{"id":180,"date":"2013-07-13T01:26:25","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=180"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:26:25","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:25","slug":"26-the-viziers-of-bassora-act-5-sc-6-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\/26-the-viziers-of-bassora-act-5-sc-6-vol-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","title":{"rendered":"-26_The Viziers of Bassora Act-5 Sc-6.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n
\n

\n
\nSCENE VI <\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThe public square of Bassora.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAlzayni on a dais; in front a scaffold on which stand Nureddene,
\nan executioner, Murad and others. Almuene moves between the
\ndais and scaffold. The square is crowded with people.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>XECUTIONER
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHo! listen, listen, Moslems. Nureddene,
\nSon of Alfazzal, son of Sawy, stands
\nUpon the rug of blood, the man who smote
\nGreat Viziers and came armed with forgeries
\nTo uncrown mighty Kings. Look on his doom,
\nYou enemies of great Alzayni, look and shake.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n(Low, to Nureddene)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy lord, forgive me who am thus compelled,
\nOh much against my will, to ill-requite
\nYour father’s kindly favours.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>UREDDENE<\/font><\/p>\n

\nGive me water:<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI thirst.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nGive water. Executioner,
\nWhen the King waves the signal, wait; strike not
\nToo hastily.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>XECUTIONER
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCaptain, I will await thy nod.
\nHere’s water.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>LMUENE
\n\t<\/font>(coming up)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nRebellious sworder! Givest thou drink
\nTo<\/b> the King’s enemies!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA V<\/font>OICE
\n\tIN THE <\/font>C<\/font>ROWD
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nGod waits for thee,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 724<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tThou wicked Vizier.
A<\/font>LMUENE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWho was that?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nA voice.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBehead it.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMighty Sultan, give the word.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThere is a movement in the crowd and cries.
\nWait for one moment.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIt is Ibn Sawy.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOh, this is sweet!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>RIES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMake way for the Vizier, the good Vizier. He’s saved! he’s saved.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEnter Alfazzal; he looks with emotion at
\nNureddene, then turns to the King.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nGreeting, my King; my work in Roum is over.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nVirtuous Alfazzal! we will talk with thee
\nAs ever was our dearest pleasure; first,
\nThere is a spotted soul to be dislodged
\nFrom the fair body it disgraced; a trifle
\nSoon ended. There behold the criminal.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe criminal! Pardon me, mighty King;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 725<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe voice of nature will not be kept down.
\nWhy wilt thou slay my son?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNay, ’tis himself
\nInsisted obstinately on his doom;<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAbused his King, battered and beat my Vizier,
\nForged mighty Haroun’s signature to wear
\nMy crown in Bassora. These are the chief
\nOf his offences.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIf this thing is true,
\nAs doubtless near inquiry in Bagdad \u2014<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNay, take not up thy duties all too soon.
\nRest from thy travel, bury thy dear son
\nAnd afterwards resume thy faithful works,
\nMy Vizier.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI would not see my dear child slain,
\nPermit me to depart and in my desolate house
\nComfort the stricken mother and his kin.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPerhaps a stone of all thy house may stand.
\nThe mother and thy niece? It hurts my heart.
\nThey too are criminals and punished.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

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

\nSlaves, help my faithful Vizier; he will faint.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 726<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nLet me alone; God made me strong to bear.
\nThey are dead ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNay, a more lenient penalty.
\nWhat did I order ? To be led through -Bassora
\nBare in their shifts with halters round their necks,
\nAnd, stripped before all eyes, whipped into swooning, \/
\nThen sold as slaves but preferably for little
\nTo some low Nazarene or Jew. Was that
\nThe order, Almuene?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMerciful Allah!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd it is done?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI doubt not, it is done.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nTheir<\/font>
\ncrime?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nConspiring murder. They have killed
\nThe son of Almuene. Good Ibn Sawy,
\nGod’s kind to thee who has relieved thy age
\nOf human burdens. Thus He turns thy thought
\nTo His ineffable and simple peace.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nGod, Thou art mighty and Thy will is just.
\nKing Mahomed Alzayni, I have come
\nTo a changed world in which I am not needed.
\nI bid farewell.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNay, Vizier, clasp thy son,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 727<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAnd afterwards await within my hearing
\nRelease.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMy Nureddene, my child!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nJustice
\nOf God, thou spar’st me nothing. Father! Father!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBow to the will of God, my son; if thou
\nMust perish on a false and hateful charge,
\nA crime in thee impossible, believe
\nIt is His justice still.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>UREDDENE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI well believe it.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI doubt not I will join you, son. We’ll hold
\nEach other’s hands upon the narrow way.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHast done, Alfazzal ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nDo thy will, O King.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

