MadanaAlas，thoudaughterofmortals！IstolefromthedivineStorehousethefragrantwineofheaven，filledwithitoneearthlynighttothebrim，andplaceditinthyhandtodrink——
yetstillIhearthiscryofanguish！
Chitra[bitterly]
Whodrankit？Therarestcompletionoflife’sdesire，thefirstunionoflovewasprofferedtome，butwaswrestedfrommygrasp？
Thisborrowedbeauty，thisfalsehoodthatenwrapsme，willslipfrommetakingwithittheonlymonumentofthatsweetunion，asthepetalsfallfromanoverblownflower;andthewomanashamedofhernakedpovertywillsitweepingdayandnight。LordLove，thiscursedappearancecompanionsmelikeademonrobbingmeofalltheprizesoflove——allthekissesforwhichmyheartisathirst。
MadanaAlas，howvainthysinglenighthadbeen！Thebarqueofjoycameinsight，butthewaveswouldnotletittouchtheshore。
ChitraHeavencamesoclosetomyhandthatIforgotforamomentthatithadnotreachedme。ButwhenIwokeinthemorningfrommydreamIfoundthatmybodyhadbecomemyownrival。Itismyhatefultasktodeckhereveryday，tosendhertomybelovedandseehercaressedbyhim。Ogod，takebackthyboon！
MadanaButifItakeitfromyouhowcanyoustandbeforeyourlover？
Tosnatchawaythecupfromhislipswhenhehasscarcelydrainedhisfirstdraughtofpleasure，wouldnotthatbecruel？Withwhatresentfulangerhemustregardtheethen？
ChitraThatwouldbebetterfarthanthis。Iwillrevealmytrueselftohim，anoblerthingthanthisdisguise。Ifherejectsit，ifhespurnsmeandbreaksmyheart，Iwillbeareventhatinsilence。
VasantaListentomyadvice。Whenwiththeadventofautumnthefloweringseasonisoverthencomesthetriumphoffruitage。A
timewillcomeofitselfwhentheheat—cloyedbloomofthebodywilldroopandArjunawillgladlyaccepttheabidingfruitfultruthinthee。Ochild，gobacktothymadfestival。
SCENEIV
ChitraWHYdoyouwatchmelikethat，mywarrior？
ArjunaIwatchhowyouweavethatgarland。Skillandgrace，thetwinbrotherandsister，aredancingplayfullyonyourfingertips。I
amwatchingandthinking。
ChitraWhatareyouthinking，sir？
ArjunaIamthinkingthatyou，withthissamelightnessoftouchandsweetness，areweavingmydaysofexileintoanimmortalwreath，tocrownmewhenIreturnhome。
ChitraHome！Butthisloveisnotforahome！
ArjunaNotforahome？
ChitraNo。Nevertalkofthat。Taketoyourhomewhatisabidingandstrong。Leavethelittlewildflowerwhereitwasborn;leaveitbeautifullytodieattheday’sendamongallfadingblossomsanddecayingleaves。Donottakeittoyourpalacehalltoflingitonthestonyfloorwhichknowsnopityforthingsthatfadeandareforgotten。
ArjunaIsoursthatkindoflove？
ChitraYes，noother！Whyregretit？Thatwhichwasmeantforidledaysshouldneveroutlivethem。Joyturnsintopainwhenthedoorbywhichitshoulddepartisshutagainstit。Takeitandkeepitaslongasitlasts。Letnotthesatietyofyoureveningclaimmorethanthedesireofyourmorningcouldearn……Thedayisdone。Putthisgarlandon。Iamtired。Takemeinyourarms，mylove。Letallvainbickeringsofdiscontentdieawayatthesweetmeetingofourlips。
ArjunaHush！Listen，mybeloved，thesoundofprayerbellsfromthedistantvillagetemplestealsupontheeveningairacrossthesilenttrees！
SCENEV
VasantaICANNOTkeeppacewiththee，myfriend！Iamtired。Itisahardtasktokeepalivethefirethouhastkindled。Sleepovertakesme，thefandropsfrommyhand，andcoldashescovertheglowofthefire。Istartupagainfrommyslumberandwithallmymightrescuethewearyflame。Butthiscangoonnolonger。
MadanaIknow，thouartasfickleasachild。Everrestlessisthyplayinheavenandonearth。Thingsthatthoufordaysbuildestupwithendlessdetailthoudostshatterinamomentwithoutregret。
Butthisworkofoursisnearlyfinished。Pleasure—wingeddaysflyfast，andtheyear，almostatitsend，swoonsinrapturousbliss。
SCENEVI
