The MAHARAJA is seated on cushions. A servant waving a fan. FIRST COURTIER on his left hand; SECOND COURTIER on his right hand. Musicians singing and playing.

MAHARAJA. (after first song.) Khan Sahib, which raga did you sing?

MUSICIAN. It is Dipak, Huzur, the song of fire.

MAHARAJA. But the fire has not yet broken out!

MUSICIAN. Pardon, Huzur, it is just kindled; it will come to a blaze.

(Enter PAGE.)

PAGE. Maharaja! Naeka, a dancer of most exquisite beauty whose skill has amazed all the great artists of the country, awaits your Majesty's orders.

MAHARAJA. (turning to SECOND COURTIER.) Do you know her? Is she really wonderful?

SECOND COURTIER. She is beauty itself. The color of her skin is like a champak flower. With deer's eyes she penetrates the hearts of her admirers. Her swift movements are as graceful as those of the cobra. With a nightingale's voice she sings, enchanting those who hear.

MAHARAJA. (to the PAGE.) Bring her.

(Enter NAEKA; she greets the MAHARAJA.)

MAHARAJA. Have you caught your beauty from the rose?

NAEKA. Pardon me, Maharaja, the rose has borrowed its beauty from me.

MAHARAJA. (smiles.) Show me your wonderful skill, Naeka, I have heard so much about it.

(NAEKA performs the dance of the flower girl, with gestures of picking flowers and making them into a wreath; she then takes a real flower garland, dances with it and at the end puts it around the neck of the MAHARAJA. He takes her hands and holds them to his breast, drawing her nearer. She hangs back, turning away her head.)

(Enter PAGE. NAEKA returns to her place.)

PAGE. Your Majesty, Prince Puran is coming to pay his respects before going for a ride.

(Enter PURAN, greets in the royal manner, bending low and touching the ground. NAEKA, struck by the beauty of the Prince, touches her heart while looking at him.)

MAHARAJA (to PURAN.) Are you going on horseback, son? Have you finished with your studies?

PURAN (embarrassed, with a half smile.) I intended taking some hours from my studies to be alone with nature.

MAHARAJA (ironically.) Oh, yes. – Do not stay away too long.

(PURAN leaves; NAEKA shows her emotion in her movements and expression, acting as if she felt inclined to follow him; she takes two or three steps, then recovers her senses, passing her hand over her head as if to throw off her thought.)

MAHARAJA (after PURAN has left, to FIRST COURTIER.) Why is it that he does not put his mind to study? What does he do?

FIRST COURTIER. He likes to be with nature; and when at home he is frequently seen in his mother's company.

MAHARAJA. I scarcely see him!

FIRST COURTIER. He does not enjoy hunting, wrestling, boxing; he is happy wandering alone with nature.

MAHARAJA. We must keep an eye on him!

FIRST COURTIER. Prince Puran is not addicted to any vices – drinking, smoking, or any other such habits. The Prince is different from the young men of his age; he is not attracted by frivolities and stands for ideals and principles.

SECOND COURTIER. It is natural; to what a family does he belong!

FIRST COURTIER. He is simple, but most intelligent at the same time; he does not care for reading or writing, but he thinks.

MAHARAJA (smiles.) What does he think? Does he think of the moon?

(Wine is brought on a golden tray; the MAHARAJA gives it to NAEKA; the COURTIERS give it to the MUSICIANS, and the MAHARAJA passes the wine over to the COURTIERS.)

FIRST MUSICIAN. To the glory of the Maharaja!

(All present repeat.)

MAHARAJA (to NAEKA.) Now open your wings and fly, beautiful bird.

( NAEKA dances. The MAHARAJA moves his head to the rhythm of the dance. NAEKA going round and round, falls into a swoon; raising her hands, balancing as if she might fall. The MAHARAJA rises from his seat and goes to her, makes a sign to the COURTIERS to leave. COURTIERS and MUSICIANS depart; the MAHARAJA holds NAEKA to his breast. When she opens her eyes; she turns her head and waves her hand towards the door by which the Prince has left.)

MAHARAJA. One jasmine kiss.

(She responds and he kisses her.)

