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diff --git a/old/54027-0.txt b/old/54027-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e1380a8..0000000 --- a/old/54027-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4813 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Nil Darpan; or, The Indigo Planting Mirror, by -Dinabandhu Mitra - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Nil Darpan; or, The Indigo Planting Mirror - A Drama. Translated from the Bengali by a Native. - -Author: Dinabandhu Mitra - -Translator: Michael Madhusudan Dutt - -Release Date: January 19, 2017 [EBook #54027] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NIL DARPAN *** - - - - -Produced by KD Weeks, Mary Glenn Krause, Eric Lehtonen and -the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Transcriber’s Note: - -This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects. -Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_. - -Footnotes have been moved to follow the Scene in which they are -referenced. - -Minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected. Please -see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding -the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - NIL DARPAN, - OR - THE INDIGO PLANTING MIRROR, - - - - =A Drama.= - - - TRANSLATED FROM THE BENGALI - - BY - - A NATIVE. - - - - - - ------------------ - - _CALCUTTA_: - - C. H. MANUEL, CALCUTTA PRINTING AND PUBLISHING PRESS, No. 10, - WESTON’S LANE, COSSITOLLAH. - - --- - - 1861. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - INTRODUCTION. - - ---------- - - -The original Bengali of this Drama—the NIL DARPAN, OR INDIGO PLANTING -MIRROR—having excited considerable interest, a wish was expressed by -various Europeans to see a translation of it. This has been made by a -Native; both the original and translation are _bonâ fide_ Native -productions and depict the Indigo Planting System as viewed by Natives -at large. - -The Drama is the favourite mode with the Hindus for describing certain -states of society, manners, customs. Since the days of Sir W. Jones, by -scholars at Paris, St. Petersburgh, and London, the Sanskrit Drama has, -in this point of view, been highly appreciated. The Bengali Drama -imitates in this respect its Sanskrit parent. The evils of Kulin -Brahminism, widow marriage prohibition, quackery, fanaticism, have been -depicted by it with great effect. - -Nor has the system of Indigo planting escaped notice: hence the origin -of this work, the NIL DARPAN, which, though exhibiting no marvellous or -very tragic scenes, yet, in simple homely language, gives the “annals of -the poor;” pleads the cause of those who are the feeble; it describes a -respectable ryot, a peasant proprietor, happy with his family in the -enjoyment of his land till the Indigo System compelled him to take -advances, to neglect his own land, to cultivate crops which beggared -him, reducing him to the condition of a serf and a vagabond; the effect -of this on his home, children, and relatives are pointed out in -language, plain but true; it shows how arbitrary power debases the lord -as well as the peasant; reference is also made to the partiality of -various Magistrates in favor of Planters and to the Act of last year -penally enforcing Indigo contracts. - -Attention has of late years been directed by Christian Philanthropists -to the condition of the ryots of Bengal, their teachers, and the -oppression which they suffer, and the conclusion arrived at is, that -there is little prospect or possibility of ameliorating the mental, -moral, or spiritual condition of the ryot without giving him security of -landed-tenure. If the Bengal ryot is to be treated as a serf, or a mere -squatter or day-labourer, the missionary, the school-master, even the -Developer of the resources of India, will find their work like that of -Sisyphus—vain and useless. - -Statistics have proved that in France, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, -Sweden, Denmark, Saxony, the education of the peasant, along with the -security of tenure he enjoys on his small farms, has encouraged -industrious, temperate, virtuous, and cleanly habits, fostered a respect -for property, increased social comforts, cherished a spirit of healthy -and active independence, improved the cultivation of the land, lessened -pauperism, and has rendered the people averse to revolution, and friends -of order. Even Russia is carrying out a grand scheme of -serf-emancipation in this spirit. - -It is the earnest wish of the writer of these lines that harmony may be -speedily established between the Planter and the Ryot, that mutual -interests may bind the two classes together, and that the European may -be in the Mofussil the protecting Ægis of the peasants, who may be able -“to sit each man under his mango and tamarind tree, none daring to make -him afraid.” - - - - - THE AUTHOR’S PREFACE. - - ---------- - - -I present “The Indigo Planting Mirror” to the Indigo Planters’ hands; -now, let every one