Part 4
In other words, unless he is allowed to harm some one else, he will harm himself?
_Doctor_
These big men are big babies. They must have plenty of play. When they get tired of one game, if you don’t supply them with another, they’ll break their toys. But be prepared, Governor, there isn’t much time to lose.
_Governor_
I’ve read the signs long ago, and completed all arrangements. But what a pity! Just when our golden city has amassed wealth such as it never had before, to have to--never mind, you may go--I’ll think it over.
[_Doctor goes._
(_A Headman comes in._)
_Headman_
Did Your Lordship send for me? I am the Headman of Parish J.
_Governor_
You are No. 321, aren’t you?
_Headman_
Marvellous! Your Lordship remembers even my unworthy self!
_Governor_
My wife will be driving out to-day. The post will be changed near your village, and you must see that she’s not detained.
_Headman_
There’s a plague on the cattle of our parish, and not a single ox can be had to draw the car. Never mind, we can press the diggers into service.
_Governor_
You know where you have to take her? To the garden-house, where the feast of the Flag-worship is to be held.
_Headman_
I’ll see to it at once, but let me tell you one thing before I go. That 69 Ng, whom they call mad Bishu,--it’s high time to cure his madness.
_Governor_
Why, how does he annoy you?
_Headman_
Not so much by what he says or does, as by what he implies.
_Governor_
There’s no need to worry about him any further. You understand!
_Headman_
Really! That’s good news, indeed! Another thing. That 47 V, he’s rather too friendly with 69 Ng.
_Governor_
I have observed that.
_Headman_
Your Lordship’s observation is ever keen. Only, as you have to keep an eye on so many things, one or two may perchance escape your notice. For instance, there’s our No. 95, a distant connection of mine by marriage, ever ready to make sandals for the feet of Your Lordship’s sweeper out of his own ribs,--so irrepressibly loyal is he that even his wife hangs her head for very shame,--and yet up to now----
_Governor_
His name has been entered in the High Register.
_Headman_
Ah, then his lifelong service will at last receive its reward! The news must be broken to him gently, because he gets epileptic fits, and supposing suddenly----
_Governor_
All right, we’ll see to that. Now be off, there’s no time.
_Headman_
Just a word about another person,--though he’s my own brother-in-law. When his mother died, my wife brought him up with her own hands; yet for my master’s sake----
_Governor_
You can tell me about him another time. Run away now.
_Headman_
There comes His Honour the Deputy Governor. Please speak a word to him on my behalf. He doesn’t look upon me with favour. I suspect that when 69 Ng used to enjoy the favour of free entry into the palace, he must have been saying things against me.
_Governor_
I assure you, he never even mentioned your name.
_Headman_
That’s just his cleverness! What can be more damaging than to suppress the name of a man, whose name is his best asset? These schemers have their different ways. No. 33 of our parish has an incurable habit of haunting Your Lordship’s private chamber. One is always afraid of his inventing goodness knows what calumnies about other people. And yet if one knew the truth about his own----
_Governor_
There’s positively no time to-day. Get away with you, quick!
_Headman_
I make my salute.
(_Coming back_) Just one word more lest I forget. No. 88 of our neighbouring parish started work on a miserable pittance, and before two years are out his income has run into thousands, not to speak of extras! Your Lordship’s mind is like that of the gods--a few words of hypocritical praise are enough to draw down the best of your boons.
_Governor_
All right, all right,--that can keep for to-morrow.
_Headman_
I’m not so mean as to suggest taking away the bread from his mouth. But Your Lordship should seriously consider whether it’s wise to keep him on at the Treasury. Our Vishnu Dutt knows him inside out. If you send----
_Governor_
I shall send for him this very day. But begone,--not another word!
_Headman_
Your Lordship, my third son is getting to be quite a big boy. He came the other day to prostrate himself at your feet. After two days of dancing attendance outside, he had to go away without gaining admission to you. He feels it very bitterly. My daughter-in-law has made with her own hands an offering of sweet pumpkin for Your Lordship----
_Governor_
Oh confound you! Tell him to come day after to-morrow, he will be admitted. _Now, will you_----
(_Headman goes. The Deputy Governor comes in._)
_Deputy Governor_
I’ve just sent on the dancing girls and musicians to the garden.
