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MALAVICA And the king A Play by Kalidasa in Five Acts (Rough Draft)
scene: the palace IN vidisha PERSONAGES
AGNIMITRA : King of Vidisha, son of Pushpamitra, Commander-in-chief and afterwards supplanter of the Maurya Dynasty in Vidisha VAHATAKA : Prime Minister of Vidisha GAUTAMA The Brahmin Buffoon, companion of the King GANADASA , HARADUTTA Ministers of acting, drama and opera, the one entertained by Queen of Vidisha DHARINIE : Queen of Vidisha IRAVATIE : Second queen and hitherto fafourite wife of Agnimitra MALAVICA ; A handmaid of Queen Dharinie
COMUDICA : Her friend COUSHIQUIE : Widow of the Vidurbhan minister, become a religious mendicant JAYASENA : Keeper of the door in the royal seraglio NIPOUNICA : Handmaid and companion of Iravatie Page – 135 |
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ACT ONE SCENE ONE The Palace Grounds. Outside the Hall of Music.
INVOCATION The One who is Almighty, he who showers Upon his worshippers all wealth, all joy, Yet wears himself a hide, nought richer; who With his beloved is one body, and yet The first of passionless ascetics stands; Who in his eightfold form bears up the world, Yet knows not egoism, he from you Remove your darkness and reveal the light, The paths of righteousness to reillume. After the invocation the Manager speaks Enter Assistant-Manager. manager Here, friend. assistant-manager Behold me! manager By the audience I am bid To stage this high Mayday carnival to stage The drama of Malavica and the King Plotted by Kalidasa. Therefore begin The overture. assistant-manager Why, sir, this is most strange! Are there not classics old, are there not works Of Bhasa and Saumilla, famous plays, Great Kaviputra’s name and others many Page – 137 That thus the audience honours, all these scorned, A living poet’s work? manager Not well hast thou Spoken in this, nor like a judging man. For think, not all that’s old is therefore good, Nor must a poem straightway be condemned Because ’tis new. The critic watches, hears, Weighs patiently, then judges, but the fool Follows opinion’s beaten way and walks By other’s seeing. assistant-manager Well, sir, you are the judge. manager (Haste then, for ever since with bended head The learned audience will I have accepted, I have no ease till ’tis performed, but my mind Haste like yon maiden’s, Dharinie’s attendant Light-footed to her royal mistress’ will.)1 Exeunt. Enter Vacoolawlica. vacoolavalica My lady bids me seek out Ganadasa (Her Master of the Stage, from him to learn How in the Dance of Double Entendre progresses Our Malavica, a recent scholar yet)2 Here in this Hall of Music. Enter another handmaid with a ring in her palm
¹ Being to the audience’ will already pledged, To absolve me, even as yonder maidens are, Attendants of Queen Dharinie to do her will.
2 Her Master of the Stage and know from him How Malavica in her recent study Progresses of the dance called Mime fatigue Page – 138 comudica What, have you taken to religion then Or why do you sail past me with an eye Abstracted, not one glance for me ? comudica Forgive me, (Vacoolavalica! I was absorbed In this delightful jewel—on this ring Fresh from the jeweller’s hands for our great lady Look’tis a Python seal!)1 Therefore I have offended. vacoolavalica 0 Heavens, how lovely! Well might you have no eyes for aught else, look! Your fingers are all blossoming with the jewel! The rays of light are golden filaments Just breaking out of bud. comudica Whither bound? vacoolavalica To our stage master. Our lady seeks to know What sort of pupil Malavica proves, How quick to learn. comudica Oh! is it true, the rumour That Malavica by this study kept Far from his eye, was by our lord the King Seen lately?