of them, having observed his face, erase the freckle -of the stain of selfishness from his forehead, and, in its stead, place -on it the sandal powder of beneficence, then shall I think my labour -successful, good fortune for the helpless class of ryots, and -preservation of England’s honor. Oh, ye Indigo Planters! Your malevolent -conduct has brought a stain upon the English Nation, which was so graced -by the ever-memorable names of Sydney, Howard, Hall, and other great -men. Is your desire for money so very powerful, that through the -instigation of that vain wealth, you are engaged in making holes like -rust in the long acquired and pure fame of the British people? Abstain -now from that unjust conduct through which you are raising immense sums -as your profits; and then the poor people, with their families, will be -able to spend their days in ease. You are now-a-days purchasing things -worth a hundred rupees by expending only ten;—and you well know what -great trouble the ryots are suffering from that. Still you are not -willing to make that known, being entirely given up to the acquisition -of money. You say, that some amongst you give donations to schools, and -also medicine in time of need—but the Planters’ donations to schools are -more odious than the application of the shoe for the destruction of a -milch cow, and their grants of medicine are like unto mixing the -inspissated milk in the cup of poison. If the application of a little -turpentine after being beat by Shamchand,[1] be forming a dispensary, -then it may be said that in every factory there is a dispensary. The -Editors of two daily newspapers are filling their columns with your -praises; and whatever other people may think, you never enjoy pleasure -from it, since you know fully the reason of their so doing. What a -surprising power of attraction silver has? The detestable Judas gave the -great Preacher of the Christian religion, Jesus, into the hands of -odious Pilate for the sake of thirty rupees; what wonder then, if the -proprietors of two newspapers, becoming enslaved by the hope of gaining -one thousand rupees, throw the poor helpless people of this land into -the terrible grasp of your mouths. But _misery and happiness revolve -like a wheel_, and that the sun of happiness is about to shed his light -on the people of this country, is becoming very probable. The most -kind-hearted Queen Victoria, the mother of the people, thinking it -unadvisable to suckle her children through maid-servants, has now taken -them on her own lap to nourish them. The most learned, intelligent, -brave, and open-hearted Lord Canning is now the Governor-General of -India; Mr. Grant, who always suffers in the sufferings of his people, -and is happy when they are happy, who punishes the wicked and supports -the good, has taken charge of the Lieutenant-Governorship, and other -persons, as Messrs. Eden, Herschel, etc., who are, all well-known for -their love of truth, for their great experience and strict impartiality, -are continually expanding themselves lotus-like on the surface of the -lake of the Civil Service. Therefore, it is becoming fully evident that -these great men will very soon take hold of the rod of justice in order -to stop the sufferings which the ryots are enduring from the great giant -_Rahu_, the Indigo Planter. - ------ - -Footnote 1: - - _Shamchand_ is an instrument made of leather, used by the Planters for - beating the ryots. - ------ - - - - - PERSONS OF THE DRAMA. - -[Illustration] - - - GOLUK CHUNDER BASU. | - NOBIN MADHAB } _Sons of Goluk Chunder_. - BINDU MADHAB } - SADHU CHURN—_A neighbouring Ryot_. - RAY CHURN—_Sadhu’s brother_. - GOPI CHURN DAS—_The Dewan_. - J. J. WOOD } _Indigo Planters_. - P. P. ROSE } - THE AMIN OR LAND MEASURER. - A KHALASI, _a Tent-pitcher_. - TAIDGIR—_Native Superintendent of Indigo Cultivation_. - - Magistrate, Amla, Attorney, Deputy Inspector, Pundit, Keeper of - the Gaol, Doctor, a Cow-keeper, a Native Doctor, Four Boys, a - Latyal or Club-man, and a Herdsman. - - WOMEN. - - SABITRI—_Wife of Goluk Chunder_. - SOIRINDRI—_Wife of Nobin_. - SARALOTA—_Wife of Bindu Madhab_. - REBOTI—_Wife of Sadhu Churn_. - KHETROMANI—_Daughter of Sadhu_. - ADURI—_Maid-servant in Goluk Chunder’s house_. - PODI MOYRANI—_A Sweetmeat Maker_. - - - - - FIRST ACT—FIRST SCENE. - SVAROPUR—GOLUK CHUNDER’S GOLA OR STORE-HOUSE. - - ------- - - - GOLUK CHUNDER BASU _and_ SADHU CHURN _sitting_. - - _Sadhu._ Master I told you then we cannot live any more in this - country. You did not hear me however. _A poor man’s word bears - fruit after the lapse of years._ - - _Goluk._ O my child! Is it easy to leave one’s country? My family - has been here for seven generations. The lands which our - fore-fathers rented have enabled us never to acknowledge ourselves - servants of others. The rice which grows, provides food for the - whole year, means of hospitality to guests, and also the expense - of religious services; the mustard seed we get, supplies oil for - the whole year, and, besides, we can sell it for about sixty or - seventy rupees. Svaropur is not a place where people are in - want.