{"id":166,"date":"2013-07-13T01:26:20","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=166"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:26:20","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:20","slug":"55-vikramorvasie-act-4-sc-2-vol-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/01-sabcl\/07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07\/55-vikramorvasie-act-4-sc-2-vol-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","title":{"rendered":"-55_Vikramorvasie Act-4 Sc-2.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n

\n
\nSCENE II<\/b><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nPururavas enters disordered, his eyes fixed on the sky.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>URURAVAS
\n\t<\/font>(angrily)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHalt, ruffian, halt,! Thou in thy giant arms
\nBearest away my Urvasie! He has
\nSoared up from a great crag into the sky
\nAnd wars me, hurling downward bitter rain
\nOf arrows. With this thunderbolt I smite thee.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe lifts up a clod and runs as to hurl it;<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nthen pauses and looks upwards.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n(pathetically)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOh me, I am deceived! This was a cloud
\nEquipped for rain, no proud and lustful fiend,
\nThe rainbow, not a weapon drawn to kill,
\nQuick-driving showers are these, not sleety rain
\nOf arrows; and that brilliant line like streak
\nOf gold upon a touchstone, cloud-inarmed,
\nI saw, was lightning, not my Urvasie.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n(sorrowfully)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhere shall I find her now? Where clasp those thighs
\nSwelling and smooth and white ? Perhaps she stands
\nInvisible to me by heavenly power,
\nAll sullen ? But her anger was ever swift
\nAnd ended soon. Perhaps into her Heavens
\nShe has soared ? O no! her heart was soft with love,
\nAnd love of me. Nor any fiend adverse
\nTo Heaven had so much strength as to hale her hence
\nWhile I looked on. Yet is she gone from me
\nInvisible, swiftly invisible \u2014
\nWhither ? O bitter miracle! and yet \u2014<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe scans each horizon, then pauses and sighs.
\n<\/i>Alas! when fortune turns against a man,
\nThen sorrow treads on sorrow. There was already
\nThis separation from my love, and hard
\nEnough to bear; and now the pleasant days,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 976<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nGuiltless of heat, with advent cool of rain
\nMust help to slay me.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n(laughing)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhy do I so tamely
\nAccept addition to my pangs ? For even
\nThe saints confess "The king controls the seasons";<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIf it be so, I will command the thunder
\nBack to his stable.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n(pausing to think)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNo, I must permit
\nThe season unabridged of pomp; the sighs
\nOf storm are now my only majesty;<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis sky with lightning gilt and laced becomes
\nMy canopy of splendour, and the trees
\nOf rain-time waving wide their lavish bloom
\nFan me; the sapphire-throated peacocks, voiced
\nSweeter for that divorce from heat, are grown
\nMy poets; the mountains are my citizens,
\nThey pour out all their streams to swell my greatness.
\nBut I waste time in idly boasting vain
\nGlories and lose my love. To my task, to my task!
\nThis grove, this grove should find her.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe moves onward.
\n<\/i>And here, O here
\nIs something to enrage my resolution.
\nRed-tinged, expanding, wet and full of rain,
\nThese blossom-cups recall to me her eyes
\nBrimming with angry tears. How shall I trace her,
\nOr what thing tell me "Here and here she wandered?"
\nIf she had touched with her beloved feet
\nThe rain-drenched forest-sands, there were a line
\nOf little gracious footprints seen, with lac
\nEnvermeilled, sinking deeper towards the heel
\nBecause o’erburdened by her hips’ large glories.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe moves onward.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n(exultantly)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nOh joy! I see a hint of her. This way<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 977<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThen went her angry beauty! Lo, her bodice
\nBright green as is a parrot’s belly, smitten
\nWith crimson drops. It once veiled in her bosom
\nAnd paused to show her navel deep as love.
\nThese are her tears that from those angry eyes
\nWent trickling, stealing scarlet from her lip.s
\nTo spangle all this green. Doubtless her heaving
\nTumult of breasts broke its dear hold and, she
\nStumbling in anger, from my Heaven it drifted.
\nI’ll gather it to my kisses.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n(He stoops to it, then sorrowfully)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO my heart!
\nOnly green grass with dragon-wings enamelled!
\nFrom whom shall I in all the desolate forest
\nHave tidings of her, or what creature help me ?
\nLo, in yon waste of crags the peacock! he
\nUpon a cool moist rock that breathes of rain
\nExults, aspires, his gorgeous mass of plumes
\nSeized, blown and scattered by the roaring gusts.