¹ I was absorbed in the delightful jewel — Look! ’tis a Python seal! here on this ring Just ready from the jeweller’s for the Queen. Page – 139 vacoolavalica Seen —but in a picture, close Beside my lady. comudica How did it chance ? vacoolavalica I will tell you. My lady in the painting-school was seated Studying the marvellous colours that enhue The Master’s great design — when suddenly My lord comes on her. comudica Well, what followed? vacoolavalica Greeting. Then sitting down by her he scanned the painting, There saw of all the attendants Malavica Nearest the Queen and asked other. comudica His words ? vacoolavalica "This face the like of which I not remember, And yet she stands just by you — who is she?" comudica Beauty’s indeed a magnet to the affections And seizes at first sight. My lady? vacoolavalica Made No answer: he in some astonishment Urged her with questions. Then my lady’s sister Page – 140 The princess Vasouluxmy all in wonder Breaks out "Why, brother, this is Malavica!" comudica Oh, good! How like the child’s sweet innocence! Afterwards? vacoolavalica Why, what else? Since then still more Is Malavica from the royal eye Kept close secluded. comudica Well, I should not stop you Upon your errand. I too will to my lady Carry this ring. Exit. vacoolavalica Who comes out from the Hall Of Music? Oh ’tis Ganadasa himself. I will accost him. Enter Ganadasa Ganadasa Each worker, doubtless, his own craft exalts Practised by all his sires before him: yet not A mere vainglory is the drama’s praise For drama is to the immortal Gods A sacrifice of beauty visible. The Almighty in his body most divine Where Male and Female join, disparted it Twixt sweet and terrible. Drama unites In one fair view the whole conflicting world, Pictures man’s every action, his complex Emotions infinite makes harmony; So that each temperament in its own taste Howsoever various, gathers from the stage, Page – 141 Rapt with some pleasing echo of itself, Peculiar pleasure. Thus one selfsame art Meets in their nature’s wants most various minds. vacoolavalica Obeisance to the noble Ganadasa! Ganadasa Live long, my child. vacoolavalica My lady sent me, sir, To ask how Malavica makes progress. Sir, Does she learn quickly yet? Ganadasa Tell my lady, No swifter brain, no apter delicate taste Has ever studied with me. In one word, Whate’er emotion to the dance translated I show the child, that she improvising seems To teach the teacher. vacoolavalica (aside) Victory! I foresee Iravatie already conquered! (aloud) Sir, That pupil gains the very aim of study Of whom her master says so much. Ganadasa Vacoola, Because such genius is most rare, I ask thee: Whence did my lady bring this matchless wonder? vacoolavalica The brother of my lady in a wom Less noble got, who for my lord commands His watchful frontier fortress by the stream Page – 142 Mundaquinie, Virasena to his great sister, For mistresshood and office in the Arts Deemed worthy, sent her. Ganadasa (aside) So rare her form and face, Her nature too so modest and so noble, I cannot but conceive that of no mean Material was composed this beauty, (aloud) Child, I shall be famous by her! The Master’s art Into a brilliant mind projected turns To power original, as common rain Dropping into the ocean-harboured shell Empearls and grows a rareness. vacoolavalica Where is she, sir ? Ganadasa Tired with much study in the five parts of gesture She rests yonder enjoying the cool breezes Beside the window that o’erlooks the lake. Seek for your friend. vacoolavalica Sir, will you permit me To tell her how much you are pleased with her? Such praise will be a spur indeed. Ganadasa Go, child. Embrace your friend. I too will to my house Taking the boon of this permitted leisure. Exuent. Page – 143 SCENE TWO A room in the palace. The King seated with the minister Vahataka in attendance on him. Vahataka reading a letter. The King’s attendants stand apart at one side.
agnimitra (seeing that the Minister has finished reading the letter} Well, Vahataka, what answers the Vidurbhan?
