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SRI AUROBINDO

Collected Plays and Short Stories

Part One

Vasavadutta

A dramatic romance

A Dramatic Romance

Author’s Note

Persons of the Drama

Act One

Scene I

Scene II

Act Two

Scene I

Scene II

Scene III

Act Three

Scene I

Scene II

Scene III

Scene IV

Scene V

Act Four

Scene I

Scene II

Scene III

Act Five

Scene I

Scene II

Scene III

Scene IV

Scene V

Scene VI

Author’s Note

The action of the romance takes place a century after the war of the Mahabharata; the capital has been changed to Cowsambie1; the empire has been temporarily broken and the kingdoms of India are overshadowed by three powers, Maghadha2 in the East ruled by Pradyota3, Avunthie4 in the West ruled by Chunda Mahasegn who has subdued also the southern kings, and Cowsambie in the Centre where Yougundharayan strives by arms and policy to maintain the house of Parikshit5 against the dominating power of Avunthie. Recently since the young Vuthsa has been invested with the regal power and appeared at Cowsambie6, Chunda Mahasegn, till then invincible, has suffered rude but not decisive reverses. For the moment there is an armed peace between the two empires.

The fable is taken from Somadeva’s Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of the Rivers of Many Tales) and was always a favourite subject of Indian romance and drama, but some of the circumstances, a great many of the incidents and a few of the names have been altered or omitted and others introduced in their place. Vuthsa, the name of the nation in the tale, is in the play used as a personal name of the King Udayan7.

Persons of the Drama

 

Vuthsa Udayan,        

King of Cowsambie.

Yougundharayan,  

His Minister, until recently Regent of Cowsambie.

Roomunwath,  

Captain of his armies.

Alurca,

Young men of Vuthsa’s age, his friends and companions.

Vasunthaca,
The King’s Door-Keeper.
Chunda Mahasegn,  

King of Avunthie.

Gopalaca,

His sons.

Vicurna,
Rebha,  

Governor of Ujjayinie, the capital of Avunthie.

A Captain of Avunthie.
A Servant.
Parinaca8,  

Attendant at Udayan’s palace.

Ungarica,  

Queen of Avunthie.

Vasavadutta,  

Daughter of Chunda Mahasegn and Ungarica.

Umba,  

Her handmaiden.

Munjoolica,  

The new name of Bundhumathie, the captive Princess of Sourashtra, serving Vasavadutta.

Act One

Scene I

An inner room of the palace in Avunthie9.
Chunda Mahasegn, seated; Gopalaca.

Mahasegn

Vuthsa Udayan drives my fortune10 back.

Our strengths retire from one luxurious boy,

Defeated.

Gopalaca

I have seen him in the fight

And I have lived to wonder. O, he ranges

As lightly through the passages of war

As might the moonbeam11 feet of some bright laughing girl,

Her skill concealing in her reckless grace,

The measures of a rapid dance.

Mahasegn

If this dawn12

Brings its portentous morning to our gates,

Our suns are ended13. Yet I had great dreams.

Oudh and Cowsambie were my high-carved doors;

Ganges, Godavarie14 and Nurmada

In lion race bespread15 with sacred dew

The16 moonlit jasmines in my pleasure-grounds.

All this great sunlit continent lay sleeping

At peace beneath the shadow of my brows.

But they were dreams.

Gopalaca

Art thou not great enough

To live them?

Mahasegn

O my son, many high hearts

Must first have striven, many must have failed

Before a great thing can be done on earth;

And who shall say then that he is the man?

One age has seen the dreams another lives!

Gopalaca

Look up towards the hills where Rudra stands,

His dreadful war-lance pointing to the east17.

Fear not the obstacles the gods have strewn.

Why should the mighty man restrain his soul?

Stretch out thy hand to seize, thy foot to trample,

A Titan’s motion.

Mahasegn

High thou soarest now18

But with eyes shut19 to the tempest.

Gopalaca

Suest thou at last20

To foemen for the end of haughty strife?

Mahasegn

That never shall be seen. The boy must fall.

Gopalaca

He is young, noble21, beautiful and bold,

But let him fall. We will not bear defeat.

Mahasegn

How22 shall he fall, my son? For Heaven-admired23

Rudra still guards my stern and high-eyed fates,

But many gods stood smiling at his birth.

Luxmie came full of24 fortunate days; Vishnu

Poured down his25 radiant sanction in26 the skies

And promised his far stride across the earth;

Magic Saruswathie between his hands

Laid down her lotus arts.

Gopalaca

The austere gods

Help best and not indulgent deities.

The greatness in him cannot grow to man.

Excused27 from effort and propped on difficult28 ascent

Birds that are brilliant-winged fly near to earth.

His hero hours are rare forgetful flights.

Wine, song and dance winging his peaceful days

Throng round his careless soul, it cannot find

The noble leisure to grow great.

Mahasegn

There lives

Our hope. My son, spy out29 thy enemy’s spirit,

Even as his wealth and armies! Let thy eyes

Find out its weakness and thy hand there strike.

Gopalaca

Thou hast a way to strike?

Mahasegn

I have a way,

Not noble like the sounding paths of war.

Gopalaca

Take it; let us stride straight towards our goal.

Mahasegn

Thy arm is asked for.

Gopalaca

It is thine to use.

Mahasegn

Invent some strong device and bring him to us

A captive in Ujjayinie’s golden groves.

Shall he not find there a30 jailor for his heart

To take the miracle of its keys and wear them

Swung on her raiment’s border? Then he lives

Shut up by her close in a prison of joy,

Her and our vassal.

Gopalaca

Brought to the eagle’s nest

For the eagle’s child, thou giv’st him her heart’s prey

To Vasavadutta? King, thy way is good.

Garooda on a young and sleeping Python

Rushing from heaven I’ll lift him helpless up

Into the skiey distance of our peaks.

Though it is strange and new and subtle, it is good.

Think the blow struck, thy foeman seized and bound.

Mahasegn

I know thy swiftness and thy gathered leap.

Once here! his senses are enamoured slaves

To the touch of every beautiful thing. O, there

No hero, but a tender soul at play,

A soft-eyed, mirthful and luxurious youth

Whom all sweet sounds and all sweet sights compel

To careless ecstasy. Wine, music, flowers

And a girl’s dawning smile can weave him chains

Of vernal softness stronger than bonds can31 give

Of32 unyielding iron. Two lips shall seal his strength,

Two eyes of all his acts be tyrant stars.

Gopalaca

One aid I ask of thee and only one.

My banishment, O King, from thy domains.

Mahasegn

Gopalaca, I banish thee, my child.

Return not with my violent will undone.

Scene II

A hall in the palace at Cowsambie.
Yougundharayan, Roomunwath.

Yougundharayan

I see his strength lie covered sleeping in flowers;

Yet is a greatness hidden in his years.

Roomunwath

Nourish not such large hopes.

Yougundharayan

I know too well

The gliding bane that these young fertile soils

Cherish in their green darkness; and my cares

Watch to prohibit the nether snake who writhes

Sweet-poisoned, perilous in the rich grass,

Lust with the jewel love upon his hood,

Who by his own crown must be charmed, seized, changed33

Into a warm great god. I seek a bride

For Vuthsa.

Roomunwath

Wisely; but whom?

Yougundharayan

One only lives

So absolute in her charm that she can keep

His senses from all straying, the child far-famed

For gifts and beauty, flower by34 magic fate

On a fierce iron stock.

Roomunwath

Vasavadutta,

Avunthie’s golden princess! Hope not to mate

These opposite godheads. Follow Nature’s prompting,

Nor with thy human policy pervert

Her simple ends.

Yougundharayan

Nature must flower into art

And science, or else wherefore are we men?

Man out of Nature wakes to God’s complexities,

Takes her crude simple stuff and by his skill

Turns things impossible into daily miracles.

Roomunwath

This thing is difficult, and what the gain?

Yougundharayan

It gives us a long sunlit time for growth;

For we shall raise in her a tender shield

Against that iron victor in the west,

The father’s heart taking our hard defence

Forbid the king-brain in that dangerous man.

Then when he’s gone, we are his greatness’ heirs

In spite of his bold Titan sons.

Roomunwath

He must

Have fallen from his proud spirit to consent.

Yougundharayan

Another strong defeat and she is ours.

Roomunwath

Blow then the conchs for battle.

Yougundharayan

I await

Occasion and to feel the gods inclined.

(to Vuthsa entering)

My son, thou comest early from thy breezes.

Vuthsa

The dawn has spent her glories and I seek

Alurca and Vasuntha for the harp

With chanted verse and lyric ease until

The golden silences of noon arrive.

See this strange flower I plucked below the stream!

Each petal is a thought.

Yougundharayan

And the State’s cares,

King of Cowsambie?

Vuthsa

Are they not for thee,

My mind’s wise father? Chide me not. See now,

It is thy fault for being great and wise.

What thou canst fashion sovereignly and well,

Why should I do much worse?

Yougundharayan

And when I pass?

Vuthsa

Thy passing I forbid.

Yougundharayan

Vuthsa, thou art

Cowsambie’s king, not time’s, nor death’s.

Vuthsa

O then,

The gods shall keep thee at my strong demand

To be the aged minister of my sons.

This they must hear. Of what use are the gods

If they crown not our just desires on earth?

Yougundharayan

Well, play thy time. Thou art a royal child,

And though young Nature in thee dallies long,

I trust her dumb and wiser brain that sees

What our loud thoughts can never reason out,

Not thinking life. She has her secret calls

And works divinely behind play and sleep,

Shaping her infant powers.

Vuthsa

I may then go

And listen to Alurca with his harp?

Yougundharayan

Thy will

In small things train, Udayan, in the great

Make it a wrestler with the dangerous earth.

Vuthsa

My will is for delight. They are not beautiful,

This State, these schemings. War is beautiful

And the bright ranks of armoured men and steel

That singing kisses steel and the white flocking

Of arrows that are homing birds of war.

When shall we fight again?

Yougundharayan

When battle ripens.

And what of marriage? Is it not desired?

Vuthsa

O no, not yet! At least I think, not yet.

I’ll tell thee a strange thing, my father. I shudder,

I know it is with rapture, at the thought

Of women’s arms, and yet I dare not pluck

The joy. I think, because desire’s so sweet

That the mere joy might seem quite crude and poor

And spoil the sweetness. My father, is it so?

Yougundharayan

Perhaps. Thou hast desire for women then?

Vuthsa

It is for every woman and for none.

Yougundharayan

One day perhaps thou shalt join war with wedlock

And pluck out from her guarded nest by force

The wonder of Avunthie, Vasavadutta.

Vuthsa

A name of leaping sweetness I have heard!

One day I shall behold a marvellous face

And hear heaven’s harps defeated by a voice.

Do the gods whisper it? Dreams are best awhile.

Yougundharayan

These things we shall consider.

Parinaca (entering)

Hail, Majesty!

A high-browed wanderer at the portals seeks

Admittance. Tarnished is he with the road,

Alone, yet seems a mighty prince’s son.

Vuthsa

Bring him with honour in. Such guests I love.

Yougundharayan

We should know first what soul is this abroad

And why he comes.

Vuthsa

We’ll learn that from his lips.

Yougundharayan

Hope not to hear truth often in royal courts.

Truth! Seldom with her bright and burning wand

She touches the unwilling lips of men

Who lust and hope and fear. The gods alone

Possess her. Even our profoundest thoughts

Are crooked to avoid her and from her touch

Crawl hurt into their twilight, often hating her

Too bright for them as for our eyes the sun.

If she dwells here, it is with souls apart.

Vuthsa

All men were not created from the mud.

Yougundharayan

See not a son of heaven in every worm.

Look round and thou wilt see a world on guard.

All life here armoured walks, shut in. Thou too

Keep, Vuthsa, a defence before thy heart.

Parinaca brings in Gopalaca.

Gopalaca

Which is Udayan, great Cowsambie’s king?

Vuthsa

He stands here. What’s thy need from Vuthsa? Speak.

Yougundharayan

Roomunwath, look with care upon this face.

Gopalaca

Hail, then, Cowsambie’s majesty, well borne

Though in a young and lovely vessel! Hail!

Vuthsa

Thou art some great one surely of this earth

Who com’st to me to live guest, comrade, friend,

Perhaps much more.

Gopalaca

I have fought against thee, king.

Vuthsa

The better! I am sure thou hast fought well.

Com’st thou in peace or strife?

Gopalaca

In peace, O king,

And as thy suppliant.

Vuthsa

Ask; I long to give.

Gopalaca

Know first my name.

Vuthsa

Thy eyes, thy face I know.

Gopalaca

I am Gopalaca, Avunthie’s son,

Once thy most dangerous enemy held on earth.

Vuthsa

A mighty name thou speakest, prince, nor one

To supplications tuned. Yet ask and have.

Gopalaca

Thou heard’st me well? I am thy foeman’s son.

Vuthsa

And therefore welcome more to Vuthsa’s heart.

Foemen! they are our playmates in the fight

And should be dear as friends who share our hours

Of closeness and desire. Why should they keep

Themselves so distant? Thou the noblest of them all,

The bravest. I have played with thee, O prince,

In the great pastime.

Gopalaca

This was Vuthsa then!

Yougundharayan

And wherefore seeks the son of Mahasegn

Hostile Cowsambie? Or why suppliant comes

To his chief enemy?

Gopalaca

I should know that brow.

This is thy great wise minister? That is well.

I seek a refuge.

Yougundharayan

And thou sayst thou art

Avunthie’s son?

Gopalaca

Because I am his son.

My father casts me from him and no spot,

Once thought my own, will suffer now my tread.

Therefore I come. Vuthsa Udayan, king,

Grant me some hut, some cave upon thy soil,

Some meanest refuge for my wandering head.

But if thy heart can dwell with fear, as do

The natures of this age, or feed the snake

Suspicion, over gloomier borders send

My broken life.

Yougundharayan

Vuthsa, beware. His words

Strive to conceal their naked cunning.

Vuthsa

Prince,

What thou demand’st and more than thou demand’st,

Is without question thine. Now, if thou wilt,

Reveal the cause of thy great father’s wrath,

But only if thou wilt.

Gopalaca

Because his bidding

Remained undone, my exile was embraced.

Yougundharayan

More plainly.

Gopalaca

Ask me not. I am ashamed.

Nor should a son unveil his father’s fault.

They, even when they tyrannise, remain

Most dear and reverend still, who gave us birth.

This, Vuthsa, know; against thee I was aimed,

A secret arrow.

Vuthsa

Keep thy father’s counsel.

If he shoot arrows and thou art that shaft,

I’ll welcome thee into my throbbing breast.