—It has rice, peas, oil, molasses from its fields, vegetables - in the garden, and fish from the tanks;—whose heart is not torn - when obliged to leave such a place? And who can do that easily? - - _Sadhu._ Now it is no more a place of happiness: your garden is - already gone, and your relatives are on the point of forsaking - you. Ah! it is not yet three years since the Saheb took a lease of - this place, and he has already ruined the whole village. We cannot - bear to turn our eyes in the southern direction towards the house - of the heads of the villages (Mandal). Oh! what was it once, and - what is it now! Three years ago, about sixty men used to make a - daily feast in the house; there were ten ploughs, and about forty - or fifty oxen; as to the court-yard, it was crowded like as at the - horse races; when they used to arrange the ricks of corn, it - appeared, as it were, that the lotus had expanded itself on the - surface of a lake bordered by sandal groves; the granary was as - large as a hill; but last year the granary not being repaired, was - on the point of falling into the yard. Because he was not allowed - to plant Indigo in the rice-field, the wicked Saheb beat the - _Majo_ and _Sajo_ Babus most severely; and how very difficult was - it to get them out of his clutches; the ploughs and kine were - sold, and at that crisis the two Mandals left the village. - - _Goluk._ Did not the eldest Mandal go to bring his brethren back? - - _Sadhu._ They said, we would rather beg from door to door than go - to live there again. The eldest Mandal is now left alone, and he - has kept two ploughs, which are nearly always engaged in the - Indigo-fields. And even this person is making preparations for - flying off. Oh, Sir! I tell you also to throw aside this - infatuated attachment (_maya_) for your native place. Last time - your rice went, and this time, your honour will go. - - _Goluk._ What honor remains to us now? The Planter has prepared - his places of cultivation round about the tank, and will plant - Indigo there this year. In that case, our women will be entirely - excluded from the tank. And also the Saheb has said that if we do - not cultivate our rice-fields with Indigo, he will make Nobin - Madhab to drink the water of seven Factories (_i. e._ to be - confined in them). - - _Sadhu._ Has not the eldest Babu gone to the Factory? - - _Goluk._ Has he gone of his own will? The pyeadah (a servant) has - carried him off there. - - _Sadhu._ But your eldest Babu has very great courage. On the day - the Saheb said, “If you don’t hear the Amin, and don’t plant the - Indigo within the ground marked off, then shall we throw your - houses into the river Betraboti, and shall make you eat your rice - in the factory godown;“ the eldest Babu replied, “As long as we - shall not get the price for the fifty bigahs of land sown with - Indigo last year, we will not give one bigah this year for Indigo. - What do we care for our house? We shall even risk (pawn) our - lives.” - - _Goluk._ What could he have done, without he said that? Just see, - no anxiety would have remained in our family if the fifty bigahs - of rice produce had been left with us. And if they give us the - money for the Indigo, the greater part of our troubles will go - away. - - NOBIN MADHAB _enters._ - - O my son, What has been done? - - _Nobin._ Sir, _does the cobra shrink from biting the little child - on the lap of its mother on account of the sorrow of the mother_? - I flattered him much, but: he understood nothing by that. He kept - to his word, and said, give us sixty bigahs of land, secured by - written documents, and take 50 Rupees, then we shall close the two - years’ account at once. - - _Goluk._ Then, if we are to give sixty bigahs for the cultivation - of the Indigo, we cannot engage in any other cultivation whatever. - Then we shall die without rice crops. - - _Nobin._ I said, “Saheb, as you engage all your men, our ploughs, - and our kine, every thing, in the Indigo field, only give us every - year through our food. We don’t want hire.” On which, he with a - laugh said, “You surely don’t eat Yaban’s[2] rice.” - - _Sadhu._ Those whose only pay is a belly full of food are, I - think, happier than we are. - - _Goluk._ We have nearly abandoned all the ploughs; still we have - to cultivate Indigo. We have no chance in a dispute with the - Sahebs. They bind and beat us, it is for us to suffer. We are - consequently obliged to work. - - _Nobin._ I shall do as you order, Sir; but my design is for once - to bring action into Court. - - ADURI _enters._ - - _Aduri._ Our Mistress is making noise within; the day is far - advanced; will you not go to bathe, and take your food. The boiled - rice is very near become dry. - - _Sadhu._ (_Standing up._) Sir, decide something about this, or I - shall die. If we give the labour of one-and-a-half of our ploughs - for the cultivation of