{"id":203,"date":"2013-07-13T01:26:35","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=203"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:26:35","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:35","slug":"31-prince-of-edur-act-1-sc-4-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\/31-prince-of-edur-act-1-sc-4-vol-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","title":{"rendered":"-31_Prince of Edur Act-1 Sc-4.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n
\n

\n
\nSCENE IV<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n

\n

\n <\/div>\n

\n

\n
\n <\/font><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\nThe forest near Dongurh. By the \u2022waterfall.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEnter Captain and soldiers escorting Comol Cumary, Coomood,
\nNirmol and Ishany in palanquins.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SHANY
\n\t<\/font>(from her palanquin)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSet down the palanquins. Captain, make void
\nThis region; here the princess would repose
\nBeside the murmuring waterfall awhile
\nAnd breathe into her heart the winds of Dongurh.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nExit Captain with soldiers and palanquin-
\nbearers. The girls leave their palanquins.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>OMOL
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCoomood, this is the waterfall we loved
\nTo lean by, singing to the lyre the deeds
\nOur fathers wrought or listening silently
\nThe soft continuous roar. Beyond that bend
\nWe shall see Dongurh, \u2014 Dongurh, our delight
\nWhere we were children, Coomood.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>OOMOOD
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nComol, our tree’s
\nAll scarlet, as if splashed with crimson fire,
\nJust as of old.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>OMOL
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO it is Spring, and this
\nIs Dongurh.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nGirls, we must not linger long.
\nOur Scythian, missing us, may take the hills.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>IRMOL
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPurse-cheeks? <\/b>Oh, he has lifted Mera the servant-girl to his<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 760<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nsaddle-bow by now and is garlanding her Queen of Cashmere.
\nI wish I were there to be bridesmaid.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCOMOL <\/font>CUMARY
\n\t<\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThat was a sweet touch of thine, Nirmol. But the child deserves
\nher promotion; she has served me willingly. A Scythian throne
\nis no great wages for service to a Rajpoot princess.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nC<\/font>OOMOOD <\/font><\/p>\n

C<\/font>UMARY <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHow the hill gives you back your laughter, repeating
\nIts sweetness with delight, as if it had a soul
\nTo love you.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>OMOL
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWe have shaken them off prettily by turning away through the
\nhills. Alas! my royal father will not greet his little empress this
\njourney, nor my lady mother scent her blossom on a Rajpoot
\ncrest. They must even put up with their poor simple Comol
\nCumary just as she was, \u2014 (aside)<\/i> and as she will be until her
\nheart finds its mate.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>IRMOL
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt is a sin, I tell you, Comol; I am mad when I think of it. Why,
\nI came out to be abducted; I did not come for a quiet stroll
\nthrough the woodlands. But I have still hopes of our Bheel
\ncateran, our tangle-locked Krishna of the hill-sides; surely he
\nwill not be so ungallant as to let such sweet booty pass through
\nhis kingdom ungathered.<\/font>  <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>OMOL
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI would gladly see this same stripling and talk to him face to face
\nwho sets his Bheel arrows against our Rajpoot swords.
\n<\/b>He should be a man at least, no Scythian Toraman.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe presumptuous savage! it will earn him a stake yet for his
\nlast session. Were I a man, I would burn these wasps from their<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 761<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nnest and catch and crush them in my mailed gauntlet as they
\nbuzzed out into the open.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>HOUTS
\n\t<\/font>O<\/font>UTSIDE<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBappa! Bappa! Ho Sheva Ekling!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>APTAIN
\n\t<\/font>(shouting within)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nLances, lances, Rajpoots! Bearers, to the palanquins!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCOMOL <\/font>CUMARY
\n\t<\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

