FIFTH ACT
First Scene edit
Before the Office of the Begunbari Factory Gopi. How did you get so much information? Cowherd. We are their neighbours; day and night we go to their house. Whenever we are in want of anything, either a little salt or a ladle of oil, we immediately go to them and bring it; if the child cry, we bring a little molasses from them and give it to the child; we are getting our support for nearly seven generations from the Bose family; and can't we get information about them? Gopi. Where was Bindu Madhab married? Cowherd. Oh, it is in a village to the west of Calcutta. In which they wanted to have the Kaistas wear the poita.[1] We cannot satisfy all the Brahmins now in existence in a great feast, and still they wanted to increase the number of the Brahmins. The father-in-law of our young Babu is greatly respected. The Judge or Magistrate, when they come to him, take off their hats. Even the Governor takes off his hat while coming to meet him. Do such men give their daughters to men of these places? Observing the improvements in learning made by our young Babu, they did not care about the village belonging to ryots. People say that the women in cities are showy, and that there is no distinction between them and those who live in the bazzar.[2] But we do not at all find a young woman of a mild temper as the Bou of the Bose family is. The mother of Goma goes to their house every day, still, although she has been married for nearly five years, she has never seen her face. We saw her only on that day when she came here. We thought that the Babus in the city keep company with the Europeans; therefore they have brought their females into public like English ladies. Gopi. But the Bou is always engaged in attending on her mother-in-law. Cowherd. Dewanji, what shall I say? The mother of Goma says: I heard a report that, had not the youngest Bou been in in the house when the news of Goluk Bose being bound by the rope and thus killed came, the mistress of the family would have died. We have heard also that the women in the city treat their husbands as sheep (slaves) and murder their parents by not giving them any support; but observing this Bou, I now know that it is a mere hearsay. Gopi. I think, the mother of Babu Nobin Chunder also loves her. Cowherd. I don't see any one in the world whom she does not love. Ah! She is an Annapurnah[3] (full of rice). But have you kept the rice that she shall be full of it? The vile Planters have swallowed up the old man, and they are now on the point of swallowing up the old woman. Gopi. Thou braggart fool, if the Saheb hear this, he will bring out your new moon.[4] Cowherd. What can I do? Is it my desire to sit in the Factory and abuse the Saheb? It is you who are drawing the venom out of me. Gopi. I am very sorry that I have destroyed this man of great honour by a false law-suit. I have also felt great pain on hearing of Nobin's severe headache and the miserable condition of his mother. Cowherd. It is the cold attacking a frog.[5] Dewanji, don't be angry with me, I am as a mad goat; shall I prepare the tobacco? Gopi. This filth-eater of Nanda's family is very senseless. Cowherd. The Sahebs are doing all; they are the blacksmiths and you are the scimitars; the scimitars fall wherever they wish. If a flood comes whirling into the Factories of the Sahebs the villagers would bathe therein for relief.[6] Gopi. You are very foolish, I don't want to hear any more. Go out, the Saheb will come very soon. Cowherd. Now, I am going, You must attend to my milk bill, and also give me one rupee to-morrow. We shall go to bathe in the Ganges.
(Exit Cowherd
Gopi. I think the thunder-bolt will strike this head, which is aching. No one will be able to stop the Saheb from sowing the Indigo seed on the sides of your tank. The Sahebs did something improper. These persons engaged themselves to sow Indigo on fifty bigahs of land, although they did not get the full price of the last year. Yet the Sahebs are not satisfied; these disputes arose only for certain pieces of ground; and it would have been good for Nobin Bose to have given them these—to keep the goddess Sitola well-pleased[7] is the best. Nobin will bite once more even after his death. (Seeing the Saheb at a distance.) Here the white-bodied man with a blue dress is coming, I think, I am to remain as a companion [i.e. in prison] with the former Dewan for some days. Enter Mr. Wood Wood. There will be a great riot at Matanganagar; and all the latyals will be there. Let no one hear this. For this place, make a collection of ten of the poda caste of spearmen I, Mr. Rogue, and you are to go there. The fool, while he has taken his cacha,[8] will not be able to increase the row greatly. He is sick; then how can he go to bring assistance from the Darogah? Gopi. The extreme weakness to which these are reduced makes it unnecessary to bring any spearmen: among the Hindus, for a person to die with a rope round his neck, especially within a prison, is very disgraceful; so he is greatly punished by this occurrence. Wood. You do not understand this. The rascal is become very happy on the death of his father. He took the advances for a long time only through fear of his father; now that fear is gone, and he will do as he likes. The rascal has given a bad name to my Factory, and I will imprison him tomorrow and keep him along with Mozumdar. If the Magistrate be of the same character with him of Amaranagara, the wicked people will be able to do every thing. Gopi. With respect to what they planned about the case of Mozumdar, I cannot say how very terrible it would have been, had not Nobin Bose fallen into this great danger. I cannot say what they still will do. Moreover, as the Magistrate, who is coming, we have heard, is on the side of the ryots; and when he comes to the villages, he brings along with him his tents.