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Arjuna
My mind is busy with thoughts of hunting today。 See； how the rain
pours in torrents and fiercely beats upon the hillside。 The dark shadow of
the clouds hangs heavily over the forest； and the swollen stream； like
reckless youth； overleaps all barriers with mocking laughter。 On such rainy
days we five brothers would go to the Chitraka forest to chase wild beasts。
Those were glad times。 Our hearts danced to the drumbeat of rumbling
clouds。 The woods resounded with the screams of peacocks。 Timid deer
could not hear our approaching steps for the patter of rain and the noise of
waterfalls； the leopards would leave their tracks on the wet earth；
betraying their lairs。 Our sport over； we dared each other to swim across
turbulent streams on our way back home。 The restless spirit is on me。 I
long to go hunting。
Chitra
First run down the quarry you are now following。 Are you quite certain
that the enchanted deer you pursue must needs be caught？ No； not yet。
Like a dream the wild creature eludes you when it seems most nearly
yours。 Look how the wind is chased by the mad rain that discharges a
thousand arrows after it。 Yet it goes free and unconquered。 Our sport is
like that； my love！ You give chase to the fleet…footed spirit of beauty；
aiming at her every dart you have in your hands。 Yet this magic deer runs
ever free and untouched。
Arjuna
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CHITRA
My love； have you no home where kind hearts are waiting for your
return？ A home which you once made sweet with your gentle service and
whose light went out when you left it for this wilderness？
Chitra
Why these questions？ Are the hours of unthinking pleasure over？ Do
you not know that I am no more than what you see before you？ For me
there is no vista beyond。 The dew that hangs on the tip of a Kinsuka petal
has neither name nor destination。 It offers no answer to any question。 She
whom you love is like that perfect bead of dew。
Arjuna
Has she no tie with the world？ Can she be merely like a fragment of
heaven dropped on the earth through the carelessness of a wanton god？
Chitra
Yes。
Arjuna
Ah； that is why I always seem about to lose you。 My heart is
unsatisfied； my mind knows no peace。 Come closer to me； unattainable
one！ Surrender yourself to the bonds of name and home and parentage。 Let
my heart feel you on all sides and live with you in the peaceful security of
love。
Chitra
Why this vain effort to catch and keep the tints of the clouds； the dance
of the waves； the smell of the flowers？
Arjuna
Mistress mine； do not hope to pacify love with airy nothings。 Give me
something to clasp； something that can last longer than pleasure； that can
endure even through suffering。
Chitra
Hero mine； the year is not yet full； and you are tired already！ Now I
know that it is Heaven's blessing that has made the flower's term of life
short。 Could this body of mine have drooped and died with the flowers of
last spring it surely would have died with honour。 Yet； its days are
numbered； my love。 Spare it not； press it dry of honey； for fear your
beggar's heart come back to it again and again with unsated desire； like a
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CHITRA
thirsty bee when summer blossoms lie dead in the dust。
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CHITRA
SCENEVII
Madana
TONIGHT is thy last night。
Vasanta
The loveliness of your body will return tomorrow to the inexhaustible
stores of the spring。 The ruddy tint of thy lips freed from the memory of
Arjuna's kisses； will bud anew as a pair of fresh asoka leaves； and the soft；
white glow of thy skin will be born again in a hundred fragrant jasmine
flowers。
Chitra
O gods； grant me this my prayer！ Tonight； in its last hour let my beauty
flash its brightest； like the final flicker of a dying flame。
Madana Thou shalt have thy wish。
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CHITRA
SCENE VIII
Villagers
WHO will protect us now？
Arjuna
Why； by what danger are you threatened？
Villagers
The robbers are pouring from the northern hills like a mountain flood
to devastate our village。
Arjuna
Have you in this kingdom no warden？
Villagers
Princess Chitra was the terror of all evil doers。 While she was in this
happy land we feared natural deaths； but had no other fears。 Now she has
gone on a pilgrimage； and none knows where to find her。
Arjuna
Is the warden of this country a woman？
Villagers
Yes； she is our father and mother in one。 ＇Exeunt。
Enter CHITRA。
Chitra
Why are you sitting all alone？
Arjuna
I am trying to imagine what kind of woman Princess Chitra may be。 I
hear so many stories of her from all sorts of men。
Chitra
Ah； but she is not beautiful。 She has no such lovely eyes as mine； dark
as death。 She can pierce any target she will； but not our hero's heart。
Arjuna
They say that in valour she is a man； and a woman in tenderness。
Chitra
That； indeed； is her greatest misfortune。 When a woman is merely a
woman； when she winds herself round and round men's hearts with her
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CHITRA
smiles and sobs and services and caressing endearments； then she is happy。
Of what use to her are learning and great achievements？ Could you have
seen her only yesterday in the court of the Lord Shiva's temple by the
forest path； you would have passed by without deigning to look at her。 But
have you grown so weary of woman's beauty that you seek in her for a
man's strength？
With green leaves wet from the spray of the foaming waterfall； I have
made our noonday bed in a cavern dark as night。 There the cool of the soft
green mosses thick on the black and dripping stone； kisses your eyes to
sleep。 Let me guide you thither。
Arjuna
Not today； beloved。
Chitra
Why not today？
Arjuna
I have heard that a horde of robbers has neared the plains。 Needs must
I go and prepare my weapons to protect the frightened villagers。
Chitra
You need have no fear for them。 Before she started on her pilgrimage；
Princess Chitra had set strong guards at all the frontier passes。
Arjuna
Yet permit me for a short while to set about a Kshatriya's work。 With
new glory will I ennoble this idle arm； and make of it a pillow more
worthy of your head。
Chitra
What if I refuse to let you go； if I keep you entwined in my arms？
Would you rudely snatch yourself free and leave me？ Go then！ But you
must know that the liana； once broken in two； never joins again。 Go； if
your thirst is quenched。 But； if not； then remember that the goddess of
pleasure is fickle； and waits for no man。 Sit for a while； my lord！ Tell me
what uneasy thoughts tease you。 Who occupied your mind today？ Is it
Chitra？
Arjuna
Yes； it is Chitra。 I wonder in fulfilment of what vow she has gone on
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CHITRA
her pilgrimage。 Of what could she stand in need？
Chitra
Her needs？ Why； what has she ever had； the unfortunate creature？ Her
very qualities are as prison walls； shutting her woman's heart in a bare cell。
She is obscured； she is unfulfilled。 Her womanly love must content itself
dressed in rags； beauty is denied her。 She is like the spirit of a cheerless
morning； sitting upon the stony mountain peak； all her light blotted out by
dark clou