World Drama, Volume 1

26 Unabridged Plays

Barrett H. Clark

• Editore: Dover Publications
• Anno: 2013
• ISBN:
  9780486143118
• Argomento: Media & Performing Arts
• Categoria: Theatre History & Criticism

Volume 1 of this two-volume set contains 26 plays including Aeschylus `Prometheus Bound`; Sophocles `Antigone`; Seneca `Medea`; Marlowe, `Dr. Faustus`; Heywood, `A Woman Killed with Kindness`; Johnson, `Every Man in His Humour`; Beaumont and Fletcher `The Maid's Tragedy`; Sheridan `The School for Scandal`; plus plays from the Orient, medieval plays and more.

AKOONTALÁ

BY KÁLIDÁSA

Written and produced probably in the 5th century, A.D.

TRANSLATED BY SIR MONIER MONIER-WILLIAMS

PERSONS REPRESENTED

DUSHYANTA, King of India

MÁTHAVYA, the jester, friend, and companion of the King

KANWA, chief of the hermits, foster-father of

AKOONTALÁ

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

JÁNUKA and SÚCHAKA, two constables

VÁTÁYANA, the chamberlain or attendant on the women’s apartments

SOMARÁTA, the domestic priest

KARABHAKA, a messenger of the queen-mother

RAIVATIKA, the warder or doorkeeper

MÁTALI, charioteer of Indra

SARVA-DAMANA, afterwards BHARATA, a little boy, son of DUSHYANTA by

AKOONTALÁ

KA

YAPA, a divine sage, progenitor of men and gods, son of MARÍCHI, and grandson of BRAHMÁ

AKOONTALÁ, daughter of the sage VI

WÁMITRA and the nymph MENAKÁ, foster-child of the hermit KANWA

PRIYAMVADÁ and ANASÚYÁ, female attendants, companions of

AKOONTALÁ

GAUTAMÍ, a holy matron, Superior of the female inhabitants of the hermitage

VASUMATÍ, the Queen of DUSHYANTA

SÁNUMATÍ, a nymph, friend of

AKOONTALÁ

TABALIKÁ, personal attendant of the Queen

CHATURIKÁ, personal attendant of the King

VETRAVATÍ, female warder or doorkeeper

PARABHRITIKÁ and MADHUKARIKÁ, maidens in charge of royal gardens

SUVRATÁ, a nurse

ADITI, wife of KA

YAPA; granddaughter of BRAHMÁ through her father DAKSHA

Charioteer, Fisherman, Officers, and Hermits

PROLOGUE

BENEDICTION

Í

a 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 toward 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 Kálidása, called ‘

akoontalá; or, the Lost Ring.’ 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.

STAGE-MANAGER. Lady, I will tell you the exact state of the case.

No skill in acting can I deem complete,

Till from the wise the actor gain applause;

Know that the heart e’en of the truly skilful,

Shrinks from too boastful confidence in self.

ACTRESS [modestly]. You judge correctly. And now, what are your commands?

STAGE-MANAGER. What can you do better than engage the attention of the audience by some captivating melody?

ACTRESS. Which among the seasons shall I select as the subject of my song?

STAGE-MANAGER. You surely ought to give the preference to the present summer season that has but recently commenced, a season so rich in enjoyment. For now Unceasing are the charms of halcyon days, When the cool bath exhilarates the frame;

When sylvan gales are laden with the scent

Of fragrant Pátalas; when soothing sleep

Creeps softly on beneath the deepening shade;

And when, at last, the dulcet calm of eve Entrancing steals o’er every yielding sense. ACTRESS. I will:—

[Sings.]

Fond maids, the chosen of their hearts to please,

Entwine their ears with sweet

irísha flowers,

Whose fragrant lips attract the kiss of bees

That softly murmur through the summer hours.

STAGE-MANAGER. Charmingly sung! The audience are motionless as statues, their souls riveted by the enchanting strain. What subject shall we select for representation, that we may ensure a continuance of their favour?

ACTRESS. Why not the same, Sir, announced by you at first? Let the drama called ‘

akoontalá; or, the Lost Ring,’ be the subject of our dramatic performance.

STAGE-MANAGER. Rightly reminded! For the moment I had forgotten it. Your song’s transporting melody decoyed

My thoughts, and rapt with ecstasy my soul;

As now the bounding antelope allures
The King Dushyanta on the chase intent.

[Exeunt.]

ACT I

SCENE—A Forest.

[Enter KING DUSHYANTA, armed with a bow and arrow, in a cha...