ArjunaIWOKEinthemorningandfoundthatmydreamshaddistilledagem。Ihavenocaskettoincloseit，noking’scrownwhereontofixit，nochainfromwhichtohangit，andyethavenotthehearttothrowitaway。MyKshatriya’srightarm，idlyoccupiedinholdingit，forgetsitsduties。
EnterCHITRA。
ChitraTellmeyourthoughts，sir！
ArjunaMymindisbusywiththoughtsofhuntingtoday。See，howtherainpoursintorrentsandfiercelybeatsuponthehillside。Thedarkshadowofthecloudshangsheavilyovertheforest，andtheswollenstream，likerecklessyouth，overleapsallbarrierswithmockinglaughter。OnsuchrainydayswefivebrotherswouldgototheChitrakaforesttochasewildbeasts。Thoseweregladtimes。Ourheartsdancedtothedrumbeatofrumblingclouds。Thewoodsresoundedwiththescreamsofpeacocks。Timiddeercouldnothearourapproachingstepsforthepatterofrainandthenoiseofwaterfalls;theleopardswouldleavetheirtracksonthewetearth，betrayingtheirlairs。Oursportover，wedaredeachothertoswimacrossturbulentstreamsonourwaybackhome。Therestlessspiritisonme。Ilongtogohunting。
ChitraFirstrundownthequarryyouarenowfollowing。Areyouquitecertainthattheenchanteddeeryoupursuemustneedsbecaught？
No，notyet。Likeadreamthewildcreatureeludesyouwhenitseemsmostnearlyyours。Lookhowthewindischasedbythemadrainthatdischargesathousandarrowsafterit。Yetitgoesfreeandunconquered。Oursportislikethat，mylove！Yougivechasetothefleet—footedspiritofbeauty，aimingathereverydartyouhaveinyourhands。Yetthismagicdeerrunseverfreeanduntouched。
ArjunaMylove，haveyounohomewherekindheartsarewaitingforyourreturn？Ahomewhichyouoncemadesweetwithyourgentleserviceandwhoselightwentoutwhenyouleftitforthiswilderness？
ChitraWhythesequestions？Arethehoursofunthinkingpleasureover？
DoyounotknowthatIamnomorethanwhatyouseebeforeyou？
Formethereisnovistabeyond。ThedewthathangsonthetipofaKinsukapetalhasneithernamenordestination。Itoffersnoanswertoanyquestion。Shewhomyouloveislikethatperfectbeadofdew。
ArjunaHasshenotiewiththeworld？Canshebemerelylikeafragmentofheavendroppedontheearththroughthecarelessnessofawantongod？
ChitraYes。
ArjunaAh，thatiswhyIalwaysseemabouttoloseyou。Myheartisunsatisfied，mymindknowsnopeace。Comeclosertome，unattainableone！Surrenderyourselftothebondsofnameandhomeandparentage。Letmyheartfeelyouonallsidesandlivewithyouinthepeacefulsecurityoflove。
ChitraWhythisvainefforttocatchandkeepthetintsoftheclouds，thedanceofthewaves，thesmelloftheflowers？
ArjunaMistressmine，donothopetopacifylovewithairynothings。
Givemesomethingtoclasp，somethingthatcanlastlongerthanpleasure，thatcanendureeventhroughsuffering。
ChitraHeromine，theyearisnotyetfull，andyouaretiredalready！
NowIknowthatitisHeaven’sblessingthathasmadetheflower’stermoflifeshort。Couldthisbodyofminehavedroopedanddiedwiththeflowersoflastspringitsurelywouldhavediedwithhonour。Yet，itsdaysarenumbered，mylove。
Spareitnot，pressitdryofhoney，forfearyourbeggar’sheartcomebacktoitagainandagainwithunsateddesire，likeathirstybeewhensummerblossomsliedeadinthedust。
SCENEVII
MadanaTONIGHTisthylastnight。
VasantaThelovelinessofyourbodywillreturntomorrowtotheinexhaustiblestoresofthespring。TheruddytintofthylipsfreedfromthememoryofArjuna’skisses，willbudanewasapairoffreshasokaleaves，andthesoft，whiteglowofthyskinwillbebornagaininahundredfragrantjasmineflowers。
ChitraOgods，grantmethismyprayer！Tonight，initslasthourletmybeautyflashitsbrightest，likethefinalflickerofadyingflame。
MadanaThoushalthavethywish。
SCENEVIII
VillagersWHOwillprotectusnow？
ArjunaWhy，bywhatdangerareyouthreatened？
VillagersTherobbersarepouringfromthenorthernhillslikeamountainfloodtodevastateourvillage。
ArjunaHaveyouinthiskingdomnowarden？