_Governor_
And that little matter about Rañjan,--how far----?
_Deputy Governor_
That kind of work is not in my line. The Assistant Governor has taken it upon himself to do the job. By this time his----
_Governor_
Does the King----?
_Deputy Governor_
The King can’t possibly have understood. Some lie told by our men has goaded Rañjan to frenzy, and he’s rushing to the usual fate of----I detest the whole business. Moreover, I don’t think it right to deceive the King like this.
_Governor_
That responsibility is mine. Now then, that girl must be----
_Deputy Governor_
Don’t talk of all that to me. The Headman who has been put on duty is the right man,--he doesn’t stick at any dirtiness whatever.
_Governor_
Does that man Gosain know about this affair?
_Deputy Governor_
I’m sure he can guess, but he’s careful not to know for certain.
_Governor_
What’s his object?
_Deputy Governor_
For fear of there being no way left open for saying: “I don’t believe it.”
_Governor_
But what makes him take all this trouble?
_Deputy Governor_
Don’t you see? The poor man is really two in one, clumsily joined,--Priest on the skin, Governor at the marrow. He has to take precious care to prevent the Governor part of him coming up to the surface, lest it should clash too much with his telling of beads.
_Governor_
He might have dropped the beads altogether.
_Deputy Governor_
No, for whatever his blood may be, his mind, in a sense, is really pious. If only he can tell his beads in his temple, and revel in slave-driving in his dreams, he feels happy. But for him, the true complexion of our God would appear too black. In fact, Gosain is placed here only to help our God to feel comfortable.
_Governor_
My friend, I see the instinct of the Ruler doesn’t seem to match with the colour of your own blood, either!
_Deputy Governor_
There’s hope still. Human blood is fast drying up. But I can’t stomach your No. 321 yet. When I’m obliged to embrace him in public, no holy water seems able to wash out the impurity of his touch.
Here comes Nandini.
_Governor_
Come away, I don’t trust you. I know the spell of Nandini has fallen on your eyes.
_Deputy Governor_
I know that as well as you do. But you don’t seem to know that a tinge of her oleanders has got mixed with the colour of duty in _your_ eyes too--that’s what makes them so frightfully red.
_Governor_
That may be. Fortunately for us, our mind knows not its own secret. Come away.
[_They go._
(_Nandini comes in._)
_Nandini_
(_Knocking and pushing at the network_) Listen, listen, listen!
(_The Gosain comes in._)
_Gosain_
Whom are you prodding like that?
_Nandini_
That boa-constrictor of yours, who remains in hiding and swallows men.
_Gosain_
Lord, lord! When Providence wishes to destroy the small, it does so by putting big words into their little mouths.
See here, Nandini, believe me when I tell you that I aim at your welfare.
_Nandini_
Try some more real method of doing me good.
_Gosain_
Come to my sanctuary, let me chant you the Holy Name for a while.
_Nandini_
What have I to do with the name?
_Gosain_
You will gain peace of mind.
_Nandini_
Shame, shame on me if I do! I shall sit and wait here at the door.
_Gosain_
You have more faith in men than in God?
_Nandini_
Your God of the Flagstaff,--he will never unbend. But the man who is lost to sight behind the netting, will he also remain bound in his network for ever? Go, go. It’s your trade to delude men with words, after filching away their lives.
[_The Gosain goes._
(_Enter Phágulal and Chandrá._)
_Phágulal_
Our Bishu came away with you, where is he now? Tell us the truth.
_Nandini_
He has been made prisoner and taken away.
_Chandrá_
You witch, you must have given information against him. You are their spy.
_Nandini_
You don’t really believe that!
_Chandrá_
What else are you doing here?
_Phágulal_
Every person suspects every other person in this cursed place. Yet I have always trusted you, Nandini. In my heart I used to---- However, let that pass. But to-day it looks very very strange, I must say.
