{"id":1751,"date":"2013-07-13T01:37:03","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:37:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=1751"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:37:03","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:37:03","slug":"06-vasavadutta-act-iv-vol-03-04-collected-plays-and-stories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/03-cwsa\/03-04-collected-plays-and-stories\/06-vasavadutta-act-iv-vol-03-04-collected-plays-and-stories","title":{"rendered":"-06_Vasavadutta – Act – IV.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n
\n <\/p>\n

\n\n\n
\n

 <\/td>\n

\n
\n\t\t\t
\n <\/p>\n

\nAct IV<\/b><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nScene
\n1<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/font> <\/p>\n

A room in the royal apartments.<\/i><\/p>\n

Ungarica, Vasavadutta.<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Thou singest well; a cry of Vuthsa’s art<\/p>\n

Has stolen into thy song.<\/p>\n

She takes Vasavadutta on her lap.<\/i><\/p>\n

Look up at me,<\/p>\n

My daughter, let me gaze into thy eyes<\/p>\n

And from their silence learn thy treasured thoughts.<\/p>\n

Thou knowest I can read twixt human lids<\/p>\n

The secrets of the throbbing heart? I search<\/p>\n

In Vasavadutta’s eyes by what strange skill<\/p>\n

Vuthsa has crept into my daughter’s voice.<\/p>\n

Thou keepst thy lashes lowered? thou wilt not let me look?<\/p>\n

But that too I can read.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

O mother, mother mine,<\/p>\n

Plague me not; thou knowst all things; comfort me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Thou needest comfort?<\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Yes, against myself<\/p>\n

Who trouble my own heart.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 693<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Why? though I know.<\/p>\n

Thou wilt not speak? I’ll speak then for thee.<\/p>\n

Vasavadutta alarmed puts her hand<\/i><\/p>\n

over Ungarica’s mouth.<\/i><\/p>\n

Off!<\/p>\n

It is because thou canst not here control<\/p>\n

What thy immortal part with rapture wills<\/p>\n

And the mortal longingly desires; for yet<\/p>\n

Thy proud heart cannot find the way to yield.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

If thou knewst, mother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

No, thou hast the will<\/p>\n

But not the art, Love’s learner. O my proud<\/p>\n

Sweet ignorance, ’tis he shall find the way<\/p>\n

And thou shalt know the joy of being forced<\/p>\n

To what thy heart desires.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

O mother!<\/p>\n

She hides her face in Ungarica’s bosom.<\/i><\/p>\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Thou hast done thy father’s will?<\/p>\n

Thy husband shall be vassal to thy sire?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Have I a father or a house? O none,<\/p>\n

O none, O none exists but only he.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Let none exist for thee but the dear all thou lov’st.<\/p>\n

I charge thee, Vasavadutta, when thou rul’st<\/p>\n

In far Cowsamby, let this be thy reign<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 694<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

To heap on him delight and seek his good.<\/p>\n

Raise his high fortunes, shelter from grief his heart,<\/p>\n

Even with thy own tears buy his joy and peace,<\/p>\n

Nor let one clamorous thought of self revolt<\/p>\n

Against him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Mother, thou canst see my heart;<\/p>\n

Is this not there? Can it do otherwise,<\/p>\n

Being thus conquered, even if it willed?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Child, ’tis my care to give thy heart a voice<\/p>\n

And bind it to its nobler loving self.<\/p>\n

Let this be now thy pride.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

It is, it is.<\/p>\n

But, mother, it is very sweet to rule,<\/p>\n

And if I rule him for his good, not mine?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Thou canst not be corrected! Queenling, rule.<\/p>\n

Go now; thy brother comes.<\/p>\n

Vasavadutta escapes towards her own apartments;<\/i><\/p>\n

Vicurna enters from the outer door.<\/i><\/p>\n

Why is thy brow<\/p>\n

A darkness?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VICURNA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Wherefore was King Vuthsa brought<\/p>\n

Into Ujjayiny? why is captive kept?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Thy father’s will, who knows.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 695<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

VICURNA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

But I would know.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Him ask.<\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

VICURNA<\/font> (taking her face between his hands<\/i>)<\/p>\n

I ask thee; thou must answer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

To wed<\/p>\n

Thy sister.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VICURNA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Let him wed and be released.<\/p>\n

Our fame is smirched; the city murmurs. War<\/p>\n

Threatens from Vuthsa’s nation and our cause<\/p>\n

Is evil.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Wedding her he must consent<\/p>\n