—Observing this, we may say, it might occasion great confusion, and also it is somewhat fearful. Wood. You are always puzzling me with speaking of fear; the Indigo Planters, in nothing whatever, have any fear. If you don't desire it, leave your business, thou great fool! Gopi. Sir, fear comes on good grounds. When the former Dewan was put in prison, his son came to ask for the last six months' salary of his father. On which you told him to make an application. Then, on his making the application, you again say the salary cannot be given before the accounts are closed. Honored Sir, is this the judgement on a servant when he is put in prison? Wood. Did not I know this? Thou stupid, ungrateful creature! What becomes of your salaries? If you did not devour the price of the Indigo, would there be any deadly Commission? Would the poor ryots have gone to the Missionaries with tears in their eyes? You, rascal, have destroyed every thing. If the Indigo lessen in quantity, I shall sell your houses and indemnify myself; thou arrant coward, hellish knave! Gopi. Sir, we are like butcher's dogs; we fill our bellies with the intestines. Had you, Sir, taken the Indigo from the ryots in the very same way as the Mahajans (factors) take the corn from their debtors, then the Indigo Factories would never have suffered such disgrace; there would have been no necessity for an overseer and the khalasis, and the people would never have reproached me with saying, "Cursed Gopi! Cursed Gopi!" Wood. Thou art blind, thou hast no eyes. Enter an Umadar (an Apprentice) I have seen with my own eyes (applying his hand to his own eyes) the Mahajans go to the rice-field and quarrel with the ryots (their debtors.) Ask this person. Apprentice. Honored Sir, I can give many examples of that. The ryots say, it is through the grace of the Indigo-Planters only that we are preserved from the hands of the Mahajans. Gopi. (Aside, to the Apprentice.) My child, it is vain flattery. No employment is vacant now. (To Mr. Wood) It is true that the Mahajans go to the rice-fields and dispute with the ryots; but if your Honor had been acquainted with the mysterious intention of the Mahajans in going to the fields and raising disputes, you would never have compared with the going of the Mahajans to the fields, the punishment of the poor with Shamchand resembling the tortures which Lakshman the son of Sumitra, suffered by the Sakti-sela,[9] while they are without food. [The Mahajans' going to the fields and your torturing with Shamchand the starving poor—the Lakshmans (sons of Sumitra) hit by Sakti-sela,—are not comparable.] Wood. Very well, explain it to me. There must be some reason why these fools speak to us of every thing else; but of the Mahajans they don't say a single word. Gopi. Honored Sir, these debtors, whatever sum of money they require for the whole year, they take from the Mahajans, and that quantity of rice, which is necessary for them for that time, they also take from their creditors. [These debtors take from the Mahajans whatever sum of money they require for the whole year, and it is from the Mahajans again that they take whatever quantity of rice they need]. At the end of the year, the debtors clear their debts either by selling the tobacco, sugar-cane, sesamum, and other things which they have, and then giving the sum collected to their creditors with the interest on the sum for the time; or by giving those very articles according to the market price: and of the corn which grows, they send to the Mahajans' houses, a part half-prepared. That, which remains, proves sufficient for the expenses of the family for three or four months. If through famine or any improper expenses of the debtors, there fall any arrears in their supplies, the remainder of the debt is carried into the new account-book. Then, by and by, the remainder is filled up. The Mahajans never bring an action against their debtors; consequently the falling into arrears appears to them, as it were, a present loss. I suppose the Mahajans for that reason, sometimes go to the fields, observe the the tillage and also enquire whether the extent of land for which the debtors have asked the revenue from them, is all cultivated with grains. Some inexperienced persons, taking under false pretences a large sum than is necessary, and thus being burdened with heavy debts, cause losses on the part of the Mahajans and also themselves suffer great troubles. The Mahajans go to the fields for stopping these, and not like "Indigo Giants" (strikes his tongue).[10] Sir, the stupid, shameless Mahajans speak thus. Wood. I see, Saturn[11] has come upon you to your destruction; else why art thou become so very inquisitive, and why so presumptuous, you stupid, incestuous brute? Gopi. Sir, we are made to swallow abuse, to submit to shoe-beating, and also we are the men to go to the Shrighur[12] (the prison); should there be a dispensary or school in the Factory you get the credit; should there be murders, we are the men. When I come to you for advice, you, sir, become angry. That anxiety which I have felt for the law-suit of the Mojumdars, is only known to the Lord of all. Wood. The fool is such, that whenever I tell him to do any action requiring courage, he brings to my ears the law-suit of the Mojumdars. I am saying always that thou art an ignorant fool; why don't you become satisfied with sending Nobin Bose to the Godown of Sochigunge? Gopi. Thou, Sir, art the parent of this poor man; it would be good, if for the benefit of thy poor servant, thou sendest him once to Nobin Bose to ask him about this case. Wood. Stop, thou upstart of a son. Shall I go to meet a dog for you? You coward son of a Kaista (throws him down with kicks). Were you sent as witness to the Commission you would have ruined everything, you, diabolical nigger (two kicks more); with such a tongue you shall do your work like a Caot[13]. You stupid kaet. Were it not for your work on to-morrow, I would send you to the jail.
(Exit Mr. Wood and the Apprentice
Gopi. (Rubbing his body all over and rising up). A person becomes the Dewan of an Indigo Planter after being born a vulture[14] seven hundred times; else how are numberless kicks dealt by legs wearing stockings digested? Oh! what kickings? Oh the fool is, as it were, the wife [wearing a gown] of a student who is out of College.[15] (Aside) Dewan, Dewan. Gopi. Your servant is present. Whose turn is it?"In the sea of love are many waves."
(Exit Gopi
Second Scene edit
The bed room of Nobin Basu Aduri. Ah! ah! ah! Where shall I go? My heart is on the point of bursting. They have beaten him so severely that the pulse is moving very slowly; our mistress will die as soon as she sees this. When Nobin was taken by force to the Factory, they were tearing themselves and weeping under the shade of that tree; but when brought towards our house they did not see that. Only hearing that Nobin was taken by force to the Factory, they rolled on the ground under the tree and cried. They did not see that he was being carried home by the peasants. (Aside) Aduri, we shall take him into the house. Aduri. Bring him into the house. None of them are here. Enter SADHU and TORAPA bearing the senseless NOBIN on their shoulders Sadhu. (Making Nobin Madhab to lie on the bed) Madam, where art thou? Aduri. They began to see standing under the tree. When this person (pointing to Torapa) fled away with him, we thought he was taken to the Factory. They began to tear themselves under the tree. I came to the house to call certain persons. Will our mistress remain alive when she sees this dead son? Do you stand; let me call them here.