What thou hast asked, I sue to thee to take.

Thou seek’st a refuge, thou shalt find a home:

Thou fleest a father, here a brother waits

To clasp thee in his arms.

Yougundharayan

Too frank, too noble!

Vuthsa

Come closer. Child of Mahasegn, wilt thou

Be king Udayan’s brother and his friend?

This proud grace wilt thou fling on the bare boon

That I have given thee? Is it much to ask?

Gopalaca

To be thy brother was my heart’s desire.

Shod with that hope I came.

Vuthsa

Clasp then our hands.

Gopalaca, my play, my couch, my board,

My serious labour and my trifling hours

Share henceforth, govern. All I have is thine.

Gopalaca

Thine is the noblest soul on all the earth.

Vuthsa

Frown not, my father. I obey my heart

Which leaped up in me when I saw his face.

Be sure my heart is wise. Gopalaca,

The sentinel love in man ever imagines

Strange perils for its object. So my minister

Expects from thee some harm. Wilt thou not then

Assure his love and pardon it the doubt?

Gopalaca

He is a wise deep-seeing statesman, king,

And shows that wisdom now. But I will swear,

But I will prove to thee, thou noble man,

That dearest friendship is my will to him

Thou serv’st and to work on him proudest love.

Is it enough?

Vuthsa

My father, hast thou heard?

A son of kings swears not to lying oaths.

Yougundharayan

It is enough.

Vuthsa

Then come, Gopalaca,

Into my palace and my heart.

He goes into the palace with Gopalaca.

Yougundharayan

O life

Besieged of kings! What snare is this? What charm?

There was a falsehood in the Avunthian’s eyes.

Roomunwath

He has given himself into his foemen’s hands

And he has sworn. He is a prince’s son.

Yougundharayan

Yes, by his sire; but the pale queen Ungarica

Was to a strange inhuman father born

And from dim shades her victor dragged her forth.

Roomunwath

There’s here no remedy. Vuthsa is ensnared

As with a sudden charm.

Yougundharayan

I’ll watch his steps.

Keep thou such bows wherever these two walk

As never yet have missed their fleeing mark.

Roomunwath

Yet was this nobly done on Vuthsa’s part.

Yougundharayan

O, such nobility in godlike times

Was wisdom, but not to our fall belongs.

Sweet virtue now is mother of defeat

And baser, fiercer souls inherit earth.

Curtain

Act Two

Scene I

A room in the palace at Cowsambie.
Alurca, Vasuntha.

Alurca

He’ll rule Cowsambie in the end, I think.

Vasuntha

Artist, be an observer too. His eyes

Pursue young Vuthsa like a hunted prey

And seem to measure possibility,

But not for rule or for Cowsambie care.

To reign’s his nature, not his will.

Alurca

This man

Is like some high rock that was suddenly

Transformed into a thinking creature.

Vasuntha

There’s

His charm for Vuthsa who is soft as spring,

Fair like a hunted moon in cloud-swept skies,

Luxurious like a jasmine in its leaves.

Alurca

When will this Vuthsa grow to man? Hard-brained

Roomunwath, deep Yougundharayan rule;

The State, its arms are theirs. This boy between

Like a girl’s cherished puppet stroked and dandled,

Chid and prescribed the postures it must keep,

Moves like a rhythmic picture of delight

And with his sunny smile he does it all.

Now in our little kingdom with its law

Of beauty and music this high silence comes

And seizes on him. All our acts he rules

And Vuthsa has desired one master more.

Vasuntha

There is a wanton in this royal heart

Who gives herself to all and all are hers.

Perhaps that too is wisdom. For, Alurca,

This world is other than our standards are

And it obeys a vaster thought than ours,

Our narrow thoughts! The fathomless desire

Of some huge spirit is its secret law.

It keeps its own tremendous forces penned

And bears us where it wills, not where we would.

Even his petty world man cannot rule.

We fear, we blame; life wantons her own way,

A little ashamed, but obstinate still, because

We check but cannot her. O, Vuthsa’s wise!

Because he seeks each thing in its own way,

He enjoys. And wherefore are we at all

If not to enjoy and with some costliness

Get dear things done, till rude death interferes,

God’s valet moves away these living dolls

To quite another room and better play, —

Perhaps a better!

Alurca

Yet consider this.

Look back upon the endless godlike line.

Think of Parikshit35, Janamejoya, think

Of Sathaneke36, then on our Vuthsa gaze.

Glacier and rock and all Himaloy piled!

What eagle peaks! Now this soft valley blooms;

The cuckoo cries from branches of delight,

The bee sails murmuring its low-winged desires.

Vasuntha

It was to amuse himself God made the world.

For He was dull alone! Therefore all things

Vary to keep the secret witness pleased.

How Nature knows and does her office well!

What poignant oppositions she combines!

Death fosters life that life may suckle death.

Her certainties are snares, her dreams prevail.

What little seeds she grows into huge fates,

Proves with a smile her great things to be small!

All things here secretly are right; all’s wrong

In God’s appearances. World, thou art wisely led

In a divine confusion.

Alurca

The Minister

Watches this man so closely, he must think

There is some dangerous purpose in his mind.

Vasuntha

He is the wariest of all ministers

And would suspect two pigeons on a roof

Of plots because they coo.

Alurca

All’s possible.

Vuthsa enters with Gopalaca.

Vuthsa

Yes, I would love to see the ocean’s vasts.

Are they as grand as are the mountains dumb

Where I was born and grew? Or is its voice

Like the huge murmur of our forests swayed

In the immense embrace of giant winds?

We have that in Cowsambie.

Gopalaca

Wilt thou show

Them to me, Vindhya’s crags, where forests dimly

Climb down towards my Avunthie?

Vuthsa

We will go

And hunt together the swift fleeing game

Or with our shafts unking the beast of prey.

Gopalaca

If we could range alone wide solitudes,

Not soil them with our din, not with our tread

Disturb great Nature in her animal trance,

Her life of mighty instincts where no stir

Of the hedged restless mind has spoiled her vasts.

Vuthsa

It is a thing I have dreamed of. Alurca, tell

The Minister that we go to hunt the deer

In Vindhya’s forests on Avunthie’s verge.

That’s if my will’s allowed.

Alurca goes out to the outer palace.

Vasuntha

He will, Vuthsa,

Allow thy will. Where does it lead thee, king?

Vuthsa

A scourge for thee or a close gag might help.

Vasuntha

A bandage for my eyes would serve as well.

Vuthsa

Shall we awaken in Alurca’s hands

The living voices of the harp? Or will’st thou

That I should play the heaven-taught airs thou lov’st

On the Gundharva’s37 magical guitar

Which lures even woodland beasts? For the elephant

Comes trumpeting to the enchanted sound,

A coloured blaze of beauty on the sward

The peacocks dance and the snake’s brilliant hood

Lifts rhythmed38 yearning from the emerald herb.

Gopalaca

Vuthsa Udayan, suffer me awhile

To walk alone, for I am full of thoughts.

Vuthsa

Thou shouldst not be. Cannot my love atone

For lost Avunthie?

Gopalaca

Always; but a voice

Comes to me often from the haunts of old.

Vasuntha

Returns no dim cloud-messenger to whisper

To thy great father’s longing waiting heart

Far from his banished son?

Gopalaca

Thy satire’s forced.

Vasuntha

Thy earnest less?

Vuthsa

One hour, a long pale loss,

I sacrifice to thy thoughts. When it has dragged past,

Where shall I find thee?

Gopalaca

Where the flowers rain

Beneath the red boughs on the river’s bank.

There will I walk while thou hearst harp or verse.

Vuthsa

Without thee neither harp nor verse can charm.

Gopalaca goes.

The harmony of kindred souls that seek

Each other on the strings of body and mind,

Is all the music for which life was born.

Vasuntha, let me hear thy happy crackling,

Thou fire of thorns that leapest all the day!

Spring, call thy cuckoo.

Vasuntha

Give me fuel then,

Your green young boughs of folly for my fire.

Vuthsa

I give enough I think for all the world.

Vasuntha

It is your trade to occupy the world.

Men have made kings that folly might have food,

For the court gossips over them while they live

And the world gossips over them when they are dead.

That they call history. But our man returns.

Alurca

Do here and in all things, says the minister,

Thy pleasure. But since upon a dangerous verge

This hunt will tread, thy cohorts armed shall keep

The hilly intervals, himself be close

To guard with vigilance his monarch’s life

Against the wild beasts and what else means harm.

Vuthsa

That is his care; what he shall do, is good.

Alurca

To lavish upon all men love and trust

Shows the heart’s royalty, not the brain’s craft.

Vuthsa

I have found my elder brother. Grudge me not,

Alurca, that delight. Thou lov’st me well?

Alurca

Is it now questioned?

Vuthsa

Then rejoice with me

That I have found my brother, joy in my joy,

Love with my love, think with my thoughts; the rest

Leave to much older wiser men whose schemings

Have made God’s world an office and a mart.

We who are young, let us indulge our hearts.

Alurca

Thou takest39 all hearts and givest thine to none,

Udayan. Yet is this prince Gopalaca,

This breed from Titans and from Mahasegn,

Hard, stern, reserved. Does he repay thy friendship

As we do?

Vuthsa

Love itself is sweet enough

Though unreturned; and there are silent hearts.

Vasuntha

Suffer this flower to climb its wayside rock.

Oppose not Nature’s cunning who will not

Be easily refused her artist joys.

Fierce deserts round the green oasis yearn

And the chill lake desires the lily’s pomp.

Vuthsa

He is the rock, I am the flower. What part

Playst thou in the woodland?

Vasuntha

A thorn beneath the rose

That from the heavens of desire was born

And men call Vuthsa.

Vuthsa

Poet, satirist, sage,

What other gifts keepst thou concealed within

More than the many that thy outsides show?

Vasuntha

I squander all and keep none, not like thee

Who trad’st in honey to deceive the world.

Vuthsa

O, earth is honey; let me taste her all.

Our rapture here is short before we go

To other sweetness on some rarer height

Of the upclimbing tiers that are the world.

Scene II

A forest-glade in the Vindhya hills.
Vicurna, a Captain.

Vicurna

The hunt rings distant still; but all the way40

Troops and more troops besiege. Where is Gopalaca?

Captain

Our work may yet be rude before we reach

Our armies on the frontier.

Vicurna

That I desire.

O whistling of the arrows! I have yet

To hear that battle music.

Captain

Someone comes,

For wild things scurry forth.

They take cover. Gopalaca enters.

Vicurna

Whither so swiftly?

You are near the frontier for a banished man,

Gopalaca.

Gopalaca

Why has my father sent

Thy rash hot boyhood here, imperilling

Both of his sons? I find not here his wisdom.

Vicurna

There will be danger? I am glad. None sent me;

I came unasked.

Gopalaca

And also unasking?

Vicurna

Right.

Gopalaca

Trust me to have thee whipped. But since thou art here!

Where stand the chariots?

Captain

On our left they wait

Screened by the secret tunnel which the Boar

Tusked through the hill to Avunthie. Torches ready

And men in arms stand in the cavern ranked

They call the cavern of the Elephant

By giants carved. But all the forest passages

The enemy guards.

Gopalaca

There are some he cannot guard.

I know the forest better than their scouts.

When I shall speak of you and clap my hands,

Surround us in a silence armed.

Captain

His men

Resisting?

Gopalaca

No, we two shall be alone.

Vicurna

Fie! there will be no fighting?

Gopalaca

Goblin, off!

They take cover again. Gopalaca goes;

then arrives41 from another side Vuthsa

with Vasuntha and Alurca.

Alurca

We lose our escort!

Vasuntha

They lose us, I think.

Alurca

What fate conspires with what hid treachery?

Our chariot broken, we in woods alone

And the night close.

Vasuntha

Roomunwath guards the paths.

Alurca

The night is close.

Vuthsa

Here I will rest, my friends,

Where all is green and silent; only the birds

And the wind’s whisperings! Go, Alurca, meet

Our comrades of the hunt; guide their vague steps

To this green-roofed refuge.

Alurca

It is the best, though bad.

I leave thee with unwarlike hands to guard.

Vasuntha

I am no fighter; it is known. Run, haste.

Alurca hastens out.

And yet for all your speed, someone will worship

Great Shiva in Avunthie. I hear a tread.

Gopalaca returns.

Vuthsa

Where wert thou all this time, Gopalaca?

Gopalaca

Far wandering in the woods since a white deer

Like magic beauty drew my ardent steps

Into a green entanglement.

Vasuntha

Simple!

You found there what you sought?

Gopalaca

No deer, but hunters,

Not of our troop. We spoke of this green glade

Where many wandering paths might lead the king.

In haste I came.

Vasuntha

Greater the haste to go!

Vuthsa

Follow Alurca and come back with him.

Vasuntha

What, cast myself into the forest’s hands

To wander and be eaten by the night?

Come here and bid me then a long farewell.

Are thy eyes open at least? Is it thou in this

Who movest? Come, I should know that from42 thee,

If nothing more.

Vuthsa

Why ask when thou hast eyes?

Thou seest that mine are open and I walk;

For no man drives me.

Vasuntha

Walk! but far away

From thy safe capital.

Vuthsa

What harm?

Vasuntha

And with

This prince Gopalaca?

Vuthsa

Suspicions then?

Why not suspect at once it is my will

To visit Avunthie?

Vasuntha

So?

Vuthsa

Not so, but if?

Vasuntha

Oh, if! And if return were much less easy

Than the going?

Vuthsa

Who has talked of easy things?

With difficulty then I will return.

Vasuntha

I go, king Vuthsa.

Vuthsa

But tell Yougundharayan

And all who harbour blind uneasy thoughts,

“Whatever seeks me from Fate, man or god,

Leave all between me and the strength that seeks.

War shall not sound without thy prince’s leave.

Vuthsa will rescue Vuthsa.”

Vasuntha

I will tell,

But know not if he’ll hear.

Vuthsa

He knows who is

His sovereign.

Vasuntha

King, farewell.

Vuthsa

I shall. Farewell.

Vasuntha disappears in the forest.

We two have kept our tryst, Gopalaca.

Hang there, my bow; lie down, my arrows. Now

Of you I have no need. O this, O this

Is what I often dreamed, to be alone

With one I love far from the pomp of courts,

Not ringed with guards and anxious friendships round,

Free like a common man to walk alone

Among the endless forest silences,

By gliding rivers and over deciduous hills,

In every haunt where earth, our mother, smiles

Whispering to her children. Let me rest awhile

My head upon thy lap, Gopalaca,

Before we plunge into this emerald world.

