Chapter 6Scene 3

Avunthy. A road on a wooded hill-side overlooking the plain. Gopalaca, Vuthsa in a chariot, surrounded by armed men. GOPALACA Arrest our wheels. Those are our army’s lights That climb to us like fire-flies from the plain. VUTHSA (awakened from sleep) Is this Avunthy? GOPALACA We have passed her bounds. VUTHSA So, thou dear traitor, this thou from the first Cam’st planning. GOPALACA This with more that follows it. VUTHSA Thou bearst me to thy father’s town? GOPALACA Where thou Shalt lie, a jewel guarded carefully, Beside the dearest treasure of our house. VUTHSA I must be cooped up in a golden cage As I was guarded in Cowsamby’s walls.

Vasavadutta You foes and friends think me your wealth inert, And all men hope to do their will with me. But now I warn you all that I will have My freedom and will do my own dear will By fraud or violence greater than your own. GOPALACA Thou canst not. If thou hadst thy bow indeed! VUTHSA Thou hadst me for the taking. I will break forth Almost as easily. GOPALACA Thou shalt find it hard, Such keepers shall enring thy steps. VUTHSA But I will And carry with me something costlier far Than what thou stealest from Cowsamby’s realm. For I will have revenge. GOPALACA No wealth we have More precious than the thing I seize today. Therefore thy boast is vain. VUTHSA That I will see. Was it not thy brother rode behind our car? He passes now; call him. GOPALACA Vicurna, here!

Act II, Scene 3 VUTHSA Come near, embrace me, brother of Gopalaca, Loved for his sake and for thy own desired Since I beheld thee, son of Mahasegn. VICURNA Vuthsa Udaian, in the battle’s front I had hoped to meet thee and compel thy praise As half thy equal in the fight. But this Is nearer, this is better. VUTHSA Thou art fair to see. Thy father has two noble sons. Are there No others of your great upspringing stock? GOPALACA Only a sister. VUTHSA The world has heard of her. GOPALACA Thou shalt behold. VUTHSA Oh then, it is pure gain I go to in Avunthy. O the night With all her glorious stars and from the trees Millions of shrill cigalas peal one note, A thunderous melody! Shall we be soon In the golden city? But it will be night And I shall hardly see her famous fanes. GOPALACA Dawn will have overtaken us in her skies Passing our chariots long before Ujjayiny’s seen.

Vasavadutta Our vanguard nears; unite with them; descend. Roomunwath’s cohorts should tread close behind. VUTHSA They will not come. My fate must ride with me Unhindered to Avunthy. GOPALACA Hasten in front Towards my father fire-hooved messengers To cry aloud to him the prize we bring Richer than booty of his twenty wars. Shiva has smiled on us. VUTHSA Vishnu on me. Godheads, it is by strife that you grow one.