{"id":165,"date":"2013-07-13T01:26:19","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=165"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:26:19","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:19","slug":"47-the-prince-of-mathura-act-1-sc-1-vol-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/01-sabcl\/07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07\/47-the-prince-of-mathura-act-1-sc-1-vol-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","title":{"rendered":"-47_The Prince of Mathura Act-1 Sc-1.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n

\nTHE PRINCE OF MATHURA<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n

\nThis seems to be a first version of
\nPrince of Edur<\/font><\/p>\n


\nPERSONS OF DRAMA <\/font>
\n<\/b>\n<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nA<\/font>JAMEDE<\/font>, Prince of Mathura, a
\nfugitive in the mountains.
\nI<\/font>NDRADYUMNA<\/font>, his friend and comrade.
\nA<\/font>TRY<\/font>, King of Mathura, by the help. of the Scythians.
\nT<\/font>ORAMAN<\/font>, Prince of Cashmere, son of the Scythian, warlord of
\nthe North West.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n


\nC<\/font>ANACA<\/font>,
\nhis Brahmin, his court jester.<\/font> <\/font>\n<\/p>\n


\nH<\/font>OOSHKA<\/font>,
\nCaptain of the Scythian bodyguard.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

M<\/font>AYOOR<\/font>, Atry’s general and minister.<\/font>
\n<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

I<\/font>NDRANY<\/font>, Queen of Mathura.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

U<\/font>RMILA<\/font>, Princess of Mathura, daughter
\nof Atry and Indrany.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n


\nL<\/font>ILA<\/font>,
\ndaughter of Hooshka.<\/font> <\/font> \n\t\t<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 891<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAct One <\/font><\/p>\n

