I 1917.] The Dramas of Bhasa: A literary study. 271 



j state of his heart. He does not know of the ladies' presence, 



Padmavati does not suspect her friend's identity, Vasavadatta 

 strives to conceal her emotions, her joy that her husband still 

 loves her, her compassion with his grief — only a genius can 

 conceive a psychological drama of such deep intensity and 

 handle it in the masterful manner of our poet. 



Udayana is convinced in the heart of his heart that Vasava- 

 j datta is not dead. He is not conscious of this conviction, but 



in moments of forgetfulness he speaks of his first wife as if she 



were still alive. His belief is strengthened by the wonderful 



I scene of his dream which has justly given the title to this 



drama. 



Padmavati has an attack of headache, and Udayana is 

 informed that she has gone to a pavilion to rest. He goes 

 there but does not find her. Awaiting her arrival he lies down 

 on a couch and falls asleep. Vasavadatta also goes there to 

 see and comfort her friend. It is evening, and the pavilion is 

 only dimly lit by a lamp. She sees somebody lying on the 

 couch and thinks it is Padmavati. She decides to wait until 

 her friend awakes and sits down on the couch. 



" How strange," she says, " from the moment I am sitting 

 near her my heart has become quite calm. How good; she 

 breathes quietly. It seems her illness has already passed. 

 I Darling ! She is lying on the same couch on which I am sitting ; 



she seems to ask me, ' Embrace me ! ' Really why should I 

 not lie down by her side ? '.' (Lying down.) 

 Udayana (dreaming) . Vasavadatta ! 

 Vasavadatta (jumping up). Ha, my husband I It is not 

 Padmavati. Has he seen me ? If he has recognized me then 

 all my sufferings, all 1 promised to Yaugandharayana, has been 

 in vain. 



Udayana (still dreaming). princess of Avanti ! 

 Vasavadatta. How glad I am. He is dreaming of me. 

 Nobody is here. I can stay for a while and gladden my eyes 



and my heart. ., , . . , 



Udayana. my beloved ! My darling pupil I Speak to me ! 

 Vasavadatta. I am speaking to you, my lord, I am speak- 

 ing to you. 



Udayana. Are you angry ? 

 Vasavadatta. Oh no, oh no, only very unhappy. 

 Udayana. If you are not angry, why do you not wear 

 your jewels ? 



Vasavadatta. How could I wear them » 

 Udayana. Do you remember how we parted i 

 Vasavadatta (sadly). Don't speak of it ! Even here we are 



far from each other. , . n r . m Trrt „ 



Udayana. Forgive, my love ; I have been away from you 



for such a long time. , 4 , a„ mo v««iv 



Vasavadatta. I have been here far too long. Somebod> 