\nPregnant of shrillness is his outstretched throat,
\nHis look is with the clouds. Him I will question:<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHave the bright corners of thine eyes beheld,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO sapphire-throated bird, her, my delight,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy wife, my passion, my sweet grief? Yielding<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNo answer, he begins his gorgeous dance.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhy should he be so glad of my heart’s woe?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI know thee, peacock. Since my cruel loss<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThy plumes that stream in splendour on the wind,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHave not one rival left. For when her heavy<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDark wave of tresses over all the bed<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn softness wide magnificently collapsed<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOn her smooth shoulders massing purple glory<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd bright with flowers, she passioning in my arms,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWho then was ravished with thy brilliant plumes,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nVain bird ? I question thee not, heartless thing,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat joyest in others’ pain.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n(turning away)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 978<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nLo, where, new-fired
\nWith sweet bird-passion by the season cool,
\nA cuckoo on the plum-tree sits. This race
\nIs wisest of the families of birds
\nAnd learned in love. I’ll greet him like himself.
\nO cuckoo, thou art called the bird of love,
\nHis sweet ambassador, O cuckoo. Thou
\nCriest and thy delightful voice within
\nThe hearts of lovers like an arrow comes,
\nSeeks out the anger there and softly kills.
\nMe also, cuckoo, to my darling bring
\nOr her to me. What saidst thou? "How could she
\nDesert thee loving?" Cuckoo, I will tell thee.
\nYes, she was angry. Yet I know I never
\nGave her least cause. But, cuckoo, dost thou know not
\nThat women love to feel their sovereignty
\nOver their lovers, nor transgression need
\nTo be angry? How! Dost thou break off, O bird,
\nOur converse thus abruptly and turn away
\nTo thine own tasks ? Alas, ’twas wisely said
\nThat men bear easily the bitter griefs
\nWhich others feel. For all my misery
\nThis bird, my orison disregarding, turns
\nTo attack the plum-tree’s ripening fruit as one
\nDrunken with love his darling’s mouth. And yet
\nI cannot be angry with him. Has he not
\nThe voice of Urvasie ? Abide, O bird,
\nIn bliss, though I unhappy hence depart.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe walks on, then stops short and listens.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nO Heaven ? what do I hear ? the anklets’ cry
\nThat tell the musical footing of my love ?
\nTo right of this long grove ’twas heard. Oh, I
\nWill run to her.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n(hurrying forward)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMe miserable! This was
\nNo anklets’ cry embraceable with hands,
\nBut moan of swans who seeing the grey wet sky<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 979<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nGrow passionate for Himaloy’s distant tarns.
\nWell, be it so. But ere in far desire
\nThey leap up from this pool, I well might learn
\nTidings from thereof Urvasie.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n(approaching)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nListen,
\nO king of all white fowl that waters breed.
\nAfterwards to Himaloy wing thy way,
\nBut now thy lotus fibres in thy beak
\nGathered by thee for provender resign;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEre long thou shalt resume them. Me, ah, first<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFrom anguish rescue, O majestic swan,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWith tidings of my sweet; always high souls<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPrefer another’s good to selfish aims.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou lookest upward to the Heavens and sayest,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n"I was absorbed with thoughts of Himaloy;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHer have I not observed." O swan, thou liest,
\nFor if she never trod upon thy lake’s
\nEmbankment, nor thou sawest her arched brows,
\nHow couldst thou copy then so perfectly
\nHer footing full of amorous delight,
\nOr whence didst steal it? Give me back my love,
\nThou robber! Thou hast got her gait and this
\nIs law that he with whom a part is found
\nMust to the claimant realise the whole.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n(laughing)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO yes, thou flyest up, clanging alarm,
\n"This is the king whose duty is to punish
\nAll thieves like me!" Go then, but I will plunge
\nInto new hopeful places, seeking love.