nine bigahs of Indigo-fields, our boiling - pots of rice will go empty. Now, I am going away, Sir, farewell, - our oldest Babu. - - (_Sadhu goes away._) - - _Goluk._ We don’t think that God will any more allow us to bathe - and to take food in this land. Now, my son, go and bathe. - - (_All go away._) - ------ - -Footnote 2: - - The Mahomedans and all other nations who are not Hindus, are - called by that name. - ------ - - ---------- - - FIRST ACT—SECOND SCENE. - THE HOUSE OF SADHU CHURN. - - ------- - - - RAY CHURN _enters with his plough_. - - _Ray._ (_Holding his plough._) The stupid Amin is a tiger. The - violence with which he came upon me! Oh my God! I thought that he - was coming to devour me. That villain did not hear a single word - and with force he marked off the ground. If they take five bigahs - of land, what will my family eat. First, we will shed tears before - them; if they don’t let us alone, as a matter of course, we shall - leave the country. - - KHETROMANI _enters_. - - Is my brother come home? - - _Khetra._ Father is gone to the house of the Babu’s and is coming - very soon. Will you not go to call my aunt? What were you talking - about? - - _Ray._ I am talking of nothing. Now, bring me a little water, my - stomach is on the point of bursting from thirst. I told my - brother-in-law[3] so much, but he did not hear me. - - SADHU _enters, and_ KHETROMANI _goes away_. - - _Sadhu._ Ray, why did you come so early? - - _Ray._ O my brother, the vile Amin has marked off the piece of - ground in Sanpoltola. What shall we eat; and how shall I pass the - year? Ah, our land was bright as the golden champah.[4] By the - produce of only one corner of the field, we satisfied the - mahajans. What shall we eat now, and what shall our children take? - This large family may die without food. Every morning two _recas_ - (nearly 5 lbs) of rice are necessary. What shall we eat then? Oh, - my Ill-fortune! Ill-fortune (burnt forehead)! what has the Indigo - of this white man done? - - _Sadhu._ We were living in the hope of cultivating those bigahs of - land; and now, if these are gone, than what use is there of - remaining here any more. And the one or two bigahs which are - become saltish, they yield no produce. Again, the ploughs are to - remain in the Indigo-field; and what can we do. Don’t weep now; - to-morrow we shall sell off the ploughs and cows, leave this - village, and go and live in the Zemindary of Babu Basanta. - - KHETROMANI _and_ REBOTI _enter with water_. - - Now, drink the water, drink the water; what do you fear? He who - has given life, will provide also food. Now, what did you say to - the Amin? - - _Ray._ What can I say? He began to mark off the ground, on which - it seemed as if he began to _thrust burnt sticks_ _into my - breast_, I entreated, holding him by his feet, and wanted to give - him money; but he heard nothing. He said, go to your eldest Babu; - go to your father. When I returned, I only punished him with - saying, “I shall bring this before the Court.” - - (_Seeing the Amin at a distance._) - - Just see, that villain (_Shálá_) is coming; he has brought - servants with him, and will take us to the Factory. - - _The_ AMIN _and the two Servants enter_. - - _Amin._ Bind the hands of this villain. - - (_Ray Churn is bound by the two Servants._) - - _Reboti._ Oh! What is this? Why do they bind him? What ruin! What - ruin! (_to Sadhu_) Why do you stand looking on? Go to the house of - the Babus, and call the eldest Babu here. - - _Amin._ (_To Sadhu._) Where shalt thou go now? You are also to go - with me. To take advances is not the business of Ray. We shall - have much to bear with if we are to make signature by cross marks. - And because you know how to read and to write, therefore you must - go and make the signatures in the Factory Account-book. - - _Sadhu._ Sir, do you call this giving advances for Indigo; would - it not be better to call it the _cramming down_ Indigo?[5] Oh! my - Ill-fortune, you are still with me. That very blow through fear of - which I fled, I have to bear again. This land was as the Kingdom - of Rama before Indigo was established; but the ignorant fool is - become a beggar, and famine has come upon the land. - - _Amin._ (_To himself observing Khetromani._) This young woman is - not bad-looking; if our younger Saheb can get her, he will, with - his whole heart, take her. But while I was unable to succeed in - getting a peshkar’s (overseer’s) post by giving him my own sister, - what can I expect from getting him this woman; but still she is - very beautiful; I will try. - - _Reboti._ Khetra, go into the room. - - (_Khetromani goes away._) - - _Amin._ Now, Sadhu, if you want to come in a proper manner, come - with me to the Factory. - - (_Going forward._) - - _Reboti._ Oh Amin! have you no wife nor children? Have you kept - only the plough and this beating (_márpit_)? Did he not want to - drink a little water? By this time he ought to take a second meal, - how can he then, without taking any food, go