Shall we not wander in her green-roofed house

Where mighty Nature hides herself from men,

And be the friends of the great skyward peaks

That call us by their silence, bathe in tarns,

Dream where the cascades leap, and often spend

Slow moonless nights inarmed in leafy huts

Happier than palaces, or in our mood

Wrestle with the fierce tiger in his den

Or chase the deer with wind-swift feet, and share

With the rough forest-dwellers natural food

Plucked from the laden bounty of the trees,

Before we seek the citied haunts of men?

Shall we not do these things, Gopalaca?

Gopalaca

Some day we shall.

Vuthsa

Why some day? why not now?

Have I escaped my guards in vain?

Gopalaca

Not vainly.

Vuthsa

This sword encumbers; take it from me, friend,

And fling it there upon the bank.

Gopalaca

It is far.

I keep my arms lest some wild thing invade

These green recesses.

Vuthsa

Keep thy arms and me.

O, this is good to be among the trees

With thee to guard me and no soul besides.

Gopalaca

Thyself thou hast given wholly into my hands.

Vuthsa

Yes, take me, brother.

Gopalaca

I shall use the trust

And yet deserve it.

Vuthsa

I love thee well, Gopalaca.

How dost thou love me?

Gopalaca

It was hard to speak,

Now I can tell it. As a brother might

Elder and jealous, as a mother loves

Her beautiful flower-limbed boy or grown man yearns

Over some tender girl, his sister, comrade, child,

In all these ways, but many more besides,

But always jealously.

Vuthsa

Why?

Gopalaca

Because, Vuthsa,

I’ld have thee for my own and not as in

Thy city where a thousand shared thy rays

Who were strangers to me. In my own domain,

Part of a world that’s old and dear to me,

Where thou shalt be no king, but Vuthsa only

And I can bind with many dearest ties

Heaped on thee at my will. This, Vuthsa, I desired

And therefore I have brought thee to this glade.

Vuthsa

And therefore I have come to thee alone.

Gopalaca

Thou must go farther.

Vuthsa

Yes? Then haste. Was that

A clank of arms amid the silent trees?

He makes as if to rise, but

Gopalaca restrains him.

Gopalaca

Thy escort.

Vuthsa

Mine?

Gopalaca

My father sends for thee.

I seize upon thee, Vuthsa, thou art mine,

My captive and my prize. I’ll bear thee far

As Heaven’s great eagle bore thy mother once

Rapt to his unattainable high hills.

As he speaks the armed men appear.

Swift, captain, swift! I hold the royal boy.

On to the tunnel of the Boar.

Captain

Haste, haste!

There is a growing rumour all around.

Gopalaca

Care not for that, but follow me and guard.

They disappear among the trees.

After a few moments Vasuntha arrives43.

Vasuntha

The forest lives with sound. It is too late.44

The thing is done45.

Yougundharayan, Roomunwath, Alurca

and others break in from all sides46.

Yougundharayan

Where is King Vuthsa? where?

His bow hangs there47! his sword48 and arrows lie!

Vasuntha (indifferently)

I know not49.

Alurca

Know not!50 Thou wast with him!51

Vasuntha

No.52

He sent me from him. I think he’s travelling53

To Shiva in Avunthie.

Alurca

And thou laugh’st?

Untimely jester!

Yougundharayan

Impetuously pursue!

The forest ways and mountain openings flood

That flee to Avunthie. They can yet be seized.54

Vasuntha

Hear first king Vuthsa’s message and command55:

“Whatever seeks me from Fate, man or beast,

Let not war sound without thy prince’s leave.

Vuthsa will rescue Vuthsa.”

Roomunwath

Jestest thou yet56,

Or was this madness? or careless levity?

Yougundharayan

See how the lion’s cub breaks out, Roomunwath57,

Whom we so guarded in58 our close59 control,

To measure with the large and dangerous60 world

The bounding rapture of his youth and force.

He throws himself into his foeman’s lair

Alone and scorning every aid. I guess

His purpose, but it’s rash, it’s rash. What if61

He62 failed? This boy and iron Mahasegn!

And yet we must63 obey.

Roomunwath

He is not yet64

Beyond the borders. But we’ll seek him out

Armed in Avunthie. To the border speed!

They may be seized before they cross it still.

All depart in a tumult of haste except Yougundharayan and Alurca.65

Yougundharayan

It will be vain. At least my spies shall pierce66

Their inmost chambers, even in his prison

My help be near.

Scene III

Avunthie, a wooded67 hill-side overlooking the plain.
Gopalaca in a chariot with Vuthsa; armed men surround them.68

Gopalaca

Arrest our wheels. Those are our army’s lights

That climb to us like fireflies from the plain.

Vuthsa (awakened from sleep)

Is this Avunthie?

Gopalaca

We have passed her bounds.

Vuthsa

So, thou dear traitor, this thou from the first

Cam’st planning?

Gopalaca

This and more for which it was done.69

Vuthsa

Thou bearst me to thy father’s house70?

Gopalaca

Where thou

Shalt lie a jewel guarded carefully

Close to71 the dearest treasures of our house,

Nor all Yougundharayan’s wiles prevail72

To take thee from our guard.

Vuthsa

I must be cooped,73

It seems, and guarded in a golden cage,74

As I was watched o’er in Cowsambie once.75

So76 all men think77 to do their will with me.

But now I warn you all that I will have

My freedom and will do my own dear will

By fraud or violence greater than your own.

Gopalaca

Thou never!78 If thou hadst thy bow indeed!

Vuthsa

Thou hadst me for the taking. I will break out79

As80 easily.

Gopalaca

Thou shalt find the evasion hard81,

Such keepers shall enring thy steps.

Vuthsa

But I will,

And carry with me something costlier far

Than what thou stealest from Cowsambie’s realm.

For I will have revenge.

Gopalaca

No wealth we have

More precious than the thing I seize today.

Therefore thy boast is vain.

Vuthsa

That I will see.

Vicurna passes82.

Was’t83 not thy brother rode behind our car?

He passes now; call him.

Gopalaca

Vicurna, here!

Vuthsa

Come near, embrace me, brother of Gopalaca,

Loved for his sake, now84 for thy own desired

Since I beheld thee, son of Mahasegn.

Vicurna

Vuthsa Udayan, in the battle’s front

I had hoped to meet thee and compel thy praise

As half thy equal in the fight. But this

Is nearer, this is better.

Vuthsa

Thou art fair to see.

Thy father has two noble sons. Are there

No others of your great upspringing stock?

Gopalaca

Only a sister.

Vuthsa

The world has heard of her.

Gopalaca

Thou shalt behold.

Vuthsa

Oh, then, it is all85 gain

That awaits me in86 Avunthie. O the night

With all her glorious stars and from the trees

Millions of shrill cigalas peal one note,

A thunderous melody! Shall we be soon

In the golden city? But it will be night

And I shall hardly see her famous fanes.

Gopalaca

Dawn will have passed overtaking87 in her skies

Our88 chariots long before Ujjayinie’s seen.

The89 vanguard nears; make haste to join with them90.

Roomunwath’s cohorts should tread close behind.

Vuthsa

They will not come. My fate must ride with me

Unhindered to Ujjayinie91.

Gopalaca

Captains, march.92

Spur towards93 my father swift-hooved94 messengers95

To cry aloud to him the prize we bring.

Shiva has smiled on us.

Vuthsa

Vishnu on me.

Vicurna, mount by us and talk to me.96

Curtain

Act Three

Avunthie; in the palace.

Scene I

A room in the royal apartments.
Mahasegn, Ungarica.

Mahasegn

I conquer still though not with glorious arms.

He’s seized! the young victorious Vuthsa’s mine,

A prisoner in my hands97.

Ungarica (laughing)

Thou holdst the sun

Under thy armpit as the tailed god did.

What wilt thou do with it?

Mahasegn

Make it98 my moon

And shine by him upon the eastern night.

Ungarica

Thou canst?

Mahasegn

Loved sceptic of my house, I can.

Have I not done all things I longed for yet99

Since out of thy dim world I dragged thee alarmed100

Into our sun and breeze and azure skies

By force, my fortune?

Ungarica

Yes, by force; but here101

By force it was102 not done. Wilt thou depart

From thy own nature, Chunda Mahasegn,

And hop’st for victory?

Mahasegn

Thou art103 my strength, my fortune,

But not104 my counsellor105.

Ungarica

No, I106 obey and watch.

It107 is enough for me in your strange world.

For by108 your light I cannot guide myself.

Man is a creature, blinded by the sun,

Who errs by vision109; but the world to110 you

That’s111 darkness, they who walk there, they have sight.

Such am I; for the shades have reared my soul.

Mahasegn

What dost thou see?

Ungarica

That Vuthsa is too great

For thy greatness, too cunning for thy cunning; he

Will bend not to thy pressure.

Mahasegn

Thou hast bent,

The Titaness! this is a tender112 boy

As soft as113 summer dews or as114 the lily

That yields to every gentle pushing115 wave.

A hero? yes; all Aryan boys are that.

Ungarica

Thy daughter, Vasavadutta, is the wave116

That shall o’erflow this lily!

Mahasegn

Thou hast seen?117

Ungarica

’Tis118 good; it is the thing my heart desires.

My daughter shall have empire.

Mahasegn

No, thy son.

Ungarica

No matter which. The first man of the age

Will occupy her heart; the pride and love

That are her faults will both be satisfied.

She will be happy.

Mahasegn

Call her here119, my queen.

She shall be taught the thing she has to do.120

Ungarica

Her heart will teach her121. Veena, call to me122

The princess.

Mahasegn

Oh123, the heart, it is a danger,

A madness. Let the thinking mind prevail.

Ungarica

We’re124 women, king.

Mahasegn

No,125 princesses. My daughter

Has dignity, pride, wisdom, noble hopes.

She will not act as common natures do.

Ungarica

Love will unseat them all and put them down

Under his flower-soft feet.

Mahasegn

Thou hast chosen ever126

To oppose my thoughts.

Ungarica

It127 is their128 poor revenge

Who in their129 acts must needs obey. Thy lesson, King!130

Vasavadutta enters and bows down to her parents.131

Let royal wisdom teach a woman’s brain132

To use for statecraft’s ends her dearest thoughts.

Mahasegn

My daughter, Vasavadutta, my delight,

Now is thy hour to pay the long dear debt

Thou ow’st thy parents from133 whom thou wast made.

Hear me; thy brain is quick, will understand.134

Vuthsa, Cowsambie’s king, my rival, foe,

My fate’s high stumbling-block, captive today

Comes135 to Avunthie. I mean that he136 shall be137

Thy husband, Vasavadutta, and thy138 slave.

By thee he must139 become, who now resists,140

My vassal even as other monarchs are.141

Then shall thy father’s fates o’erleap their142 bounds,

Then rule thy house, thy nation all this earth!143

This is my will; my daughter, is it thine?

Vasavadutta

Father, thy will is mine, even as ’tis144 fate’s.

Thou givest me to whom thou wilt; what share

In this have I but145 only to obey?

Mahasegn

A greater part that146 makes thee my ally

And golden instrument; for without thee147

I have no hold on Vuthsa. Thou, my child148,

Must be the chain to bind him to my throne,149

Thou my ambassador to win his mind

And thou my viceroy over his subject will.

Vasavadutta

Will he submit to this?

Mahasegn

Yes, if thou choose.

Vasavadutta

I choose, my father, since it is thy will.

That thou shouldst rule the world is all my wish,150

My nation’s greatness is my dearest good.

Mahasegn

Thou hast kept my dearest151 lessons; lose them not.

O thou art not as common152 natures are;

Thou wilt not put thy own ambitions first,

Nor justify a blind and clamorous heart.

Vasavadutta

My duty to my country and my sire

Shall rule153 me.

Mahasegn

I’ll154 not teach thy woman’s tact155

How it should156 mould this youth nor warn thy will

Against the passions of the blood. The heart

And senses over common women rule;

Thou hast a mind.

Vasavadutta

Father, this is my pride,

That thou ennoblest me to be an157 engine

Of thy great fortunes; that alone I am.

Mahasegn

Thou wilt not yield then to the heart’s desire?

Vasavadutta

Let him desire, but I will nothing yield.

I am thy daughter; greatest kings should sue

And take my grace as an unhoped-for joy.

Mahasegn

Thou art my pupil; statecraft was not wasted

Upon thy listening brain. Thou seest, my queen?

Ungarica

Thou hast made thy treaty with thy daughter, King?158

As if this babe could understand! Go, go

And leave me with my child. For I159 will speak to her

Another language.

Mahasegn

But160 no breath against

My purpose.

Ungarica

Fearest161 thou that?

Mahasegn

No; speak to her.

He goes out from the chamber.

Ungarica (drawing162 Vasavadutta into her arms)

Rest here, my child, to whom another bosom

Will soon be refuge. Thou hast heard the King,

Hear now thy mother. Thou wilt know, my bliss,

The fiercest sweet ordeal that can seize

A woman’s heart and body. O my child,

Thou wilt house fire, thou wilt see living gods;

And all thou hast thought and known will melt away

Into a flame and be reborn. What now

I speak, thou dost not understand, but wilt

Before many nights have kept thy sleepless eyes.

My child, the flower blooms for its flowerhood only163

And not to make its parent bed more high.

Not for thy sire thy mother brought thee forth,

But thy dear164 nature’s growth and heart’s delight

And for a husband and for children born.

My child, let him who clasps thee be thy god

That thou mayst be his goddess; let165 your wedded arms

Be heaven;166 let his will be thine and thine

Be his, his happiness thy regal pomp167.

O Vasavadutta, when thy heart awakes

Thou shalt obey thy sovereign heart, nor yield

Allegiance to the clear-eyed selfish gods.

Do now thy father’s will; the god awake

Shall do his own. Yes, tremble and yet fear168

Nothing. Thy169 mother watches over thee, child.

She puts Vasavadutta from her and goes out.170

Vasavadutta

I love her best, but do not understand:

My mind can always grasp my father’s thoughts.

If I must wed, it shall be one I rule.

Vuthsa! Vuthsa Udayan! I have heard

Only a far-flung name. What is the man?

A flame? A flower? High like Gopalaca

Or else some golden fair and soft-eyed youth?

I have a fluttering in my heart to know.

Scene II

The same.
Mahasegn, Ungarica, Gopalaca, Vuthsa.

Gopalaca

King of Avunthie, Chunda Mahasegn,171

Thy will I have performed. Thy dangerous foe,

The boy who rivalled thy ripe victor years

I lay, thy captive, at thy feet.172

Mahasegn

Gopalaca,

Thou hast done well; thou art indeed my son.