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

\n\tN<\/font>IRMOL
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY
\n\t<\/font>(laughing)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou’ll have that talk with Bappa yet,
\nComol.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>OOMOOD
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOh, let us flee! They swarm towards us.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nStand firm! <\/b> Our gallant lances soon will prick
\nThese bold hill-foxes to their lairs. Stand firm!
\nWe should but fly into the mouth of danger.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>OMOL
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY
\n\t<\/font>(climbing on to a rock)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou Gods! our Rajpoots all are overwhelmed
\nBefore they used their weapons. What next, Ishany ?
\nShall we sit still to be made prisoners ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nGet swiftly to your palanquin. The bearers
\nRun hither. Flee towards the valley road!
\nIt may be that the swords of Ichalgurh
\nRange there already.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>OMOL
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nShall I escape alone ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 762<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nAh, save the glory of Edur from disgrace
\nOf savage handling!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nEnter the palanquin-bearers fleeing.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nHalt! Take your princess, men,
\nAnd flee with her into the valley road.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>ST
\n\t<\/font>B<\/font>EARER
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe funeral fire in the mouth of your princess! Every man save
\nhimself.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nExit with most of the bearers.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\t2ND <\/font>BEARER
\n\t<\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHalt, halt! We have eaten and shall we not pay for the salt?
\nYes, even with our blood. We four will take her, if we are not
\ncut into pieces first. Into the palanquin, lady. <\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tNIRMOL <\/font>CUMARY
\n\t<\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nQuick, Comol! or are you longing for your palaver with Tangle-locks?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nComol enters the palanquin.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>OOMOOD
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhat will become of us ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>IRMOL
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWe shall become
\nBheel housewives. After all, a Scythian throne
\nWas better.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWe have our weapons to befriend us yet.
\nCoomood, look not so pale.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>IRMOL
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSee, see, Ishany!
\nThe Bheels are leaping down upon our rear.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 763<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nQuick, bearers, bearers.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tNIRMOL <\/font>CUMARY
\n\t<\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt is too late. She’s taken.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEnter Kodal and Bheels.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhoever wants an arrow through his skull, let him move his
\nshanks. Women, you are my brother Bappa’s prisoners; we
\nhave need of some Rajpoot slave-girls for his kitchen. Take
\nthem, my children, and tie them.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nStab any who comes; let not these lumps of dirt
\nInsult your Rajpoot bodies with their fingers.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ODAL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nShut your mouth, Rajpootny, or I will skewer your tongue to
\nyour palate with an arrow. Knock their daggers out of their
\nhands.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe lays his hand on Nirmol’s wrist.
\nEnter Sungram.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>IRMOL
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY
\n\t<\/font>.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOff, savage! I will have no tongue-skewerer for my husband.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nRelease her, Kodal. Lay not thy Bheel hand
\nUpon a Rajpoot virgin. Maiden of Edur,
\nExpect no outrage. We are men who keep
\nSome tincture of manners yet, though savage hills
\nHarbour us and our looks and deeds are rugged
\nAs the wild land we dwell in.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>IRMOL
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI grant you that. If you are the master-jockey, the winners of this<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 764<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nhandicap are no such rank outsiders after all.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ODAL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBecause thou art a Rajpoot, must thou command me? To me,
\nBheels! Tie up these Rajpootnys, hand and leg like so many
\nchickens. Heed., not Sungram.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\n(draws his sword)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SHANY
\n\t<\/font>(rapidly approaching the bearers)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSlip off unnoticed while they brawl; run, run!
\nO save the princess!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\t2ND <\/font>BEARER
\n\t<\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nWe will do our man’s best. Silently, men, and swiftly.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tKODAL<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI boggle not for your sword, Rajpoot. Taste my arrows.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nExeunt bearers with Comol in the
\npalanquin. Bappa and Prithuraj enter
\nfrom the other side.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>APPA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNow, what’s the matter, Kodal?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ODAL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhy, Bappa, these new servant-girls of yours will not come to
\nheel; they talk proudly. Yet Sungram will not let me teach
\nthem manners, because, I think, they are his aunt’s cousins. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>APPA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThey shall be obedient, Kodal. Leave them to me.
\nRemember Sungram’s your commander, brother.
\nWhat, you, a soldier, and break discipline!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 765<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nI am your soldier, Bappa. Sungram, you shall have your Rajpootny. I am a soldier, Rajpoot, and know my duty.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCOOMOOD <\/font>CUMARY
\n\t<\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIs this the Bheel ? ,the rough and uncouth outlaw ?
\nHe has a princely bearing. This is surely
\nA Rajpoot and of a high-seated blood.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>APPA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhich of you’s Edur’s princess ? Let her stand
\nBefore me.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWho art thou that speak’st so proudly
\nAs if a Rajpoot princess were thy slave,
\nOutlaw?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>APPA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhoe’er I am, you are in my hands,
\nMy spoil and captives. Speak, which is the princess ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>OOMOOD
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOut of thy grip and now almost in safety,
\nChieftain, upon the valley road.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nCoomood,
\nThou hast betrayed thy sister by thy folly
\nAnd into vilest shame.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>OOMOOD
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAt least I’ll share it.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n\tB<\/font>APPA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAy, so? these maidens are but three. Kodal,<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 766<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nFour palanquins were on the road, thou told’st me.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nK<\/font>ODAL <\/font><\/p>\n