_Nandini_
Perhaps it does. It may really be even as you say. Bishu has got into trouble for coming with me. He used to be quite safe in your company, he said so himself.
_Chandrá_
They why did you decoy him away, you evil-omened creature?
_Nandini_
Because he said he wanted to be free.
_Chandrá_
A precious kind of freedom you have given him!
_Nandini_
I could not understand all that he said, Chandrá. Why did he tell me that freedom could only be found by plunging down to the bottom of danger?--Phágulal, how could I save him who wanted to be free from the tyranny of safety?
_Chandrá_
We don’t understand all this. If you can’t bring him back, you’ll have to pay for it. I’m not to be taken in by that coquettish prettiness of yours.
_Phágulal_
What’s the use of idle bickering? Let’s gather a big crowd from the workmen’s lines, and then go and smash the prison gate.
_Nandini_
I’ll come with you.
_Phágulal_
What for?
_Nandini_
To join in the breaking.
_Chandrá_
As if you haven’t done quite enough breaking already, you sorceress!
(_Gôkul comes in._)
_Gôkul_
That witch must be burnt alive, before everything else.
_Chandrá_
That won’t be punishment enough. First knock off that beauty of hers, with which she goes about ruining people. Weed it out of her face as the grass is weeded with a hoe.
_Gôkul_
That I can do. Let this hammer just have a dance on her nose tip----
_Phágulal_
Beware! If you dare touch her----
_Nandini_
Stop, Phágulal. He’s a coward; he wants to strike me because he’s afraid of me. I don’t fear his blows one bit.
_Gôkul_
Phágulal, you haven’t come to your senses yet. You think the Governor alone is your enemy. Well, I admire a straightforward enemy. But that sweet-mouthed beauty of yours----
_Nandini_
Ah, so you too admire the Governor, as the mud beneath his feet admires the soles of his shoes!
_Phágulal_
Gôkul, the time has at length come to show your prowess, but not by fighting a girl. Come along with me. I’ll show you what to fight.
[_Phágulal, Chandrá, and Gôkul go._
(_A band of men come in._)
_Nandini_
Where are you going, my good men?
_First man_
We carry the offering for the Flag-worship.
_Nandini_
Have you seen Rañjan?
_Second man_
I saw him once, five days ago, but not since. Ask those others who follow us.
_Nandini_
Who are they?
_Third man_
They are bearing wine for the Governors’ feast.
(_The first batch goes, another comes in._)
_Nandini_
Look here, red-caps, have you seen Rañjan?
_First man_
I saw him the other day at the house of Headman Sambhu.
_Nandini_
Where is he now?
_Second man_
D’you see those men taking the ladies’ dresses for the feast? Ask them. They hear a lot of things that don’t reach our ears.
(_Second batch go, a third come in._)
_Nandini_
Do _you_ know, my men, where they have kept Rañjan?
_First man_
Hush, hush!
_Nandini_
I am sure you know. You _must_ tell me.
_Second man_
What enters by our ears doesn’t come out by our mouths, that’s why we are still alive. Ask one of the men who are carrying the weapons.
(_They go, others come in._)
_Nandini_
Oh do stop a moment and listen to me. Tell me, where is Rañjan?
_First man_
The auspicious hour draws near. It’s time for the King himself to come for the Flag-worship. Ask him about it when he steps out. We only know the beginning, not the end.
[_They go._
_Nandini_ (_shaking the network violently_)
Open the door. The time has come.
_Voice_ (_behind the scenes_)
But not for you. Go away from here.
_Nandini_
You must hear _now_ what I have to say. It cannot wait for another time.
_Voice_
You want Rañjan, I know. I have asked the Governor to fetch him at once. But don’t remain standing at the door when I come out for the worship, for then you’ll run great risk.
_Nandini_
I have cast away all fear. You can’t drive me away. Happen what may, I’m not going to move till your door is opened.
_Voice_
To-day’s for the Flag-worship. Don’t distract my mind. Get away from my door.