Vuthsa, —

Vuthsa

Hail, monarch of the West. We have met

In equal battle; it has pleased me now to173 approach

Thy greatness otherwise.

Mahasegn

Pleased thee, vain youth174!

No, but thy fate indignant that thou strovest175

Against much prouder176 fortunes.

Vuthsa

Think it so.

I am here. What wouldst thou with me, King,177 or wherefore

Hast thou by violence brought me to thy house?

Mahasegn

To adore178 me as sole master, king and lord,179

Assuming my great yoke as all have done

From Indus to the South.

Vuthsa

Thou art in180 error.

Thou hast not great Cowsambie’s monarch here,

But Vuthsa only, Sathaneka’s181 son,

Who sprang from sires divine.

Mahasegn

And where then dwells

Cowsambie’s youthful majesty if not

In thee, its golden vessel?

Vuthsa

Where my throne182

In high Cowsambie stands. Thou shouldst know that.

There is a kingship which exceeds the king;

For Vuthsa unworthy, Vuthsa captive, slain,

This is not captive, this cannot be slain.

It far transcends our petty human forms,

It is a nation’s greatness. That183, O king,

Was once Parikshit184, that185 Urjoona’s seed,

Janamejoya, that186 was Sathaneka187,

That188 Vuthsa; and when Vuthsa is no more,

That189 shall live deathless in a hundred kings.

Mahasegn

Thou speakest like the unripe boy thou seemst,

With thoughts high-winging; grown minds keep to earth’s

More humble sureness and prefer to touch190.

I am content to have thy gracious body here,

This earth of kingship; for with that I deal191

And not with any high and formless192 thought.

Vuthsa

My body! deal with it. It is thy slave

And captive by thy choice, as193 by my own.

What thou canst do with Vuthsa, do, O king.

In nothing will I pledge Cowsambie’s majesty,

But Vuthsa is thy own and194 in thy hands.

Him I defend not from thy iron will.

Mahasegn

My prisoner, thou canst195 not so escape

My purpose.

Vuthsa

I embrace it. If escape

I simply meant196, I should not now be here.

’Tis197 not by bars198 or199 gates I can be bound200.

Mahasegn

But I will give thee other jailors, boy,

Surer than my armed sentries, against whom

Thou dar’st not lift thy helpless hands.

Vuthsa

Find such,

I am content201.

Mahasegn

Humble thy bearing proud!202

Be Vuthsa or be great Cowsambie’s king,

Thou art here my captive only and my slave.203

Vuthsa

I accept thy stern rebuke as I accept

Whatever state the wiser gods provide

And bend my mood and action to their204 thought.

Mahasegn

Vuthsa, thou hast opposed my sovereign will205

Who meant to make all lands my private plot,

Fields for my royal tilling. Thou hast fought

And that by war I could not tame thee, hold

As thy most unexampled glory. Now

My proud resistless fortune brings thee here;

Thou must, young hero, brook enslaved my will.

Thou knowst the law; whoever offers empire

A sacrifice to the high-seated gods,

Him must his subject kings as menials serve;

And this compelled have many proud lords done

Whose high beginnings disappear in Time.

But now I will make all my royal days

A high continual solemn sacrifice of kingship.

Thee, who art Bharuth’s heir, a high-throned son

Of emperors and my equal in the world,

All thy long time I will superbly keep

Ornament and emblem of my arrogant greatness,

A royal serf of my proud house. Thee, Vuthsa,

As fitting thy yet tender years, I make

My daughter’s servant, by her handmaidens

Guarded, thy jailors firm whose gracious cordon

Not even thy courage can transgress. To this

Dost thou consent?

Vuthsa

Not only I consent206,

But welcome with a proud aspiring mind,

Since to be Vasavadutta’s servitor

Is honour, happiness and fortune’s grace.

My greatness this shall raise, not cast it down,

King Mahasegn.

Mahasegn

Lead then207, Gopalaca,

My208 gift, this captive209, to thy sister’s feet.

He has a music that desires the gods210,

A211 brush that outdoes212 Nature and a213 song

The luminous choristers of heaven have taught.

All this she can command or she can take;214

For all he has, is hers. Thou smilest, boy?

Vuthsa

What thou hast said is simply215 truth. And yet

I smiled to see how strong and arrogant minds

Dream216 themselves masters of the things they do.

Gopalaca and Vuthsa go out by a door leading inward to Vasavadutta’s apartments.217

Mahasegn

’Tis only a218 charming boy, Ungarica,

Who vaunts and yields!

Ungarica

What he has shown thee, King,

Thou seest.

Mahasegn

Wilt thou lend next this graceful child,

Almost a girl in beauty, thoughts profound

And practised subtleties? I have done well,

Was deeply inspired.

He goes from the chamber towards the outer palace.219

Ungarica (looking after him)220

For him thou hast and her221.

Our own ends seeking Heaven’s ends we serve222.

Scene III

A room in Vasavadutta’s apartment223.
Vasavadutta, Munjoolica, Umba.

Vasavadutta

Thou hast224 seen him?

Munjoolica

Yes.

Vasavadutta

Then speak, thou225 perverse silence,

Thou canst chatter when thou wilt.

Munjoolica

What shall I say

Except that thou art always fortunate

Since first thy soft feet moved upon our earth,226

O living Luxmie, beauty, wealth and joy

Run overpacked into thy days, and grandeurs

Unmeasured. Now the greatest king on earth

Is given227 thy servant.

Vasavadutta

That’s the greatest king’s

High228 fortune and not mine. For nothing now

Can raise me higher than I am whose father

Is sovereign over greatest kings. Nothing are these

And what I long to know thou wilt229 not tell.

What is he like?

Munjoolica

I have seen the god230 of love

Wearing a golden human body.

Vasavadutta (with a pleased smile)

So fair?

Munjoolica

As thou art and even more231.

Vasavadutta

More!

Munjoolica

Cry not out.

His eyes are proud and smiling like the gods’,

His voice is like the sudden call of Spring.

Vasavadutta

O dear to me even as myself, wear this.

She puts her own chain round her neck.

Munjoolica

That is my happiness; keep thy gifts.

Vasavadutta

Think them

My love around thy neck. Thou hast seen232 truly?

It was not spoken233 to beguile my mind234?

Then tell me all you saw there,235 dearest one;

Not that these things I care for236, but would know.

Munjoolica (showing Gopalaca and Vuthsa who enter)237

Let thy eyes care not then, yet see238.

Vasavadutta239

My brother,

Long wast thou240 far from me.

Gopalaca

For thy sake I was far241.

Much have I flung, my sister, at thy feet

Nor thought my gifts were worthy of thy smile,

Not even Sourashtra’s conquered242 daughter here,

But243 now I give indeed. This is that famous244

Vuthsa Udayan, great Cowsambie’s king,

Brought here by me245 to serve thee as thy slave246,

Thy royal serf, musician, singer, page.247

Look on him, tell me if I have deserved.

Vasavadutta248

Much love, dear brother, not that any prize

I value as of worth for such as we,

But thy love gives it price.

Gopalaca

My love for both.

My gift is precious to me, for my heart

Possessed him long before my hands have seized.

Then love him well, for so thou lov’st me twice.

Vasavadutta (looking covertly at Vuthsa)249

Although my slave, dear then and prized.250

Gopalaca

Are we not all

Thy servants? The wide costly world is less,

My sister, than thy noble charm and grace

And beauty and the sweetness of thy soul

Deserve, O Vasavadutta.

Vasavadutta251

Is it so?

Gopalaca

My sister, thou wast born from Luxmie’s heart.

And we thy brothers feel in thee, not us,

Our father’s lordly star inherited252

And in253 thy girdle all the conquered earth.

Vasavadutta

I know it, brother.

Gopalaca

From thy childhood, yes,

Thou seemdst to know, thou heldst rule carelessly;254

But since thou knowest, queen, assume thy fiefs,

Cowsambie and Ayodhya, for thy255 house!

Vasavadutta (glancing at Vuthsa and256 avoiding his gaze257)

Since he’s my slave, they are already mine.

Gopalaca

Nay258, understand me, sister: make them thine.

Thou, Vuthsa, serve thy mistress and obey.

He goes out.

Vasavadutta

He is a boy, a golden marvellous259 boy.

I am surely older! I can play with him.

There is no fear, no difficulty at all.

(to Vuthsa)

What is thy name? I’ll hear it from thy lips.

Vuthsa

Vuthsa.

Vasavadutta

Thou shudderest260, Vuthsa; dost thou fear?

Vuthsa

Perhaps; there is a fear in too much joy.

Vasavadutta (smiling)

I did not hear. My brother loves thee well.

Take comfort. If thou serve me faithfully,

Thou hast no cause for any grief at all.

Thou art Cowsambie’s king, —

Vuthsa

Men call me so.

Vasavadutta

And now my servant.

Vuthsa

That my heart repeats.

Vasavadutta (smiling)

I did not hear. Cowsambie’s king, my slave,

What canst thou do to please me?

Vuthsa

Dost thou choose

To know the songs that shake the tranquil gods

Or hear on earth the harps of heaven? dost thou

Desire the line and hue261 of living truth

That makes262 earth’s shadows pale? or wilt thou have

The infinite abysmal silences

Made vocal, clothed with form? These things at birth

The Kinnarie, Vidyadhar263 and Gundharva264

Around me crowding on Himaloy dumb

Gave to the silent god that smiled265 in me

Before my outer mind held thought. All these

I can make thine.

Vasavadutta

Vuthsa, I take all these,

All thy life’s ornaments that thou wearst, for mine

And am not satisfied.

Vuthsa

Dost thou desire

The earth made thine by my victorious bow?

Send me then forth to battle; earth is thine.

Vasavadutta

I take the earth and am not satisfied.

Vuthsa

Say thou266 what thing shall please thee in thy slave,

What thou desir’st from Vuthsa?

Vasavadutta

Do I know?

Not less than all thou hast267 and all thou canst268

And269 all thou art.

Vuthsa

All’s thine.

Vasavadutta

I speak and hear,

And know not what I say nor what thou meanst.

Vuthsa

The deepest things are those thought seizes not;

Our spirits live their hidden meaning out.

Vasavadutta (after a troubled silence in which she tries to recover herself)

I know not how we passed into this strain.

Such words are troubling to the mind and heart;

Leave them.

Vuthsa

They have been spoken.

Vasavadutta

Let them rest.

Vuthsa, my slave, who promisest me much,

Great things thou offerest, small things I’ll demand

From thee, yet hard. Since he’s my prisoner,

Munjoolica and Umba, guard this boy;

You are his jailors. When I have need of him,270

Then bring271 him to me. Go, Vuthsa, to thy room.

Vuthsa makes an obeisance and touches her feet.272

What dost thou? It is not permitted thee.

Vuthsa (letting his touch linger)273

Not this? ’Tis274 hard.

Vasavadutta (troubled275)

Thou art too bold a slave.

Vuthsa

Let me be earth beneath thy tread at least.

Vasavadutta

Oh276, take him from me; I have enough of him!

Thou, Umba, see he bribes thee not or worse.

Umba

I will be bribed to make thee smart for that.

Where shall we put him? In the tower-room277

Closing278 the terrace where thou walkst when moonlight

Sleeps on the sward?

Vasavadutta

There; ’tis the279 nearest.

Umba (taking Vuthsa’s hand)

Come.

They go out with Vuthsa280.

Vasavadutta

Will he charm me from my purpose with a smile?

How beautiful he is, how beautiful!

There is a fear, there is a happy fear.

But he is mine, his eyes confessed my sway281;

Surely I shall do all my will with him.

I sent him from me, for his282 words troubled me

And still283 delighted. They have a witchery, —

No, not his words, but voice. ’Tis not his voice,

Nor yet his smile, his face284, his flower-soft eyes

And yet it is all these and something more.

(shaking her head)

I fear it will be difficult after all.

Scene IV

The tower-room beside the terrace.
Vuthsa on a couch.

Vuthsa

All that I dreamed or heard of her, her charm

Exceeds. She’s mine! she has shuddered at my touch;

Thrice her eyes faltered as they gazed in mine.

He lies back with closed eyes;

Munjoolica enters and contemplates him.

Munjoolica

O golden Love! thou art not of this earth.

He too is Vasavadutta’s! All is hers,

As I am now and one day all the earth.

Vuthsa, thou sleep’st285 not, then.

Vuthsa

Sleep jealous waits

Finding another image in my eyes.

Munjoolica

Thou art disobedient. Wast thou not commanded

To sleep at once?

Vuthsa

Sleep disobeys, not I.

But thou too wakest, yet no thoughts should have

To keep thy lids apart.

Munjoolica

How knowst thou that?

I am thy jailor and I walk my rounds.

Vuthsa

Bright jailor, thou art jealous without cause.

Who would escape from heaven’s golden bars?

Thy name is286 Munjoolica? so is thy form

A bower of the graceful things of earth.

Munjoolica

I had another name but it has ceased,

Forgotten.

Vuthsa

Thou wast then Sourashtra’s child?

Munjoolica

I am still that royalty clouded, even as thou art287

Captive Cowsambie. Me Gopalaca

In battle seized, brought a disdainful gift

To Vasavadutta.

Vuthsa

Since our fates are one,

Should we not be allies?

Munjoolica

For what bold purpose?

Vuthsa

How knowest thou I have one?

Munjoolica

Were I a man!

Vuthsa

Wouldst thou have freedom? wilt thou give me help?

Munjoolica

In nothing against her I love and serve.

Vuthsa

No, but conspire to serve and love her best

And make her queen of all the Aryan earth.

Munjoolica

My payment?

Vuthsa

Name it thyself, when all is ours.

Munjoolica

Content; it will be large.

Vuthsa

However large.

Munjoolica

Now shall I be avenged upon my fate.

I know what thy heart asks;288 too openly

Thou carriest the yearning in thy eyes.

Vuthsa, she loves thee as the half-closed bud

Thrills to the advent of a wonderful dawn

And like a dreamer half-awake perceives

The faint beginnings of a sunlit world.

Doubt not success more than that dawn must break;

For she is thine.

Vuthsa

Take my heart’s gratitude

For the sweet assurance.

Munjoolica

I am greedy. Only

Thy gratitude?

Vuthsa

What wouldst thou have?

Munjoolica

The ring

Upon thy finger, Vuthsa, for my own.

Vuthsa (putting it on her finger)

It shall live happier on a fairer hand.

Munjoolica

Since thou hast paid me instantly and well,

I will be zealous, Vuthsa, in thy cause.

But my great bribe is in the future still.

Vuthsa

Claim it in our Cowsambie.

Munjoolica

There indeed.

Sleep now.

Vuthsa

By thy good help I now shall sleep.