\nLo, wild-drake with his mate, famed chocrobacque,
\nHim let me question. O thou wondrous creature,
\nAll saffron and vermilion! Wilt thou then
\nNot tell me of my love ? Oh, sawest thou not
\nMy Goddess laughing like a lovely child
\nIn the bright house of spring? For, wild-drake, thou
\nWho gettest from the chariot’s orb thy name,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 980<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nI who deprived am of her orbed hips,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe chariot-warrior great Pururavas,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEncompassed with a thousand armed desires,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nQuestion thee.’ How! "Who? Who?" thou sayest to me!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis is too much. It is not possible<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe should not know me! Bird, I am a king<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf kings, and grandson to the Sun and Moon,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd earth has chosen me for her master. This<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWere little. I am the loved of Urvasie!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nStill art thou silent ? I will taunt him, then<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPerhaps he’ll speak. Thou, wild-drake, when thy love,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHer body hidden by a lotus-leaf,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLurks near thee in the pool, deemest her far<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd wailest musically to the flowers<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA wild deep dirge. Such is thy conjugal<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYearning, thy terror such of even a little<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDivision from her nearness. Me afflicted,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMe so forlorn thou art averse to bless<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWith just a little tidings of my love!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAlas, my miserable lot has made<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAll creatures adverse to me. Let me plunge<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nInto the deeper wood. Oh no, not yet!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis lotus with the honey-bees inside<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMaking melodious murmur, keeps me. I<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nRemember her soft mouth when I have kissed it<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nToo cruelly, sobbing exquisite complaint.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThese too I will implore. Alas, what use ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThey will despise me like the others. Yet,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLest I repent hereafter of my silence,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI’ll speak to him. O lotus-wooing bee,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTell me some rumour of those eyes like wine,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut no, thou hast not seen that wonder. Else<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWouldst thou, O bee, affect the lotus’ bloom,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIf thou hadst caught the sweetness from her lips<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBreathing, whose scent intoxicates the breeze?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI’ll leave him. Lo! with his mate an elephant.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHis trunk surrounds a nym-tree to uproot.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 981<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nTo him will I, he may some rumour have<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOr whisper of my love. But softly! Haste<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWill ruin me. Oh, this is not the time!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNow his beloved mate has in her trunk<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nJust found him broken branches odorous<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd sweet as wine with the fresh leaves not long<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn bud, new-honied. These let him enjoy.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHis meal is over now. I may approach<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd ask him. O rut-dripping elephant,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSole monarch of the herd, has not that moon<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWith jasmines all a glory in her hair<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd limbs of fadeless beauty, carrying<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYouth like a banner, whom to see is bliss,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIs madness, fallen in thy far ken, O king?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO joy! he trumpets loud and soft as who<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWould tell me he has seen indeed my love.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOh, I am gladdened! More to thee I stand<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAttracted, elephant, as like with like.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSovereign of sovereigns is my title, thou<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nArt monarch of the kingly elephants,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd this wide freedom of thy fragrant rut<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nInterminable imitates my own<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nVast liberality to suppliant men,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nRegally; thou hast in all the herd this mate,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI among loveliest women Urvasie.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn all things art thou like me; only I pray,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO friend, that thou mayst never know the pang,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe loss. Be fortunate, king, farewell! Oh, see,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe mountain of the Fragrant Glens appears,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFair as a dream, with his great plateaus trod<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBy heavenly feet of women. May it not be,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo this wide vale she too has with her sisters<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBrought here her beautiful body full of spring ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDarkness! I cannot see her. Yet by these gleams<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf lightning I may study, I may find.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAh God! the fruit of guilt is bounded not<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWith the doer’s anguish; this stupendous cloud<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 982<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIs widowed of the lightning through my sin.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYet I will leave thee not, O thou huge pile<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf scaling crags, unquestioned. Hear me, answer me!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO mountain, has she entered then the woods,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLove’s green estate \u2014 ah, she too utter love!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHer breasts were large like thine, with small sweet space<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBetween them, and like thine her glorious hips<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd smooth fair joints a rapture.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDumb? No answer?
\nI am too far away, he has not heard me.
\nLet me draw nearer. Mountain, seen was she,
\nA woman all bereaved, her every limb
\nA loveliness, in these delightful woods ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>CHO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNearer, O nearer! Mountain-seen was she,
\nA woman all bereaved, her every limb
\nA loveliness, in these delightful woods.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>URURAVAS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe has answered, answered! O my heart, I draw
\nNearer to her! In my own words the hill
\nAnswers thee, O my heart. As joyous tidings
\nMayst thou too hear, mountain. She then was seen,
\nMy Urvasie in thy delightful woods ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>CHO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMountain! mountain! mountain! She then was seen,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy Urvasie in thy delightful woods,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn thy delightful woods, delightful woods.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>URURAVAS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlas! ’tis Echo mocks me with my voice
\nRolling amid the crags and mountain glens.
