SCENE II
Vasavadutta’s chamber.
VUTHSA
Thy hands have yet no cunning with the strings.
VASAVADUTTA I cannot manage it; my hand rebels.
VUTHSA I will compel it then. He takes her hand in his Thou dost not chide.
VASAVADUTTA
I am weary of chiding; and how rule a boy
Vuthsa takes her by the arms and
VUTHSA
What thy eyes
VASAVADUTTA
Presumptuous! wilt thou not immediately
VUTHSA Not till thy heart’s will is done. He draws her down on his knees, resisting. Page – 284
VASAVADUTTA
What will? I did not bid. What will? Vuthsa!
He masters her and holds her on his bosom.
VUTHSA
O my desire, why should we still deny
VASAVADUTTA Vuthsa! Vuthsa! He forces her lips up to his and kisses her.
VUTHSA
O honey of thy mouth! The joy, the joy
Vasavadutta escapes and stands
VASAVADUTTA Stand there! approach me not.
VUTHSA I thought ‘twould be enough for many ages; But ’tis not so.
VASAVADUTTA Go from me, seek thy room. Page – 285
VUTHSA Have I so much offended? I will go. He pretends to go.
VASAVADUTTA Vuthsa, I am not angry; do not go. . Sit; I must chide thee. Was this well to abuse My kindness, to mistake indulgence ? — No, I am not angry; thou art only a boy. I have permitted thee to love because Thou saidst thou couldst not help it. This again Thou must not do, — not thus.
VUTHSA Then teach me how.
VASAVADUTTA (with a troubled smile)
I never had so importunate a slave.
She comes to him suddenly, takes him to her
VUTHSA O if ’tis this, I will again offend.
She clings to him, kisses him again,
VASAVADUTTA Go from me, go. Wilt thou not go? Munjoolica!
VUTHSA
She is not here to help thee against thy heart.
VASAVADUTTA Wilt thou leave me ? Page – 286
VUTHSA
Never! thus, thus into my bosom grow,
VASAVADUTTA
O my happiness!
VUTHSA
If we could thus remain through many ages,
VASAVADUTTA
I have loved thee always
VUTHSA Thou wilt not now refuse thy lips?
VASAVADUTTA Nothing to thee.
VUTHSA
Yes, thou shalt be my queen Page – 287
VASAVADUTTA
I accept, my king,
VUTHSA
Weave thyself into morn and noon and eve.
VASAVADUTTA If thy heart strays from me, —
VUTHSA
VASAVADUTTA
If thy eyes stray from me,
VUTHSA
If I view all beautiful things
VASAVADUTTA
Then must I find
Page – 288
VUTHSA
Tonight, my love, my love,
VASAVADUTTA Ah, Vuthsa, no.
VUTHSA
Does not thy heart cry, yes ?
VASAVADUTTA (faintly) Munjoolica!
VUTHSA
Beloved, thy eyes Munjoolica entering Vuthsa releases Vasavadutta.
MUNJOOLICA Princess!
VASAVADUTTA Munjoolica! Why earnest thou?
MUNJOOLICA Calledst thou not?
VASAVADUTTA
Tis forgotten. Oh, I remember.
MUNJOOLICA Oh, very little. Come, the hour is late; Page – 289
The Princess’ maidens will come trooping in.
She takes Vuthsa by both wrists
VASAVADUTTA
There is a fire within me and a cry.
Perhaps the large, silent night will give me peace Page – 290 |