_Nandini_
The gods have all eternity for their worship, they’re not pressed for time. But the sorrows of men cannot wait to reach other men, they have so very little time.
_Voice_
I am tired, very tired. I go to the Flag-worship to revive my drooping spirit. Don’t unnerve me.
_Nandini_
Pass over my body if you will, I shan’t move.
_Voice_
Nandini, too much have I indulged you, so that you no longer fear me. But to-day you _shall_ be afraid!
_Nandini_
I dare you to frighten me, as you do the rest. I scorn your indulgence!
_Voice_
Do you indeed! Then I shall shatter your pride to-day. The time has come for me to reveal myself to you.
_Nandini_
I await that revelation. Open your door.
(_The door opens, the King appears._)
Oh who is that,--lying on the floor,--is it not Rañjan himself?
_King_
What did you say? Rañjan! How can that possibly be?
_Nandini_
Yes, this is indeed my Rañjan.
_King_
Then why did he not give his name? Why did he fling me his challenge?
_Nandini_
Wake, Rañjan, it is I, your Red Oleander! King, why does he not wake?
_King_
Deceived! These traitors have deceived me,--perdition take them! My own machine refuses my sway! Call the Governor--bring him to me handcuffed----
_Nandini_
King, they all say you know magic. Make him wake up for my sake.
_King_
My magic can only put an end to waking.--Alas! I know not how to awaken.
_Nandini_
Then lull me to sleep,--the same sleep! Oh, why did you work this havoc? I cannot bear it any more.
_King_
I have killed youth. Yes, I have indeed killed youth,--all these years, with all my strength. The curse of youth, dead, is upon me.
_Nandini_
Did he not take my name?
_King_
He did,--in such a way that every vein in my body was set on fire.
_Nandini_ (_to Rañjan_)
My love, my brave one, here do I place this blue-throat’s feather in your crest. Your victory has begun from to-day, and I am its bearer. Ah, here is that tassel of my flowers in his hand. Then Kishôr must have met him----
But where is he? King, where is that boy?
_King_
Which boy?
_Nandini_
The boy who brought these flowers to Rañjan.
_King_
That absurd little child! He came to defy me with his girlish face.
_Nandini_
And then? Tell me! Quick!
_King_
He burst himself against me, like a bubble.
_Nandini_
King, the Time is indeed now come!
_King_
Time for what?
_Nandini_
For the last fight between you and me.
_King_
But I can kill you in no time,--this instant.
_Nandini_
From that very instant that death of mine will go on killing you every single moment.
_King_
Be brave, Nandini, trust me. Make me your comrade to-day.
_Nandini_
What would you have me do?
_King_
To fight against me, but with your hand in mine. That fight has already begun. There is my flag. First I break the Flagstaff,--thus! Next it’s for you to tear its banner. Let your hand unite with mine to kill me, utterly kill me. That will be my emancipation.
_Guards_ (_rushing up_)
What are you doing, King? You dare break the Flagstaff, the holiest symbol of our divinity? The Flagstaff which has its one point piercing the heart of the earth and the other that of heaven! What a terrible sin,--on the very day of the Flag-worship! Comrades, let us go and inform our Governors.
[_They run off._
_King_
A great deal of breaking remains to be done. You will come with me, Nandini?
_Nandini_
I will.
(_Phágulal comes in._)
_Phágulal_
They won’t hear of letting Bishu off. I am afraid, they’ll----Who is this? The King!
Oh you wicked witch,--conspiring with the King himself! O vile deceiver!
_King_
What is the matter with you? What is that crowd out for?
_Phágulal_
To break the prison gate. We may lose our lives, but we shan’t fall back.
_King_
Why should you fall back? I too am out for breaking. Behold the first sign--my broken Flagstaff!
_Phágulal_
What! This is altogether beyond us simple folk.
Be merciful, Nandini, don’t deceive me. Am I to believe my eyes?
_Nandini_
Brother, you have set out to win death. You have left no chance for deception to touch you.
_Phágulal_
You too come along with us, our own Nandini!