To be our vassal.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VICURNA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Thus are vassals made?<\/p>\n

Thus empires built? This is a shameful thing.<\/p>\n

Release him first, then with proud war subdue.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Thou knowest thy father’s stern, unbending will<\/p>\n

Whom we must all obey.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VICURNA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Not I, or not<\/p>\n

In evil things.<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 696<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Respect thy father! He<\/p>\n

Will not, unsatisfied, release his foe.<\/p>\n

Demand not this.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VICURNA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

I will release him then.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Him by what right who is thy house’s peril?<\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

VICURNA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

He is a hero and he is my friend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Didst thou not help to bring him captive here?<\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

VICURNA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

For Vasavadutta. I will bear them both<\/p>\n

Out from the city in my chariot far<\/p>\n

Into the freedom of the hills. I will hew down<\/p>\n

All who oppose me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Rash and violent boy,<\/p>\n

So wilt thou make bad worse. Await the hour<\/p>\n

When Vuthsa shall himself demand thy aid.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VICURNA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

The hour will come?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

He will be free.<\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

VICURNA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Then soon,<\/p>\n

Or I myself will act.<\/p>\n

He goes out.<\/i><\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 697<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

UNGARICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

This too is well<\/p>\n

And most that the proud chivalries of old<\/p>\n

Are not yet dead in all men’s hearts. O God<\/p>\n

Shiva, thou mak’st me fortunate in my sons.<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 698<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

\nScene
\n2<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

Vasavadutta’s chamber.<\/i><\/p>\n

Vuthsa, Vasavadutta.<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Thy hands have yet no cunning with the strings.<\/p>\n

‘Tis not the touch alone but manner of the touch<\/p>\n

That calls the murmuring spirit forth, \u2014  as thus.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

I cannot manage it; my hand rebels.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

I will compel it then.<\/p>\n

He takes her hand in his.<\/i><\/p>\n

Thou dost not chide.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

I am weary of chiding; and how rule a boy<\/p>\n

Who takes delight in being chidden? And then<\/p>\n

‘Twas only my hand. What dost thou?<\/p>\n

Vuthsa takes her by the arms and<\/i><\/p>\n

draws her towards him.<\/i><\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

What thy eyes<\/p>\n

Commanded me and what for many days<\/p>\n

My heart has clamoured for in hungry pain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Presumptuous! wilt thou not immediately<\/p>\n

Release me?<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 699<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

V<\/font>UTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Not till thy heart’s will is done.<\/p>\n

He draws her down on his knees, resisting.<\/i><\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

What will? I did not bid. What will? Vuthsa!<\/p>\n

Vuthsa! I did not bid. This is not well.<\/p>\n

He masters her and holds her on his bosom.<\/i><\/p>\n

Her head falls on his shoulder.<\/i><\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

O my desire, why should we still deny<\/p>\n

Delight that calls to us? Strive not with joy,<\/p>\n

But yield me the sweet mortal privilege<\/p>\n

That makes me equal with the happiest god<\/p>\n

In all the heavens of fulfilled desire.<\/p>\n

O on thy sweet averted cheek! My queen,<\/p>\n

My wilful empress, all in vain thou striv’st<\/p>\n

To keep from me the treasure of thy lips<\/p>\n

I have deserved so long.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Vuthsa! Vuthsa!<\/p>\n

He forces her lips up to his and kisses her.<\/i><\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

O honey of thy mouth! The joy, the joy<\/p>\n

Was sweeter. I have drunk in heaven at last,<\/p>\n

Let what will happen.<\/p>\n

Vasavadutta escapes and stands<\/i><\/p>\n

quivering at a distance.<\/i><\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Stand there! approach me not.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

I thought ‘twould be enough for many ages;<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 700<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

But ’tis not so.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Go from me, seek thy room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Have I so much offended? I will go.<\/p>\n

He pretends to go.<\/i><\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Vuthsa, I am not angry; do not go.<\/p>\n

Sit; I must chide thee. Was this well to abuse<\/p>\n

My kindness, to mistake indulgence? \u2014  No,<\/p>\n

I am not angry; thou art only a boy.<\/p>\n

I have permitted thee to love because<\/p>\n

Thou saidst thou couldst not help it. This again<\/p>\n

Thou must not do, \u2014  not thus.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Then teach me how.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/font> (with a troubled smile<\/i>)<\/p>\n

I never had so importunate a slave.<\/p>\n

I must think out some punishment for thee.<\/p>\n

She comes to him suddenly, takes him to her<\/i><\/p>\n

bosom and kisses him with passion.<\/i><\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