<\/b> <\/p>\n

\n
\n SCENE I <\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nMathura, a room in the palace.
\nAtry, Indrany.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>TRY <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHowever hard it be, however gross<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe undisguised compulsion none can stay,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCompulsion by impracticable revolt,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIndrany, deeper, viler the disgrace<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIf by rebellion we invite constraint<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNaked, contemptuous, to a slave subdued.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe reed that bows to the insistent wind<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIs wiser than the trunk which the cyclone<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIndignantly uproots. To force we yield,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut to a force disguised in courtly forms.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat’s better than to yield beneath the scourge.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>NDRANY <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThere’s a defeat more noble, not to yield,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEven though we break. And break, I know, we must,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut to live fouled for ever, vilely robed<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn a soiled purple, marked apart<\/font>\u00b9<\/font> to all the world<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFor laughter by the puppet’s tinsel crown,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat is disgrace indeed.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>TRY <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWe hold this realm
\nBecause the northern Scythian helps our sword.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>NDRANY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBy princely compromise, alliance high,
\nNot yet by purchase or a social stain.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\u00b9Uncertain reading. <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 893<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tA<\/font>TRY <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOur child will be an empress.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>NDRANY <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd outcaste.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>TRY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThere have been many nuptials mixed like these
\nOf which world-famous emperors were born.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>NDRANY <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYes, but we took, not gave, warlords<\/font>\u00b9<\/font> not slaves.
\nA ransom of his fate the conquered Greek
\nTo Indian Chandragupta gave his child,
\nKnowing a son by her could never rule.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>TRY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThere is one bar. The Scythian weds with
\n<\/b>all
\n<\/b>And makes Impartial Time the arbiter
\nWhether a native or a foreign womb
\nShall be the shelterer of his empire’s heir.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>NDRANY<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis honour’s purchased at too vile a cost.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>TRY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThere is no help. If we deny our girl<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe will have her violently, make her his slave<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd not his wife.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>NDRANY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDo this then, seem to yield,
\nBut send her to your fortress on the hills,
\nWhence let one take her with a show of force,
\nWhoever’s noblest now of Aryan lords
\nIn Magadha, Avanty or the South,
\nFit mate for Atry’s stock. Twixt him, be strife,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\u00b9Uncertain reading. <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 894<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAnd the Cashmerian, we escape his wrath.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>TRY <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt shall be so. I’ll choose a trusty man
\nWho shall to Magadha before the morn.
\nMeanwhile, prepare your daughter for the hills.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n(Indrany goes out joyfully.)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nIt is not good. The man will learn the trick,
\nA fierce barbarian, rapid as the storm,
\nViolent, vindictive, stamping on the world,
\nLike a swift warhorse, neighing to the wind,
\nWith nostrils wide for any scent of war,
\nFor men to kill, lands to lay desolate,
\nHaughty and keen, armed with his violence,
\nWith the king’s eye that reads the minds of men, \u2014
\nSuch is the man she counsels me to tempt
\nBy palpable evasion. I will send
\nUrmila to my fortress on the hills,
\nBut he, not Magadha, shall take her forth
\nBy secret nuptials. He is honourable
\nThough violent, a statesman though too proud<\/font>\u00b9.<\/font>
\nThe prejudices of our race and day
\nMust yield to more commanding thoughts and views
\nThat suit the changing times. Custom is mutable,
\nOnly the breach of it is dangerous,
\nIf too impetuously we innovate. It’s best
\nTo circumvent opinion<\/font>\u00b2<\/font>, not provoke.
\nWho is there? Call Mayoor!
\nThe King’s first task is to preserve his realm,
\nMeans honourable or dishonourable
\nAre only means \u2014 to use impartially
\nThe most effective first.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nMayoor enters.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMayoor, you know,
\nThe motion<\/font>\u00b3<\/font> made by the Cashmerian’s son
\nTo wed my daughter.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\u00b9 \u00b2 \u00b3 Uncertain reading. <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 895<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tM<\/font>AYOOR <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWe have spoken of it<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAlready.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>TRY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou are still of the same mind ?
\nYou think my subjects will revolt?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AYOOR
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt’s sure.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>TRY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe Scythian sword can keep them hushed and still.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AYOOR<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd you its slave and pensioner, impotent.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>TRY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThen do it thus. The thing is secret still<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLet it remain so. Let Prince Toraman<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWed Urmila in secret in the hills<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAs if herself had yielded to his suit,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNot my consent. Against whom then, Mayoor,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShall Mathura revolt?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\t
\n\tM<\/font>ayoor <\/font><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt may be done.
\nBut will the Scythian’s pride assent, or if
\nThe bond is secret, will he own the bond ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>TRY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe shall, he must. To break by any means
\nThe bar of pride that lowers him beneath
\nThe lowest of his Aryan tributaries,
\nHe will consent to much. And for the bond
\nHe shall engage his honour, then possess.
\nYourself go to him, Mayoor, where he’s camped;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 896<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nPersuade him. Let an escort start at once
\nWith Urmila to Roodhra in the hills.
\nI trust you, Mayoor, for entire success.
\nMy crown, my honour are upon this cast.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AYOOR
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYour crown is safe with me, your honour, King,
\nI’ll save.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>TRY <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlways few words were yours, Mayoor,
\nBut each one solid gold.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe goes out.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AYOOR <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTo cheat you’s best
\nOf the dishonour to which you aspire
\nAnd for the crown it’s safer in my hands
\nThan Toraman’s, the Scythian giant, bold,
\nSubtle and violent, who spreads his toils
\nOver all India, helping force with guile
\nAnd guile with force<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nEnter Mekhala.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>EKHALA <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe is alone. Hear you,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMayoor!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AYOOR
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt’s from the queen ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>EKHALA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nRead it and see.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AYOOR
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTell her my word is pledged and Urmila
\nSaved from the Scythian wedlock.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 897<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tM<\/font>EKHALA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd that means<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou’ll do it?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AYOOR <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nShe shall not wed Toraman<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMekhala goes out.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis is another coil. The King it seems<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDeceives his people and deceives his queen.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe trusts him not, nor they. A lying King<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTortuous and serpentine in policy,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLoses as much by the distrust he breeds<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAs all his shufflings gain. I’ll write to Magadha<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn<\/b> other terms than Queen Indrany dreams.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI will send out my messengers at once.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOur first to Ajamede, the Lion dispossessed,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhere in the hills of Roodhra now he lingers.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnother to the mighty Magadhan<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWho gathers up his strength to free the land<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFrom the barbarian’s tread. Myself shall go<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo Toraman, and meet the Scythian will.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe end shall be as God from old desired.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n(Several pages torn off)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 898<\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THE PRINCE OF MATHURA This seems to be a first version of Prince of Edur PERSONS OF DRAMA     AJAMEDE, Prince of Mathura, a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","wpcat-6-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=165"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}