(Exit Aduri
Enter the Priest Priest. Oh God, hast thou killed such a man! Hast thou stopped the provision of so many men! We do not find any such symptom that our eldest Babu sit up again. Sadhu. God's will. He can give life to a dead man. Priest. On the third day, Bindu Babu, according to the shastras, celebrated the offering of the funeral cake (pinda-dan) on the banks of the Ganges; it is through the entreaties of his mother that preparations are being made for the monthly ceremony (Shradh). It was determined that after the celebration of the ceremony, their dwelling place is to be removed; and I also heard that they will no more meet with that cruel Saheb; then why did he go there to-day? Sadhu. Our eldest Babu has no fault, nor has he any want of judgement. Our madam and the eldest Bou forbade him many times. They said, "During the days we are to remain here, we will bathe with the water of the well, or Aduri will bring the water from the tank; we shall have no trouble." The eldest Babu said, "With a present of 50 Rupees, I shall fall at the Saheb's feet, and thus stop the cultivation of the Indigo on the side of the tank: nothing of the dispute in such a dangerous time." With this intention our eldest Babu took me and Torapa with him, and going there with tears in his eyes, said to the Saheb, "Saheb, I bring you a present of 50 Rupees; only for this year, stop the cultivation of the Indigo in this place; and if this be not granted, take the money, and delay that business only till the time when the ceremony is to be performed." There is sin even in repeating the answer which the wretch gave, and the hairs of our body stood on an end. The rascal said, "Your father was hung in the jail of the Yabans[16] with thieves and robbers; therefore keep your money for the sacrifice of many bulls which are necessary for his ceremony." Then placing his shoe on one of the eldest Babu's knees, he said "This is the gift for your father's ceremony." Priest. Narayan; Narayan[17] (Placing his hand on his ears). Sadhu. Instantly the eyes of the eldest Babu became red like blood, his whole body began to tremble, he bit his lips with his teeth and then remaining silent for a short time, gave the Saheb a hard kick on the breast, so that he fell on the ground upside down like a bundle of bena (certain grass). Kes Dali,[18] who is now the Jamadar of the Factory, and other ten spearmen immediately stood round him. The eldest Babu had once saved them from a case of robbery in which they were involved; so they felt a little ashamed to raise their hands against him. Mr. Wood gave a blow to the Jamadar, took the stick out of his hand and smote with it the head of the eldest Babu. The head was cracked, and he fell down senseless on the ground; I tried much, but was not able to go into that crowd. Torapa was observing this from a distance; and as soon as the men stood round the eldest Babu, he with violence rushed into this crowd like an obstinate buffalo, took him up, and flew off. Torapa. I was told [by the eldest Babu] "to stand at a distance, lest they take me away by force." The fools hate me very much! Do I hide myself when there is a tumult? If I had gone a little before, I would have brought the Babu safe, and would have sacrificed two of those rascals in the Durgah of Borkat Bibi (the temple of Benediction). My whole body was shrunk on observing the head of the Babu; then, when should I kill these? Oh! Allah! The eldest Babu saved me so many times, but I was not able to save him once. (Beats his forehead and cries). Priest. I see a wound from a weapon on his breast. Sadhu. As soon as Torapa rushed into the crowd, the young Saheb struck the Babu with the sword. Torapa saved the Babu by placing his own hand, in front of his, which was cut, and there was the sign of a slight bruise on the Babu's breast. Priest. (Deeply thinking for some time, says to himself) "Man knows this for certain, that understanding and goodness are necessary in the friend, the wife, and in servants." I do not see a single person in this large house; but a person of a different caste and of another village, is weeping near the Babu. Ah! the poor man is a day-labourer, and his very hand is cut off. Why is his face all daubed over with blood? Sadhu. When the young Saheb struck his hand with the sword, like an ichneumon making a noise when its tail is cut off, he in agony from the pain of hand flew off after seizing with a bite the nose of the elder Saheb. Torapa. That nose I have kept with me, and when the Babu will rise up alive again I will show him that (shows the nose cut off.). Had the Babu been able to fly off himself, I would have taken his ears; but I would not have killed him, as he is a creature of God. Priest. Justice is still alive. The Gods were saved from the injustice of Ravana,[19] when the nose of Surpanaka[20] was cut off! Shall not the people be saved from the tyranny of the Indigo Planters by the cutting off of the elder Saheb's nose? Torapa. Let me now hide myself inside the barn; I shall fly off in the night. That fool will overturn the whole village on account of his nose.
(Exit Torapa bowing down twice on the earth near Nobin Madhab's bed
Sadhu. So very weak is our madam become by the death of her husband, that there is no doubt she will die, when she see Babu Nobin in this condition. I applied so much water, rubbed my hand over the head so long; but nothing is bringing him to his senses again. You, Sir, call him once. Priest. Eldest Babu! Eldest Babu! Nobin Madhab (with tears in his eyes) Guardian of ryots! Giver of food! Moving his eyes now. Ah! The mother will die immediately. When she heard of his[21] being bound with ropes above ground, she resolved not to take the rice of this sinful world for ten days. This is the fifth; this morning, Nobin Madhab taking hold of her shoulders shed much tears and said, "Mother, if thou dost not take food this day, then I shall never take the rice with clarified butter, thus placing the sin of disobedience to the mother on my head; but shall remain without food." On which the mother kissing her son Nobin, said, "My son, I was a queen, now am I become the mother of a king. I would never have been sorry, had I once been able to place his[22] feet on my head at the time when he departed this Life. Did such a virtuous person die an inauspicious death? It is for this reason that I am remaining without food. Ye are the children of this poor woman; looking on you and Bindu Madhab, I shall, this day take for my food the orts of our reverend priest. Do not shed your tears before me." Saying so much, she took Nobin Madhab on her lap as if he were a child of five.
