{"id":167,"date":"2013-07-13T01:26:20","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=167"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:26:20","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:20","slug":"02-the-viziers-of-bassora-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\/02-the-viziers-of-bassora-act-1-sc-1-vol-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","title":{"rendered":"-02_The Viziers of Bassora Act-1 Sc-1.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n

\nTHE VIZIERS OF BASSORA<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n

\nA Dramatic Romance<\/font><\/i>   <\/p>\n

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

<\/b> <\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nH<\/font>AROUN AL <\/font><\/p>\n

R<\/font>ASHEED<\/font>, Caliph.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nJ<\/font>AAFAR<\/font>, his Vizier.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nS<\/font>HAIKH <\/font><\/p>\n

I<\/font>BRAHIM<\/font>, Superintendent of the Caliph’s gardens.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nM<\/font>ESROUR<\/font>, Haroun’s friend and companion’.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nM<\/font>AHOMED BIN <\/font><\/p>\n

S<\/font>ULEYMAN OF <\/font><\/p>\n

Z<\/font>AYNI<\/font>, Haroun’s cousin,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nKing of Bassora.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA<\/font>LFAZZAL <\/font><\/p>\n

I<\/font>BN <\/font><\/p>\n

S<\/font>AWY<\/font>, his chief Vizier.
\nN<\/font>UREDDENE<\/font>, son of Alfazzal.
\nA<\/font>LMUENE BIN <\/font><\/p>\n

K<\/font>HAKAN<\/font>, second Vizier of Bassora.
\nF<\/font>AREED<\/font>, his son.
\nS<\/font>ALAR<\/font>, confident of Alzayni.
\nM<\/font>URAD<\/font>, a Turk Captain of Police in Bassora.
\nA<\/font>JEBE<\/font>, nephew of Almuene.
\nS<\/font>UNJAR<\/font>, a Chamberlain of the Palace of Bassora.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nM<\/font>UAZZIM<\/font>, a broker.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA<\/font>ZEEM<\/font>, steward of Alfazzal.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nH<\/font>ARKOOS<\/font>, an Ethiopian eunuch in Ibn Sawy’s household.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nK<\/font>AREEM<\/font>, a fisherman of Bagdad.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nS<\/font>LAVES, <\/font>
\nS<\/font>OLDIERS<\/font>,
\nG<\/font>UARDS<\/font>,
\nE<\/font>XECUTIONERS<\/font>,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nM<\/font>ERCHANTS<\/font>,
\nB<\/font>ROKERS<\/font>.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA<\/font>MEENA<\/font>, wife of Alfazzal Ibn Sawy.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nD<\/font>OONYA<\/font>, his niece.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA<\/font>NICE<\/font>-A<\/font>LJALICE<\/font>, a Persian slave-girl.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nK<\/font>HATOON<\/font>, wife of Almuene, sister of Ameena.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nS<\/font>LAVE<\/font>-G<\/font>IRLS<\/font>.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 561<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAct One <\/b> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nBassora. <\/i><\/font> <\/p>\n

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

<\/b><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nAn antechamber in the palace.
\nMurad, Sunjar.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nChamberlain, I tell thee I will not bear it an hour longer than it
\ntakes my feet to carry me to the King’s audience-room and my
\nvoice to number my wrongs. Let him choose between me, a man and one made in
\nGod’s image, and this brutish amalgam of gorilla and Barbary ape whom he calls his Vizier.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>UNJAR <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou are not alone in your wrongs; all Bassora and half the
\nCourt complain of his tyrannies.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAnd as if all were too little for his heavy-handed malice, he must
\nsaddle us with his son’s misdoings too, who is as like him as the
\nyoung baboon is to the adult ape.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>UNJAR <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt is a cub, a monkey of mischief, a rod on the soles would go far
\nto tame. But who shall dare apply that? Murad, be wary. The
\nKing, \u2014 who is the King and therefore blameless, \u2014 will not
\nhave his black angel dispraised. Complain rather to Alfazzal
\nIbn Sawy, the good Vizier.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe kind Alfazzal! Bassora is bright only
\nbecause of his presence.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 563<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tSUNJAR <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI believe you. He has the serenity and brightness of a nature
\nthat never willingly did hurt to man or living thing. I think some-
\ntimes every good kindly man is like the moon and carries a halo,
\nwhile a chill cloud moves with dark and malignant natures.
\nWhen we are near^them, we feel it. ,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEnter Ibn Sawy.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>BN
\n\t<\/font>S<\/font>AWY
\n\t<\/font>(to himself)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe fairest of all slave-girls! here’s a task!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhy, my wild handsome roisterer, Nureddene,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy hunter of girls, my snare for hearts of virgins,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCould do this better. And he would strongly like<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe mission; but I think his pretty purchase<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWould hardly come undamaged through to the owner.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA perilous transit that would be! the rogue!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTen thousand golden pieces hardly buy<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSuch wonders, \u2014 so much wealth to go so idly!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut princes must have sweet and pleasant things<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo ease their labours more than common men.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTheir labour is not common who are here<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe Almighty’s burdened high vicegerents charged<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWith difficult justice and calm-visaged rule.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>UNJAR
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe peace of the Prophet with thee, thou best of Viziers.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe peace, Alfazzal Ibn Sawy.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>BN
\n\t<\/font>S<\/font>AWY <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd to you also peace. You here, my Captain?
\nThe city’s business ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nVizier, and my own! <\/font><\/p>\n