vahataka His own destruction! agnimitra I would hear the letter. vahataka Thus runs his present missive: — In these terms Your Highness has sent to me; "Madhavasena, Thy father’s brother’s son, bound to my court For the fulfilment of contracted bonds, Within thy dungeons lies: for by the way The governor of thy frontiers leaped on him And harried. Therefore if thou regardest me, Him with his wife and sister straight unbind." To which I answer thus; "Your Highness knows What conduct kings should use to princes born Their equals. In this quarrel then I look From your great name for just neutrality. Touching his sister, she in the quick scuffle Of capture disappeared, whom to seek out I shall not want in my endeavours. But if Your Highness must indeed release my cousin, Then hear my only terms. First from your dungeons The Premier of the Maurya princes loose And brother of my queen; this done, at once Are Madhavasena’s farther bonds excused." agnimitra(enraged) How! dares the weakling trade with me in favour? Page – 144 Knows he himself so little ? Vahataka, Command towards Vidurbha the division That under Virsena new-mobilized Stands prompt to arms. I will exterminate This man who rises up my enemy. Vidurbha was my natural foeman first, Now he grows such in action. vahataka As my lord wills. agnimitra Vahataka, but what thinkst thou of it? vahataka Your Highness speaks by the strict rule of statecraft:1 Then is a foeman easiest to pluck out When new upon his throne; for then his roots Have not sunk deep into his people’s hearts, And he is like an infant shooting tree Loose in its native earth, soon therefore uprooted. agnimitra Wise is the Tantra’s author and his word A gospel. Let us seize this plea to set Our war in motion. vahataka I will so give order. Exit Vahataka, the attendants take their places according to their offices; enter Gautama. gautama (to himself) Now can I tell the King that not in vain He sought for my assistance: "Gautama." he said Calling me, "know you not some exquisite cunning By which the face of Malavica seen ‘ Your Highness speaks within the roles of policy: or by the rule politic: Page – 145 |
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MALAVICA And the king
At first by chance on a dumb counterfeit With the dear life may bless my vision?" Well, By this I have planned somewhat worth the telling. agnimitra Here comes my Premier in another field Of policy. gautama Hail to the King. agnimitra Be seated. Well, Gautama, and has your eye of wisdom Caught sight of any plan gautama Ask me, my lord, About the accomplishment. agnimitra How! gautama In your ear, Sir. agnimitra 0 admirable! Thou hast indeed devised The cunningest adroitness! Now I dare To hope for things impossible, since thou Art of my counsels part. In difficulty How necessary is a helpful friend; For when one is befriended, ever hindrance Is turned to ease. Even so without a lamp The eye beholds not in night’s murky glom Its usual objects.
voice (within) Enough, enough, thou braggart. Page – 146 Before the King himself shall be decision Of less and greater ‘twixt us twain. agnimitra Listen! This is the flower of your good tree of counsel! gautama The fruit’s not far behind. Enter Maudgalya. maudgalya The Premier, Sire, Announces that Your Highness’ will ere this Is put in motion. Here besides the great Stage-Masters, Haradutta and Ganadasa, Storming with anger, mad with emulation, Themselves like two incarnate passions, ask To see Your Highness. agnimitra Admit them. maudgalya ; "Tis done, my lord. Exit and re-enter with Haradutta and Ganadasa. This way, this way, noble and worthy signiors. ganadasa How quelling-awful in its majesty Is the great brow and aspect of a King! For nowise unfamiliar is this face Of Agnimitra, no, nor stern, but full Of beauty and kindness, yet with awe I near him. Ocean in his vast unresting surge Stales never, but each changing second brings Vew aspects of his grandeur to the eye That lives with waves even as this kingly brow does Each time I see it. Page – 147 haradutta For ’tis no mortal greatness But God’s own glory in an earthly dwelling. Lo, I admitted by the janitor Of princes, led to the foot of his great throne By one that ever moves near to his lustre, Feel yet forbidden by his silent glories That force me to avert my dazzled gaze. maudgalya Here is my lord. Approach him, worthies. both Hail, Our sovereign! agnimitra Welcome to both. Chairs for these signiors? What brings into the presence at this hour Usual to study both the high stage-Masters? ganadasa Sir, hear me! from a great and sacred teacher My craft was studied. I have justified My genius in the scenic pomps of dance. The King and Queen accept me. agnimitra Surely I know it. ganadasa Yet being what I am, I have been taxed, Insulted, censured by this Haradutta: "You are not worth the dust upon my shoes", Before the greatest subject in the land Thus did he scorn me. haraduttA He first began detraction Page – 148 Crying to me, "As well, sir, might your worship Compete with me as one particular puddle