIV. So we have heard.
Kam. He, from the luckless day,
Of Kama's festival, has ceased to 1)P,
The master of himself, and though he told not
His sorrows to the moon or faithful friend — —
His changing form, still lovely in decay,
Kevealed the anguish he disdained to utter.
I hastened to his aid, and quickly guessed
The cause of h's distress, when I was told
He had beheld this lovely countenance.
The moon that swayed the heaving of his heart.
Like the deep waters of the tossing main.
Mad. (behind. ) How well she penetrates my secret.f
Kain. Reckless of life, his only pleasures now.
Are tasks that feed and aggravate his flame.
He gazes on the mango buds — he listens
Attentive to the Ko'ils song — he breasts
• Two or three short speeches more profnic fed hut it interrupts
are here omitted. Hie Ixisiness ami is more lechni*
t Mudhavas eulogy is rather cai than poetical.
( S9 )
The breeze iinpi'egnate with the flowery fragrance!
He hii
And hasks ber.e'ith the deadly lunar beam—
Tliis first fond passion preys upon my son
And soon, I fear, cuts short his gentle being.*
ISIul. (To L'tVfingllcii.)
Why does the dame alarm me thus with few
For life so de.ir to all : what can I say.
XjUV {To K,imaiid:i/ci.)
You are not terrified alone — like fears
Pervade us for tlie princess — she has often
Beheld the youth, as by the palace walls
His cours^' has frequent chance ■.—since when fiiie
pines
As droops the lotus on its slender stem
Be-ieath the scorching sun : her youthful sport*
Delight no more: pensive apart she sits
Whole days, her cheek upon her hand reclined.
We fondly hoped those looks that were exchanged
In Kdm'is grove, when like the present God
'Jl'he youthful Mddhavn appeared to grace
Love's festival, amidst his blooming votaries.
Would dissipate this melancholy mood.
And cheer her heart with hope— but passion sincd
lutenser rages in her tender heart.
And threatens lier existence — oh ! befriend us.
If but a moment she could view the youth.
E'en that, were such relief, as earth receives.
When parched by sultry suns, she drinks revived
* Two short speeches of Madhava aad Mdlati arc here omiU
tc(L
( 40 )
Tlie bland and life-bestowing dews of heaven.
The hapless state of Mdlati affrights us.
Unfit to struggle with the sports of destiny.
Do thou exert thy powers, and t)ien the pair.
Who claim alike thy pity and regard.
Redeemed from death, shall prosper in their loves.*
Kftm. BIy heart is filled Avith sorrow and deiight :
I pity her sad state, even whilst I joy,
To find her justly conscious of desert.
Lav. Behold these proofs this picture of her Lord.
(^Opniing Ihc garment over her breasL)
And this decaying Avreath, strung by his hands.
Dear as her life, thus clierished in her bosom.
T^J^ad. How enviable its fate — thus like a banner.
Floating triumphant o'er that lovely breast.
And clinging like a friend around her neck.
(^A noise hchi?id.)
" What ho, beware — in youthful strength and sport
The Tiger in the Temple's porch confined,
Has burst his iron cage, and roams at large.
With tail high waving like a banner — vast
And mighty limbed, he stalks along the groves.
Now in the midst of mangled forms his paw
As ponderous as the thunderbolt, has felled,
The monster stands -and in liis maw engulphs
Wide as a cave, the quivering flesh, or grinds
The cracking bones with hard sharp pointed teeth - »
From his deep throat, he roars'in thunder loud
*
+ Zfly<7??.:n^z7:d's speech is in the and obscurities that by much the
crigimd so exlreinely diffuse and most considerable porttou of it
coutatus so many repclilious has beeo omitted.
( 41 >
And men and beasts fly trembling from the echo ;
Begrimed with blood and dust he follows fast
* And plies insatiate his death dealing talons-
Look to your lives — as best you may, avoid him."
Bicddharakshita. (^Wilhout .') Alas! alas, my dear friend
Madayaniikd. {rushes in.)
Oh save us, save us ; Madai/antikd,
Our friend, the sister of the Minister,
Is singled out and hunted by the tiger.
JSIal. Oh — horror.
Madh. (Rushing fonvard.) Where is the savagej
M(d. {With delight— (qmrt.) He here.
Madh. Now am I blessed indeed; her gaze surprised
Dwells greedily upon my presence, and enchains me
In flowery bonds, falls on my heart like balm.
And sheds a shower of heavenly nectar o'er me.
Lav. Can we not quit the garden.
Madh. Fo 11 o w m e . {going. )
Kam. Beware my son. Though valiant be not rash.
Mai. {Apart to Lavungikd.) I tremble now.
Madh. A moment pause. I mark the savage spread
Dismay — his course is marked with carcases
And all his steps sink deep in mii'e and gore.
Oh horror — we are distant — noAV he views
A maid — she flies — he follows.
