{"id":728,"date":"2013-07-13T01:30:01","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=728"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:30:01","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:30:01","slug":"26-vasavadutta-act-three-scene-1-vol-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/01-sabcl\/06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06\/26-vasavadutta-act-three-scene-1-vol-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","title":{"rendered":"-26_Vasavadutta-Act Three-Scene-1.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n

\nAct Three<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/b> 
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAvunthie; in the palace.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n
\nSCENE I<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/div>\n

\nA room in the royal apartments.
\nMahasegn, Ungarica.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI conquer still though not with glorious arms.
\nHe’s seized! the young victorious Vuthsa’s mine,
\nA prisoner in my hands.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tU<\/font>NGARICA
\n\t<\/font>(laughing)<\/i><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou holdst the sun
\nUnder thy armpit as the tailed god did.
\nWhat wilt thou do with it?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMake it my moon
\nAnd shine by him upon the eastern night.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThou canst?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nLoved sceptic of my house, I can.
\nHave I not done all things I longed for yet
\nSince out of thy dim world I dragged thee alarmed
\nInto our sun and breeze and azure skies
\nBy force, my fortune ?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYes, by force; but here
\nBy force it was not done. Wilt thou depart<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 249<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nFrom thy own nature, Chunda Mahasegn,
\nAnd hop’st for victory ?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou art my strength, my fortune,
\nBut not my counsellor.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNo, I obey and watch.
\nIt<\/b> is enough for me in your strange world.
\nFor by your light I cannot guide myself.
\nMan is a creature, blinded by the sun,
\nWho errs by vision; but the world to you
\nThat’s darkness, they who walk there, they have sight.
\nSuch am I; for the shades have reared my soul.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhat dost thou see ?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThat Vuthsa is too great
\nFor thy greatness, too cunning for thy cunning; he
\nWill bend not to thy pressure.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou hast bent,
\nThe Titaness! this is a tender boy
\nAs soft as summer dews or as the lily
\nThat yields to every gentle pushing wave.
\nA hero ? yes; all Aryan boys are that.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThy daughter, Vasavadutta, is the wave
\nThat shall o’erflow this lily!<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou hast seen?<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 250<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nTis good; it is the thing my heart desires.
\nMy daughter shall have empire.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNo, thy son.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNo matter which. The first man of the age
\nWill occupy her heart; the pride and love
\nThat are her faults will both be satisfied.
\nShe will be happy.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCall her here, my queen.
\nShe shall be taught the thing she has to do.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHer heart will teach her Veena, call to me
\nThe princess.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOh, the heart, it is a danger,
\nA madness. Let the thinking mind prevail.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWe’re women, king.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNo, princesses. My daughter
\nHas dignity, pride, wisdom, noble hopes.
\nShe will not act as common natures do.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nLove will unseat them all and put them down
\nUnder his flower-soft feet.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 251<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou hast chosen ever
\nTo oppose my thoughts.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIt is their poor, revenge
\nWho in their acts must needs obey. Thy lesson, King!<\/font><\/p>\n

\nVasavadutta enters and bows down to her parents.
\n<\/i>Let royal wisdom teach a woman’s brain
\nTo use for statecraft’s ends her dearest thoughts.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMy daughter, Vasavadutta, my delight,<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNow is thy hour to pay the long dear debt<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou ow’st thy parents from whom thou wast made.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHear me; thy brain is quick, will understand.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nVuthsa, Cowsambie’s king, my rival, foe,<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy fate’s high stumbling-block, captive today<\/font><\/p>\n