Munjoolica goes out.

Music is sweet; to rule the heart’s rich chords

Of human lyres much sweeter. Art’s sublime

But to combine great ends more sovereign still,

Accepting danger and difficulty to break

Through proud and violent opposites to our will.

Song is divine, but more divine is love.

Scene V

A room in Vasavadutta’s apartments.

Vasavadutta

I govern no longer what I speak and do.

Is this the fire my mother spoke of? Oh,

It is sweet, it is289 sweet. But I will not be mastered

By any equal creature. Let him serve

Obediently and I will load his lovely head

With costliest favours. He’s my own, my own,

My slave, my toy to play with as I choose,

And shall not dare to play with me. I think he dares;

I do not know, I think he would presume.

He’s gentle, brilliant, bold and beautiful.

I’ll send for him and chide and put him down,

I’ll chide him harshly; he must not presume.

O, I have forgotten almost my father’s will,

Yet it was mine. Before I lose it quite,

I will compel a promise from the boy.

Will it be hard when he is all my own?

(she calls)

Umba! Bring Vuthsa to me from his tower.

His music is a voice that cries to me,

His songs are chains he hangs around my heart.

I must not hear them often; I forget

That I am Vasavadutta, that he is

My house’s foe, and only Vuthsa feel,

Think Vuthsa only, while my captive heart

Beats in world-Vuthsa and on Vuthsa throbs.

This must not be.

Umba brings in Vuthsa and retires.

Go, Umba. Vuthsa, stand

Before me.

Vuthsa

It is my sovereign’s voice that speaks.

Vasavadutta

Be silent! Lower thy eyes; they are too bold

To gaze on me, my slave.

Vuthsa

Blame not my eyes,

They follow the dumb motion of a heart

Uplifted to adore thee.

Vasavadutta (with a shaken voice)

Dost thou really

Adore me, Vuthsa?

Vuthsa

Earth’s one goddess, yes.

Vasavadutta (mildly)

But, Vuthsa, men adore with humble eyes

Upon their deity’s feet.

Vuthsa

Oh, let me so

Adore thee then, thus humble at thy feet,

Their sleeping moonbeams in my eyes, and place

My hands in Paradise beneath these flowers

That bless too oft the chill unheeding earth.

Let this not be forbidden to thy slave.

So let me worship, and the carolling of thy speech

So listen.

Vasavadutta

Vuthsa, thou must not presume.

Vuthsa

O even when faint thy voice, thy every word

Reaches my soul.

Vasavadutta

Wilt thou not let me free?

Vuthsa

Yes, if thou bid; but do not.

Vasavadutta (bending down to caress his hair)

If really

And as my slave thou adorest, nothing more,

I will not bid.

Vuthsa

What more, when this means all.

Vasavadutta

But if thou serve me290, is not all thou hast

Mine, mine? Why dost thou, Vuthsa, keep from me

My own?

Vuthsa

Take all; claim all.

Vasavadutta (collecting herself)

Cowsambie first.

Vuthsa

It shall be thine, a jewel for thy feet.

Vasavadutta

Thy kingdom, Vuthsa, for my will to rule.

Vuthsa

It shall be thine, the garden of thy pomp.

Vasavadutta

Shall?

Vuthsa

Is it not far? We must go there, my queen,

Thou to receive and I to give.

Vasavadutta

I wish

To be there. But, Udayan, thou must vow,

And the word bind thee, that none else shall be

Cowsambie’s queen and thou my servant live

Vowed to obedience underneath my throne.

Vuthsa

Thou only shalt be over my heart a queen,

Yes, if thou wilt, the despot of my thoughts,

My hopes, my aims, but I will not obey

If thou command disloyalty to thee,

My sweet, sole sovereign.

Vasavadutta (smiling)

This reserve I yield.

(hesitatingly)

But Vuthsa, if as subject of my sire,

High Chunda Mahasegn, I bid thee rule?

Vuthsa

My queen, it will be void.

Vasavadutta

Void? And thy vow?

Vuthsa

Would it not be disloyalty in me

To serve another sovereign?

Vasavadutta (vexed, yet pleased)

O, thou play’st with me.

Vuthsa

No, queen. What’s wholly mine, that wholly take.

But this belongs to many other souls.

Vasavadutta

To whom?

Vuthsa

Their names are endless. Bharuth first

Who ruled the Aryan earth that bears his name,

And great Dushyanta and Pururavus’

Famed warlike son and all their peerless line,

Urjoona and Parikshit291 and his sons

Whom God descended to enthrone, and all

Who shall come after us, my heirs and thine

Who choosest me, and a great nation’s multitudes,

And the Kuru ancestors and long posterity

Who all must give consent.

Vasavadutta

Thy thoughts are high.

But if thy life must find292 a prison293 here?

My father is inflexible and stern.

Vuthsa

Dost thou desire this really in thy heart?

Vuthsa diminished294, art thou not diminished295 too?

Vasavadutta

My rule thou hast vowed?

Vuthsa

To obey thee in all things

Throned in Cowsambie, not as here I must,

Thy father’s captive. There I shall be thine.

Vasavadutta

Leave, Vuthsa, leave me. Take him, Umba, from me.

Umba (entering, in Vasavadutta’s ear)

Who now is bribed? We are all traitors now.

She goes out with Vuthsa.

Vasavadutta

O joy, if he and all were only mine.

O greatness to be queen of him and earth.

I grow a rebel to my father’s house.

Curtain

Act Four

Scene I

A room in the royal apartments.
Ungarica, Vasavadutta.

Ungarica

Thou singest well; a cry of Vuthsa’s art

Has stolen into thy song.

She takes Vasavadutta on her lap.

Look up at me,

My daughter, let me gaze into thy eyes

And from their silence learn thy treasured thoughts.

Thou knowest I can read ’twixt human lids

The secrets of the throbbing heart? I search

In Vasavadutta’s eyes by what strange skill

Vuthsa has crept into my daughter’s voice.

Thou keepst thy lashes lowered? thou wilt not let me look?

But that too I can read.

Vasavadutta

O mother, mother mine,

Plague me not; thou know’st all things; comfort me.

Ungarica

Thou needest comfort?

Vasavadutta

Yes, against myself

Who trouble my own heart.

Ungarica

Why? though I know.

Thou wilt not speak? I’ll speak then for thee.

Vasavadutta alarmed puts her hand

over Ungarica’s mouth.

Off!

It is because thou canst not here control

What thy immortal part with rapture wills

And the mortal longingly desires; for yet

Thy proud heart cannot find the way to yield.

Vasavadutta

If thou knew’st, mother.

Ungarica

No, thou hast the will

But not the art, Love’s learner. O my proud

Sweet ignorance, ’tis he shall find the way

And thou shalt know the joy of being forced

To what thy heart desires. Is it enough?296

Vasavadutta

O mother!

She hides her face in Ungarica’s bosom.

Ungarica

Thou hast done thy father’s will?

Thy husband shall be vassal to thy sire?

Vasavadutta

Have I a father or a house? O none,

O none, O none exists but only he.

Ungarica

Let none exist for thee but the dear all thou lov’st.

I charge thee, Vasavadutta, when thou rul’st

In far Cowsambie, let this be thy reign

To heap on him delight and seek his good.

Raise his high fortunes, shelter from grief his heart,

Even with thy own tears buy his joy and peace,

Nor let one clamorous thought of self revolt

Against him.

Vasavadutta

Mother, thou canst see my heart;

Is this not there? Can it do otherwise,

Being thus conquered, even if it willed?

Ungarica

Child, ’tis my care to give thy heart a voice

And bind it to its nobler loving self.

Let this be now thy pride.

Vasavadutta

It is, it is.

But, mother, it is very sweet to rule,

And if I rule him for his good, not mine?

Ungarica

Thou canst not be corrected! Queenling, rule.

Go now; thy brother comes.

Vasavadutta escapes towards her own apartments;

Vicurna enters from the outer door.

Why is thy brow

A darkness?

Vicurna

Wherefore was King Vuthsa brought

Into Ujjayinie297? why is captive kept?

Ungarica

Thy father’s will, who knows?

Vicurna

But I would know.

Ungarica

Him ask.

Vicurna (taking her face between his hands)

I ask thee; thou must answer.

Ungarica

To wed

Thy sister.

Vicurna

Let him wed and be released.

Our fame is smirched; the city murmurs. War

Threatens from Vuthsa’s nation and our cause

Is evil.

Ungarica

Wedding her he must consent

To be our vassal.

Vicurna

Thus are vassals made?

Thus empires built? This is a shameful thing.

Release him first, then with proud war subdue.

Ungarica

Thou knowest thy father’s stern, unbending will

Whom we must all obey.

Vicurna

Not I, or not

In evil things.

Ungarica

Respect thy father! He

Will not, unsatisfied, release his foe.

Demand not this.

Vicurna

I will release him then.

Ungarica

Him by what right who is thy house’s peril?

Vicurna

He is a hero and he is my friend.

Ungarica

Didst thou not help to bring him captive here?

Vicurna

For Vasavadutta. I will bear them both

Out from the city in my chariot far

Into the freedom of the hills. I will hew down

All who oppose me.

Ungarica

Rash and violent boy,

So wilt thou make bad worse. Await the hour

When Vuthsa shall himself demand thy aid.

Vicurna

The hour will come?

Ungarica

He will be free.

Vicurna

Then soon,

Or I myself will act.

He goes out.

Ungarica

This too is well

And most that the proud chivalries of old

Are not yet dead in all men’s hearts. O God

Shiva, thou mak’st me fortunate in my sons.

Scene II

Vasavadutta’s chamber.
Vuthsa, Vasavadutta.

Vuthsa

Thy hands have yet no cunning with the strings.

’Tis not the touch alone but manner of the touch

That calls the murmuring spirit forth, — as thus.

Vasavadutta

I cannot manage it; my hand rebels.

Vuthsa

I will compel it then.

He takes her hand in his.

Thou dost not chide.

Vasavadutta

I am weary of chiding; and how rule a boy

Who takes delight in being chidden? And then

’Twas only my hand. What dost thou?

Vuthsa takes her by the arms and

draws her towards him.

Vuthsa

What thy eyes

Commanded me and what for many days

My heart has clamoured for in hungry pain.

Vasavadutta

Presumptuous! wilt thou not immediately

Release me?

Vuthsa

Not till thy heart’s will is done.

He draws her down on his knees, resisting.

Vasavadutta

What will? I did not bid. What will? Vuthsa!

Vuthsa! I did not bid. This is not well.

He masters her and holds her on his bosom.

Her head falls on his shoulder.

Vuthsa

O my desire, why should we still deny

Delight that calls to us? Strive not with joy,

But yield me the sweet mortal privilege

That makes me equal with the happiest god

In all the heavens of fulfilled desire.

O on thy sweet averted cheek! My queen,

My wilful empress, all in vain thou striv’st

To keep from me the treasure of thy lips

I have deserved so long.

Vasavadutta

Vuthsa! Vuthsa!

He forces her lips up to his and kisses her.

Vuthsa

O honey of thy mouth! The joy, the joy

Was sweeter. I have drunk in heaven at last,

Let what will happen.

Vasavadutta escapes and stands

quivering at a distance.

Vasavadutta

Stand there! approach me not.

Vuthsa

I thought ’twould be enough for many ages;

But ’tis not so.

Vasavadutta

Go from me, seek thy room.

Vuthsa

Have I so much offended? I will go.

He pretends to go.

Vasavadutta

Vuthsa, I am not angry; do not go.

Sit; I must chide thee. Was this well to abuse

My kindness, to mistake indulgence? — No,

I am not angry; thou art only a boy.

I have permitted thee to love because

Thou saidst thou couldst not help it. This again

Thou must not do, — not thus.

Vuthsa

Then teach me how.

Vasavadutta (with a troubled smile)

I never had so importunate a slave.

I must think out some punishment for thee.

She comes to him suddenly, takes him to her

bosom and kisses him with passion.

Vuthsa

O if ’tis this, I will again offend.

She clings to him, kisses him again,

then puts him away from her.

Vasavadutta

Go from me, go. Wilt thou not go? Munjoolica!

Vuthsa

She is not here to help thee against thy heart.

But I will go; thou willst it.

Vasavadutta

Wilt thou leave me?

Vuthsa

Never! thus, thus into my bosom grow,

O Vasavadutta.

Vasavadutta

O my happiness!

O Vuthsa, only name that’s sweet on earth

I have murmured to the silence of the hours,

Give me delight, let me endure thy clasp

For ever. O loveliest head on all the earth!

Vuthsa

If we could thus remain through many ages,

Nor Time grow weary ever of such bliss,

O Vasavadutta!

Vasavadutta

I have loved thee always

Even when I knew it not. Was’t not the love

Secret between us, drew thee here by force,

Vuthsa?

Vuthsa

Thou wilt not now refuse thy lips?

Vasavadutta

Nothing to thee.

Vuthsa

Yes, thou shalt be my queen

Surrendered henceforth, I thy slave enthroned.

Give me the largess of thyself that I may be

The constant vassal of thy tyrant eyes

And captive of thy beauty all my days

And homage pay to thy sweet sovereign soul.

Thus, thus accept me.

Vasavadutta

I accept, my king,

Thy service and thy homage and thy love.

If in return the bounty of myself

I lavish on thee, will it be enough?

Can it hold thy life as thou wilt fill all mine?

Vuthsa

Weave thyself into morn and noon and eve.

We will not be as man and woman are

Who are with partial oneness satisfied,

Divided in our works, but one large soul

Parted in two dear bodies for more bliss.

For all my occupations thou shalt rule,

And those that take me from thy blissful shadow

Still with thy sweet remembrance shall inspired

Be done by thee.

Vasavadutta

If thy heart strays from me, —

Vuthsa

Never my heart...

Vasavadutta

If thy eyes stray from me,

O Vuthsa, —

Vuthsa

If I view all beautiful things

With natural delight, thou wilt pardon that,

Because thou wilt share the joy.

Vasavadutta

Then must I find

Thy beauty there.

Vuthsa

Tonight, my love, my love,

Shall we not linger heart on heart tonight?

Vasavadutta

Ah, Vuthsa, no.

Vuthsa

Does not thy heart cry, yes?

Are we not wedded? Shall we dally, love,

Upon heaven’s outskirts, nor all Paradise

This hour compel?

Vasavadutta (faintly)

Munjoolica!

Vuthsa

Beloved, thy eyes

Beseech me to overcome thee with my will.

Munjoolica entering Vuthsa releases Vasavadutta.

Munjoolica

Princess!

Vasavadutta

Munjoolica! Why camest thou?