to the Saheb’s house - which is at such a distance. I ask for the Saheb’s grace; just let - him have some food; and then take him away. Oh! he is so very much - troubled for his wife and his children. Oh! he is shedding tears, - his face is become dry. What are you doing? To what a burnt-up - land am I come? Destruction has come upon me both in life and - money. Oh! Oh! Oh! I am gone both in life and money. (_Weeps._) - - _Amin._ Oh, stupid woman! Now stop your grunting. If you want to - give water, bring it soon; else I shall take him away. (_Ray Churn - drinks water; exit all._) - ------ - -Footnote 3: - - Here the word is used sarcastically; and is taken to mean the - brother of the wife. - -Footnote 4: - - The name of a beautiful yellow flower. - -Footnote 5: - - There is a play here an the words _Dádan_ and _Gádan_. - ------ - - - - - ---------- - - FIRST ACT—THIRD SCENE. - THE FACTORY OF BEGUNBARI. THE VERANDA OF THE LARGE BUNGALOW. - - ------- - - - _Enter_ J. J. WOOD _and_ GOPI CHURN DAS, _the Dewan_. - - _Gopi._ What fault have I done, my Lord? You are observing me day - by day. I begin to move about early in the morning, and return - home at three o’Clock in the afternoon. - - Again, immediately after taking dinner, I sit down to look over - papers about Indigo advances; and that takes my time to twelve and - sometimes to one o’Clock in the night. - - _Wood._ You, rascal, are very inexperienced. There are no advances - made in Svaropur, Shamanagar, and Santighata villages. You will - never learn without Shamchand, (the leather strap). - - _Gopi._ My Lord I am your servant. It is through favour only that - you have raised me from the _peshkári_ business to the Dewani. You - are my only Lord, you can either kill me or can cut me in pieces. - Certain powerful enemies have arisen against this Factory; and - without their punishment, there is no cultivation of Indigo. - - _Wood._ How can I punish without knowing them? As for money, - horses, latyals (club-men), I have a sufficiency; can they not be - punished by these? The former Dewan made known to me about those - enemies. You do not. I have scourged those wicked people, taken - away their kine, and kept their wives in confinement, which is a - very severe punishment for them. You are a very great fool; you - know nothing at all. The business of the Dewan is not that of the - Kayt caste; I shall drive you off, and give the business to a - Keaot. - - _Gopi._ My Lord, although I am by caste a Káystha, I do my work - like a Keaot (a shoe-maker). The service which I have rendered in - stopping the rice cultivation and making the Indigo to grow in the - field of the Mollahs, and also to take (_lákhraj_) his rent-free - lands of seven generations from Goluk Chunder Bose, and to take - away the iron crow[6] from the Government; the work I have done - for these, I can dare say, can never be done by a Keaot (a - shoemaker). It is my ill-fortune only (evil forehead) that I don’t - get the least praise for doing so much. - - _Wood._ That fool, Nobin Madhab, wants the whole account settled. - I shall not give him a single cowrie. That fellow is very well - versed in the affairs of the Court; but I shall see, how that - braggart takes the advances from me. - - _Gopi._ Sir, he is one of the principal enemies of this Factory. - The burning down of Polasapore would never have been proved, had - Nobin no concern in the matter. That fool himself prepared the - draft of the petition; and it was through his advice and intrigues - that the Attorney so turned the mind of the Judge. Again, it was - through his intrigues that our former Dewan was confined for two - years. I forbade him, saying, “Babu Nobin, don’t act against our - Saheb; and, especially as he has not burnt your house.” To which - he replied, “I have enlisted myself in order to save the poor - ryots. I shall think myself highly rewarded, if I can preserve one - poor ryot from the tortures of the cruel Indigo Planters; and - throwing this Dewan into prison, I shall have compensation for my - garden.” That braggart is become like a Christian Missionary; and - I cannot say what preparations he is making this time. - - _Wood._ You are afraid. Did I not tell you at first, you are very - ignorant? No work is to be done through you. - - _Gopi._ Saheb, what signs of fear hast thou seen in me? When I - have entered on this Indigo profession, I have thrown off all - fear, shame, and honor; and the destroying of cows, of Brahmins, - of women, and the burning down of houses are become my ornaments, - and I now lie down in bed keeping the jail as my pillow (_thinking - of it_). - - _Wood._ I do not want words, but works. - - SADHU RAY, _the_ AMIN, _and the two Servants enter, making - salams_. - - Why are this wicked fool’s hands bound with cords? - - _Gopi._ My Lord, this Sadhu Churn is a head ryot; but through the - enticement of Nobin Bose he has been led to engage in the - destruction of Indigo. - - _Sadhu._ My Lord, I do nothing unjust against your