452 ON SANSCRIT AND 



and writes under it an impassioned stanza. It is re- 

 stored ; and being in the sequel brought back to 

 Malati, their mutual passion, encouraged by their 

 respective coniidants, is naturally increased. This in- 

 cident furnishes matter for several scenes. Mean time, 

 the kmg had made the long expected demand ; and the 

 minister has returned an answer that '^ the king may 

 dispose of his daughter as he pleases." The intelli- 

 gence reaching the lovers throws them into despair. 

 Another interview in a public garden takes place by 

 the contrivance of Ca'mandaci. At this moment, a 

 crv of terror announces that a tremendous tiger has 

 issued from the the temple of S'lVA : an instant after, 

 Kandana's youthful .sister Madayantfca' is re- 

 ported to be in imminent danger. Then M'ad'hava's 

 companion, Mac a ban da, is seen rushing to her 

 rescue. He has k lied the tiger. He is himself 

 wounded. This passes behind the scenes. Madayan- 

 TiCA , saved by the valourof Macaranda, appears on 

 the stage. The gallant youth is brought in insensible. 

 By the care of the women he revives : and M ad ay an- 

 tic a' of course falls in love with her deliverer. The 

 preparations for M alati's wedding with Nandana 

 are announced. The women are called away. Ma- 

 DHAVA in despair resolves to sell his living flesh for . 

 food to the ghosts and malignant spirits as his only 

 resource to purchase the accoinplishiDent of his wish. 

 He accordingly goes at night to the ccmentery. Pre- 

 vious to his appearance there, Capa'lacun'd'ala', 

 in a short soliloquy, has hinted the magician's design 

 of olfermg a human sacrifice at the shrine of the 

 dreadful godde<^s, and selecting a beautiful woman for 

 the victim. Ma'd'hava appears as a vender of hu- 

 man flesh ; ofFerinir, but in vain, to the ghosts and 

 demons the flesh off his limbs as the purchase of the 

 accomplishment of his wish. He hears a cry of 

 distress and thinks he recognises the voice of Ma'lati. 

 The scene opens, and she is discovered dressed as a 