\nComes to Avunthie. I mean that he shall be<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThy husband, Vasavadutta, and thy slave.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBy thee he must become, who now resists,<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy vassal even as other monarchs are.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThen shall thy father’s fates o’erleap their bounds,<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThen rule thy house, thy nation all this earth!<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis is my will; my daughter, is it thine ?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tV<\/font>ASAVADUTTA<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFather, thy will is mine, even as ’tis fate’s.
\nThou givest me to whom thou wilt; what share
\nIn this have I but only to obey?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA greater part that makes thee my ally
\nAnd golden instrument; for without thee
\nI have no hold on Vuthsa. Thou, my child,
\nMust be the chain to bind him to my throne,
\nThou my ambassador to win his mind<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 252<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAnd thou my viceroy over his subject will.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tV<\/font>ASAVADUTTA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWill he submit to this?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYes, <\/b> if thou choose.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tV<\/font>ASAVADUTTA<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI choose, my father, since it is thy will.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat thou shouldst rule the world is all my wish,<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy nation’s greatness is my dearest good.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou hast kept my dearest lessons; lose them not.
\nO thou art not as common natures are;<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou wilt not put thy own ambitions first,
\nNor justify a blind and clamorous heart.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tV<\/font>ASAVADUTTA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMy duty to my country and my sire
\nShall rule me.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI’ll not teach thy woman’s tact
\nHow it should mould this youth nor warn thy will
\nAgainst the passions of the blood. The heart
\nAnd senses over common women rule;<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou hast a mind.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tV<\/font>ASAVADUTTA<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFather, this is my pride,
\nThat thou ennoblest me to be an engine
\nOf thy great fortunes; that alone I am.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou wilt not yield then to the heart’s desire ?<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 253<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tV<\/font>ASAVADUTTA <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nLet him desire, but I will nothing yield.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI am thy daughter; greatest kings should sue<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd take my grace as an unhoped-for joy.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou art my pupil; statecraft was not wasted
\nUpon thy listening brain. Thou seest, my queen ?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThou hast made thy treaty with thy daughter. King ?
\nAs if this babe could understand! Go, go
\nAnd leave me with my child. For I will speak to her
\nAnother language.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut no breath against
\nMy purpose.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nFearest thou that?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AHASEGN<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNo; speak to her.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe goes out from the chamber.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tU<\/font>NGARICA
\n\t<\/font>(drawing Vasavadutta into her arms)<\/i><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nRest here, my child, to whom another bosom
\nWill soon be refuge. Thou hast heard the King,
\nHear now thy mother. Thou wilt know, my bliss,
\nThe fiercest sweet ordeal that can seize
\nA woman’s heart and body. O my child,
\nThou wilt house fire, thou wilt see living gods;<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd all thou hast thought and known will melt away
\nInto a flame and be reborn. What now
\nI speak, thou dost not understand, but wilt
\nBefore many nights have kept thy sleepless eyes.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 254<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nMy child, the flower blooms for its flowerhood only<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd not to make its parent bed more high.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNot for thy sire thy mother brought thee forth,<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut thy dear nature’s growth and heart’s delight<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd for a husband and for children born.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy child, let him who clasps thee be thy god<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat thou mayst be his goddess; let your wedded arms<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBe heaven; let his will be thine and thine<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBe his, his happiness thy regal pomp.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO Vasavadutta, when thy heart awakes<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou shalt obey thy sovereign heart, nor yield<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAllegiance to the clear-eyed selfish gods.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDo now thy father’s will; the god awake<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShall do his own. Yes, tremble and yet fear<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNothing. Thy mother watches over thee, child.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe puts Vasavadutta from her and goes out.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tV<\/font>ASAVADUTTA<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI love her best, but do not understand:<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy mind can always grasp my father’s thoughts.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIf I must wed, it shall be one I rule.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nVuthsa! Vuthsa Udayan! I have heard<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOnly a far-flung name. What is the man ?<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA flame ? A flower ? High like Gopalaca<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOr else some golden fair and soft-eyed youth?<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI have a fluttering in my heart to know.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 255<\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Act Three   Avunthie; in the palace.   SCENE I   A room in the royal apartments. Mahasegn, Ungarica. MAHASEGN I conquer still though not…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-728","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","wpcat-15-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/728","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=728"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/728\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=728"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=728"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=728"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}