\nSungram, give thy sword a twist in my guts. While I wrangled
\nwith thee, the best shikar of all has skedaddled.<\/font> 
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>APPA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNay, mend it, \u2014 intercept the fugitive.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nExit Kodal with Bheels.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe other too has fled? but she’s on foot.
\nSungram and Prithuraj, lead these fair captives
\nInto their prison. I will go and seize
\nThe runaways.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThey are not for thee yet,
\nHill-cateran, while I stand between.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>RITHURAJ<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO here’s<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA Rajpoot spirit.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>APPA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFoolish girl, canst thou
\nOppose the storm-blast with a dove’s white wings ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAs he goes out, she strikes at him with a
\ndagger; he seizes her wrist and puts her by.
\nExit Bappa.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>RITHURAJ
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou hast a brave but headstrong spirit, maiden.
\nIt is no savages to whom your Fates
\nAre kind, but men of Rajpoot blood and nurture.
\nHave I your leave?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe lays his hand on her wrist.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 767<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tI<\/font>SHANY
\n\t<\/font>(sullenly)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou take it in these hills
\nBefore the asking, as it seems.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n(throwing away her dagger)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAway,
\nThou useless helper.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>RITHURAJ
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nVery useless, maiden.
\nWhen help is needed, ask it of my sword.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou play the courteous brigand. I shall need
\nNo help to cast myself out of the reach
\nOf villains’ courtesies.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>RITHURAJ
\n\t<\/font>(lifting her in his arms)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n‘Tis not so easy.
\nMust I then teach you you’re a prisoner?
\nCome, be more patient. You shall yet be glad
\nOf the sweet violence today we do you.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe carries her out.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMust we follow in the same order ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tNIRMOL <\/font>CUMARY
\n\t<\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBy your leave, no. I turn eleven stone or thereabouts.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI will not easily believe it. Will you suffer me to test the measure ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>IRMOL
\n\t<\/font>C<\/font>UMARY
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI fear you would prove an unjust balance; so I will even walk,
\nif you will help me over the rough places. It seems you were
\nnot Krishna after all? <\/font>
\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 768<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nWhy, take me for brother Balaram then. Is not your name
\nRevaty?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tNIRMOL <\/font>CUMARY
\n\t<\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt is too early in the day for a proposal; positively I will not
\nsay either yes or no till the evening. On, Balaram! I follow.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPage \u2013 769<\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SCENE IV     The forest near Dongurh. By the \u2022waterfall. Enter Captain and soldiers escorting Comol Cumary, Coomood, Nirmol and Ishany in palanquins. ISHANY…<\/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-203","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\/203","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=203"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/203\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=203"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=203"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=203"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}