\nI would impeach the Vizier Almuene<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 564<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nBefore our royal master.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>BN
\n\t<\/font>S<\/font>AWY <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou’ll do unwisely. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nA dark and dangerous mind is Almuene’s, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nYet are there parts in him that well deserve <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe favour he enjoys, although too proudly <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe uses it and with much personal malice. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nComplain not to the King against him, Murad. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe’ll weigh his merits with your grievances, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nFind these small jealous trifles, those superlative, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd in the end conceive a mute displeasure <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAgainst you.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI will be guided by you, sir.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>BN
\n\t<\/font>S<\/font>AWY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMy honest Turk, you will do well.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>UNJAR
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe’s here.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nThe peace upon you, son of Khakan.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nCaptain, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou govern harshly. Change your methods, Captain, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nYour manners too. You are a Turk; I know you.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI govern Bassora more honestly
\nThan you the kingdom.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 565<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nSoldier! rude Turcoman!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>BN
\n\t<\/font>S<\/font>AWY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNay, brother Almuene! Why are you angry?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThat he misgoverns.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>BN
\n\t<\/font>S<\/font>AWY <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn what peculiar instance?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI’ll tell you. A city gang the other day<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBattered my little mild Fareed most beastly<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWith staves and cudgels. This fellow’s bribed police,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBy him instructed, held a ruffian candle<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo<\/b> the outrage. When the rogues were caught, they lied<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd got them off before a fool, a Kazi.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tMURAD <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe Vizier’s son, as all our city knows, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nA misformed urchin full of budding evil, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nRanges the city like a ruffian, shielded <\/font><\/p>\n

\nUnder his father’s formidable name;<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd those who lay their hands on him, commit <\/font><\/p>\n

\nNot outrage, but a rescue.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nTurk, I know you.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>BN
\n\t<\/font>S<\/font>AWY <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn all fraternal kindness hear me speak. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhat Murad says, is truth. For your Fareed, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHowever before you he blinks angelically, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAbroad he roars half-devil. Never, Vizier, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nWas such a scandal until now allowed<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 566<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIn any Moslem town. Why, it is just<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSuch barbarous outrage as in Christian cities<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMay walk unquestioned, not in Bassora<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOr any seat of culture. It should be mended.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBrother, your Nureddene is not all blameless. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe has a name!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>BN
\n\t<\/font>S<\/font>AWY <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis are the first wild startings <\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf a bold generous nature. Mettled steeds, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhen they have been managed, are the best to mount. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nSo will my son. If your Fareed’s brute courses <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAs easily turn to gold, I shall be glad.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nLet him be anything, he is a Vizier’s son. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe Turk forgot that.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>BN
\n\t<\/font>S<\/font>AWY <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThese are maxims, brother, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nUnsuited to our Moslem polity. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThey savour of barbarous Europe. But in Islam <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAll men are equal underneath the King.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWell, brother Turk, you are excused.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nViziers, the peace.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>BN
\n\t<\/font>S<\/font>AWY <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI’ll follow you.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 567<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nTurk, the peace!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>BN
\n\t<\/font>S<\/font>AWY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPeace, brother. See to it, brother.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\nExit with Murad.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBrother, peace.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWould I not gladly tweak your ears and nose <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd catch your brotherly beard to pluck it out <\/font><\/p>\n

\nWith sweet fraternal pulls ? Faugh, you babbler <\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf virtuous nothings! some day I’ll have you preach <\/font><\/p>\n

\nUnder the bastinado; you’ll howl, you’ll howl <\/font><\/p>\n

\nRare sermons there. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n(seeing Sunjar)<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou! You! You spy ? You eavesdrop ? <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd I must be rebuked with this to hear it! <\/font><\/p>\n

\nWell, I’ll remember you.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>UNJAR <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSir, I beseech you, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nI had no smallest purpose to offend.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>LMUENE
\n\t<\/font>.<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI know you, dog! When my back’s turned, you bark, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut whine before me. You shall be remembered.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nExit.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>UNJAR
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThere goest thou, Almuene, the son of Khakan,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDog’s son, dog’s father, and thyself a dog.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThy birth was where thy end shall be, a dunghill.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nExit.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 568<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THE VIZIERS OF BASSORA A Dramatic Romance   PERSONS OF THE DRAMA         HAROUN AL RASHEED, Caliph. JAAFAR, his Vizier. SHAIKH IBRAHIM, Superintendent…<\/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-167","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\/167","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=167"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}