But Earth says, “has it been proper for the good Rama?  He disregarded the hand he pressed when a boy.  He disregarded me and Janaka.  He disregarded Fire (who shewed her purity).  He disregarded the children she was about to bring forth.”

But Ganga pacifies her and they agree to make over the children to Valmiki, when they become a little old.  Earth then asks her daughter to come to the nether world, to which she agrees and with their exit closes the play.

At the close of the play, Rama faints.  Then the real Sita enters with Arundhuti, the wife of Rama’s preceptor and touches and revives her husband.  The people are satisfied with her purity and Rama takes her back with the children who are introduced by Valmiki.  The husband and wife are thus re-united after twelve years of grievous solitude, and happiness is restored to the whole family.  The re-union is witnessed not only by the people of Ayodhya, but by the congregated deities of earth and heaven.

Rama thus describes his love for his wife:—­

“Her presence is ambrosia to my sight; her contact, fragrant sandal; her fond arms, twined round my neck; are a far richer clasp than costliest gems, and in my house she reigns the guardian goddess of my fame and fortune.  Oh!  I could never bear again to lose her.”

MALATI AND MADHAVA OR THE STOLEN MARRIAGE.

There lived, in the town of Kundinapura in Berar, Devarata, a very calm and sagacious minister to the king of Vidarbha.  He had a son named Madhava.  Madhava was very beautiful and of uncommon intelligence.  He became proficient in all branches of learning, in his early age.  He now arrived at a marriageable age.  The beautiful town of Padmavati in Malwa is situated at the confluence of the two rivers Indus and Madhumati.  There lived in Padmavati, Bhurivasu, who was minister to the king of Padmavati.  He had a very beautiful unmarried daughter named Malati.  The king indicated an intention to propose a match between Malati and his own favourite Nandan, who was both old and ugly, and whom she detested.  Bhurivasu feared to give offence to the king by refusing the match.  Devarata and Bhurivasu were fellow students.  In their academical days they pledged themselves that they should enter into matrimonial alliance, if they happen to have children.  Malati and Madhava did not know anything about their fathers’ promises.  There lived in Padmavati, Kamandaki, an old Buddhist priestess who was nurse of Malati.  The priestess knew everything about the matrimonial promise.  She was a very intelligent lady and was respected by all.  The two friends concert a plan with the priestess to throw the young people in each other’s way and to connive at a secret marriage.  In pursuance of this scheme, Madhava is sent to finish his studies at the city of Padmavati with the ostensible object of studying Logic under the care of the priestess, who takes great care of her pupil and endeavours her utmost to fulfil the promise of her two friends.  By her contrivance and with the aid of Malati’s foster-sister Lavangika, the young people meet and become mutually enamoured.