\nOut on thee. Echo! Thou hast killed my heart.
\nO Urvasie! Urvasie! Urvasie!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe falls down and swoons.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 983<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n(recovering)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI am all weary and sad. Oh, let me rest
\nBeside this mountain river for a moment
\nAnd woo the breeze that dances on the waves.
\nAll turbid is this stream with violent rain,
\nAnd yet I thrill to see it. For, O, it seems
\nJust like my angry darling when she went’
\nFrowning \u2014 as this does with its little waves, \u2014
\nA wrathful music in her girdle \u2014 and see!
\nThis string of birds with frightened clangour rise;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe trailed her raiment as the river its foam,
\nFor it loosened with her passion as she moved
\nWith devious feet, all angry, blind with tears,
\nAnd often stopped to brood upon her wrongs:<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut soon indignantly her stormy speed<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nResumed, so tripping, winding goes the stream,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAs she did. O most certainly ’tis she.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy sweet quick-tempered darling, suddenly changed<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nInto a river’s form. I will beseech her<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd soothe her wounded spirit. Urvasie?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDid I not love thee perfectly ? Did not<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy speech grow sweetness when I spoke to thee ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd when did my heart anything but hate<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo false our love ? O what was the slight fault<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou foundest in thy servant that thou couldst<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDesert him, Urvasie, O Urvasie!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe answers not! It is not she, merely<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA river. Urvasie would not have left<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPururavas to tryst with Ocean. And now<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSince only by refusal to despair<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCan bliss at last be won, I will return<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhere first she fled from my pursuing eyes.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis couching stag shall give me tidings of her,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWho looks as if he were a splendid glance<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSome dark-eyed Dryad had let fall to admire<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis budding foliage and this young green beauty<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf grass. But why averts he then his head<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
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\n

\nAs though in loathing? I perceive his reason.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLo, his fair hind is hasting towards him, stayed<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBy their young dearling plucking at her teats.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWith her his eyes are solely, her with bent<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLithe neck he watches. Ho, thou lord of hind!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSawst thou not her I love ? O stag, I’ll tell thee<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHow thou shouldst know her. Like thine own dear hind<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe had large eyes and loving, and like hers<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat gaze was beauty. Why does he neglect<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy words and only gaze towards his love ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAll prosperous creatures slight the unfortunate!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n‘Tis natural. Then elsewhere let me seek.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI have found her, I have found her! O a hint<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd token of her way! This one red drop<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf summer’s blood the very codome was,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThough rough with faulty stamens, yet thought worthy<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo crown her hair. And thou, asoka red,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDidst watch my slender-waisted when she gave<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSo cruelly a loving heart to pain. .<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhy dost thou lie and shake thy windy head ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHow couldst thou by her soft foot being untouched<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBreak out into such bloom of petals stung<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd torn by jostling crowds of bees, who swarm<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAll wild to have thy honey ? Ever be blest,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou noble trunk. What should this be, bright red,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat blazes in a crevice of the rocks ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFor if it were a piece of antelope’s flesh<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTorn by a lion, ‘twould not have this blaze,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis lustre haloing it; nor can it be<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA spark pregnant of fire; for all the wood<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIs drowned in rain. No, ’tis a gem, a miracle<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf crimson, like the red felicitous flower,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd with one radiant finger of the sun<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLaid on it like a claim. Yet I will take it,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFor it compels my soul with scarlet longing.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWherefore ? She on whose head it should have burned,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhose hair all fragrant with the coral-bloom<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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\n

\nI loved like Heaven, is lost to me, beyond
\nRecovery lost to me. Why should I take it
\nTo mar it with my tears ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA V<\/font>OICE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nReject it not,
\nMy son; this is the jewel Union born
\nFrom the red lac that on the marvellous feet
\nWas brilliant of Himaloy’s child, and, soon,
\nWho bears it, is united with his love.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>URURAVAS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWho speaks to me? It is a saint who dwells
\nIn forest like the deer. He first of creatures
\nHas pitied me. O my lord anchoret,
\nI thank thee. Thou, O Union, if thou end
\nMy separation, if with that small-waisted
\nThou shouldst indeed be proved my Union,
\nJewel, I’ll use thee for my crown, as Shiva
\nUpon his forehead wears the crescent moon.