O if ’tis this, I will again offend.<\/p>\n

She clings to him, kisses him again,<\/i><\/p>\n

then puts him away from her.<\/i><\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Go from me, go. Wilt thou not go? Munjoolica!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

She is not here to help thee against thy heart.<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 701<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nBut I will go; thou willst it.<\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Wilt thou leave me?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Never! thus, thus into my bosom grow,<\/p>\n

O Vasavadutta.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

O my happiness!<\/p>\n

O Vuthsa, only name that’s sweet on earth<\/p>\n

I have murmured to the silence of the hours,<\/p>\n

Give me delight, let me endure thy clasp<\/p>\n

For ever. O loveliest head on all the earth!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

If we could thus remain through many ages,<\/p>\n

Nor Time grow weary ever of such bliss,<\/p>\n

O Vasavadutta!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

I have loved thee always<\/p>\n

Even when I knew it not. Was’t not the love<\/p>\n

Secret between us, drew thee here by force,<\/p>\n

Vuthsa?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Thou wilt not now refuse thy lips?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Nothing to thee.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Yes, thou shalt be my queen<\/p>\n

Surrendered henceforth, I thy slave enthroned.<\/p>\n

Give me the largess of thyself that I may be<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 702<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

The constant vassal of thy tyrant eyes<\/p>\n

And captive of thy beauty all my days<\/p>\n

And homage pay to thy sweet sovereign soul.<\/p>\n

Thus, thus accept me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

I accept, my king,<\/p>\n

Thy service and thy homage and thy love.<\/p>\n

If in return the bounty of myself<\/p>\n

I lavish on thee, will it be enough?<\/p>\n

Can it hold thy life as thou wilt fill all mine?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Weave thyself into morn and noon and eve.<\/p>\n

We will not be as man and woman are<\/p>\n

Who are with partial oneness satisfied,<\/p>\n

Divided in our works, but one large soul<\/p>\n

Parted in two dear bodies for more bliss.<\/p>\n

For all my occupations thou shalt rule,<\/p>\n

And those that take me from thy blissful shadow<\/p>\n

Still with thy sweet remembrance shall inspired<\/p>\n

Be done by thee.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

If thy heart strays from me, \u2014 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Never my heart.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

If thy eyes stray from me,<\/p>\n

O Vuthsa, \u2014\n<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

If I view all beautiful things<\/p>\n

With natural delight, thou wilt pardon that<\/p>\n

Because thou wilt share the joy.<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 703<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Then must I find<\/p>\n

Thy beauty there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Tonight, my love, my love,<\/p>\n

Shall we not linger heart on heart tonight?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Ah, Vuthsa, no.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Does not thy heart cry, yes?<\/p>\n

Are we not wedded? Shall we dally, love,<\/p>\n

Upon heaven’s outskirts, nor all Paradise<\/p>\n

This hour compel?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/font> (faintly<\/i>)<\/p>\n

Munjoolica!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Beloved, thy eyes<\/p>\n

Beseech me to overcome thee with my will.<\/p>\n

Munjoolica entering, Vuthsa releases Vasavadutta.<\/i><\/p>\n

MUNJOOLICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Princess!<\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Munjoolica! Why camest thou?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MUNJOOLICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Call’dst thou not?<\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

‘Tis forgotten. Oh, I remember.<\/p>\n

‘Twas to lead Vuthsa to his prison. (low<\/i>) Smile,<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 704<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

And I will beat thee! It was all thy fault.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MUNJOOLICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Oh, very little. Come, the hour is late;<\/p>\n

The Princess’ maidens will come trooping in.<\/p>\n

Turn not reluctant eyes behind but come.<\/p>\n

She takes Vuthsa by both wrists<\/i><\/p>\n

and leads him out.<\/i><\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

There is a fire within me and a cry.<\/p>\n

My longings have all broken in a flood<\/p>\n

And I am the tossed spray! O my desire<\/p>\n

That criest for the beauty of his limbs<\/p>\n

And to feel all his body with thyself<\/p>\n

And lose thy soul in his sweet answering soul,<\/p>\n

Wilt thou not all this night be silent? I<\/p>\n

Will walk upon the terrace in moonlight;<\/p>\n

Perhaps the large, silent night will give me peace.<\/p>\n

For now ’twere vain to sleep. O in his arms!<\/p>\n

His arms about me and the world expunged!<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 705<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

