Chapter 16Scene 2

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.

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.

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!