Indigo, nor am - I doing now, neither have I power to do any thing wrong; willingly - or unwillingly I have prepared the Indigo, and also I am ready to - make it this time. But then, every thing has its probability and - improbability; if you want to make powder of eight inches’ - thickness to enter a pipe half-an-inch thick, will it not burst? I - am a poor ryot, keep only one-and-a-half ploughs, have only twenty - bigahs of land for cultivation; and now, if I am to give nine - bigahs out of that for Indigo, that must occasion my death, but my - Lord, what is that to you, it is only my death. - - _Gopi._ The Saheb fears lest you keep him confined in the godown - of your eldest Babu. - - _Sadhu._ Now, Sir Dewanji, _what you say is striking a corpse_ - (useless labor). What mite am I that I shall imprison the Saheb, - the mighty and glorious. - - _Gopi._ Sadhu, now away with your high flown language; it does not - sound well on the tongue of a peasant; it is like a sweeper’s - broom touching the body. - - _Wood._ Now the rascal is become very wise. - - _Amin._ That fool explains the laws and magistrate’s orders to the - common people, and thus raises confusion. His brother draws the - ploughshare, and he uses the high word _pratápsháli_ “glorious.” - - _Gopi._ The child of the preparer of cow-dung balls is become a - Court Naeb (deputy). My Lord, the establishment of schools in - villages has increased the violence of the ryots. - - _Wood._ I shall write to our Indigo Planters’ Association to make - a petition to the Government for stopping the schools in villages; - we shall fight to secure stopping the schools. - - _Amin._ That fool wants to bring the case into Court. - - _Wood._ (_To Sadhu_) You are very wicked. You have twenty bigahs, - of which, if you employ nine bigahs for Indigo, why can’t you - cultivate the other nine bigahs for rice. - - _Gopi._ My Lord, the debt which is credited to him can be made use - of for bringing the whole twenty bigahs within our own power. - - _Sadhu._ (_To himself_) O oh! _the witness for the spirit-seller - is the drunkard?_ (_Openly_) If the nine bigahs which are marked - off for the cultivation of the Indigo were worked by the plough - and kine of the Factory, then can I use the other nine bigahs for - rice. The work which is to be done in the rice-field is only a - fourth of that which is necessary in the Indigo-field, - consequently if I am to remain engaged in these nine bigahs, the - remaining eleven bigahs will be without cultivation. - - _Wood._ You, dolt, are very wicked, you scoundrel (_háramjádá_); - you must take the money in advance; you must cultivate the land; - you are a very scoundrel (_kicks him_). You shall leave off every - thing when you meet with Shamchand (_takes Shamchand from the - wall._) - - _Sadhu._ My Lord, _the hand is only blackened by killing a fly_, - _i. e._, your beating me only injures you. I am too mean. We— - - _Ray._ (_Angrily_) O my brother, you had better stop; let them - take what they can; our very stomach is on the point of falling - down from hunger. The whole day is passed, we have not yet been - able either to bathe or to take our food. - - _Amin._ O rascal, where is your Court now? (_Twists his ears_). - - _Ray._ (_With violent panting_). I now die! My mother! my mother! - - _Wood._ Beat that “bloody nigger,” (_beats with Shamchand, the - leather strap_). - - _Enter_ NOBIN MADHAB. - - _Ray._ O thou Babu! I am dying! Give me some water. I am just - dead! - - _Nobin._ Saheb they have not bathed, neither have they taken the - least food. The members of their family have not yet washed their - faces. If you thus destroy your ryots by flogging them, who will - prepare your Indigo? This Sadhu Churn prepared the produce of - about four bigahs last year with the greatest trouble possible; - and if with such severe beatings you make such cruel advances to - them, that is only your loss. For this day give them leave, and - to-morrow I myself shall bring them with me, and do as thou do’st - bid me. - - _Wood._ Attend to your own business. What concern have you with - another’s affairs. Sadhu, give your opinion quickly, as it is my - dinner time. - - _Sadhu._ What is the use of waiting for my opinion? You have - already marked off the four bigahs of the most productive land; - and the Amin has, to-day, marked off the remaining part. The land - is marked without my consent, the Indigo shall be prepared in the - same way; and I also agree to prepare it without taking any - advances. - - _Wood._ Do you say my advances are all fictitious you cursed - wretch, bastard and heretic, (_beats him_). - - _Nobin._ (_Covers with his hand the back of Sadhu_). My Lord, this - poor man has many to support in his family. Owing to the beating - he has got, I think, he will be confined in bed for a month. Oh! - What pains his family is suffering? Sir, you have also your - family. Now, what sorrow would affect the mind of your wife if you - were taken prisoner at your dinner-time? - - _Wood._ Be