INTRODUCTION
Characters of the Prelude
King, Vizier, General (Bijoy Varma)
Chinese Ambassador, Pundit (Sruti-bhushan)
Poet (Kabi-shekhar), Guards, Courtiers, Herald
The stage is on two levels: the higher, at the back, for the Song-preludes alone, concealed by a purple curtain; the lower only being discovered when the drop goes up. Diagonally across the extreme left of the lower stage, is arranged the king's court, with various platforms, for the various dignitaries ascending to the canopied throne. The body of the stage is left free for the "Play" when that develops.
(Enter some Courtiers.)
[The names of the speakers are not given in the margin, as they can easily be guessed.]
Hush! Hush!
What is the matter?