VillagersPrincessChitrawastheterrorofallevildoers。Whileshewasinthishappylandwefearednaturaldeaths，buthadnootherfears。Nowshehasgoneonapilgrimage，andnoneknowswheretofindher。
ArjunaIsthewardenofthiscountryawoman？
VillagersYes，sheisourfatherandmotherinone。
[Exeunt。
EnterCHITRA。
ChitraWhyareyousittingallalone？
ArjunaIamtryingtoimaginewhatkindofwomanPrincessChitramaybe。
Ihearsomanystoriesofherfromallsortsofmen。
ChitraAh，butsheisnotbeautiful。Shehasnosuchlovelyeyesasmine，darkasdeath。Shecanpierceanytargetshewill，butnotourhero’sheart。
ArjunaTheysaythatinvaloursheisaman，andawomanintenderness。
ChitraThat，indeed，ishergreatestmisfortune。Whenawomanismerelyawoman;whenshewindsherselfroundandroundmen’sheartswithhersmilesandsobsandservicesandcaressingendearments;thensheishappy。Ofwhatusetoherarelearningandgreatachievements？CouldyouhaveseenheronlyyesterdayinthecourtoftheLordShiva’stemplebytheforestpath，youwouldhavepassedbywithoutdeigningtolookather。Buthaveyougrownsowearyofwoman’sbeautythatyouseekinherforaman’sstrength？
Withgreenleaveswetfromthesprayofthefoamingwaterfall，I
havemadeournoondaybedinacaverndarkasnight。Therethecoolofthesoftgreenmossesthickontheblackanddrippingstone，kissesyoureyestosleep。Letmeguideyouthither。
ArjunaNottoday，beloved。
ChitraWhynottoday？
ArjunaIhaveheardthatahordeofrobbershasnearedtheplains。
NeedsmustIgoandpreparemyweaponstoprotectthefrightenedvillagers。
ChitraYouneedhavenofearforthem。Beforeshestartedonherpilgrimage，PrincessChitrahadsetstrongguardsatallthefrontierpasses。
ArjunaYetpermitmeforashortwhiletosetaboutaKshatriya’swork。
WithnewglorywillIennoblethisidlearm，andmakeofitapillowmoreworthyofyourhead。
ChitraWhatifIrefusetoletyougo，ifIkeepyouentwinedinmyarms？Wouldyourudelysnatchyourselffreeandleaveme？Gothen！Butyoumustknowthattheliana，oncebrokenintwo，neverjoinsagain。Go，ifyourthirstisquenched。But，ifnot，thenrememberthatthegoddessofpleasureisfickle，andwaitsfornoman。Sitforawhile，mylord！Tellmewhatuneasythoughtsteaseyou。Whooccupiedyourmindtoday？IsitChitra？
ArjunaYes，itisChitra。Iwonderinfulfilmentofwhatvowshehasgoneonherpilgrimage。Ofwhatcouldshestandinneed？
ChitraHerneeds？Why，whathassheeverhad，theunfortunatecreature？
Herveryqualitiesareasprisonwalls，shuttingherwoman’sheartinabarecell。Sheisobscured，sheisunfulfilled。Herwomanlylovemustcontentitselfdressedinrags;beautyisdeniedher。Sheislikethespiritofacheerlessmorning，sittinguponthestonymountainpeak，allherlightblottedoutbydarkclouds。Donotaskmeofherlife。Itwillneversoundsweettoman’sear。
ArjunaIameagertolearnallabouther。Iamlikeatravellercometoastrangecityatmidnight。Domesandtowersandgarden—treeslookvagueandshadowy，andthedullmoanoftheseacomesfitfullythroughthesilenceofsleep。Wistfullyhewaitsforthemorningtorevealtohimallthestrangewonders。Oh，tellmeherstory。
ChitraWhatmoreistheretotell？
ArjunaIseemtoseeher，inmymind’seye，ridingonawhitehorse，proudlyholdingthereinsinherlefthand，andinherrightabow，andliketheGoddessofVictorydispensinggladhopeallroundher。Likeawatchfullionesssheprotectsthelitteratherdugswithafiercelove。Woman’sarms，thoughadornedwithnaughtbutunfetteredstrength，arebeautiful！Myheartisrestless，fairone，likeaserpentrevivingfromhislongwinter’ssleep。Come，letusbothraceonswifthorsessidebyside，liketwinorbsoflightsweepingthroughspace。Outfromthisslumbrousprisonofgreengloom，thisdank，densecoverofperfumedintoxication，chokingbreath。