\nThis flowerless creeper! Wherefore do mine eyes
\nDwell with its barren grace and my heart yearn
\nTowards it ? And yet, O,<\/b> not without a cause
\nHas she enchanted me. There standst thou, creeper,
\nAll slender, thy poor sad leaves are moist with rain,
\nThou silent, with no voice of honey-bees
\nUpon thy drooping boughs; as from thy lord
\nThe season separated, leaving off
\nThy habit of bloom. Why, I might think I saw
\nMy passionate darling sitting penitent
\nWith tear-stained face and body unadorned,
\nThinking in silence how she spurned my love.
\nI will embrace thee, creeper, for thou art
\nToo like my love. Urvasie! all my body
\nIs thrilled and satisfied of Urvasie!
\nI feel, I feel her living limbs.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n(despairingly)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
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\n

\nBut how<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShould I believe it? Everything I deem
\nA somewhat of my love, next moment turns
\nTo other. Therefore since by touch at least
\nI find my dear one, I will not separate
\nToo suddenly mine eyes from sleep.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n(opening his eyes slowly)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO love,
\nTis thou!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe swoons.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tU<\/font>RVASIE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nUpraise thy heart, my King, my liege!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>URURAVAS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDearest, at last I live! O thou hadst plunged me<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nInto a dark abyss of separation,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd fortunately art thou returned to me,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLike consciousness given back to one long dead.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tU<\/font>RVASIE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWith inward senses I have watched and felt
\nThy whole long agony.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>URURAVAS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWith inward senses ?
\nI understand thee not.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tU<\/font>RVASIE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI will tell all.
\nBut let my lord excuse my grievous fault,
\nWho, wretch enslaved by anger, brought to this
\nMy sovereign! Smile on me and pardon me!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>URURAVAS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNever speak of it. Thy clasp is thy forgiveness.
\nFor all my outward senses and my soul<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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\n

\nLeap laughing towards thy bosom. Only convince me
\nHow thou couldst live without me such an age.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tU<\/font>RVASIE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHearken. The War-God Skanda, from of old
\nVirginity eternal vowing, came
\nTo Gandhamadan’s bank men call the pure,
\nAnd made a law.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>URURAVAS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhat law, beloved ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tU<\/font>RVASIE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThis
\nThat any woman entering these precincts
\nBecomes at once a creeper. And for limit
\nOf the great curse, "Without the jewel born
\nFrom crimson of my mother’s feet can she
\nNever be woman more." Now I, my lord,
\nMy heart perplexed by the Preceptor’s curse,
\nForgot the War-God’s oath and entered here,
\nRejecting thy entreaties, to the wood
\nAvoidable of women: at the first step,
\nAll suddenly my form was changed. I was
\nA creeper growing at the wood’s wild end.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>URURAVAS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOh now intelligible! When from thy breasts
\nLoosening the whole embrace, the long delight,
\nI sank back languid, thou wouldst moan for me
\nLike one divided far. How is it then
\nPossible that thou shouldst bear patiently
\nReal distance between us ? Lo, this jewel,
\nAs in thy story, gave thee to my arms.
\nAdmonished by a hermit sage I kept it.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tU<\/font>RVASIE<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe jewel Union! Therefore at thy embrace<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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\n\u2013 988<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nI was restored.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe places the jewel gratefully upon her head.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>URURAVAS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThus stand a while. O fairest,
\nThy face, suffused with crimson from this gem
\nAbove thee pouring wide its fire and splendour,
\nHas all the beauty of a lotus reddening
\nIn early sunlight.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tU<\/font>RVASIE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO sweet of speech! remember
\nThat thy high capital awaits thee long.
\nIt may be that the people blame me. Let us,
\nMy own dear lord, return.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>URURAVAS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nLet us return.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tU<\/font>RVASIE<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhat wafture will my sovereign choose ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>URURAVAS
\n\t<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nO waft me
\nNearer the sun and make a cloud our chariot,
\nWhile lightning like a streaming banner floats
\nNow seen, now lost to vision, and the rainbow
\nWith freshness of its glory iridescent
\nEdges us. In thine arms uplift and waft me,
\nBeloved, through the wide and liquid air.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThey go.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nCurtain<\/i><\/font><\/span> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 989<\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SCENE II     Pururavas enters disordered, his eyes fixed on the sky. PURURAVAS (angrily) Halt, ruffian, halt,! Thou in thy giant arms Bearest away…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","wpcat-6-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=166"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=166"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=166"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=166"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}