Munjoolica

Calledst298 thou not?

Vasavadutta

’Tis forgotten. Oh, I remember.

’Twas to lead Vuthsa to his prison. (low) Smile,

And I will beat thee! It was all thy fault.

Munjoolica

Oh, very little. Come, the hour is late;

The Princess’ maidens will come trooping in.

Turn not reluctant eyes behind but come.

She takes Vuthsa by both wrists

and leads him out.

Vasavadutta

There is a fire within me and a cry.

My longings have all broken in a flood

And I am the tossed spray! O my desire

That criest for the beauty of his limbs

And to feel all his body with thyself

And lose thy soul in his sweet answering soul,

Wilt thou not all this night be silent? I

Will walk upon the terrace in moonlight;

Perhaps the large, silent night will give me peace

For now ’twere vain to sleep. O in his arms!

His arms about me and the world expunged!

Scene III

The tower-room by the terrace.
Vuthsa asleep on a couch; Munjoolica.

Munjoolica

He sleeps and now to lure my victim here.

You! princess! Vasavadutta!

Vasavadutta (approaching299 at the doorway)

Didst thou call?

Munjoolica

Yes, to come in from moonlight to the moon.

Thou hast never seen him yet asleep.

Vasavadutta

He sleeps!

Munjoolica

His curls are pillowed on one golden arm

Like clouds upon the moon. Wilt thou not see?

Vasavadutta

I dare not. I will stand here and will see.

Munjoolica

Thou shalt not. Either pass or enter in.

Vasavadutta

Thou playst the tyrant? I will stand and see.

Munjoolica (pushing her suddenly in)

In with thee.

Vasavadutta

Munjoolica!

Munjoolica

Hush, wake him not!

She drags her to the couch-side.

Is he not beautiful?

She draws back and after

a moment goes quietly out and

closes the door.

Vasavadutta

Oh, now I feel

My mother’s heart when over me she bowed

Wakeful at midnight! He has never had

Since his strange birth a mother’s, sister’s love.

O sleeping soul of my beloved, hear

My vow that while thy Vasavadutta lives,

Thou shalt not lack again one heart’s desire,

One tender bodily want. All things at once,

Wife, mother, sister, lover, playmate, friend,

Queen, comrade, counsellor I will be to thee.

Self shall not chill my heart with wedded strife,

Nor age nor custom pale my fire of love.

I have that strength in me, the strength to love of gods.

A tress of her hair falls on his

face and awakens300 him.

Vuthsa

O Vasavadutta, thou hast come to me!

Vasavadutta

It was not I! Munjoolica dragged me in.

O where is she? The door!

She hastens to the door and finds

it bolted from outside.

Munjoolica!

What is this jest? I shall be angry. Open.

Munjoolica (outside, solemnly)

Bolted.

Vasavadutta

For pity, sweet Munjoolica!

Munjoolica

I settle my accounts. Be happy. I

Am gone.

Vasavadutta

Go not, go not, Munjoolica.

Vuthsa (coming to her)

She’s gone, the thrice-blessed mischief, and tonight

This happy prison thou gav’st me is thine too.

Goddess! thou art shut in with thy delight.

Why wouldst thou flee then through the doors of heaven?

Vasavadutta

O not tonight! Be patient! I will ask

My father; he will give me as thy wife.

Vuthsa

Thou thinkst I’ll take thee from thy father’s hands

Like a poor Brahmin begging for a dole?

Not so do heroes’ children wed, nor they

Who from the loins of puissant princes sprang.

With the free interchange of looks and hearts

Nobly self-given, heaven for the priest

And the heart’s answers for the holy verse,

They are wedded or by wished-for violence torn

Consenting, yet resisting from the midst

Of many armèd men. So will I wed thee,

O Vasavadutta, so wilt301 bear by force

Out of the house and city of my foes

Breaking through hostile gates. By a long kiss

I’ll seal thy lips that vainly would forbid.

Let thy heart speak instead the word of joy,

O Vasavadutta.

Vasavadutta

Do with me what thou wilt, for I am thine.

Curtain

Act Five

Scene I

A room in Vasavadutta’s apartments.
Vasavadutta, Munjoolica.

Vasavadutta

So thou hast dared to come.

Munjoolica

I have. Thou, dare

To look me in the eyes! Thou canst not. Then?

Vasavadutta

Hast thou no fear of punishment at all?

Munjoolica

For shutting thee in with heaven? none, none at all.

Vasavadutta

How didst thou dare?

Munjoolica

How didst thou dare, proud girl,

To make of kings and princesses thy slaves?

How dare to drag Sourashtra’s daughter here,

To keep her as thy servant and to load

With gifts, caresses, chidings and commands,

The puppet of thy sweet imperious will?

Thinkest302 thou my heart within me was not hot?

But now I am avenged on thee and all.

Vasavadutta

Vindictive traitress, I will beat thee.

Munjoolica

Do

And I will laugh and ask thee of the night.

Vasavadutta

Then take thy chastisement.

She seizes and beats her with the

tassels of her girdle.

Munjoolica

Stop! I’ll bear no more

Art not ashamed to spend thy heart in play

Knowing what thou hast done and what may come?

Think rather of what thou wilt do against

Thy dangerous morrow.

Vasavadutta

See what thou hast done!

How shall I look my father in the eyes?

What speak? What do? my Vuthsa how protect?

Munjoolica

Thy father must not know of this.

Vasavadutta

Thou thinkst

My joy can be shut in from every eye?

Besides thee I have other serving girls.

Munjoolica

None who’ld betray thee. This thing known, his wrath

Would strike thy husband.

Vasavadutta

Me rather. I will throw

My heart and body, twice his shield, between.

Munjoolica

You will be torn apart and Vuthsa penned

In some deep pit or fiercer vengeance taken

To soothe the stern man’s outraged heart.

Vasavadutta

Alas!

Thou hast a brain; give me thy counsel. The ill

Thyself hast done, must thou not remedy?

Munjoolica

If thou entreat me much, I will and can.

Vasavadutta

I shall entreat thee!

Munjoolica

Help thyself, proud child.

Vasavadutta

O, if I have thee at advantage ever!

Stay! I beseech thee, my Munjoolica, —

Munjoolica

More humbly!

Vasavadutta

Oh!

She kneels.

I clasp thy feet, O friend,

In painful earnest I beseech thee now

To think, plan, spend for my sake all thy thought.

Remember how I soothed thy fallen life

Which might have been so hard. O thou my playmate,

Joy, servant, sister who hast always been,

Help me, save him, deceive my father’s wrath,

Then ask from me what huge reward thou wilt.

Munjoolica

Nothing at all. Vengeance is sweet enough

Upon thy father and Gopalaca.

I’m satisfied now. First give me a promise;

Obey me absolutely in all things

Till Vuthsa’s free.

Vasavadutta

I promise. Thou art my guide

And I will walk religiously thy path.

Munjoolica

Then think it done.

Vasavadutta (smiling on Vuthsa who enters)

Vuthsa, I asked not for thee.

Vuthsa

Thou didst. I heard thy heart demand me.

Munjoolica

Hark!

What is this noise and laughter in the court?

See, see, the hunchbacked laughable old man!

What antics!

Vuthsa

Surely I know well those eyes.

Munjoolica, this is a friend. He must

Be brought here to me.

Munjoolica

Princess, let us call him.

It is an admirable buffoon.

Vasavadutta

Fie on thee!

Is this an hour for jest303 and antics?

Munjoolica (looking significantly at her)

Yes.

Vasavadutta

Call him.

Munjoolica

And thou go in.

Vasavadutta

How, in!

Munjoolica

This girl!

Hast thou not promised to obey me?

Vasavadutta

Yes.

She goes in. Munjoolica descends.

Vuthsa

Yougundharayan sends him. O, he strikes

The hour as if a god had planned all out.

This world’s the puppet of a silent Will

Which moves unguessed behind our acts and thoughts;

Events bewildered follow its dim guidance

And flock where they are needed. Is’t not thus,

O Thou, our divine Master, that Thou rulest,

Nor car’st at all because Thy joy and power

Are seated in Thyself beyond the ages?

Munjoolica returns bringing in

Vasuntha disguised.

Who is this ancient shape thou bringest?

Munjoolica

I’ld know

If he has a tongue as famous as his hump

And as preposterous; that to learn I bring him.

Vasuntha

Where is the only lady of the age?

Princes or else domestics, —

Munjoolica

Something, sir, of both.

Vasuntha

O masters then of princes, think not that I scorn

Your prouder royalty; but now if any

Will introduce my hungry old hunchback

To Avunthie’s far-famed paragon of girls,

He shall have tithe of all my golden gains.

Munjoolica

Why not to Avunthie’s governor and a prison,

Yougundharayan’s spy?

Vasuntha (looking at Vuthsa)

What’s this? What’s this?

Munjoolica

Strong tonic for a young old man.

Vuthsa

Speak freely

Thy message; there are only friends who hear.

Vasuntha (to Vuthsa, with a humorous glance at Munjoolica)

Thy hours were not ill-spent. But thou hast nearly

Frightened304 these poor young hairs to real grey,

My sportive lady. Hear now why I crouch

Beneath the hoary burden of this beard

And the insignia of a royal hump, —

And an end to jesting. Vuthsa, in thy city

The people clamour; they besiege thy ministers,

Railing at treason and demanding thee,

Nor can their rage be stilled. Do swiftly then

Whatever thou must do yet, swiftly break forth

Or war will seek thee clamouring round these doors.

To bear thy message back to him I come,

Upon Avunthie’s mountain verge who lurks,

Or else to aid thee if our help thou needest.

Vuthsa

Let him restrain my army forest-screened

Where the thick woodlands weave a border large

To the ochre garment round Avunthie’s loins

Nearest Ujjayinie305. Under the cavern-hill

Of Lokanatha let him lie, but never

Transgress that margin till my chariot comes.

Vasuntha

’Tis all?

Vuthsa

In my own strength all else I’ll do.

Vasuntha

Good, then I go?

Vuthsa

Yes, but with gold, thy fee,

To colour thy going. Bring him gold, dear friend,

Or take from Vasavadutta gem or trinket

That shall bear out his mask to jealous eyes.

Munjoolica goes into the inner chamber.

Vasuntha

Leave that to me.

Vuthsa

Thou hast adventured much

For my sake.

Vasuntha

Poor Alurca cried to come,

But this thing asked for brains and he had only

Blunt courage and a harp. The danger’s nothing,

But oh, this hump! I shall not soon walk straight,

Nor rid myself of all the loyal aches

I bear for thee.

Vuthsa

Pangs fiercer would have chased them,

Hadst thou been caught, my friend. I shall remember.

Munjoolica returns with gold and a trinket.

Take now these gauds; haste, make thy swiftest way,

For I come close behind thee.

Vasuntha goes.

Munjoolica

Tell me thy plan.

Vuthsa

These chambers are too strongly kept.

Munjoolica

But there’s

The pleasure-ground.

Vuthsa

Let Vasavadutta call

Her brothers on an evening to the park

And wine flow fast. The nights are moonlit now.

How many gates?

Munjoolica

Three, but the southern portal

Nearest the ramparts.

Vuthsa

There, how many guard?

Munjoolica

Three armed Kiratha women keep the gate.

Vuthsa

I cannot hurt them. Thou must find a way.

Munjoolica

They shall be drowned in wine. The streets outside?

Vuthsa

A chariot, — find one for me. I cannot fight

With Vasavadutta on my breast.

Munjoolica

I think

That I shall find one.

Vuthsa

Do it. The rest is easy,

To break the keepers of the city-gate

In one fierce moment and be out and far.

There are arms enough in the palace.

Munjoolica

The armoury

I use sometimes.

Vuthsa

Conceal them in the grounds.

No, in the chariot let them wait for me.

Munjoolica

Thou wilt need both thy hands in such a fight.

Vuthsa, I’ll be thy charioteer.

Vuthsa

Thou canst?

Munjoolica

Hope not to find a better in thy realms.

Vuthsa

My battle-comrade then! Words are not needed

Between us.

He goes out.

Munjoolica

More than that before all’s done

I will be to thee. Good fortune makes hard things

Most easy; for the god comes with laden hands.

If the strange word the queen half spoke to me

Means anything, Vicurna’s car shall bear

His sister to her joy and sovereign throne.

Scene II

The pleasure-groves of the palace in Ujjayinie306.
Gopalaca, Vuthsa, Vicurna; at a distance under the trees Ungarica, Vasavadutta and Umba.

Gopalaca

Vuthsa, the wine is singing in my brain,

The moonlight floods my soul. These are the hours

When the veil for eye and ear is almost rent

And we can hear wind-haired Gundharvas307 sing

In a strange luminous ether. Thou art one,

Vuthsa, who has escaped the bars and walks

Smiling and harping to enchanted men.

Vuthsa

It was your earthly moonlight drew me here

And thou, Gopalaca, and Vindhya’s hills

And Vasavadutta. Thou shalt drink with me

In moonlight in Cowsambie.

Gopalaca

Vuthsa, when?

What wild and restless spirit keeps thy feet

Tonight, Vicurna?

Vicurna

’Tis the wine. I wait.

Gopalaca

For what?

Vicurna (with a harsh laugh)

Why, for the wine to do its work.

Gopalaca

Where’s Vasavadutta? Call her to us here.

We are not happy if she walks apart.

Vicurna

There with the mother underneath the trees.

Gopalaca

Call them. Thou, Vuthsa, she and I will drink

One cup of love and pledge our hearts in wine

Never to be parted. Thou deceiv’st the days,

O lax and laggard lover.

Vuthsa

’Tis the last.

Tomorrow lights another scene.

Gopalaca

’Tis good

That thou inclin’st thy heart. My father grows

Stern and impatient. This done, all is well.

Vuthsa

All in this poor world cannot have their will;

Its joys are bounded. I submit, it seems.

Wilt thou incline thy heart, Gopalaca?

Gopalaca

To what?

Vuthsa

To this fair moonlight308 night’s result

And all that follows after.

Gopalaca

Easily

I promise that.

Vuthsa

All surely will be well.

Munjoolica arrives from the gates; Vicurna

returning from the trees with Ungarica, Vasavadutta

and Umba, goes forward to meet her.

Vicurna

Is’t done?

Munjoolica

They sprawl half senseless near the gate.

Vicurna

Whole bound and gagged were best. Give Vuthsa word.

He goes towards the gates.

Ungarica

Munjoolica, is it tonight?

Munjoolica

What, madam?

Ungarica (striking her lightly on the cheek)

Vicurna rides tonight?

Munjoolica

He rides tonight.

Ungarica

Let him not learn, nor any, that I knew.