(Aside, cries of sorrow
Coming. Enter SABITRI, SOIRINDRI, SARALOTA, ADURI, REBOTI the Aunt of Nobin, and other women of the neighbourhood There is no fear, he is still alive. Sabitri. (Observing Nobin on the point of death.) Nobin Madhab! my son, where, art thou? Oh! Alas!
(Falls senseless).
Soirindri. (with tears in her eyes.) Oh young Bou, take hold of our mother-in-law; let me once see the Lord of my life, in the fulness of my heart. (Sits near the mouth of Nobin. Priest. (To Soirindri.) My daughter, thou art a great lover of thy husband, a woman of constancy; the frame of thy body was created in a good moment. For one who is so entirely devoted to her husband, and who has every thing good on her part, Fortune may give life to her husband again; he is moving his eyes, serve him without fear. Sadhu, remain here till our madam be in her senses.
(Exit Priest Sadhu. Just see and place your hand on her nose. The body is become stiffer than that of a dead person.
Saralota. (Speaking slowly to Reboti, after placing the hand on the nose.) Her breathing is full, the fire coming out of the head is so very intense that my throat, as it were burns. Sadhu. Has the Gomastah (head clerk) fallen into the hands of the Sahebs while he is gone to bring the physician? Let me go to the lodging-house of that physician.
(Exit Sadhu
Soirindri. Ah! Ah! my Lord! That mother for whose abstinence from food thou hast grieved so much; that mother, for whose weakness thou hadst served her feet; that mother who for some days was, by no means, able to sleep without placing thee in her lap, that very same dear mother is now lying senseless before thee, and thou art not seeing her once (seeing Sabitri). As the cow, losing her young one, wanders about with loud cries, then being bit by a serpent falls down dead on the field, so is the mother lying senseless on the ground being grieved for her son. My Lord, open thine eyes once more; call thy maid-servant[23] once more with thy sweet voice and thus satisfy her ears once. The sun of happiness has set at noon for me; what shall my Bipin do? (With tears in her eyes falls upon the breast of Nobin Madhab). Saralota. Ye who are here take hold of our sister. Soirindri. (Rising up) I became an orphan while very young; it is for this death-like Indigo that my father was taken to the Factory, and he returned no more. That place became to him the residence of Yama (Death). My poor mother took me to the house of my maternal uncle, and there through grief for her husband, she bade adieu to the world. My uncles preserved me; I remained like a flower accidentally let fall from the hand of the gardener. My Lord took me up with love and increased my honor. I forgot the sorrow for my parents, and in the life of my husband my parents were, as it were, revived (deep sigh). All my griefs are rising up anew in my mind. Ah! If I be deprived of that husband who keeps every thing under the shade of his protection, I shall again become the same helpless orphan. Nobin's Aunt. (Raising her with the hands.) What fear my daughter? Why become so full of anxiety? A letter is sent to Bindu Madhab to bring a doctor. He will be cured when the doctor comes. Soirindri. My aunt-in-law, while I was a girl, I made a celebration of a certain religious observance; and placing my hands on the Alpana[24] (the white-washing prepared for the festival) prayed for these blessings; that my husband be like Rama, my mother-in-law like Kousalya, my father-in-law like Dasaratha, my brother-in-law like Lakshman. My aunt! God gave me more than I prayed for. My husband is as Raghunath (Rama)—brave and a provider of his dependants; my mother-in-law is as Kousalya, having a sweet speech and an earnest love for her sons' wives; my father-in-law was always happy in saying Badhumata, Badhumata[25] and was the brightener of the ten sides.[26] Bindu Madhab who surpasses the autumnal moon in purity, is dearer to me than was Lakshmandeva to Sitadevi. My aunt, all has taken place according to my desire; only there is one in which I find some disagreement: I am still alive. Rama is making preparations for going to the forests, but there is no preparation for Sita's going with him.[27] Ah! he was so much grieved on the abstinence of his father; again he took the cacha for the celebration of his funeral ceremony but before that was done he is preparing to go up to heaven (to die). (looking on his face with a steady sight) Ah! His lips are dry. Oh my friends and companions, call my Bipin at once from the school; I shall once more (with weeping eyes) through his hands pour a little water of the Ganges into his dry mouth. (Places her mouth on his). All (at once). Ah! Ah! Nobin's Aunt. (Takes hold of her body and raises her) My daughter, do not speak such words now (weeps); if my sister were in her senses, her heart would have been burst. Soirindri. Oh mother, my desire is that my husband be happy in a future state in the same proportion as he had suffered misery in this. My Lord, I, your bond-maid, will pray to God for life; thou wast most virtuous, the doer of great good to others and the supporter of the poor. The Great Lord of the Universe, who provides for the helpless, must give you a place. Ah! take me, my Lord, with thee, that I may supply thee with the flowers for the worship of God. Ah! what loss! what ruin! I see that Rama is going to the wilderness leaving his Sita alone. What shall I do? Where shall I go? And how shall I preserve my life? Oh friend of the distressed, oh Romanath; Oh Great Wealth of the woman, supply me some means in this distress, and preserve me. I see that Nobin Madhab is now being burnt in the fire of Indigo. Oh, Lord of the distressed! Where is my husband going now, making me unfortunate and without support (placing her hand on the breast of Nobin, and raising a deep sigh). The husband now takes leave of his family, having placed all at the feet of God. Oh Lord, thou who art the sea of mercy, the supporter of the helpless, now give safety, now save. Saralota. Sister, our mother-in-law has opened her eyes; but is looking on me with a distorted countenance. (Weeping.) My sister, our mother-in-law never turned her face towards me with eyes so full of anger. Soirindri. Ah! Oh! Our molher-in-law loves Saralota so much, that it is through insensibility only that with such an angry face she had thrown this champa on the burning pot.