- 69 - MALAVIKA AND AGNIMITRA Act 1 (Introductory stanza omitted) (1) SHtradhara {looking in the direction of the wings^-dressing room): Marisa, come herel Assistant: (Enters) Sir, I am here. Sutradhira: The learned assembly has instructed me, on the occasion of the spring festival, to arrange for the performance of a play. It's called Malavika and Agnimitra— something put together by a certain Kalidasa. (So) Let the musical Prelude begin. Assistant: What? Not so fasti Such an honor for the work of a contemporary poet — Kalidasa — did you say? Why do you ignore the compositions of Bhasa, Saumilla and Kaviputra — established, well known? Sutradhara: Your remark does not survive examination. Listen: Not all is justified by the name of old; Nor is a new poem ne^r extolled. Wise men consider, and select the best of both; Only fools are in their thoughts to independence loath (2) Assistant: Your Honor is, of course, the authority. Sutradhara: Then hurry: for 1 can but wish to accomplish the assembly^ command, already taken with bowed head; from now on I am the skillful servant of Queen Dharini. (3). (They leave.) Iti prastavana.