* This descriptioa is also ranga gamgaluggar abhivrida
somewhat compressed :the origi- gala gnhd gabbha gamdhira
nal Prakrit is very powerful al- ghaggharo valli — Roaring with
though too much laboured aud a loud roar from the depth of
abounding more than enough the cavern of a throat filled with
Ihwiallileralioa cv.gr. Nara tu- the flesh of men and steeds.
( 42 >
All- Madarj anli k a.
Kam. Behold a youth advances — now he stoops
To grasp a fallen sword.
Mad. lie throws himself.
Brave youth, before the tiger : 'tis iDy friend ;
'T is Makaranda.
Ml Noble valiant youth.
Modh. Alas — the beast has wounded him.
Kcivi. Joy — Joy ; the Savage falls.
jill. What fate have we escaped.
Kam. IMy generous son — he bleeds profusely :
Supported by the trembling maid, he rests
Upon his sword, along whose ruddy blade
The trickling torrent reddens to the ground.
Madh, He faints — help holy Dame — ^preserve my friend.
Kam, Fear not, fear nof, but liasten to his succor.
Exeiuil^
liND OF THE THIRD ACT.
ACT IV.*
THE SAME SCENE.
Madhava and Maharanda brought on h\f the women insensible.
Mud. (To Kdm.) Befriend him pious dame — oh save thi.3
youtli^
Who to preserve my life has risked his own
The others. What should we do.
Kan. Sprinkle o'er their Lmbs,
Tlie Water of this Ewer, and fixn their faces.
With your light robes.
( Theij fan the xjouths and cast mater from the Dame's-
Kama idalu or waterpot carried by an Ascetic.)
Mak. (Sighs and looks up)
Why thus alarmed my friend — I am well
Quite W( 11.
Mad. {JVith delight) Ah me — he is restored
Mul. (Puts her hand to Mddhavd' s forehead.) Lavangika,
How, happy you, your friend again is conscious.
Madh. {Reviving) Rash youth— where are you — here to
my heart.
(^Theij embrace — Kamandnki haiigs over Ihemf)
* An act is tlifrefore constitu- fection—pareiit;il yearning — still
ted by the fixit of all Ihe perfi)r- common in India — and a very
mors after a sufficient interval, ancient oriental practice however
and not by mere change of scene, odd it may appear to European
+ Lileialjy— smells tlieir heads, notions: it was perhaps rather th-i
a mode of expressing iutcuse af- result gfthis practice Ihua chance
( 44 )
Kdm. 1 revive (Thei/ all express delight)
Lav. We all partake your joy
Budd. C Apart to Madai/antikaJ You know methlnks
your brave deliverer.
3Iad. The friend oiMddhava :* I know it all.
Budd. Have I not spoke hina truly
Mad' "Were his v/orth
Less than it shews, you had not so described him.
(ToMdlali) ]\fethinks dear friend yon graceful youth's
deportment
Betrays some lurking passion — ( Turns to look at Ma*
Icaranda.)
Kam. (Observing them, apart) And it seems;
That form, with heightened interest is invested.
By that which destiny to-day has wrought.
{Aloud to Makaranda) Tell us, my son, by what propi-»
tious chance.
Conducted to this grove, you came to save
The life of this dear maid.
Male. X came to seek
My friend, directed to the grove of Kama
By Avahkila, and charged with news
I gathered in Hemant'i\ and the which
I fear ^/ill little please him — when I saw
that Tsaic notices llie smell of catesher reg-vrding himas ahu8-
Jac<)1)'spp'-son,"an(l lie came near band.
and kissed him, anil smeJlcd the + The expression is Hemanta
smell of his raiiient, and blessed J^''ugaraot\\\(iUyvinoi Hemanta',
lilm and sail! ; Se«, the smell of neither of the commentators
my son is as the smell of a field offer any remark on tlie name
which Hi'; Lord hath blessed." which should be that of some
* Her avoiding his uarne iadi- part of Ougein,
< 45 )
This noble maiden flying from the wrath
Of yon ferocious animal.
Kam. (Apart J "1 is time
To pledge the faith of Maluti. {aloud) Uly son,
(To Mddhava.)
For that I am most happy, that your friend
Is safe from harm — do you, on my behalf.
Present some token of regard to Mdldti
Madh. IMost willingly — but be it for myself;
To her, I owe re ^overy from the mist,
Theperilof my friend spread o'er my senses ;
And for returning]consciousnes5, I pledge her,
A free will offering each — my heart, my life.
Lav. I ansAver for my friend — she deems the gifts
Deserving her acceptance —
Mad. {Apart) On my Avord
The youtli knows when to proffer what is sure
To meet with willing ears.
Mai. {Apart) But tiiis news ;
What should it be to render Iiim unhappy.
Madh. Now Makaranda tell us what you hera-d.
That threatened to displease me.
Enter A messenger.*
Mess. ( ToMaday.) Lady, the minister, your brot]ier2Vrt«i?fl/rt8
Desires your presence — It has pleased the King,
In person to anounce, that Bhurivusii
Consents this day to give him Mdlalt:
He wills you therefore come, and share his happiness-
Ma1c. He brings you my intelligence.