[Vishwamya enters and seeing her stops amazed. Sunandi enters behind unseen. Deep suspense.
Rishyas (uncomprehendingly). Do you see, father, I have found one here
Holy, and fairer than the Apsaras.
And I shall follow her, she is some goddess.
For I desire only to be with her,
And she has taught me this desire is love.
O and I love her,
And tho yet I know
Not well what miracle love is in me,
Yet it is better than this hermitage.
For it has made me seem.... But what burns in you?
Vishwamya. My son, you are beguiled. Let go her hand
That leads you on to ruin. Do you not
Behold what manner of creature you so clasp?
Rishyas. Yes, yes—a deva!
Vishwamya. Deva! This is a woman,
And women like the wind are full of wiles,
And tempt saints to abandon Swerga's rest.
He who would rule his mind has naught with them.
Let go her hand and send her away.
Rishyas (amazed). Away!
Never shall she go from me and without me.
If women are evil, as you say, she is not,
Therefore she is no woman.
Vishwamya. O vain boy!
In passion's jungle! Break from her at once!
Rishyas. I will not. Her I worship, holily.
And she has given me a drink of heaven
That has diffused deity in my limbs.
Vishwamya. And death, and an eternity of births!—
These flowers (on his neck) and her feigning have bewitched you!
[Seizes them.
I tear them off and trample them to earth.
Koïl. Rishyas! Rishyas!
Rishyas. Be not afraid, my Koïl;
He is my father
And he knows you not,
For did he, he would clasp you, as I clasp.
Or it may be that he is little pleased
Because I find you holier than he.
O father, peace. Control your mind. Farewell.
I go with her.
Vishwamya. Beguilèd boy! you shall not.
Thro all these years I have not, from its lair,
Unloosed black anger.
But this evil one
And your desire to follow ways of flesh
Compel me. Come, come from her!
Rishyas. I will never.
Vishwamya. Then must I drag you—and drive her away.
[Strikes Koïl.
Away, lust-thing! away!
Rishyas. Oh, oh! Oh, oh!
[In horror.
A demon enters into you and dupes you
To strike her thus, a holy one. Restrain!
Vishwamya. No, tho I slay her!
Rishyas. Slay? O wickedness!
[Seizes up wood of sacrifice.
Must I beat off your hands?—Touch her no more.
Vishwamya. Wild-vaunting boy! the drink and this vile girl
Have maddened you. (To Koïl) Away!
Rishyas.Call her not vile!
Vishwamya. Viler is she than sin!