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.
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?