belonging to the hermitage of KANWA_.
[S']ARADWATA, }

MITRAVASU, _brother-in-law of the King, and superintendent of the
city police_.

JANUKA _and_ SUCHAKA, _two constables_.

VATAYANA, _the chamberlain or attendant on the women's
apartments_.

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_.