Chapter 19Scene 5

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.

Vasavadutta 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

Act V, Scene 5 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.