silent thou fool, braggart, low fellow, cow-eater. - Don’t think that this Magistrate is like that one of Amaranagara, - that you can, for every word, lay complaints before him, and - imprison the men of the Factory. The Magistrate of Indrabad is as - death to you. You rascal, you must first give me a hand-note to - state you have received the advance for sixty bigahs of land, or - else I shall not let you go this day. I shall break your head with - this Shamchand, you stupid. It is owing to your not taking - advances, that I have not been able to force advances on ten other - villages. - - _Nobin._ (_With heavy sighs._) O my Mother Earth! separate - yourself that I may enter into you. In my life I never suffered - such an insult. O, oh! - - _Gopi._ Babu Nobin, better go home, no use of making fuss. - - _Nobin._ Sadhu, call on God, He is the only support of the - helpless. - - (_Nobin Madhab goes away._) - - _Wood._ Thou slave of the slave. Take him to the Factory, Dewan, - and give him the advance according to rule. - - (_Wood goes away._) - - _Gopi._ Sadhu, come along to the Factory. Does the Saheb forget - his words? - - Now _ashes have fallen on your ready-made rice_; the Yama[7] of - Indigo has attacked you, and you have no safety. - ------ - -Footnote 6: - - An instrument made use of for breaking down buildings. - -Footnote 7: - - Yama is Death, the king of terror. - ------ - - - - - ---------- - - FIRST ACT—FOURTH SCENE. - GOLUK CHUNDER BASU’S HALL. - - ------- - - - _Enter_ SOIRINDRI _preparing a hair-string_. - - _Soirindri._ I never did prepare such a piece of hair-string. The - youngest Bou[8] is the most fortunate, since whatever I do in her - name proves successful. The hair-string I have made, is the - thinnest possible. According to the hair, the hair-string is made. - Oh! how beautiful the hair is; it is like unto that of the Goddess - Kali. The face is as the lotus, always smiling. People may say - whatever they choose to one whom they do not like. I don’t attend - to that. For my part, I feel pleasure when I see the face of the - youngest Bou. I consider the youngest Bou in the same light, as I - do Bipin. The youngest Bou loves me as her own mother. - - SARALOTA _enters with a braid in her hand_. - - _Saralota._ My sister, just see whether I have been able to make - the under part of this braid? Is it not made? - - _Soirindri._ (_Seeing the braid._) Yes, now it is well made. O! my - sister, this part is made somewhat bad; the yellow does not look - well after the red colour. - - _Saralota._ I wove it by observing your braid. - - _Soirindri._ Is the yellow after the red in that? - - _Saralota._ No; in that the green is after the red. But because my - green thread is finished, therefore I placed the yellow after - that. - - _Soirindri._ You were not able, I see, to wait for the market-day. - I see, my sister, every thing is in haste with you. As it is said, - “_Hurry is in Brindabun; but as soon as the desire rises, there is - no more waiting._”[9] - - _Saralota._ Oh! What fault have I committed for that? Can that be - got in the market? At the last market-day, my mother-in-law sent - for it; but that was not got. - - _Soirindri._ When they write a letter this time to my husband’s - brother, we shall send to ask for threads of various colours. - - _Saralota._ Sister, how many days are there still remaining of - this month? - - _Soirindri._ (_Laughingly._) On the place where the pain is, the - hand touches. As soon as his[10] College closes, he shall come - home, therefore you are counting the days. Ah! my sister, your - mind’s words are come out. - - _Saralota._ I say truly, my sister; I never meant that. - - _Soirindri._ How very good-natured our Bindu Madhab is? His words - are honey. When we hear his letters read, they _rain like drops of - nectar_. I never saw such love towards one’s brother as his; and - also his brother shows the greatest affection for him. When he - hears the name of Bindu Madhab, his heart overflows with joy, and - it becomes, as it were, expanded. Also, as he is, so our Saralota - is, (_pressing Saralota’s cheek_) Saralota is _as honesty itself_ - (_Saralota_). Have I not brought with me my huká? I see, that as I - cannot remain without it for a moment, that is the first thing - which I have forgotten to bring along with me. - - _Enter_ ADURI. - - Aduri, will you just go and bring me some ashes of tobacco? - - _Aduri._ Where shall I now seek for it? - - _Soirindri._ It is stuck on the thatched roof of the cook-room, on - the right side of the steps leading into the room. - - _Aduri._ Then, let me bring the ladder from the threshing floor; - else how can I reach to the roof? - - _Saralota._ Very well. - - _Soirindri._ Why can she not understand our mother-in-law’s word? - Don’t you understand what steps are, and what Dain[11] signifies? - - _Aduri._ Why shall I become a Dain; it is my fate. _As soon as a - poor woman becomes old and her teeth fall out_ _she is immediately - called a Dain._ I shall speak of