She returns to the others.

Gopalaca

Come, all you wanderers. Mother, here’s a cup

That thou must bless with thy fair magic hands

Before we drink it.

Ungarica

May those who drink be one

In heart and great and loving all their days

Favoured by Shiva and by Luxmie blest

Until the end and far beyond.

Gopalaca

Drink, Vuthsa.

Three hearts meet in this cup.

Ungarica

Who drinks this first,

He shall be first and he shall be the bond.

Gopalaca

Drink, sister Vasavadutta, queen of all.

Ungarica

Queen thou shalt be, my daughter, as in thy heart,

So in thy love and fortunes.

Gopalaca

Mine the last.

Ungarica

Thou sayest, my son, yet first mid many men.

Gopalaca

Whatever place, so in this knot ’tis found.

Ungarica (embracing Vasavadutta closely)

Forget not thy dear mother in thy bliss.

Gopalaca, attend me to the house,

I have a word for thee, my son.

Gopalaca

I come.

They go towards the palace.

Vuthsa

Is it the moment?

Munjoolica

Yonder lies the gate.

Vuthsa

Love! Vasavadutta?

Vasavadutta

Vuthsa! Vuthsa! speak,

What has been quivering in the air this night?

He takes her in his arms.

Vuthsa

Thy rapt and rapture far away, O love.

Look farewell to thy father’s halls.

Vasavadutta

Alas!

What is this rashness? Thou art unarmed; the guards

Will slay thee.

Vuthsa

Fear not! Thou in my arms,

Our fates a double shield, thou hast no fear,

Nor anything this night to think or do

Save in the chariot lie between my knees

And listen to the breezes in thy locks

Whistling to thee of far Cowsambie’s groves.

He bears her towards the gate, Vicurna

crossing him in his return.

Vicurna

Haste, haste! all’s ready.

Munjoolica

Umba! Umba! here?

Umba (who comes running up)

Oh, what is this?

Vicurna

Should not this girl be bound?

Umba

Give rather thy commands.

Munjoolica

Thou’lt face the wrath?

Umba

O, all for my dear mistress. If the King

Slays me, I shall have lived and died for her

For whom I was born.

Munjoolica

Hide in the groves until

Thou hearst a rumour growing from the walls,

Then seek the house and save thyself. Till then

Let no man find thee.

Umba

I will lose myself

In the far bushes. O come safely through.

Could you not have trusted me in this?

Munjoolica

Weep not!

I’ll have thee to Cowsambie if thou live.

Vicurna

Come, follow, follow. He is near the gates.

Munjoolica

I to my freedom, she her royal crown!

Scene III

Vasavadutta’s apartment309.
Mahasegn, Ungarica, Umba bound, armed women.

Mahasegn

She is not here. O treachery! If thou

Wert privy to this, thou shalt die impaled

Or cloven in many pieces.

Umba

I am resigned.

Ungarica

Thou’lt stain thy soul with a woman’s murder, King?

Mahasegn

’Tis truth; she is too slight a thing to crush.

Are not the gardens searched? Who are these slaves

Who dare to loiter? If he’s seized, he dies.

Ungarica

Wilt thou make ill much worse, — if this be ill?

Mahasegn

How say’st thou? ’Tis not ill? My house is shamed,

My pride downtrodden; all the country laughs

Already at the baffled Mahasegn

Whose daughter was plucked out by one frail boy

From midst his golden city and his hosts

Unnumbered. Who shall honour me henceforth?

Who worship? Who obey? Who fear my sword?

Ungarica

Cowsambie’s king has kept the Aryan law,

Nor is thy daughter shamed at all in this,

But taken with noblest honour.

Mahasegn

’Tis a law

I spurn. My will is trodden underfoot,

My pride which to preserve or to avenge

Is the warrior’s righteousness. Udayan dies.

Or if he reach his capital, my hosts

Shall thunder on and blot it into flame,

A pyre for his torn dishonoured corpse.

Ungarica

Hast thou forgotten thy daughter’s heart? Her good,

Her happiness are nothing then to thee?

Mahasegn

Is she my daughter? She’ll not wish to live

Her sire’s dishonour.

Ungarica

Thinkest thou he seized her,

Her heart consenting not?

Mahasegn

If it be so

And she thus rebel to my will and blood,

Let her eyes gaze upon their sensuous cause

Of treason mocked with many marring spears.

Ungarica

Art thou an Aryan king and threatenest thus?

Thy daughter only for thyself was loved?

Mahasegn

Silence, my queen! Chafe not the lion wroth.

Ungarica

The tiger rather, if this mood thou nurse.

A Kiratha woman enters.

Mahasegn

Thou com’st, slow slave!

Kirathie

King, all the grounds are searched.

The guards lie gagged below the southern gate;

All’s empty.

Mahasegn

Where’s Gopalaca? He too

Has leisures!

Kirathie

There’s a captain from the walls.

Mahasegn

Ha! bring him.

The Kirathie brings in the Avunthian captain.

Well!

Captain

Vuthsa has broken forth.

The wardens of the gate are maimed or dead;

Triumphant, bearing Vasavadutta, far

Exults his chariot o’er the moonlit plains.

Mahasegn

O bitter messenger! Pursue, pursue!

Captain

Rebha with his armed men and stern-lipped speed

Is hot behind.

Mahasegn

Let all my force that keeps

Ujjayinie310, be hurled after them, one speed.

Call, call Vicurna; let the boy bring back

First fame of arms today in Vuthsa slain,

His sister’s ravisher.

Captain

Let not my words

Offend my king. ’Twas Prince Vicurna’s car

Bore forth his sister and Vicurna’s self

Rode as her guard.

Mahasegn (after an astonished pause)

Do all my house, my blood

Revolt against me?

Captain

The princess Bundhumathie,

Thy daughter’s serving maiden, at Vuthsa’s side

Controlled his coursers.

Mahasegn

Her I do not blame,

Yet will most fiercely punish. Captain, go;

Gather my chariots; let them gallop fast

Crushing these fugitives’ new-made tracks.

As the captain departs, Gopalaca enters.

Gopalaca,

Head, son, my armies; bear thy sister back

Before irrevocable shame is done,

Nor with thy father’s greatness unavenged return.

Gopalaca

My father, hear me. Though quite contrary

To all our planned design this thing has fallen,

Yet no dishonour tarnishes the deed,

But as a hero with a hero’s child

Has Vuthsa seized the girl. We planned a snare,

He by a noble violence answers us.

We sought to bribe him to a vassal’s state

Dangling the jewel of our house in front;

He keeps his freedom and enjoys the gem.

Then since we chose the throw of dice and lost,

Let us be noble gamblers, like a friend

Receive God’s hostile chance, nor house blind wounded thoughts

As common natures might. Sanction this rapt;

Let there be love ’twixt Vuthsa’s house and us.

Mahasegn

I see that in their hearts all have conspired

Against my greatness. Thou art Avunthie’s prince,

My second in my cares. Hear then! if ’twixt

Ujjayinie311 and my frontiers they are seized,

My fiercer will shall strike; but if they reach

Free Vindhya, thou thyself shalt make the peace.

Take Vasavadutta’s household and this girl,

Take all her wealth and gauds; lead her thyself

Or follow to Cowsambie, but leave not

Till she is solemnised as Vuthsa’s queen.

Sole let her reign throned by Udayan’s side;

Then only shall peace live betwixt our realms.

Gopalaca

And I will fetch Vicurna back.

Mahasegn

Son, never.

I exile the rebel to his name and house.

Let him with Vuthsa whom he chooses dwell,

My foeman’s servant.

He goes out, followed by the guards.

Gopalaca unbinds Umba.

Ungarica

If we give his rage its hour,

’Twill sink. His pride will call Vicurna back,

If not the father’s heart.

Gopalaca

Haste, gather quickly

Her wealth and household. I would make earliest speed,

Lest Vuthsa by ill hap be seized for ill.

Ungarica

Fear not, my son. The hosts are not on earth

That shall prevail against these two in arms.

Scene IV

The Avunthian forests; moonlight.
Vuthsa, Vasavadutta, Munjoolica.

Vuthsa

Thou hast held the reins divinely. We approach

Our kingdom’s border.

Munjoolica

But the foe surround.

Vuthsa

We will break through as twice now we have done.

Vicurna comes.

Vicurna arrives ascending.

Vicurna

Vuthsa, yon Rebha asks

For parley; is it given? I’ld hold him here

While by a long masked woodland breach I know

Silent we pass their cordon.

Vuthsa

Force is best.

Vicurna

Vuthsa, to my mind more; but I would spare

Our Vasavadutta’s heart these fierce alarms.

Though she breathes312 nothing, yet she suffers.

Vuthsa

Good!

We’ll choose thy peaceful breach.

Vicurna descends.

Vasavadutta

Vuthsa, if I

Stood forth and bade their leader cease pursuit,

Since of my will I go, he must desist.

Vuthsa

It would diminish, love, my victory

And triumph which are thine.

Vasavadutta

Then let it go.

I would not stain thy fame in arms, though over

My house’s head its wheels go trampling.

Munjoolica (yawning)

Ough!

If we could parley a truce for sleep. This fighting

Makes very drowsy.

Vicurna returns with Rebha.

Vuthsa

Well, captain, thy demand!

Rebha

Vuthsa, thou art environed. Dost thou yield?

Vuthsa

Thou mock’st! Return; we’ll break the third last time

Thy fragile chain. Are thy dead counted?

Rebha

The living

Outnumber their first strength; more force comes on

Fast from Ujjayinie313. Therefore yield the princess.

Thyself depart a freeman to thy realms.

Vuthsa

Know’st thou thy offer is an insolence?

Rebha

Then, Prince, await the worst. Living and bound

Or else a corpse we’ll bring thee back to our city.

Three times around thee is my cordon passed,

Thy steeds are spent, nor hast thou Urjoona’s314 quiver.

The dawn prepares; think it thy last.

Vuthsa

At noon

I give thee tryst within my borders.

Rebha goes.

Vicurna

Swift!

Before he reach his men and back ascend,

We must be far. Munjoolica, mount my horse,

Ride to Yougundharayan, bid him bring on

His numbers; for I see armies thundering towards us

With angry speed o’er the Avunthian plains.

I’ll guide the car.

Munjoolica

The horse?

Vicurna

Bound in yon grove.

Rein lightly; he’s high-mettled.

Munjoolica

Teach me not.

There is no horse yet foaled I cannot ride.

Which is my way through all this leafy tangle?

She goes towards the grove.315

Vicurna

Thou canst not miss it; for yon path leads only

To Lokanatha’s hill beyond our borders.

Now on!

Vuthsa

The moonlight and the glad night-winds

Have rustled luminously among the leaves

And sung me wordless paeans while I fought.

Now let them fall into a rapturous strain

Of silence, while I ride with thee safe clasped

Upon my bosom.

Vasavadutta

If I could hold thee safe at last!

Scene V

On the Avunthian border.
Roomunwath, Yougundharayan, Alurca, soldiers.

Roomunwath

The dawn with rose and crimson crowned the hills,

There was no sign of Vuthsa’s promised wheels.

Another noon approaches.

Yougundharayan

Two days only

Vasuntha’s here. Yet is Udayan swift

With the stroke he in a secret sloth prepares.

Roomunwath

We learned that though too late. A secret rashness,

A boy’s wild venture with his life for stake

And a kingdom! Dangerously dawns this reign.

Alurca

See, see, a horseman over Avunthie’s edge

Rides to us. He quests forward with his eyes.

Roomunwath

Whoe’er he be, he has travelled far. His beast

Labours and stumbles on.

Yougundharayan

This is no horseman,

It is a woman rides though swift and armed.

Alurca

She has seen us and dismounts.

Yougundharayan

A woman rides!

My mind misgives me. Is’t some evil chance?

Comes she a broken messenger of grief?

She runs as if pursued.

Alurca

She’s young and fair.

Munjoolica arrives.

Munjoolica

Art thou king Vuthsa’s captain?

Roomunwath

I am he.

Munjoolica

Gather thy force; for Vuthsa drives here fast,

But hostile armies surge behind his wheels.

Fast, fast, into the woods your succour bring,

Lest over his wearied coursers and spent quiver

Numbers and speed prevail.

Yougundharayan

Roomunwath, swift.

Roomunwath goes.

But who art thou and316 where shall be my surety

That thou art no Avunthian sent to lure

Our force into an ambush?

Munjoolica

This is surely

Yougundharayan of the prudent brain.

Thy question I reply; the rest resolve

But swiftly, lest Fate mock thy wary thoughts.

My name is Bundhumathie and my father

Sourashtra held; but I, his daughter, taken

Served in Avunthie Vasavadutta. Knowest thou

This ring?

Yougundharayan

’Tis Vuthsa’s.

Munjoolica

Young Vicurna’s bay

I rode, who guards his sister’s ravisher

Against the angry rescuers. Will these riddles,

Wisest of statesmen, solve thy cautious doubt?

Yougundharayan

Thy tale is strange; but thou at least art true.

Munjoolica

Thou art not prudent only!

Yougundharayan

Forward then.

Roomunwath’s camp already is astir.

Scene VI

Near the edge of the forest in Avunthie.
Roomunwath, Yougundharayan, Alurca, Munjoolica, forces.

Roomunwath

Stay, stay our march; ’tis Vuthsa’s car arrives.

The tired horses stumble as they pause.

Yougundharayan

There is a noise of armies close behind

And out of woods the Avunthian wheels emerge.

There arrive Vuthsa, Vicurna, Vasavadutta.

Vuthsa

My father, all things to their hour are true

And I bring back my venture. Am I pardoned

Its secrecy?

Yougundharayan

My pupil and son no more,

But hero and monarch! Thou hast set thy foot

Upon Avunthie’s head.

Vuthsa

Yet still thy son.

Yougundharayan

Hail, Vasavadutta, great Cowsambie’s queen.

Vasavadutta (smiling happily on Vuthsa)

My crown was won by desperate alarms.

Vuthsa

It was a perilous race and in the end

Fate won by a head. Were it not the difficult paths

Baffled their numbers, we were hardly here,

So oft we had to pause and rest our steeds.

But in less strength they dared not venture on.

Yougundharayan

They range their battle now.

Vuthsa

Speak thou to them.

War must not break.

Yougundharayan

Demand a parley there.

Vuthsa

If we must fight, it shall be for defence

Retreating while we war unless they urge

Too far their violent trespass.

Vicurna

Rebha comes.

Rebha arrives.

Rebha

Ye are suitors for a parley?

Vicurna

Rebha, with beaten men.

Rebha

Because you had your sister in the car

Our shafts were hampered.