Equal itself to Ocean." Therefore, my lord, Judge twixt my art and his as well in science As in the execution. Than Your Highness We cannot ask a more discerning critic Or just examiner. gautama A good proposal. ganadasa First-class, And now, my lord, attend and judge. agnimitra A moment’s patience, gentlemen. The Queen Might tax our verdict as a partial judgment. Therefore in all ways it were better far She too should watch this trial, Caushiquie Will give her learned aid. gautama Well urged, my lord. GANADASA AND haradutta Your Highness’ pleasure shall command our patience. agnimitra Then go, Maudgalya, let Her Highness know All that has chanced and call her to us here With Caushiquie. maudgalya I go, my lord. Exit and re-enter with the Queen and Caushiquie. This way, My Lady Dharinie. Page – 149 dharinie Good mother, tell me What do you think of this so sudden passion Twixt Haradutta and Ganadasa? caushiquie Idly You fear your side’s defeat, since in no point Is Ganadasa less than his opponent.1 dharinie ‘Tis so, but the King’s favour weighs him down And wrests pre-eminence to the other. caushiquie Forget not That you too bear the style of majesty. Think2 that you are an Empress! If fire From the sun’s grace derives his flaming glories, Night too the imperial darkness solemnises The moon with splendour. gautama Hawk, hawk,3 my lord! Here comes the Queen and with her our own Back-scratcher in Love’s wrestling match, the learned Dame Caushiquie. agnimitra I see her. How fair, how noble My lady shines adorned with holy symbols And Caushiquie before her, anchorite. Religion’s self incarnate so might look When high philosophy comes leading her Into the hearts of men. 1 Is Ganadasa second to his rival. 2 Remember 3 ‘Ware, ‘ware, Page – 150 caushiquie Greeting Your Highness agnimitra Mother, I greet thee. caushiquie Live a hundred years Blessed with two queens alike in sweet submission And mothers of heroic births, the Earth That bears thy nation and the wife who loves thee. dharinie Victory to the King! agnimitra Welcome, my Queen. Pray you sit down, good mother. In this collision Of two great masters, it is just that you Should take the critic’s chair. caushiquie (smiling) Your Highness seeks To laugh at me. For who is that mad man Would leave behind his great metropolis To test his jewels in some petty village ? agnimitra No, no! You are the learned Caushiquie, Then too the Queen and I are both suspect As partial judges, ganadasa AND haradutta This is no less than truth. Unbiassed is the learned mother’s mind. Her judgment shall, by merit only swayed, Leave no reserve behind. Page – 151 agnimitra Begin debate. caushiquie Not thus, my lord. The soul of drama is in its performance, And not for tilting theories is a. field. What says my lady? dharinie If I have any voice, I say I do mislike the whole debate. ganadasa Her Highness must not dwarf me in her thinkings, Misdeeming me inferior to my equal. gaUtama Come, come, my lady, do not let us lose The sport of these great rams butting each other. Why should they draw their salaries for nothing? dharinie You always loved a quarrel. gautama Good mouse, no. Rather I am your only peacemaker. When two great elephants go mad with strength And counter, until one of them is beaten There’s no peace in the forest. agnimitra But surely, mother, You have already seen cither’s performance, Judged of their action’s each particular And studied grace in every movement. Page – 152 caushiquie Surety.. AGNIMITRA What else is’t then of which yet uninstructed You need conviction ? caushiquie This. One man has art, Other but science; performance admirable Distinguishes the first, but in himself Is rooted and confined, the other’s skill Ranging in swift transmission lightens forth, (At home inapt and poor: who perfect in both Him at the head we put of art’s instructors.)1 gautama Sirs, you have heard the mother’s argument, The brief and marrow being this that judgment Goes by your visible proof of good instruction To shape the pupil in her art haradutta This test We both approve. ganadasa So then it stands, my lady? dharinie Thus if a pupil, brainless or inapt Blur in the act the Master’s deft instruction, Rests then the blot upon the Teacher ?
‘ Dark at home; but him who is in both Perfect, to do and teach, we count alone A master and the head of all his craft. Page – 153 agnimitra Madam, So still ’tis judged. He who a block unworthy Accepts to hew from it a masterpiece Shows well the lightness of his wit. dharinie What more now? Too much already have, I given my lord the rein, Feeding his eagerness with my indulgence. Desist, desist; this is an idle movement And shapes to nothing good. gautama Well said, my lady. Come, Ganadasa, eat in peace your sweetmeats Upon the Muses’ day, a safe renown Enjoying while you teach our girls to dance. But in this path of rugged emulation To stumble’s easy and disgrace expects you. Caution were good. ganadasa Indeed my lady’s words Lend themselves to no other fair construction
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