_Rishyas_ (_amazed_). Away! Never shall she go from me and without me. If women are evil, as you say, she is not, Therefore she is no woman.
_Vishwamya._ O vain boy! In passion's jungle! Break from her at once!
_Rishyas._ I will not. Her I worship, holily. And she has given me a drink of heaven That has diffused deity in my limbs.
_Vishwamya._ And death, and an eternity of births!-- These flowers (_on his neck_) and her feigning have bewitched you!
I tear them off and trample them to earth.
_Rishyas._ Be not afraid, my Koïl; He is my father And he knows you not, For did he, he would clasp you, as I clasp. Or it may be that he is little pleased Because I find you holier than he. O father, peace. Control your mind. Farewell. I go with her.
_Vishwamya._ Beguilèd boy! you shall not. Thro all these years I have not, from its lair, Unloosed black anger. But this evil one And your desire to follow ways of flesh Compel me. Come, come from her!
_Vishwamya._ Then must I drag you--and drive her away.
A demon enters into you and dupes you To strike her thus, a holy one. Restrain!
Must I beat off your hands?--Touch her no more.
_Vishwamya._ Wild-vaunting boy! the drink and this vile girl Have maddened you. (_To Koïl_) Away!
_Rishyas_ (_uncontrollably_). You do a death-deed.
[_Falls on him with the weapon and fells him quickly to the ground--then recoils with a cry. The old man strives vainly to rise._
_Vishwamya_ (_mortally hurt_). Slain ... slain his father! And lost enlightenment ... and peace ... forever!
The curse of bitter karmas be upon you! May you be born a worm and crawl in slime, A serpent thro ten score of lives, and slough Your skin in hideousness and hate and horror!
_Vishwamya._ At every death may you despair Of ever acquiring merit!
For love, blood guilty boy, the love which she Has slipped into your heart, is the curse of the world, The immortal lure of all the generations! Your arms have ached with it about her body, But know that in the city whence she came All evil men feel in their hearts this ache. And that you may escape from it, know this: Not your arms, yours alone, have been entwined About this poison-flower--but, perchance,
_Rishyas_ (_starting painedly_). What is it he means?