KARABHAKA, a messenger of the Queen-mother. RAIVATAKA, the warder or door-keeper. MÁTALI, charioteer of Indra. SARVA-DAMANA, afterwards Bharata, a little boy, son of Dushyanta by Śakoontalá. KAŚYAPA, a divine sage, progenitor of men and gods, son of Maríchi and grandson of Brahmá. ŚAKOONTALÁ, daughter of the sage Viśwámitra and the nymph Menaká, foster-child of the hermit Kanwa. PRIYAMVADÁ and ANASÚYÁ, female attendants, companions of Śakoontalá. GAUTAMÍ, a holy matron, Superior of the female inhabitants of the hermitage. VASUMATÍ, the Queen of Dushyanta. SÁNUMATÍ, a nymph, friend of Śakoontalá. TARALIKÁ, personal attendant of the King. CHATURIKÁ, personal attendant of the Queen. VETRAVATÍ, female warder, or door-keeper. PARABARITIKÁ and MADHUKARIKÁ, maidens in charge of the royal gardens. SUVRATÁ, a nurse. ADITI, wife of Kaśyapa; grand-daughter of Brahmá, 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, "Śakuntalá" has been spelt "Śa-koontalá," 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_; _í_ 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 (ś) has the sound of _s_ in _sure_, or of the last _s_ in _session_. ŚAKOONTALÁ PROLOGUE Benediction Iśa 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?