chitra(西特拉)-第5部分
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me for ever sit with my hope on the brink of its realization; and thus end
my days。
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CHITRA
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
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CHITRA
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。
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