Shukra. Nay, I curse the hour that saw me come to this earth of delusion and Maya. I do curse,—
Old Man. Thou dost dare curse the hour when thou wert born! Ah, vile sinner! To curse the hour of thy birth when thy mother is dying! God be my witness, he has incurred his father's wrath. Now,—no God can save thee.
Shukra. Nay, nay,—
Old Man. Shukra. I, thy father, thy God in life, curse thee. Thou hast deprived thy mother of her child, and her death of its solace. Thou hast incurred the wrath of the Spirits of all thy departed ancestors.
Shukra [cries out]. Not thus; not thus. [Thunder and lightning, the whole sky is swept by the clouds.]
Old Man. Not thus? Thus alone shall it be. Cursed be thou at night; cursed be thou by day; cursed be thou going; cursed be thou coming. Thou art cursed by the spirit of the race, by the spirit of God. [Continued thunder and lightning.]
Shukra [falling at his father's feet]. I beseech thee, my father,—
Old Man [shrinking away]. Touch me not. [Going left.] Cursed art thou in Life and Death forever.
Shukra. God!—Father, go not thus.
Old Man. I am not thy father. [Deafening and blinding thunder and lightning.]