1017.] The Dramas of Bhasa : A literary study. 260 



young bride who is full of the virtues of her husband. It costs 

 her tremendous efforts not to give herself away, though the 

 strain is sometimes heart-breaking. The following short scene— 

 the third Act of the drama— may give an idea of the master- 

 fulness and delicacy with which our dramatist has drawn the 

 psychological picture of this heroine. 



Third Act. 

 Scene ; The Garden of the Royal Palace. 

 {Enter Vasavadatta : she is sad and thinking Ueeply). 



Vasavadatta. The great court -yard of the ladies' quarters 



resounds with the merry noise of the wedding. I have left 



Padmavati there, and have come here into this quiet garden. 



Perhaps I shall be able now to overcome the grief which fate 



has laid upon me. O, how miserable I am. My husband belongs 



now to another woman. I must sit down. (She sits down on a 



stone bench). Happy are you, wife of the Chakravaka-bird. 



You cannot live without your husband, you die. And I cannot 



throw this life away. Only the desire to see my lord keeps me 

 alive. 



Second Scene. 



(Enter servant with flowers in her hands). 



Servant. Where has the lady Avantika gone ? (Searching) 

 Aha, there she is, sitting on the stone-bench that is overhung 

 by the creeper Priyapu. She looks so unhappy. She must 

 have very sad thoughts. Like the moon enshrouded in mist 

 she looks, and not a single jewel does she wear on her dress. 

 I'll go to her. My lady ! Avantika ! I'm looking for you all 

 the time. 



Vasavadatta. What is it you want from me ? 

 Servant. The queen has said, " Avantika is of high caste, 

 she is devoted to us and is very skilful. Let her plait the 



wedding-garlands. 



Vasavadatta. Yes; and for whom am I to plait these 



garlands ? 



Servant. For our princess. 



Vasavadatta (aside). Even this I must do. gods, you 

 Me cruel. 



Servant. Don't think about other things now, my lady. 



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a he bridegroom is already leaving the Crystal-bath. Please, 

 please plait as quicklv as you can. 



Vasavadatta {aside). I cannot think of anything else. 

 (A hud) Have you seen the bridegroom, my girl ! 



Servant. Oh, yes, we have looked at him ; the princess out 

 of love and we out of curiosity. 