(waving his hand)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nTrumpets outside.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhat are these proud notes ? this cloud of dust
\nThat rushes towards us from the north? The earth
\nTrembles with horse-hooves.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nLet this wretch be slain <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 728<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nWe shall have leisure then for greater things.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPause, pause! A horseman gallops through the crowd
\nWhich scatters like wild dust. Look, he dismounts.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEnter a soldier.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHail to thee, Mohamad Alzayni! Greeting
\nFrom mightier than thyself.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat art thou, Arab ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nJaafar bin Barmak, Vizier world-renowned
\nOf Haroun, master of the globe, comes hither.
\nHe’s in your streets, Alzayni. Thus he bids thee;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIf Nureddene, thy Vizier’s son, yet lives,
\nPreserve him. Sultan, as thy own dear life;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFor if he dies, thou shalt not live.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMy guards!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy soldiers! here to me!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBeware, Alzayni.
\nThe force he brings could dislocate each stone
\nIn Bassora within the hour and leave
\nThy house a ruin. In his mighty wake
\nA mightier comes, the Caliph’s self.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n‘Tis well.
\nI have but erred. My Murad, here to me!
\nMurad, thou shalt have gold, a house, estate,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 729<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nNoble and wealthy women for thy wives.
\nMurad!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nErred, King, indeed who took a soldier
\nFor an assassin. King, my household gem
\nI have saved and want no others. Were she gone,
\nThou wouldst not now be living.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAm I betrayed ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nCall it so. King.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMy throne is tumbling down.
\nThe crowd quite parts, the horsemen drive towards us.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSultan Alzayni, kill thy enemies,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThen die. Wilt thou be footed to Bagdad,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nStumbling in fetters ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThey are here.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEnter Jaafar and soldiers.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tJ<\/font>AAFAR
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThis sigh’t
\nIs thy own sentence. Mahomed Alzayni,
\nAllah deprived thee of reason to destroy thee,
\nWhen thou didst madly disobey thy lord.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n‘Twas a mistake, great Vizier. <\/b> We had thought
\nThe script a forgery.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 730<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tJ<\/font>AAFAR
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIssue of Khakan,
\nI have seen many Viziers like thyself,
\nBut none that died in peace. Hail, Nureddene!
\nI greet thee. Sultan, lord in Bassora.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>UREDDENE
\n\t<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nIt is the second toss that tells, the first
\nWas a pure foul. I thank Thee, who hast only
\nShown me the edge of thy chastising sword,
\nThen pardoned. Father, embrace me.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAh, child,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThy mother and thy sister!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThey are safe<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd in my care.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNay, God is kind; this world
\nMost leniently ruled.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tJ<\/font>AAFAR
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSultan Alzayni, Vizier Almuene,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBy delegated power I seize upon you,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe prisoners of the Caliph. Take them, guards.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI’ve brought a slave-girl for you, Nureddene,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe Caliph’s gift.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>UREDDENE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI’ll take her, if I like her.
\nLife is my own again and all I love.
\nGreat are Thy mercies, O Omnipotent!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 731<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SCENE VI     The public square of Bassora. Alzayni on a dais; in front a scaffold on which stand Nureddene, an executioner, Murad and…<\/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-180","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\/180","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=180"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/180\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}