-37_Vasavadutta-Act Five-Scene-4.htm

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? Fid 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 breathes nothing, yet she suffers.

VUTHSA

Good!

We'll choose thy peaceful breach.

Vicurna descends.

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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 Ujjayinie. Therefore yield the princess.
Thyself depart a freeman to thy realms.

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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 Urjoon's 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.

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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!

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