महावीरचरितम् (महाकवि भवभूति - वीररस-प्रधान रामकथा नाटक सम्पूर्ण ७ अङ्क सटीक)

25] Act I, Picture-gallery — Translation [—i. 35ᵇ about to swoon and supported by thy sorrowing [hands]—in the shade of this tree, my noble Lord is depicted ? Lakshmaṇa—This is that mountain perfumed with the [fragrant] kakubha-[trees], Mālyavant by name, on whose peak is perching an early rain-cloud, glossy and blue. Rāma—Desist, my dear brother, desist from this: no farther can I endure. Come back to me once again, meseems, is that separation from [this] daughter of Janaka. 33 Lakshmaṇa—Hereafter [come], both of my noble brother and of the valorous Monkeys and Demons, these countless and waxingly marvellous deeds. Fatigued, however (cha), is my noble Lady here. Pray, therefore, rest a while. Sītā—Noble my Lord, the sight of these pictures has created [in me] a longing, which prompts me to beg that— Rāma—Why, you are free to command. Sītā—I feel once again like amusing myself in the serene and lovely woodlands, and having a plunge in the holy, cool, and translucent waters of the exalted Bhāgīrathī. Rāma—Dear Lakshmaṇa! Lakshmaṇa—Here, at your service. Rāma—That such longings should be forthwith gratified has even just now been enjoined upon us by [our] elders (guru). Have ready therefore a chariot that runs smoothly and without jolting. Sītā—And you, my noble Lord, you are coming thither—aren't you? Rāma—Why, you hard-hearted one! This—needs it to be said? Sītā—Then, indeed, I am content. Lakshmaṇa—So, as my noble brother commands. Exit. Rāma—Dearest! Here, in this sheltered-balcony (apavartaka), let us repose a while. Sītā—So be it. Through fatigue I am really overpowered by sleep. Rāma—If so, cling to me close and we will go [thither] together: As if infusing life into me, let this thy arm—moist with drops of perspiration due to excitement and fatigue—let it be thrown around my neck: [thy arm] in all the loveliness of a necklace of chandrakānta¹ beads, dripping [as when gently] kissed by the moon-beams. 34 While helping her to do so, in joy. Dearest! What can this be? Impossible to decide if this be joy or if this be grief, if a swoon or a slumber; whether this be a slowly-creeping poison or an ¹ The 'moon-stone' is believed to have this property. 4 [H.O.S. 21]