the　night　aspired　to　be　the　helpmeet　of　the　day；　if　the　left　arm
  learnt　to　share　the　burden　of　the　proud　right　arm？
  Arjuna
  I　never　seem　to　know　you　aright。　　You　seem　to　me　like　a　goddess
  hidden　within　a　golden　image。　　I　cannot　touch　you；　I　cannot　pay
  you　my　dues　in　return　for　your　priceless　gifts。　　Thus　my　love　is
  incomplete。　　Sometimes　in　the　enigmatic　depth　of　your　sad　look；
  in　your　playful　words　mocking　at　their　own　meaning；　I　gain
  glimpses　of　a　being　trying　to　rend　asunder　the　languorous　grace
  of　her　body；　to　emerge　in　a　chaste　fire　of　pain　through　a
  vaporous　veil　of　smiles。　　Illusion　is　the　first　appearance　of
  Truth。　　She　advances　towards　her　lover　in　disguise。　　But　a　time
  comes　when　she　throws　off　her　ornaments　and　veils　and　stands
  clothed　in　naked　dignity。　　I　grope　for　that　ultimate　you；　that
  bare　simplicity　of　truth。
  Why　these　tears；　my　love？　　Why　cover　your　face　with　your　hands？
  Have　I　pained　you；　my　darling？　　Forget　what　I　said。　　I　will　be
  content　with　the　present。　　Let　each　separate　moment　of　beauty
  come　to　me　like　a　bird　of　mystery　from　its　unseen　nest　in　the
  dark　　bearing　　a　message　of　music。　　Let　me　for　ever　sit　　with
  my　hope　on　the　brink　of　its　realization；　and　thus　end　my　days。
  SCENE　IX
  CHITRA　and　ARJUNA
  Chitra　＇cloaked＇
  My　lord；　has　the　cup　been　drained　to　the　last　drop？　　Is　this；
  indeed；　the　end？　No；　when　all　is　done　something　still　remains；
  and　that　is　my　last　sacrifice　at　your　feet。
  I　brought　from　the　garden　of　heaven　flowers　of　incomparable
  beauty　with　which　to　worship　you；　god　of　my　heart。　　If　the　rites
  are　over；　if　the　flowers　have　faded；　let　me　throw　them　out　of　the
  temple　＇unveiling　in　her　original　male　attire＇。　　Now；　look
  at　your　worshipper　with　gracious　eyes。
  I　am　not　beautifully　perfect　as　the　flowers　with　which　I
  worshipped。　　I　have　many　flaws　and　blemishes。　　I　am　a
  traveller　in　the　great　world…path；　my　garments　are　dirty；
  and　my　feet　are　bleeding　with　thorns。　　Where　should　I　achieve
  flower…beauty；　the　unsullied　loveliness　of　a　moment's　life？　　The
  gift　that　I　proudly　bring　you　is　the　heart　of　a　woman。　　Here　have
  all　pains　and　joys　gathered；　the　hopes　and　fears　and　shames　of　a
  daughter　of　the　dust；　here　love　springs　up　struggling　toward
  immortal　life。　　Herein　lies　an　imperfection　which　yet　is　noble
  and　grand。　　If　the　flower…service　is　finished；　my　master；　accept
  this　as　your　servant　for　the　days　to　come！
  I　am　Chitra；　the　king's　daughter。　　Perhaps　you　will　remember　the
  day　when　a　woman　came　to　you　in　the　temple　of　Shiva；　her　body
  loaded　with　ornaments　and　finery。　　That　shameless　woman　came　to
  court　you　as　though　she　were　a　man。　　You　rejected　her；　you　did
  well。　　My　lord；　I　am　that　woman。　　She　was　my　disguise。　　Then　by
  the　boon　of　gods　I　obtained　for　a　year　the　most　radiant　form　that
  a　mortal　ever　wore；　and　wearied　my　hero's　heart　with　the　burden
  of　that　deceit。　　Most　surely　I　am　not　that　woman。
  I　am　Chitra。　　No　goddess　to　be　worshipped；　nor　yet　the
  object　of　common　pity　to　be　brushed　aside　like　a　moth　with
  indifference。　　If　you　deign　to　keep　me　by　your　side　in　the　path
  of　danger　and　daring；　if　you　allow　me　to　share　the　great　duties
  of　your　life；　then　you　will　know　my　true　self。　　If　your　babe；
  whom　　I　　am　nourishing　in　my　womb　be　born　a　son；　I　　shall　　myself
  teach　him　to　be　a　second　Arjuna；　and　send　him　to　you　when　the
  time　comes；　and　then　at　last　you　will　truly　know　me。　Today　I　can
  only　offer　you　Chitra；　the　daughter　of　a　king。
  Arjuna
  Beloved；　my　life　is　full。
  End