[28] Oh my sister, do not weep now, when our mother-in-law becomes sensible she will again kiss you and with great affection call you "the madwoman's daughter" (Sabitri rises up and sits near Nobin, looking steadily on him with certain expression of pleasure). Sabitri. There is no pain so excessive as the delivery of a child, but that invaluable wealth which I have brought forth, made me forget all my sorrows on observing its face (weeping.) Ah! (what a pity) if Madam Sorrow[29] ( planter's wife) did not write a letter to Yama (Death) and thus kill my husband, how very much would he have been pleased on seeing this child. (Clasps with her hands). All (at once.) Ah! Ah! She is become mad. Sabitri. Nurse, put the child once more on my lap; let me pacify my burnt limbs. Let me once more kiss it in the name of my husband. (Kisses Nobin). Soirindri. Mother, I am your eldest Bou; do you not see me? Your dear Rama is senseless; he is not able to speak now. Sabitri. It would speak when it shall first get rice. Ah! Ah! Had my husband been living, what great joy! How many musical performances! (Weeps). Soirindri. It is misfortune upon misfortune! Is my mother-in-law mad now? Saralota. Take our mother-in-law from the bed, my sister; let me take care of her. Sabitri. Did you write such a letter, that there is no musical performance on this day of joy? (Looking on all sides and having risen from the bed by force, then going to Saralota) I do entreat thee, falling at thy feet, madam, to send another letter to Yama, and bring back my husband for once. Thou art the wife of a Sabeb; else, I would have fallen at thy feet. Saralota. My mother-in-law, thou lovest me more than a mother, and such words from your mouth have given me more pain than that of death. (Taking hold of the two hands of Sabitri) Observing this your state, my mother, fire is, as it were, raining on my breast. Sabitri. Thou strumpet, stupid woman, and a Yabana, why dost thou touch me on this eleventh day of the moon?[30] (Takes off her own hand). Saralota. On hearing such words from your mouth I cannot live (lies down on the ground taking hold of her mother-in-law's feet.) My mother, I shall take leave of this world at your feet. (Weeps). Sabitri. This is good, that the bad woman is dead. My husband is gone to heaven; but thou shalt go to hell. (Claps with her hand and laughs). Soirindri. (Rising up) Ah! Ah! Our Saralota is very good-natured. Now having heard harsh words from her mother-in-law she is become exceedingly sorry. (To Sabitri) Come to me mother. Sabitri. Nurse, hast thou left the child alone? Let me go there. (Goes to Nobin hastily, and sits near him). Reboti. (To Sabitri). Oh my mother! Dost thou call that young Bou a bad woman who, you said, was incomparable in the village and without whose taking food you never took food. My mother, you do not hear my words; we were trained by you, you gave us much food. Sabitri. Come on the Ata Couria[31] of the child, and I shall give you many sweetmeats. Nobin’s Aunt. My sister, Nobin will be alive again; do not be mad. Sabitri. How did you know this? That name is known to no one. My father-in-law said, when my daughter-in-law gets a child, I shall give it (if male) the name "Nobin Madhab." Now the child is born, I shall give it that name. My husband always said, "When shall the child be born, and I shall call him by the name Nobin Madhab" (Weeps). If he had been alive, he would have satisfied that desire on this day. (Aside, a sound) There, the musicians are coming. (Claps with her hands). Soirindri. Bou, go into that room, the physician is coming. Enter SADHU CHURN and the PHYSICIAN Sadhu. Our madam has risen up. Sabitri. (Weeps.) Is it because that my husband is not here that you have left your drums at home? Aduri. She has no understanding; she is become entirely insane. She called that elder Halder "My infant child," and chastised the young Halder's wife, calling her an European's wife. That young woman is weeping severely. Again, she is calling you musicians. Sadhu. So great a misfortune has now come to pass! Physician. (Sitting near Nobin) It is very probable and also according to the Nidana[32] that while she is not taking food for the death of her husband, and while she has seen this miserable condition of her dearest son, she should become thus. It is necessary to see her pulse once. Madam, let me observe thy pulse once. (Stretches out his hand towards her). Sabitri. Thou vile man must be a creature of the Factory, else why dost thou want to take hold of the hand of the woman of a good family? (Rising up) Nurse, keep your eyes upon the child; I go to take a little water. I shall give you a silk shari.
(Exit Sabitri
Physician. Ah, the light of understanding will not brighten again. I will send the Hima Sagara Toila (a medicinal oil) which is now necessary for her. (Observing the pulse of Nobin) His pulse is only very weak, but I do not find any other bad symptom. The doctors are ignorant in other matters, but in anatomical operations they are very expert. The expense will be heavy, but it is of urgent necessity to call one in. Sadhu. A letter has been sent to the young Babu to come along with a doctor. Physician. That is very good. Enter Four Relatives First. We never even dreamt that such an accident would come to pass. At noon-day, some were eating, some bathing, and some were going to lie down in their beds after dinner. I heard of it now. Second. The stroke on the head appears fatal. What ill-fated accident! There was no probability of a quarrel on this day; or else, many of the ryots would have been present. Sadhu. Two hundred ryots with clubs in their hands are crying aloud, "Strike off," "Strike off," and are weeping with these words in their mouths: "Ah! eldest Babu! Ah! eldest Babu!" I told them to go to their own houses, since if the Saheb get the least excuse, he will, on account of the pain in his nose, burn the whole village. Physician. Now, wash the head and apply turpentine to it; in the evening, I shall come again and try some other means. To make noise in a sick person's room is to increase his disease; so, let there be no noise here.
(Exit the Physician, Sadhu Churn and the relatives in one way, and Aduri, the other; Soirindri sits down).
