chitra(西特拉)-第4章
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are weaving my days of exile into an immortal wreath； to crown me when
I return home。
Chitra
Home！ But this love is not for a home！
Arjuna
Not for a home？
Chitra
No。 Never talk of that。 Take to your home what is abiding and strong。
Leave the little wild flower where it was born； leave it beautifully to die at
the day's end among all fading blossoms and decaying leaves。 Do not take
it to your palace hall to fling it on the stony floor which knows no pity for
things that fade and are forgotten。
Arjuna
Is ours that kind of love？
Chitra
Yes； no other！ Why regret it？ That which was meant for idle days
should never outlive them。 Joy turns into pain when the door by which it
should depart is shut against it。 Take it and keep it as long as it lasts。 Let
not the satiety of your evening claim more than the desire of your morning
could earn。 。 。 。 The day is done。 Put this garland on。 I am tired。 Take me in
your arms； my love。 Let all vain bickerings of discontent die away at the
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sweet meeting of our lips。
Arjuna
Hush！ Listen； my beloved； the sound of prayer bells from the distant
vill
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age temple steals upon the evening air across the silent trees！
SCENE V
Vasanta
I CANNOT keep pace with thee； my friend！ I am tired。 It is a hard task
to keep alive the fire thou hast kindled。 Sleep overtakes me； the fan drops
from my hand； and cold ashes cover the glow of the fire。 I start up again
from my slumber and with all my might rescue the weary flame。 But this
can go on no longer。
Madana
I know； thou art as fickle as a child。 Ever restless is thy play in heaven
and on earth。 Things that thou for days buildest up with endless detail thou
dost shatter in a moment without regret。 But this work of ours is nearly
finished。 Pleasure…winged days fly fast； and the year； almost at its end；
swoons in rapturous bliss。
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SCENEVI
Arjuna
I WOKE in the morning and found that my dreams had distilled a
gem。 I have no casket to inclose it； no king's crown whereon to fix it； no
chain from which to hang it； and yet have not the heart to throw it away。
My Kshatriya's right arm； idly occupied in holding it； forgets its duties。
Enter CHITRA。
Chitra
Tell me your thoughts； sir！
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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thirsty bee when summer blossoms lie dead in the dust。
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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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SCENE VIII
Villagers
WHO will protect us now？
Arjuna
Why； by what danger are you threatened？
Villagers
