{"id":218,"date":"2013-07-13T01:26:40","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=218"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:26:40","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:40","slug":"22-the-viziers-of-bassora-act-5-sc-2-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\/22-the-viziers-of-bassora-act-5-sc-2-vol-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","title":{"rendered":"-22_The Viziers of Bassora Act-5 Sc-2.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n
\n

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

\n <\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThe palace in Bassora.
\nAlzayni, Murad, Almuene, Ajebe.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI like your nephew well and will advance him.
\nFor what’s twixt you and Murad, let it sleep.
\nYou are both my trusty counsellors.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nA nothing,
\nI grieve I pressed; forget it, noble Murad.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThat’s as you please.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nCome, you’re my nephew too.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tV<\/font>OICE
\n\t<\/font>O<\/font>UTSIDE<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHo, Mahomed Alzayni, Sultan, Ho!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWho is that Arab?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>LMUENE
\n\t<\/font>(at the window)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nGod! ’tis Nureddene.
\nImpossible!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOr he is courage-mad.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n‘Tis he.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe devil and his unholy joy!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 710<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nDrag him to me! No, bring him quietly,
\nAjebe.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nExit Ajebe.
\n<\/i>I wonder in what strength he comes.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe strength of madness.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOr of Heaven, whose wrath
\nSometimes chastises us with our desires.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEnter Ajebe with Nureddene.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nGreeting, Alzayni, King in Bassora.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nGreeting, sweet uncle. Has your nose got straight ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAjebe and Murad, greeting. Here am I!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHow dar’st thou come and with such rude demeanour ?
\nKnow’st thou thy sentence ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhy, I bring a sentence too,
\nA fishy writing. Here it is. Be careful of it;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIt is my die on which I throw for death
\nOr more than life.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nA letter, and to me ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nGreat King, ’tis from thy friend the fisherman,
\nHe with the dirty gaberdine who lives
\nIn great Bagdad on stolen fish.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 711<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nThinkst thou
\nThat thou canst play thus rudely with the lion?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIf I could see the mane, I’ld clutch at it.
\nA lashing tail is not enough. The tiger
\nHas that too, and many trifling animals.
\nBut read the letter.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nRead it, Almuene.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n‘Tis from the Caliph, it appears. Thus runs
\nThe alleged epistle: "Haroun al Rasheed,
\nCommander of the Faithful, known by name
\nTo Orient waters and the Atlantic seas,
\nWhom three wide continents obey, to Mahomed
\nThe Abbasside, the son of Suleyman,
\nMen call Alzayni, by our gracious will
\nAllowed our subject king in Bassora,
\nGreeting and peace. As soon as thou hast read
\nOur letter, put from thee thy kingly robe,
\nThy jewelled turban and thy sceptred pomp
\nAnd clothe with them the bearer Nureddene,
\nSon of thy Vizier, monarch in thy stead
\nIn Bassora, then come to us in Bagdad
\nTo answer for thy many and great offences.
\nThis as thou hop’st to live."<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIt was the Caliph.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMy mighty cousin’s will must be obeyed.
\nWhy turnst thou to the light ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 712<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nTo scan it better.
\nKing, ’tis a forgery! Where is the seal,
\nWhere the imperial scripture ? Is it thus
\nOn a torn paper mighty Caliphs write ?
\nNow on my life ,the fellow here has chanced
\nUpon some playful scribbling of the Caliph’s,
\nPut in his name and thine and, brazen-faced,
\nCome here to bluster.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIt was quite whole, I saw it.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBoy, silence!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNo, I will not. Thou hast torn it.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhere are the pieces then ? Search, if thou wilt.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHo, there.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nTake Ajebe to the prison hence.
\nHe shall have judgment afterwards.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nExit Ajebe, guarded.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou, fellow,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCom’st thou with brazen face and blustering tongue
\nAnd forgeries in thy pocket? Hale him hence.
\nAfter fierce tortures let him be impaled.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHear me, O King.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThou art his sister’s husband.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 713<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nYet for thy own sake hear me. Hast thou thought,
\nIf this be true, what fate will stride upon thee
\nWhen Haroun learns thy deed ? whom doubt not. King,
\nThy many enemies will soon acquaint.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSend couriers; find this out.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nTill when I’ll keep
\nMy nephew safe under my private eye.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThou art his enemy.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAnd thou his friend.
\nHe will escape from thee once more.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nThou keep him, use him well.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHo! take him, guards.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nI lose the toss; ’tis tails. <\/font>
\n <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nAll leave me. Vizier,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nNow, Almuene?<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 714<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nKill him and be at rest.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIf ’twere indeed the Caliph’s very hand ?
\nVizier, I dare not, suddenly.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nDare not!
\nNay, then, put off thy crown at Haroun’s bidding,
\nWho’ll make thee his doorkeeper in Bagdad.
\nThe Caliph ? How long will this drunken freak
\nHave lodging in his lordly mind ? Or fear’st thou
\nThe half-veiled threat of thy own trusty Turk,
\nSultan Alzayni ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHim I’ll silence. Keep
\nThe boy ten days; then, if all’s well, behead him.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nYou boggle, boggle; that is not the way<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo keep a crown. Have him and hold’s the Vizier,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCatch him and cut’s the General. Loose your grip ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLet the hand shake ? So monarchs are unkinged.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTen days are mine at least. I have ten days<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo torture him, though Caliphs turn his friend.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWill God befriend him next ? My enemies<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe gives into my potent hand. Murad is gone,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd I hold Doonya in my grip, Ameena too<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWho, I have news, lives secret with her niece.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut where’s the girl ? God keeps her for me, I doubt not,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA last sweet morsel. It will please Fareed.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut there’s Haroun! Why should he live at all,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhen there are swords and poisons ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPage \u2013 715<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SCENE II     The palace in Bassora. Alzayni, Murad, Almuene, Ajebe. ALZAYNI I like your nephew well and will advance him. For what’s twixt…<\/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-218","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\/218","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=218"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}