Third Scene edit
The Room of Sadhu Churn. Khetro. Sweep over my bed; mother, sweep over my bed! Reboti. My dear, dear daughter, why art thou doing so; I have swept on the bed, there is nothing then on the coat of shreds. I have placed another which your aunt gave. Khetro. Thorns are pinching me, I die; I die; oh! turn me to my father's side. Sadhu. (Silently turning her to the other side. To himself). This agony is the presage to death. (Openly) Daughter, thou art the precious jewel of this poor man; my daughter, take a little food. I have brought some pomegranates from Indrabad, and also the ornamented shari but you did not at all express your pleasure when you saw that. Reboti. How very extravagant are my daughter's desires! She said once, "Give me a flower garland at the time of Semonton".[33] What is that countenance now become? What shall I do? Oh, Oh! Oh, oh! (Places her mouth on the mouth of her daughter) Ah! my Khetro of gold is become a piece of charcoal. Where are the pupils of the eye? See, see. Sadhu. Khetromany; Khetromany; open your eyes fully my daughter. Khetro. My mother! My father! Ah! it is an axe; (turns on the other side). Reboti. Let me take her on my lap; she will remain quiet there. (Comes to take her on her lap). Sadhu. Do not take her up; she will faint. Reboti. Am I so very unfortunate! Ah! Ah! My Harana is as Kartika on his peacock.[34] How can I forget him? Dear me! My Siva! (My son!) Sadhu. Ray Churn is gone a long time ago; he is not yet come. Reboti. Our eldest Babu preserved her from the grasp of the tiger. Oh! what a kick did that son of a barren woman give on Khetro's belly! There was a miscarriage, and since then my child has been dying minutely. Ah, ha! my grandson was born—a lump of blood—yet it had developed all features—even those tiny fingers, oh![35] The young Saheb killed my daughter, and the elder one killed the eldest Babu. Ah! Ah! There is no one to preserve the poor. Sadhu. What virtuous actions have I done, that I shall see the face of my grand-child? Khetro. My body is cut off. My waist is pricked by a tangra fish.[36] Ah! Ah! Reboti. I think the ninth of the moon is closed,[37] my image of gold is to go to the water, and what means shall I have? Who shall call me "Mother! Mother"? Did you bring her for this purpose? (Taking hold of Sadhu's neck, weeps). Sadhu. Be silent, don't weep now; she will faint. Enter RAY CHURN and the PHYSICIAN Physician. How is she now? Did you give her that medicine? Sadhu. The medicine did not act, and whatever went down immediately came up by a vomit. See her pulse once more now; I think, it is a sign of her end. Reboti. She is crying out, thorns, thorns. I have prepared her bed so thickly, still she is tossing about. Now save her by a good medicine. Dear Sir, this relative is very dear unto me. Sadhu. We don't see any sign of the pulse. Physician. (taking hold of the hand). In this state, it is good for the pulse to be weak. Weakness makes the pulse strong; to have a strong pulse is fatal".[38] Sadhu. At this time, it is the same thing, either to apply or not to apply the medicine. The parents have hope to the very end; therefore see, if there by any means. Physician. The water with which the Atapa (dried rice) is washed is now necessary. The application of the Suuchikavaran (a medicine) is required. Sadhu. That Atapa which the Barah Ranee[39] sent for offerings of prayer is in the other room. Ray Churn, bring that here.
(Exit Ray Churn
Reboti. Is Annapurnah[40] now awake, that she shall with the rice in her hands come to my Khetromany? It is through my ill-fate that our mistress is become mad. Physician. She is already full of sorrow for the death of her husband; again, her son is on the point of death; her in¬sanity is on the increase. I think she shall die before Nobin; she is become very weak. Sadhu. Sir, how did you find our eldest Babu, to-day? I think, with his pure blood he has extinguished the fire of tyranny of the giants, the Indigo Planters. It is probable, that the Indigo Commission might produce to the ryots some advantages; but what effect has that? If one hundred serpents do bite at once my whole body I can bear that; if on a hearth made of bricks, a frypan be placed full of molasses, and the same be boiling by a great fire; I can also bear the torment, if by accident I fall into the pan; if in the dark night of the new-moon a band of robbers with terrible sounds come upon and kill my only son who is honest and very learned, take away all the acquisitions made during the past seven generations, and then make me blind: all these also I can bear; and in the place of one, even if there be ten Indigo Factories in the village, that also I can allow; but to be separated even for a moment from that elder Babu, who is so much the supporter of his dependants, that can I never bear. Physician. The blow through which the brain has oozed out is fatal. I have found the pulse indicate that death is near; either at mid-day or in the evening life will depart. Bipin gave a little water of the Ganges in his mouth, but it came out by its sides. Nobin's wife is quite distracted; but she is trying her utmost for his safety. Sadhu. Ah! Ah! Had our mistress not been insane, her heart would have been burst asunder on seeing this. The doctor has also said, that the bruise on the head is fatal. Physician. The doctor is a very kind-hearted man. When Babu Bindu wanted to give money, he said "Babu Bindu, the manner in which you are already troubled makes it improbable that the funeral ceremony of your father will be performed. I cannot take anything from you now, and also it is not necessary for you to give money for the bearers who brought me and who will now take me away". Had Dushasan, the doctor, been called he would have taken away the money kept for the ceremony. I have seen that kind of doctors twice; he is as scurrilous as avaricious. Sadhu. Our young Babu brought along with him the doctor to see Khetromany; but he said nothing with certainty. The doctor, observing my want owing to the tyranny of the Planters, gave me two rupees in the name of Khetromany. Physician. Had Dushashan, the doctor, been called, he would have taken hold of the hand, and said, she would die; and he would have taken the money by selling your kine. Reboti. I can give money by selling off whatever I have, if they can only cure my Khetro. Enter RAY CHURN with the rice Physician. Having washed the rice, bring the water here. (Reboti takes the rice.) Do not give much water. I see the plate is very beautiful. Reboti. Our mistress (Sabitri) went to Gaya[41], and brought many plates; and she gave this to my Khetro. Ah, the same mistress is now turned mad, and her hands are bound with a rope, because she is slapping her cheeks. Physician. Sadhu, bring the stone-mortar, I have the medicine here. (Opens his box of medicine). Sadhu. Sir, don't bring out your medicine; just see, how her eyes appear. Ray Churn, come here. Reboti. Oh mother! What is my fate now! Oh mother, how shall I forget the figure of Harana! Oh! Oh! Oh! Khetro, Oh Khetro! Khetromany; my daughter! Wilt thou not speak any more, my daughter? Oh! Oh! Oh! (Weeps). Physician. Her end is very near. Sadhu. Ray Churn, take hold of her, take hold of her (Sadhu Churn and Ray Churn take Khetromony from the bed, and go outside). Reboti. I cannot leave my Laksmi of gold to float on the water. Where shall I go? Had she lived with the Saheb, that would have been better. I would have remained at rest by seeing her face. My daughter! Oh, Oh, Oh! (Goes behind Khetro, slapping herself). Physician. I die; I die; I die! What pains does the mother bear; it is good not to have a child.