CURTAIN

Scene 2

Drawing room in the new home of NAEKA near the palace. NAEKA putting kohl on her eyelids, touching her lips with red paint. SAHELI holding a mirror before her, standing.

SAHELI. Bai, Providence has granted you comfort, jewels, the sweet little pavilion the Maharaja has given you; besides you have his love. There's nothing more one could wish, and yet I scarcely see you smile. Has an evil eye fallen on you ? Maybe you are worrying about something. If only I knew what troubles your mind. – I would give anything in the world to see you smile again!

NAEKA. Yes, I have everything that one could need, but I wish I could love him. I can't say I love him. His nearness is loathsome to me. Besides, I cannot accustom myself to his requirements. He asks me to abstain from any kind of frivolity with men.

SAHELI. Yes, because he loves you. You are a born artist, excuse me, Bai! (Smiling with a humorous expression and with gestures.) You belong to those charming women who are inclined to love one and to like another, to smile at one and to sign to another, o caress one and to pet another, to kiss one and to embrace another.

NAEKA. Am I really charming?

SAHELI. Certainly, Bai, you know you are. There is the woman who has charm for many, and there is the woman who has charm for one, and there is another woman, like myself, who has charm for none. Your vanity has been fed, Bai, by the attention of many admirers.

NAEKA. From my early youth I have grown up playing, making friends, singing and dancing. I attracted young men like a magnet, and so I have never been starved of attention.

SAHELI. This life must seem strange to you, Bai, but you will grow used to it.

NAEKA (shaking her head.) No, never.

SAHELI. You will change like the season when the time comes.

NAEKA. This life is like a prison to me. I am like a bird in a golden cage. (Weeping.) I would rather be a free dancer than a queen in captivity.

SAHELI (wiping her eyes and kissing her.) If I was admired by the Maharaja as you are, I should walk to him on my hands. (NAEKA smiles.) You are too young yet to know what it is to be loved by the Maharaja. Every dancer in the country envies you the privilege. Now the Maharaja has made you the court dancer, but (whispering in NAEKA'S ear.) one day you might become queen.

NAEKA. That is all I want, to be queen one day. Yet I wish it were Puran and not he.

SAHELI (holding her head with both hands in a great fright; then, touching her lips with her finger.) Ah, seal your lips, it can be most disastrous!

NAEKA (rises from her seat and looks out of the window.) There he goes on horseback. Saheli, I pray, will you call him? Say that I have something to talk over with him. Bring him here, won't you, Saheli, please?

(SAHELI gets up and runs to call the Prince. When she is alone, NAEKA acts as if she wonders if he will come or if he will not come, and how she will approach him, and what she will say to him; embarrassed and afraid, excited and dumbfounded, she awaits his coming.)

(Enter PURAN)

PURAN (to NAEKA.) Did you call me?

NAEKA. Yes, I did call you, Puran. Come in, sit here. (Giving him a seat next to her. He sits, shy, with downcast eyes.) I admire your beautiful horse. It seems to be proud of its handsome rider. – Tell me, why is the Maharaja not pleased with you? I would do anything to make him more favorable to you.

PURAN. Father's pleasure is all I seek. When I cannot please him, I realize my unworthiness.

NAEKA. You unworthy! How can you say that? You are the worthiest son any father could have. If you were the king, people here would be happier than they have ever been. Our people will rejoice, seeing you one day sitting on the throne with the crown on your head.

PURAN. May father live and reign forever!

NAEKA (whispering.) I would be the one to stand by you if ever a struggle arose. (With determination, raising her finger.) Know, Puran that you always have someone to give your confidence to. I can be hard as a rock when it comes to a test.

PURAN (looks bewildered.) What do you mean?

NAEKA Your mother must be most beautiful.

PURAN. My mother's beauty cannot be observed by every eye.

NAEKA. Is she old?

PURAN. Her soul is older still.

NAEKA. No, doubt, she loves you very much.

PURAN. She is for me God's compassion on earth.