Vicurna

Nor could with swords prevail

Against two boys so many hundred men.

Rebha

O Prince Vicurna, what thou hast done today

Against thy name and nation, I forbear

To value. ’Tis thy first essay of arms.

Vicurna

Well dost thou not to weigh thy better’s deeds.

Yougundharayan

Rebha, wilt thou urge vainly yet this strife?

What hitherto was done, was private act

And duel; now if thou insist on fight,

Two nations are embroiled; and to what end?

Rebha

I will take Vuthsa and the Princess back.

It is my king’s command.

Yougundharayan

The impossible

No man is bound to endeavour. While we fight,

King Vuthsa with the captive princess bounds

Unhindered to his high-walled capital.

Rebha

It is my king’s command. I am his arm

And not his counsellor; nor to use my brain

Have any right, save for the swift way to fulfil

His proud and absolute mandate.

Yougundharayan

If there came

Word from Ujjayinie317, then pursuit must cease?

Rebha

Then truly.

Yougundharayan

Send a horseman, Rebha, ask,

All meanwhile shall remain as now it stands.

Rebha

I’ll send no horseman; I will fight.

Yougundharayan

Then war!

Rebha

We fear it not. This is strange insolence

To stand in arms upon Avunthian ground

And issue mandates to the country’s lords.

He is going.

Roomunwath

Rebha, yet pause! No messenger thou needst.

Look where yon chariot furious bounding comes

And over it streams Avunthie’s royal flag.

Rebha

It is the prince Gopalaca. Of this I am glad.

Vasavadutta

O if my brother comes, then all is well.

Vuthsa

For thou art Luxmie. Thou beside me, Fate

And Fortune, peace and battle must obey

The vagrant lightest-winged of my desires.

Gopalaca arrives; with him Umba.

Gopalaca

Hail, Vuthsa! peace and love between our lands!

Vuthsa

I hold them here incarnate. Welcome thou

Their strong achiever.

Gopalaca

As earnest and as proof

Receive this fair accomplice of thy flight

Unpunished. Sister, take her to thy arms.

Vasavadutta

O Umba, thou com’st safe to me!

Gopalaca

And all

My sister’s household and her wealth comes fast

Behind me. Only one claim Avunthie keeps;

My sister shall sit throned thy only queen, —

Which, pardon me, my eyes must witness done

With honour to our name.

Vuthsa

Cowsambie’s majesty

Will brook not even in this Gopalaca,

A foreign summons. Surely my will and love

Shall throne most high, not strong Avunthie’s child

But Vasavadutta; whether alone, her will

And mine, the nation and the kingdom’s good

Consenting shall decide. Therefore this claim

Urge not, my brother.

Gopalaca

Let not this divide us.

The present’s gladness is enough; the future’s hers

And thine, Udayan, nor shall any man

Compel thee. Boy, thy revolt was rash and fierce

Wronging thy house and thy high father’s will.

Exiled must thou in far Cowsambie dwell

Until his wrath is dead.

Vicurna

I care not, brother.

I have done my will, I have observed the right.

Near Vuthsa and my sister’s home enough

And I shall see new countries.

Vuthsa

Follow behind,

Gopalaca; thy sister’s household bring

And all the force thou wilt. We speed in front.

Ride thou, Alurca, near us; let thy harp

Speak of love’s anthems and her golden life

To Vasavadutta. Love, the storm is past,

The peril o’er. Now we shall glide, my queen,

Through green-gold woods and between golden fields

To float for ever in a golden dream,

O earth’s gold Luxmie, till the shining gates

Eternal open to us thy heavenly home.

Curtain

 

Later edition of this work: The Complete Works of Sri Aurobindo: Set in 37 volumes.- Volumes 3-4.- Collected Plays and Stories.- Pondicherry: Sri Aurobindo Ashram, 1998.- 1008 p.

1 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, sic passim: Cowsamby

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2 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Magadha

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3 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Pradyotha

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4 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, sic passim: Avunthy

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5 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Parikshith

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6 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: [         ]

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7 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, sic passim: Udaian

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8 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, sic passim: Parenaca

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9 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: A room in the palace in Ujjayiny

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10 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: fortunes

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11 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: As moonbeam

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12 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, instead of this line and the next line there is one line:

If this portentous morning reach our gates,

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13 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: My star is fallen

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14 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Godavary

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15 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: besprayed

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16 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: My

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17 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, there are four lines after this one:

Is not thy spirit that uplifted spear?

Mahasegn

It has been turned by Vishnu’s careless hand!

Gopalaca

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18 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Thou soarst the eagle’s height,

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19 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: closed

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20 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Wilt thou sue

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21 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: radiant

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22 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Yet

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23 In 1998 ed. this line and next line are absent

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24 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: breathing

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25 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: a

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26 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: from

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27 In 1998 ed. the line His hero hours... is placed before this line

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28 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: and difficult

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29 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Spy out, my son,

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30 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: find a

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31 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: than can

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32 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: The

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33 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: change

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34 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: flower born by

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35 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Parikshith

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36 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Suthaneke

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37 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Gundhurva’s

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38 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: rhythmic

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39 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: tak’st

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40 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: ways

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41 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: arrive

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42 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: I should know that at least from

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43 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Vasuntha enters

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44 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: but here all’s empty.

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45 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4 instead of this line there are two lines:

The stake is thrown; it cannot be called in

Whatever happens.

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46 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Armed men break in from all sides; Yougundharayan, Roomunwath, Alurca.

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47 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: lonely

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48 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: sword

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49 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: cannot tell

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50 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Not tell!

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51 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: but you were here,

Were with him!

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52 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: I was sent away like that.

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53 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, all the line is: But for a guess he’s travelling far and fast

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54 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Over her treasonous borders

Drive in your angry search.

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55 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, the all fragment is:

Thy king commands thee

To leave all twixt him and the strength that seeks

Their quarrel; throw not armies in the balance.

War shall not sound her conch; but Vuthsa only

Shall rescue Vuthsa.

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56 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, the all fragment is:

This is a boy’s madness.

What lies behind this message?

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57 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, the all line is: Roomunwath, this. The lion’s cub breaks forth

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58 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: from

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59 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: strict

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60 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: perilous

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61 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, the all line is: His purpose and find it headlong, subtle, rash.

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62 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: If he

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63 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: We must

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64 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, the all fragment is:

There’s time to arrest their flight

This side our frontier. Hastily pursue.

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65 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: He goes with Alurca and the armed men, all in a tumult of haste.

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66 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, the all fragment is:

It will be vain. A perilous leap and yet

Heroic with the bold and antique scorn

Of common deeds and the safe guarded paths.

This is the spirit that smiled hidden in him

Waiting for birth! At least my spies shall enter

Their secret chambers, even in his prison

My help be timely and near. Back to Cowsamby!

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67 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: A road on a wooded

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68 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Gopalaca, Vuthsa in a chariot, surrounded by armed men.

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69 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: This with more that follows it.

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70 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: town

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71 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Beside

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72 In 1998 ed. this line and next one are absent

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73 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: cooped up in a golden cage

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74 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: As I was guarded in Cowsamby’s walls.

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75 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: You foes and friends think me your wealth inert,

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76 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: And

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77 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: hope

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78 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: canst not.

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79 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: forth

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80 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Almost as

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81 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: find it hard

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82 In 1998 ed. this line is absent

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83 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Was it

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84 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: and

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85 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: pure

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86 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: I go to in

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87 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: overtaken us

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88 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Passing our

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89 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Our

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90 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: unite with them; descend

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91 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Avunthy

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92 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Hasten in front

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93 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Towards

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94 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: fire-hooved

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95 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, there is a line after this one:

Richer than booty of his twenty wars.

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96 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Godheads, it is by strife that you grow one.

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97 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: grasp

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98 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: him

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99 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: What thing desired has long escaped my hands

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100 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: conquered

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101 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: this

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102 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: thou hast

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103 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: wert

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104 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: never

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105 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, there is a sentence after this one: My own mind’s my seer.

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106 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: I do not counsel, but

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107 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: That

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108 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: in

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109 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: seeing

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110 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: world that to

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111 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Is

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112 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: delicate

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113 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Softer than

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114 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: like

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115 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: insistent

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116 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, the all fragment is:

Thou thinkst thy daughter thy proud fortune’s wave,

He its bright flower – a nursling reared by gods

Only to be thy servant?

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117 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, there is a line after this one:

I kept my counsel hidden in my soul.

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118 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: It is

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119 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: thy child

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120 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: For I will teach her what her charm must weave.

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121 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: heart’s her teacher

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122 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Call here, Vullabha,

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123 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: O

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124 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: We are

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125 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Be

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126 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: ever loved

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127 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: That

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128 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: our

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129 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: our

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130 In 1998 ed. this sentence is absent

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131 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Vasavadutta enters.

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132 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4 instead of this line there are two lines:

Let now

Thy princely cunning teach a woman’s brain

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133 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: by

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134 In 1998 ed. this line is absent

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135 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Is brought

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136 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: mean he

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137 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: become

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138 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: my

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139 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: shall

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140 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: my subject king.

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141 In 1998 ed. this line is absent

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142 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: fate outleap all

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143 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Thy house and nation rule the prostrate world.

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144 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: as it is

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145 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: except

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146 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: which

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147 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: thou, my child,

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148 In 1998 ed. this line is absent

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149 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: , who only canst, my living sceptre,

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150 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: my desire;

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151 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: proudest

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152 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: feebler

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153 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: lead

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154 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: I will

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155 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: brain

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156 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: thou shalt

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157 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: the

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158 In 1998 ed. this line is absent

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159 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: I

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160 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Breathe

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161 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Fearst

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162 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: taking

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163 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, there is a line after this one:

To fill the air with fragrance and with bloom,

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164 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: own

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165 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: make

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166 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Heaven’s fences;

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167 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: throne

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168 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Fear not, whatever threatens.

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169 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Thy

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170 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: She goes out.

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171 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4 instead of this line and next line there is one line:

King of Avunthy, see thy will performed.

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172 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: I bring a captive to thy house.

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173 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: me to

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174 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: boy

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175 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: strov’st

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176 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: heaven-chosen

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177 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: is thy will with me

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178 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: serve

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179 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: earth’s sovereign and thy own

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180 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: This is thy

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181 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Suthaneka’s

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182 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: my vacant throne

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183 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: This

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184 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Parikshith

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185 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: this

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186 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: this

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187 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Suthaneke

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188 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: This

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189 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: This

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190 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: her touches

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191 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: with things sensible

I deal, for they are pertinent to our days,

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192 unseen

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193 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: and

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194 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: a prisoner

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195 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: shalt

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196 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Were my desire

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197 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: It is

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198 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: not bars

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199 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: and

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200 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: can keep me

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201 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: satisfied

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202 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Grow humbler in thy bearing.

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203 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Know thyself only for a captive and a slave.

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204 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: my action to their mood and

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205 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, the all fragment is:

Thou knowst the law of the high sacrifice,

Where many kings as menials serve the one,

And this compelled have many proud lords done

Whose high beginnings disappear in time.

Now I will make my throned triumphant days

A high continual solemn sacrifice

Of kingship. There shalt thou, great Bharuth’s heir,

Dwell in my house a royal servitor,

And as most fitting thy yet tender years,

My daughter’s serf. She with her handmaidens

Shall be thy jailors whose firm gracious cordon

Thy strength disarmed stands helpless to transgress. To this

Thy pride must, forced, consent.

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206 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: only consent

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207 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: now

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208 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Thy

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209 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: her servant

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210 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: the gods desire

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211 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: His

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212 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: leaves

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213 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: wondering and his

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214 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4 instead of this line and next line there is one line:

All this is hers to please her. Boy, thou smilest?

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215 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: merely

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216 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Think

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217 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Gopalaca goes out with Vuthsa towards Vasavadutta’s apartments.

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218 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: This is a

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219 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: He goes out.

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220 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Ungarica

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221 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: and her thou hast

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222 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: are served

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223 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: apartments

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224 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: But hast thou

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225 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Speak,

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226 Since thou first moved with thy soft feet on our earth,

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227 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Becomes

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228 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Proud

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229 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: dost

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230 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: lord

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231 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: yes, and more

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232 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: spoken

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233 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Not woven fictions

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234 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: heart

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235 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: more, tell tell, thou

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236 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: I care for these things

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237 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Munjoolica

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238 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: but gaze

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239 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, there is a line before this one:

Gopalaca comes, bringing in Vuthsa.

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240 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: thou wast

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241 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: sake far

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242 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: captive

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243 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, there is a line before this one:

The living flower and jewel of her race.

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244 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: famous boy,

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245 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: by my hands

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246 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: in our house

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247 In 1998 ed. this line is absent

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248 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Vasavadutta (looking covertly at Vuthsa)

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249 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Vasavadutta

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250 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Dear then and prized although a slave.

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251 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Vasavadutta (smiling, pleased)

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252 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: fate inherited; our warrings

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253 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Seek for

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254 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: ruling with queenly eyes.

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255 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: our

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256 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: then

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257 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: eyes

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258 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: No

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259 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: marvellous golden

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260 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: tremblest

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261 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: such lines and hues

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262 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: As make

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263 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Vidyadhur

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264 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Gundhurva

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265 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: lived

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266 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: then

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267 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: canst

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268 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: hast

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269 In 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4, there is a line before this one:

(hesitating a little)

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270 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: need him near me

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271 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Bring

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272 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Vuthsa falls at her feet which he touches.

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273 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Vuthsa

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274 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: That’s

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275 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: troubled and feigning anger

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276 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: O

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277 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: turret rooms

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278 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Beside

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279 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: it is

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280 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: leaving Vasavadutta alone

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281 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: yoke

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282 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: his

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283 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: yet

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284 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: face, his smile

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285 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: sleepst

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286 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: name’s

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287 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: thou

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288 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: What thy heart asks I know;

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289 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: is

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290 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: art such

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291 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Parikshith

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292 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: fade

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293 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: prisoner

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294 Degraded

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295 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: degraded

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296 In 1998 ed. this sentence is absent

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297 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Ujjayiny

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298 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Call’dst

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299 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: appearing

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300 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: awakes

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301 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: will

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302 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Thinkst

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303 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: jests

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304 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Frighted

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305 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Ujjayiny

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306 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Ujjayiny

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307 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Gundhurvas

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308 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: moonlit

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309 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: apartments

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310 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Ujjayiny

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311 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Ujjayiny

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312 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: breathe

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313 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Ujjayiny

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314 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Urjoon’s

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315 In 1998 ed. this line is absent

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316 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: or

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317 1998 ed. CWSA, volumes 3-4: Ujjayiny

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