(Exit all
Fourth Scene edit
The Hall In The House of Goluk Chunder Basu Sabitri. Let my dear child sleep; my dear keeps my heart at rest. When I see the sweet face, I remember that other face[42] (kisses). My child is sleeping most soundly. (Rubs the hand over the head of the corpse). Ah! what have the mosquitoes done? What shall I do for the heat? I must not lie down without letting the curtains fall. (Rubs the hand on the breast of the body.) Ah! Can the mother suffer this, to see the bugs bite the child and let drops of blood come out. No one is here to prepare the bed of the child; how shall I let it lie down? I have no one for me; but all gone with my husband. (Weeps). Oh, unfortunate creature that I am; I am crying with my child here (observing the face of Nobin). The child of the sorrowful woman is now making deala[43] (kissing the mouth). No. my dear, I have forgotten all distress in seeing thee; I am not weeping (placing the pap on its mouth) my dear, suck the pap my dear, suck it. I entreated the bad woman so much, even fell at her feet, still she did not bring my husband for once, he would have gone after settling about the milk of the child. This stupid person has such a friendship with Yama, that if she had written a letter, he would have immediately given him leave. (Seeing the rope in her hand) the husband never gets salvation if on his death the widow still wears ornaments; although I wept with such loud cries, still they made me wear the Shanka[44]. I have burnt it by the lamp, still it is in my hands (cuts off the rope with her teeth). For a widow to wear ornaments it does not look good and is not tolerable. On my hands there has arisen a blister (cries). Whoever has stopped my wearing the shanka, let her shanka be taken off within three days[45] (snaps the joints of her fingers on the ground.) Let me prepare the bed myself (prepares the bed in fancy). The mat was not washed (extends her hands a little). I can't reach to the pillow; the coat of shreds is become dirty (rubs the floor with her hand). Let me make the child lie down (placing the dead body slowly on the ground.) My son, what fear near a mother? You lie down peacefully. I shall spit here (spits on its breast).[46] If that Englishman's lady come here this day, I shall kill her by pressing down her neck. I shall never have my child out of my sight. Let me place the bow round it (gives a mark with her finger round the floor, while reading a certain verse as a sacred formula read to a god). "The froth of the serpent, the tiger's nose, the fire prepared by the Sala's[47] resin, the whistling of the swinging machine, the white hairs of seven co-wives bhanti leaves, the flowers of the dhutura, the seeds of the Indigo, the burnt pepper, the head of the corpse, the root of the maddar, the mad dog, the thief's reading of the Chundi[48]: these together make the arrow to be directed against the gnashing teeth of Yama". Enter SARALOTA Saralota. Where are these gone to? Ah! She is turning round the dead body. I think, my husband, tired with excessive travelling has given himself up to sleep, that goddess who is destroyer of all sorrows and pains. Oh, Sleep! how very miraculous is thy greatness, thou makest the widow to be with her husband in this world, thou bringest the traveller to his country; at thy touch, the prisoner's chain breaks; thou art the Dhannantari[49] of the sick; thou hast no distinction of castes in thy dominions; and thy laws are never different on account of the difference of nations or castes; thou must have made my husband a subject of thy impartial power; or else, how is it, that the insane mother brings away the dead son from him. My husband is become quite distracted by being deprived of his father and his brother. The beauty of his countenance has faded by and by, as the full moon decreases day by day. My mother, when hast thou come up? I have left off food and sleep, and am looking after thee continually, and did I fall into so much insensibility; I promised that I shall bring thy husband from Yama, in order to cure thee, and therefore, thou remainedest quiet for some time. In this formidable night, so full of darkness, like unto that which shall take place on the destruction of the Universe; when the skies are spread over with the terrors of the clouds, the flashes of lightning are giving a momentary light, like the arrows of fire, and the race of living creatures are given up, as it were, to the sleep of Death; all are silent; when the only sound is the cry of jackals in the wilderness and the loud noise of the dogs, the great band of enemies to thieves. My mother, how is it possible, that in such a night as this thou wast able to bring thy dead son from outside the house (Goes near the corpse). Sabitri. I have placed the circle; and why do you come within it? Saralota. Ah! my husband shall never be able to live on seeing the death of this land-conquering and most dear brother.
