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shake myself free from this voluptuous softness； this timid bloom
of beauty shrinking from the rude and healthy touch of the world；
and fling it from my body like borrowed clothes； would you be
able to bear it？ If I stand up straight and strong with the
strength of a daring heart spurning the wiles and arts of twining
weakness； if I hold my head high like a tall young mountain fir；
no longer trailing in the dust like a liana； shall I then appeal
to man's eye？ No； no； you could not endure it。 It is better
that I should keep spread about me all the dainty playthings of
fugitive youth； and wait for you in patience。 When it pleases
you to return； I will smilingly pour out for you the wine of
pleasure in the cup of this beauteous body。 When you are tired
and satiated with this wine； you can go to work or play； and when
I grow old I will accept humbly and gratefully whatever corner is
left for me。 Would it please your heroic soul if the playmate of
the night aspired to be the helpmeet of the day； if the left arm
learnt to share the burden of the proud right arm？
Arjuna
I never seem to know you aright。 You seem to me like a goddess
hidden within a golden image。 I cannot touch you； I cannot pay
you my dues in return for your priceless gifts。 Thus my love is
incomplete。 Sometimes in the enigmatic depth of your sad look；
in your playful words mocking at their own meaning； I gain
glimpses of a being trying to rend asunder the languorous grace
of her body； to emerge in a chaste fire of pain through a
vaporous veil of smiles。 Illusion is the first appearance of
Truth。 She advances towards her lover in disguise。 But a time
comes when she throws off her ornaments and veils and stands
clothed in naked dignity。 I grope for that ultimate you； that
bare simplicity of truth。
Why these tears； my love？ Why cover your face with your hands？
Have I pained you； my darling？ Forget what I said。 I will be
content with the present。 Let each separate moment of beauty
come to me like a bird of mystery from its unseen nest in the
dark bearing a message of music。 Let me for ever sit with
my hope on the brink of its realization； and thus end my days。
SCENE IX
CHITRA and ARJUNA
Chitra ＇cloaked＇
My lord； has the cup been drained to the last drop？ Is this；
indeed； the end？ No； when all is done something still remains；
and that is my last sacrifice at your feet。
I brought from the garden of heaven flowers of incomparable
beauty with which to worship you； god of my heart。 If the rites
are over； if the flowers have faded； let me throw them out of the
temple ＇unveiling in her original male attire＇。 Now； look
at your worshipper with gracious eyes。
I am not beautifully perfect as the flowers with which I
worshipped。 I have many flaws and blemishes。 I am a
traveller in the great world…path； my garments are dirty；
and my feet are bleeding with thorns。 Where should I achieve
flower…beauty； the unsullied loveliness of a moment's life？ The
gift that I proudly bring you is the heart of a woman。 Here have
all pains and joys gathered； the hopes and fears and shames of a
daughter of the dust； here love springs up struggling toward
immortal life。 Herein lies an imperfection which yet is noble
and grand。 If the flower…service is finished； my master； accept
this as your servant for the days to come！
I am Chitra； the king's daughter。 Perhaps you will remember the
day when a woman came to you in the temple of Shiva； her body
loaded with ornaments and finery。 That shameless woman came to
court you as though she were a man。 You rejected her； you did
well。 My lord； I am that woman。 She was my disguise。 Then by
the boon of gods I obtained for a year the most radiant form that
a mortal ever wore； and wearied my hero's heart with the burden
of that deceit。 Most surely I am not that woman。
I am Chitra。 No goddess to be worshipped； nor yet the
object of common pity to be brushed aside like a moth with
indifference。 If you deign to keep me by your side in the path
of danger and daring； if you allow me to share the great duties
of your life； then you will know my true self。 If your babe；
whom I am nourishing in my womb be born a son； I shall myself
teach him to be a second Arjuna； and send him to you when the
time comes； and then at last you will truly know me。 Today I can
only offer you Chitra； the daughter of a king。
Arjuna
Beloved； my life is full。
End