Vasavadatta

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?

Thinkst 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 jests 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 Avunthy's far-famed paragon of girls,

He shall have tithe of all my golden gains.

 

MUNJOOLICA

Why not to Avunthy'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

Frighted 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 Avunthy'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 Avunthy's loins

Nearest Ujjayiny. 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 Ujjayiny.

 

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 Gundhurvas 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 Cowsamby.

 

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 moonlit 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 Cowsamby'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 Cowsamby 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 apartments.

 

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 sayst 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

Cowsamby'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. Udaian 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

Ujjayiny, 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 Avunthy's prince,

My second in my cares. Hear then! if twixt

Ujjayiny 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 Cowsamby, but leave not

Till she is solemnised as Vuthsa's queen.

Sole let her reign throned by Udaian'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 breathe 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 mockst! 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 Ujjayiny. Therefore yield the princess.

Thyself depart a freeman to thy realms.

 

VUTHSA

Knowst 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?

 

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 Udaian 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 Avunthy'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 or 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 Avunthy 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 Avunthy.

 

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 Avunthy's head.

 

VUTHSA

Yet still thy son.

 

YOUGUNDHARAYAN

Hail, Vasavadutta, great Cowsamby'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 Ujjayiny, 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 Avunthy'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 Avunthy keeps;

My sister shall sit throned thy only queen,—

Which, pardon me, my eyes must witness done

With honour to our name.

 

VUTHSA

Cowsamby's majesty

Will brook not even in this, Gopalaca,

A foreign summons. Surely my will and love

Shall throne most high, not strong Avunthy'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, Udaian, 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 Cowsamby 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.