Farewell to King and Father
--RAMA—
.......
And I walk on to say farewell to father.
All this hopes, efforts and prayers he loaded
On me like gems in a casket, his pension trunk.
His rest is sold, his heart is spent.
The king in me must speak to the King in him,
(RAMA walks to his father, prostrates fully to him.
His father moans softly as he cups RAMA's head in both his hands. Then, RAMA,
rising, sits stage right of his father on the floor)
--RAMA—
My father...
--KING DASHARATHA—
(Tenderly,
urgently)
Rama, you must gather men to arms.
Seize Ayodhya! Take the throne today!
Every archer, charioteer's your liege.
I'd not confuse their hearts. I will not fight.
The rulership and kingdom's your by right.
--RAMA—
If I were to seize the
crown by force
I’d show disdain for you I do not feel.
My father, our word is honored by all people
Here and in surrounding kingdoms, north
To the mountains, south to the sea. How
Can I disregard your word and keep the crown?
--K. DASHARATHA—
I am ruined, ruined by a
woman!
--RAMA—
Between lives, within
lives, we pledge and ally ourselves.
Agreements cannot ruin the larger plan.
--K. DASHARATHA—
Such agreements need not be
kept. All
Is choice! Today the crown is your birthright.
You have no part in this promise of a fainted
Fool. Seize the crown! I surrender it!
--RAMA—
And our people and kings,
north and south,
East and west, who stand upon your word:
Will they see it as surrendered? Or,
Will they see my having seized it prior
To the rightful time? How will they trust
That I will pay your other debts to them?
For justice no diplomacy restores,
We wage our wars, but no injustice's here.
You freely promised. Your word deserves keeping.
Bharat is qualified. Your blessings and
I go!
(RAMA prostrates fully to his father.)
--K. DASHARATHA—
(Touching
RAMA's head)
You had the best and did the best of all
And, even now, in this twist of destiny,
Your heart is calm and you, ready for duty.
(RAMA
rises. The KING walks out, crying to the audience.)
Oh, Ayodhya! I had three women as wives
But truly you're my love and dedication,
More than a wife, more than a child. Ayodhya!
(Taking RAMA by the shoulders, presenting him to the
audience:)
This magnificent
Prince I raised to give you
To be your King, to love as I have. Ayodhya!
(Releasing RAMA, stepping forward: )
People, people everywhere,
beware!
Watch the words you speak when your heart is full
Of sentiment. When sadness overtakes, or love
Would blind the mind, or anger surge, or fear
Freeze your limbs, wait! Wait and feel
The feeling first. Then find your mind before
You speak. Oh, people, see my plight and pain
And be miserly with promises,
For the hour of their fulfillment surely comes!
(Turning back to RAMA and embracing him:)
Oh Rama, you cannot give
the kingship away.
The hearts of people, including Bharat, are loyal
To you. If Bharat were at home, he
Would refuse the madness of his mother.
Why don't you stay and wait his homecoming?
--RAMA—
My father, my
heart can be strong and calm for a time,
But don't you think I love this place, Ayodhya?
That all the people are dear, every one.
Do not ask me to stay here knowing that
I must leave at last. My heart will surely
Grow in fondness for every baby's smile,
For every flower, for every stone. Will I see
So clearly then? Do not give that test
To me. Your promise gives the crown to Bharat.
Mother has given her blessing.
Lakshman wants to come along.
Still I must bid farewell to Sita,
My wife, my soul's shadow, the joy of my heart.
My father, do not make me linger thus.
I am a man. We can pretend to greatness
For a moment, but perfection marks
Another world perhaps, not this. Let me go.
(RAMA prostrates fully to his father, holding on to his
ankles, and remaining face down on the floor.)
--K. DASHARATHA—
My gifted dearest son,
since your birth,
You have had my blessing for your every
Step. In every way you showed its fruit by
Accomplishment and grace. You have chosen.
(Cupping RAMA's head in both his hands, he says:)
Go your way in peace and
God go with you.
Copyright 2000 Aikya Param
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