NAEKA (reluctantly.) I am your father's favorite (smiling) but I am young enough to be your love-mate. (PURAN still more perplexed.) Puran, why are you silent, why do you not talk to me? (She puts her arm in his, caressing his hand, draws closer to his face.) Puran, have you ever known, or heard, or seen, the outburst of the heart's volcano? (PURAN rises; she rises also and holds his hands.) Think what you will, say what you will, but let once my lips touch yours; what will be, will be. (She throws her arms around him and kisses him; sees the MAHARAJA coming behind PURAN. She loosens her hold and pretends to be fainting. PURAN leaves hurriedly, not seeing his father.)

MAHARAJA (raises her up, one hand on his dagger, in a rage.) What is this?

NAEKA (throws her head on his breast and puts her hand on his shoulder.) Your son, your son!

MAHARAJA. My son? He is not my son! He cannot be my son! How dare he come here? Did he not know that I care for you? He is a disgrace to my name. (He lays NAEKA down on cushions; she lies motionless.)

MAHARAJA (to SAHELI, outside.) Send for the kazaks. (He takes his own scarf and tears it.) Tear him, destroy him!

(Enter two KAZAKS, NAEKA sits up with staring eyes, listening.)

KAZAKS. Command.

MAHARAJA. Arrest Puran!... Flay him, cut his head off, bury him alive, throw him into the sea, do whatever you choose, that I may never see his face again!

(NAEKA trembles, falls down in despair. KAZAKS depart.)

MAHARAJA. Saheli!

(Enter SAHELI.)

MAHARAJA. Rosewater. (SAHELI runs and brings it, sprinkles it on NAEKA'S head. The MAHARAJA, holding her with his left hand, fans her with his silk handkerchief.)

CURTAIN

Scene 3

The jungle at sunset. A bitter cry of a woman behind the scenes.

WOMAN'S CRY. My beloved son, my only son!

A DEEP VOICE. Mother, mother, do not despair.

HARSH VOICES. Come on, come on. Linger no more, here.

( PURAN is pushed on the scene by the two KAZAKS, then stands calmly.)

FIRST KAZAK. Your head's to be chopped off here.

SECOND KAZAK. Your bones will dry here in the sun.

PURAN. I am perfectly resigned to my father's command, if only you will allow me one moment to pray.

FIRST KAZAK. No, it can't be done.

SECOND KAZAK (to FIRST KAZAK.) No, let him, let him.

FIRST KAZAK. Do it quickly. We must return before sunset (pointing at the red sky), with your head to be brought to the Maharaja.

(PURAN kneels down, with palms joined, his head slightly raised.)

FIRST KAZAK. Let's take a little drop. (They drink from the bottle.)

PURAN. God, with clear conscience and with pure heart, I lay before Thee the record of my life's deeds. No one have I ever offended, to no one have I caused any harm. Clear away, Lord, my father's misconception of me; comfort the sad heart of my loving mother. And forgive the one who unintentionally brought this about. I pray Thee, Lord, bless them all. Amen.)

(He bends his head low. To KAZAKS.) Now I am ready.

FIRST KAZAK (to SECOND KAZAK.) You do it.

SECOND KAZAK. You strike (Both unsheathe their daggers.)

FIRST KAZAK. You do it.

SECOND KAZAK. No, you.

FIRST KAZAK (goes to PURAN and makes a violent thrust with his weapon; when it nearly touches PURAN'S head, his hand becomes paralyzed. – To SECOND KAZAK) No, you do it!

SECOND KAZAK. I will. (He twists and turns, and moves passionately around, preparing himself to strike. He raises his hand with great strength. When the dagger is near PURAN'S head, the KAZAK'S hand trembles and he throws his weapon away. Calls FIRST KAZAK and makes gesture.) Let him go.

FIRST KAZAK (with expression of fright, whispers.) No, what will the Maharaja do to us?

SECOND KAZAK. We shall see.

FIRST KAZAK ( raises PURAN, holding his hand.) Now, young man, we let you go; but go far, far away.

(PURAN bows and leaves.)

FIRST KAZAK (to SECOND KAZAK.) It's all right.

SECOND KAZAK. He was innocent.

FIRST KAZAK. But what shall we say to the Maharaja?

SECOND KAZAK. That he is dead and buried!

(Both laugh, holding their stomachs, looking in the direction that PURAN went.)

CURTAIN