Chapter 18Scene 4

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.

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.

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.

If I could hold thee safe at last!