\nScene
\n3<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

The tower-room by the terrace.<\/i><\/p>\n

Vuthsa asleep on a couch; Munjoolica.<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

M<\/font>UNJOOLICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

He sleeps and now to lure my victim here.<\/p>\n

You! princess! Vasavadutta!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/font> (appearing at the doorway<\/i>)<\/p>\n

Didst thou call?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MUNJOOLICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Yes, to come in from moonlight to the moon.<\/p>\n

Thou hast never seen him yet asleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

He sleeps!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MUNJOOLICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

His curls are pillowed on one golden arm<\/p>\n

Like clouds upon the moon. Wilt thou not see?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

I dare not. I will stand here and will see.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MUNJOOLICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Thou shalt not. Either pass or enter in.<\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Thou playst the tyrant? I will stand and see.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 706<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

MUNJOOLICA <\/font>
\n(pushing her suddenly in<\/i>)<\/p>\n

In with thee!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Munjoolica!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MUNJOOLICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Hush, wake him not!<\/p>\n

She drags her to the couch-side.<\/i><\/p>\n

Is he not beautiful?<\/p>\n

She draws back and after a moment<\/i><\/p>\n

goes quietly out and closes the door.<\/i><\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Oh, now I feel<\/p>\n

My mother’s heart when over me she bowed<\/p>\n

Wakeful at midnight! He has never had<\/p>\n

Since his strange birth a mother’s, sister’s love.<\/p>\n

O sleeping soul of my beloved, hear<\/p>\n

My vow, that while thy Vasavadutta lives,<\/p>\n

Thou shalt not lack again one heart’s desire,<\/p>\n

One tender bodily want. All things at once,<\/p>\n

Wife, mother, sister, lover, playmate, friend,<\/p>\n

Queen, comrade, counsellor I will be to thee.<\/p>\n

Self shall not chill my heart with wedded strife,<\/p>\n

Nor age nor custom pale my fire of love.<\/p>\n

I have that strength in me, the strength to love of gods.<\/p>\n

A tress of her hair falls on his<\/i><\/p>\n

face and awakes him.<\/i><\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

O Vasavadutta, thou hast come to me!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

It was not I! Munjoolica dragged me in.<\/p>\n

O where is she? The door!<\/p>\n

She hastens to the door and finds<\/i><\/p>\n

it bolted from outside.<\/i><\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 707<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nMunjoolica!<\/p>\n

What is this jest? I shall be angry. Open.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MUNJOOLICA<\/font> (outside, solemnly<\/i>)<\/p>\n

Bolted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

For pity, sweet Munjoolica!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MUNJOOLICA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

I settle my accounts. Be happy. I<\/p>\n

Am gone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Go not, go not, Munjoolica.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/font> (coming to her<\/i>)<\/p>\n

She’s gone, the thrice-blessed mischief, and tonight<\/p>\n

This happy prison thou gav’st me is thine too.<\/p>\n

Goddess! thou art shut in with thy delight.<\/p>\n

Why wouldst thou flee then through the doors of heaven?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

O not tonight! Be patient! I will ask<\/p>\n

My father; he will give me as thy wife.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VUTHSA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Thou thinkst I’ll take thee from thy father’s hands<\/p>\n

Like a poor Brahmin begging for a dole?<\/p>\n

Not so do heroes’ children wed, nor they<\/p>\n

Who from the loins of puissant princes sprang.<\/p>\n

With the free interchange of looks and hearts<\/p>\n

Nobly self-given, heaven for the priest<\/p>\n

And the heart’s answers for the holy verse,<\/p>\n

They are wedded or by wished-for violence torn<\/p>\n

Consenting, yet resisting from the midst<\/p>\n

Of many armed men. So will I wed thee,<\/p>\n

O Vasavadutta, so will bear by force<\/p>\n


\nPage \u2013 708<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Out of the house and city of my foes<\/p>\n

Breaking through hostile gates. By a long kiss<\/p>\n

I’ll seal thy lips that vainly would forbid.<\/p>\n

Let thy heart speak instead the word of joy,<\/p>\n

O Vasavadutta.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VASAVADUTTA<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

Do with me what thou wilt, for I am thine.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\tPage \u2013 709<\/p>\n

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<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/a><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

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<\/font><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Act IV   Scene 1   A room in the royal apartments. Ungarica, Vasavadutta.   UNGARICA Thou singest well; a cry of Vuthsa’s art…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-03-04-collected-plays-and-stories","wpcat-39-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1751","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=1751"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1751\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}