_Nandini_
That is what I’m still alive for, Phágulal. I wanted to bring my Rañjan amongst you. Look there, he has come, my hero, braving death!
_Phágulal_
Oh, horror! Is that Rañjan lying there, silent?
_Nandini_
Not silent. He leaves behind him in death his conquering call. He will live again, he cannot die.
_Phágulal_
Ah, my Nandini, my beautiful one, was it for this you were waiting all these eager days?
_Nandini_
I _did_ await his coming, and he _did_ come. I still wait to prepare for his coming again, and he _shall_ come again. Where is Chandrá?
_Phágulal_
She has gone with her tears and prayers to the Governor, accompanied by Gôkul. I’m afraid Gôkul is seeking to take up service with the Governor. He will betray us.
King, are you sure you don’t mistake us? We are out to break your own prison, I tell you!
_King_
Yes, it is my _own_ prison. You and I must work together, for you cannot break it alone.
_Phágulal_
As soon as the Governor hears of it, he will march with all his forces to prevent us.
_King_
Yes, my fight is against them.
_Phágulal_
But the soldiers will not obey you.
_King_
_You_ will be on my side!
_Phágulal_
Shall we be able to win through?
_King_
We shall at least be able to die! At last I have found the meaning of death. I am saved!
_Phágulal_
King, do you hear the tumult?
_King_
There comes the Governor with his troops. How could he be so quick about it? He must have been prepared beforehand. They have used my own power against me.
_Phágulal_
My men have not yet turned up.
_King_
They will never come. The Governor is sure to get round them.
_Nandini_
I had my last hope that they would bring my Bishu to me. Will that never be?
_King_
No hope of that, I’m afraid.
_Phágulal_
Then come along, Nandini, let us take you to a safe place first. The Governor will see red, if he but catches sight of you.
_Nandini_
You want to banish me into the solitary exile of safety?
(_Calling out_) Governor! Governor!--He has swung up my garland of _kunda_ flowers on his spear-head. I will dye that garland the colour of my oleanders with my heart’s blood.--Governor! He has seen me! Victory to Rañjan!
[_Runs off._
_King_ (_calling after her_)
Nandini!
[_Follows her._
(_The Professor comes in._)
_Phágulal_
Where are _you_ hurrying to, Professor?
_Professor_
Some one said that the King has at last had tidings of the secret of Life, and has gone off in quest of it. I have thrown away my books to follow him.
_Phágulal_
The King has just gone off to his death. He has heard Nandini’s call.
_Professor_
The network is torn to shreds! Where is Nandini?
_Phágulal_
She has gone before them all. We can’t reach her any more.
_Professor_
It is only now that we shall reach her. She won’t evade us any longer.
(_Professor rushes out, Bishu comes in._)
_Bishu_
Phágulal, where is Nandini?
_Phágulal_
How did you get here?
_Bishu_
Our workmen have broken into the prison. There they are,--running off to fight. I came to look for Nandini. Where is she?
_Phágulal_
She has gone in advance of us all.
_Bishu_
Where?
_Phágulal_
To the last freedom.
Bishu, do you see who is lying there?
_Bishu_
Rañjan!
_Phágulal_
You see the red streak?
_Bishu_
I understand,--their red marriage tie!
_Phágulal_
They are united.
_Bishu_
Now it is for me to take my last lonely journey.--Perhaps we may meet.--Perhaps she may want me to sing.--My mad girl, O my mad girl!--
Come, brother, on to the fight!
_Phágulal_
To the fight! Victory to Nandini!
_Bishu_
Victory to Nandini!
_Phágulal_
Here is her wristlet of red oleanders. She has bared her arm to-day,--and left us.
_Bishu_
Once I told her I would not take anything from her hand. I break my word and take this. Come along!
[_They go._
(_Song in the distance._)
_Hark ’tis Autumn calling,-- Come, O come away! The earth’s mantle of dust is filled with ripe corn! O the joy! the joy!_
CURTAIN
FOOTNOTES:
[1] _Nîlkantha_, a bird of good omen.
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