(Weeps
Sabitri. You are envying my child: you all-destroying wretch and the daughter of a wretch! Let your husband die. Go out, just now; be out; or else, I shall place my foot on your throat, take out your tongue and kill you immediately. Saralota. Ah! such Shoranan[50] (six-mouthed) of gold, whom our father-in-law and mother-in-law had, is now gone into the water. Sabitri. Don't look on my child; I forbid you—you destroyer of your husband. I see, your death is very near. (Goes a little towards her). Saralota. Ah! how very cruel are the formidable arms of Death? Ah! Yama! You gave so much pain to my honest mother-in-law. Sabitri. Calling again! Calling again! (Takes hold of Saralota's neck by her two hands, and throws her down on the ground.) Thou stupid, beloved of Yama! Now will I kill thee (stands upon her neck). Thou hast devoured my husband; again, thou art calling your paramour to swallow my dear infant. Die, die, die, die now! (Begins to skip upon the neck ). Saralota. Gah, a, a! (death of Saralota) Enter BlNDU MADHAB Bindu. Oh! She is lying flat here. Oh mother, what is that? Thou hast killed my Saralota (taking hold of Saralota's head.) My dear Sarala has left this sinful world. (after weeping, kisses Saralota.) Sabitri. Gnaw the wretch and destroy her. She was calling Yama to devour my infant; and therefore I killed her by standing on her neck. Bindu. As the sleeping mother having destroyed the child she was fondling for making it sleep on her lap, on awaking will go to kill herself, so wilt thou, oh my mother! go to kill thyself, if thine insanity passing off, thou canst understand that thy most beloved Saralota was murdered by thee. It will be good if that lamp no more give its light to thee. Ah! how very pleasant it is for a woman to be mad, who has lost her husband and son! The deer-like mind being enclosed within the stone walls of madness can never be attacked by the great tiger, Sorrow. I am thy Bindu Madhab. Sabitri. What, what do you say? Bindu. Mother, I can no longer keep my life, becoming mad by the death of my father bound by the rope, and the death of my elder brother; thou hast destroyed my Saralota, and thus hast applied salt to my wounded heart. Sabitri. What! Is my Nobin dead! Is my Nobin dead! Ah, my dear son, my dear Bindu Madhab! Have I killed your Saralota? Have I killed my young Bou by becoming mad. (embracing the dead body of Saralota). I would have remained alive, although deprived of my husband and my son. Ah, but on murdering you by my own hands, my heart is on the point of being burnt. Oh, Oh Mother! (Embracing Saralota, she falls down dead on the ground). Bindu. (placing his hands on Sabitri's body.) What I said, took place actually. My mother died on recovering her understanding. What affliction! My mother will no more take me on her lap, and kiss me. Oh mother! The word ma ma[51] will no more come out of my mouth, (weeps). Let me place the dust of her feet on my head (takes the dust from her feet and places that on his own head). Let me also purify my body by eating that dust. (Eats the dust of her feet). Enter SOIRINDRI Soirindri. I am going to die with my husband; do not oppose me, my brother-in-law! My Bipin shall live happily with Saralota. What's this? Why are our mother-in-law and Bou both lying in this manner? Bindu. Oh eldest Bou! our mother first killed Saralota, then getting her understanding again, she fell into such excess of sorrow, that she also died. Soirindri. Now! In what manner? What loss! What is this! What is this! Ah! Ah! my sister, thou hast not yet worn that most pleasant lock of hair on the head which I prepared for thee! Ah! Ah! thou shalt no more call me, 'sister' (cries). Mother-in-law, thou art gone to your Rama, but didst not let me go there. Oh my mother-in-law, when I got thee, I did not for a moment remember my mother. Enter ADURI Aduri. Oh eldest Haldarni, come soon; thy young Bipin is afraid. Soirindri. Why did you not call me thence? You left him there alone. (Goes out hastily with Aduri) Bindu. My Bipin is now the pole-star in the ocean of dangers! (with a deep sigh). In this world of short existence, human life is as the bank of a river which has a most violent course and the greatest depth. How very beautiful are the banks, the fields covered over with new grass, most pleasant to the view, the trees full of branches newly coming out; in some places the cottages of fishermen; in others the kine feeding with their young ones. To walk about in such a place enjoying the sweet songs of the beautiful birds, and the charming gale full of the sweet smell of flowers, only wraps the mind in the contemplation of that Being who is full of pleasure. Accidentally a hole small as a line is observed in the field, and immediately that most pleasant bank falls down into the stream. How very sorrowful! The Basu family of Svaropur is destroyed by Indigo, the great destroyer of honour. How very terrible are the arms of Indigo! The Cobra decapello, like the Indigo Planters, with mouths full of poison, threw all happiness into the flame of fire. The father, through injustice, died in the prison; the elder brother in the Indigo-field, and the mother, being insane through grief for her husband and son, murdered with her own hands a most honest woman. Getting her understanding again, and observing my sorrow, the ocean of grief again swelled in her. With that disease of sorrow came the poison of want; and thus without attending to consolation, she also departed this life. cessantly do I call: Where is my father? Where is my father? Embrace me once more with a smiling face. Crying out, Oh mother! Oh mother! I look on all sides; but that countenance of joy do I find nowhere. When I used to call, ma, ma, she immediately took me on her breast, and rubbed my mouth. Who knows the greatness of maternal affection? The cry of ma, ma, ma, ma, do I make in the battle-fields and the wilderness whenever fear arises in the mind. Oh my brother, dear unto the heart, in the place of whom there is not one as a friend in this world! Thy Bindu Madhab is come! Open thine eyes once more and see. Ah! ah! it bursts my heart, not to know where my heart's Sarala is gone to. The most beautiful, wise, and entirely devoted to me—she walked as the swan, and her eyes were handsome as those of the deer. With a smiling face and with the sweetest voice thou didst read to me the Betal. The mind was charmed by thy sweet reading which was as the singing of the bird in the forest. Thou, Sarala, hadst a most beauteous face, and didst brighten the lake of my heart. Who did take away my lotus with a cruel heart? The beautiful lake became dark. The world, I look upon, is as a desert full of corpses, while I have lost my father, my mother, my brother, and my wife"[52]. Ah! where are they gone to in search of the dead body of my brother? I am to prepare for going to the Ganges as soon as they come. Ah! how very terrible, the last scene of the drama of the lion-like Nobin Madhab is? (Sits down, taking hold of Sabitri's feet.)
(THE CURTAIN FALLS DOWN
HERE ENDS THE DRAMA NAMED NIL DURPAN
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