[Takes the flask; drinks deeply.
A wine of wonder is it and of wisdom,
For now it makes you seem even more fair
Than first you were.
O let me tend about you,
And let me wreathe your brow and limbs with flowers.
[Takes some and entwines them over her.
Koïl (trembling). And you are beautiful. So I will weave
Flowers upon you too. And see, and see,
O, Rishyas, see,
For I will dance to you—
The dance of all the dreamers in the world!
[Unbinds her body-cloth and begins to dance—slowly at first then more alluringly, as he follows her, marvelling. Then at length she stops close up to him and murmurs:
Does it not fill your heart, O Rishyas,
With longing?
Rishyas. Yes, yes, yes. And with desire,
I know not why, to lay my lips to yours!
Then life, it seems, would burst all ill that binds it.
[Instinctively; clasping her.
Oh this is sweeter than all other joys
Of holiness that I have ever known.
Your voice is like to piping of the koïls
That play in spring.
Koïl. And Koïl am I named.
Rishyas. And what is this I feel for you, O wise one?
In skies from whence you come, what is its name?
So pure are you that surely you can tell me?
Koïl. O holy one, the people call it love.
Rishyas. Then is love better than all other bliss
My father's meditations ever bring.
And I will seek thro all the lapse of lives
To hold you thus,
And have your arms about me,
As vines about the asoka clingingly.
Happy am I that you have found me out,
And never shall you leave me.
Koïl. No—for ever!
[More passionately.
But unto the city you shall go with me
And there with Brahmin rites be made my husband.
Rishyas. Which is—I know not what—yet will I be
Husband and more to you. For now it seems
That not the tiger in his jungle-might,
Nor any incarnation terrible,
Could tear you from me.
Koïl.Then come quickly, now,
And I will be for you a champa-flower,
Swung sweetly and forever to your breast.
And often will I dance for you and sing
And love you, Rishyas, as a deva-queen!
Come quickly, one is waiting in the wood
To guide us.
Rishyas. Yes, O yes! (remembering) But stay! my father!
First I will tell him I have won this wisdom.
Koïl. No, no!
Rishyas. Yes! (calls) Father! father!
Koïl (in terror). Rishyas, no!
But come, come with me quickly.
Rishyas (astonished). Do you fear?
Koïl. He is so old!... You guess not what you do.
Haste, or he will forbid.
Rishyas. You know him not.
For I will tell him you are a holier saint
To guide my steps,
Then will he bid me go.
Ho! father! ho!
Vishwamya (heard off). My son, you call? I come.
Koïl. O, I must flee—
Rishyas (dazed). I do not understand.
Koïl. Sunandi! Speak, Sunandi!—Ah, he comes.