ChitraArjuna，tellmetrue，if，nowatonce，bysomemagicIcouldshakemyselffreefromthisvoluptuoussoftness，thistimidbloomofbeautyshrinkingfromtherudeandhealthytouchoftheworld，andflingitfrommybodylikeborrowedclothes，wouldyoubeabletobearit？IfIstandupstraightandstrongwiththestrengthofadaringheartspurningthewilesandartsoftwiningweakness，ifIholdmyheadhighlikeatallyoungmountainfir，nolongertrailinginthedustlikealiana，shallIthenappealtoman’seye？No，no，youcouldnotendureit。ItisbetterthatIshouldkeepspreadaboutmeallthedaintyplaythingsoffugitiveyouth，andwaitforyouinpatience。Whenitpleasesyoutoreturn，Iwillsmilinglypouroutforyouthewineofpleasureinthecupofthisbeauteousbody。Whenyouaretiredandsatiatedwiththiswine，youcangotoworkorplay;andwhenIgrowoldIwillaccepthumblyandgratefullywhatevercornerisleftforme。Woulditpleaseyourheroicsouliftheplaymateofthenightaspiredtobethehelpmeetoftheday，iftheleftarmlearnttosharetheburdenoftheproudrightarm？
ArjunaIneverseemtoknowyouaright。Youseemtomelikeagoddesshiddenwithinagoldenimage。Icannottouchyou，Icannotpayyoumyduesinreturnforyourpricelessgifts。Thusmyloveisincomplete。Sometimesintheenigmaticdepthofyoursadlook，inyourplayfulwordsmockingattheirownmeaning，Igainglimpsesofabeingtryingtorendasunderthelanguorousgraceofherbody，toemergeinachastefireofpainthroughavaporousveilofsmiles。IllusionisthefirstappearanceofTruth。Sheadvancestowardsherloverindisguise。Butatimecomeswhenshethrowsoffherornamentsandveilsandstandsclothedinnakeddignity。Igropeforthatultimateyou，thatbaresimplicityoftruth。
Whythesetears，mylove？Whycoveryourfacewithyourhands？
HaveIpainedyou，mydarling？ForgetwhatIsaid。Iwillbecontentwiththepresent。Leteachseparatemomentofbeautycometomelikeabirdofmysteryfromitsunseennestinthedarkbearingamessageofmusic。Letmeforeversitwithmyhopeonthebrinkofitsrealization，andthusendmydays。
SCENEIX
CHITRAandARJUNA
Chitra[cloaked]
Mylord，hasthecupbeendrainedtothelastdrop？Isthis，indeed，theend？No，whenallisdonesomethingstillremains，andthatismylastsacrificeatyourfeet。
Ibroughtfromthegardenofheavenflowersofincomparablebeautywithwhichtoworshipyou，godofmyheart。Iftheritesareover，iftheflowershavefaded，letmethrowthemoutofthetemple[unveilinginheroriginalmaleattire]。Now，lookatyourworshipperwithgraciouseyes。
IamnotbeautifullyperfectastheflowerswithwhichI
worshipped。Ihavemanyflawsandblemishes。Iamatravellerinthegreatworld—path，mygarmentsaredirty，andmyfeetarebleedingwiththorns。WhereshouldIachieveflower—beauty，theunsulliedlovelinessofamoment’slife？ThegiftthatIproudlybringyouistheheartofawoman。Herehaveallpainsandjoysgathered，thehopesandfearsandshamesofadaughterofthedust;herelovespringsupstrugglingtowardimmortallife。Hereinliesanimperfectionwhichyetisnobleandgrand。Iftheflower—serviceisfinished，mymaster，acceptthisasyourservantforthedaystocome！
IamChitra，theking’sdaughter。PerhapsyouwillrememberthedaywhenawomancametoyouinthetempleofShiva，herbodyloadedwithornamentsandfinery。Thatshamelesswomancametocourtyouasthoughshewereaman。Yourejectedher;youdidwell。Mylord，Iamthatwoman。Shewasmydisguise。ThenbytheboonofgodsIobtainedforayearthemostradiantformthatamortaleverwore，andweariedmyhero’sheartwiththeburdenofthatdeceit。MostsurelyIamnotthatwoman。
IamChitra。Nogoddesstobeworshipped，noryettheobjectofcommonpitytobebrushedasidelikeamothwithindifference。Ifyoudeigntokeepmebyyoursideinthepathofdangeranddaring，ifyouallowmetosharethegreatdutiesofyourlife，thenyouwillknowmytrueself。Ifyourbabe，whomIamnourishinginmywombbebornason，IshallmyselfteachhimtobeasecondArjuna，andsendhimtoyouwhenthetimecomes，andthenatlastyouwilltrulyknowme。TodayIcanonlyofferyouChitra，thedaughterofaking。
ArjunaBeloved，mylifeisfull。