KING.
How do you think that I am really silent? How do you know that I am not trying to keep you back?
SUDARSHANA.
Oh, no, no !—I cannot bear this—tell me aloud, command me with the voice of thunder, compel me with words that will drown everything else in my ears—do not let me off so easily, so mildly!
KING.
I shall leave you free, but why should I let you break away from me?
SUDARSHANA.
You will not let me? Well then, I must go!
KING.
Go then!
SUDARSHANA.
Then I am not to blame at all. You could have held me back by force, but you did not! You have not hindered me-and now I shall go away. Command your sentinels to prevent my going.
KING.
No one will stand in your way. You can go as free as the broken storm-cloud driven by the tempest.
SUDARSHANA.
I can resist no more-something in me is impelling me forward—I am breaking away from my anchor! Perhaps I shall sink, but I shall return no more.[She rushes out.]
[Enter SURANGAMA, who sings]
SURANGAMA.
What will of thine is this that sends me afar! Again shall I come back at thy feet from all my wanderings. It is thy love that feigns this neglect—thy caressing hands are pushing me away—to draw me back to thy arms again! O my King, what is this game that thou art playing throughout thy kingdom?