this to our mistress; am I become - so old as to be called a Dain? - - _Soirindri._ (_Rising up._) Youngest Bou, sit down, I am coming; - to-day we shall hear the Betal of Vidyeasagar. - - (_Soirindri goes away._) - - _Aduri._ That Sagar allows marriage to the widows; fie! fie! Are - there not two parties to that? I am of the Ajah’s[12] party. - - _Saralota._ Aduri, did your husband love you well? - - _Aduri._ O young Haldarni, do not raise that word of sorrow now. - Even up to this day, when his face comes before my mind’s eye, my - heart, as it were, bursts with sorrow. He loved me very much. And - he even wanted to give me a daughter-in-law. He even did not give - me time to sleep. Whenever I felt drowsy, he said, “O my love, are - you sleeping.” - - _Saralota._ Did you call him by his name? - - _Aduri._ Fie! fie! fie! The husband is one’s Lord. Is it proper to - call him by his name? - - _Saralota._ Then, how did you call him? - - _Aduri._ I used to say, “O! do you hear me.” - - _Enter_ SOIRINDRI _again_. - - _Soirindri._ Who has irritated this fool again? - - _Aduri._ She was inquiring after my husband, therefore I was - speaking with her. - - _Soirindri._ (_Laughing._) I never saw a greater fool than this - our youngest Bou. While having so many subjects of talk, still you - are exciting Aduri in order to hear from her about her husband. - - _Enter_ REBOTI _and_ KHETROMANI. - - Welcome, my dear sister, I have been sending for you for these - many days; still I see, you don’t get time to come. O our youngest - Bou, here take your Khetra; here she is come. She was troubling me - for these days, saying, My sister Khetra, of the Ghose family, is - come from her father-in-law’s house; then, why is she not yet - coming to our house? - - _Reboti._ Yes, such is your love towards us. Khetra, bow down - before your aunt. - - (_Khetromani bows down._) - - _Soirindri._ Remain with your husband for life; wear vermillion - even in your white hair; let your iron circlet[13] continue for - ever, and the next time you go to your father-in-law’s house, take - your new-born son with you. - - _Aduri._ The young Haldarni speaks most fluently before me; but - this young girl bowed down before her; and she spoke not a single - word. - - _Soirindri._ Oh! what of that. Aduri, just go and call our - mother-in-law here. - - (_Aduri goes out._) - - The fool knows not what she says. For how many months is she[14] - with child? - - _Reboti._ Did I yet express that? The bad turn of my fortune - (_broken forehead_) is such, that I yet cannot say whether that is - actually the case or not? It is because that you are very familiar - with us, that I tell it you: at the end of this month she will be - in her fourth month. - - _Saralota._ Khetra, why did you cut off the curls of your hair? - - _Khetro._ The elder brother of my husband was much displeased at - seeing the curls in my hair. Our mistress said, that curls agree - best with prostitutes and women of rich families. I was so much - ashamed at hearing his words, that from that very day I cut off my - curls. - - _Soirindri._ Youngest Bou, the shades of evening are spreading - about; just go, my sister, and bring the clothes. - - _Enter_ ADURI _again_. - - _Saralota._ (_Standing up._) Aduri, come with me; let us go up, - and bring down the clothes. - - _Aduri._ Let young Haldar first come home, ha! ha! ha! - - (_Ashamed, Saralota goes away._) - - _Soirindri._ (_With anger, yet laughing._) Go thou unfortunate - fool; at every word, you joke. Where is my mother-in-law? - - _Enters_ SABITRI. - - Yes, she is come. - - _Sabitri._ Ghose Bou, art thou come, and hast thou brought your - daughter with you? Yes, you have done well. Bipin was making - noise, therefore, I sent him out and am come here. - - _Reboti._ My mother, I bow down before you. Khetra, bow down - before your grand-mother. (_Khetromani bows down._) - - _Sabitri._ Be happy, be the mother of seven sons. (_Coughing - aside._) My eldest Bou, just go into the room, I think my son is - up. Oh! my son has no regular time for bathing, neither for taking - food. My Nobin is become very weak by mere vain thoughts—(_aside_, - “Aduri”) Oh! my daughter, go in soon, I think, he is asking for - water. - - _Soirindri._ (_Aside, to Aduri._) Aduri, calling for you. - - _Aduri._ Calling for me, but asking for you. - - _Soirindri._ Thou burnt-faced. Sister Ghose meet me another day. - - (_Exit Soirindri._) - - _Reboti._ O my mother, here is none else. Some great danger has - fallen upon me, that Podi Moyrani came to our house yesterday. - - _Sabitri._ Rama! Rama! Rama! who allows that nasty fool to enter - his house? What is left of her virtue? She has only to write her - name in the public notices. - - _Reboti._ My mother, but what shall I do! My house is not an - enclosed one. When our males go to take dinner outside, the house - is no more a house; but you may call it a mart. That strumpet says - (I do shrink at the thought), she says, that the young Saheb is - become, as it were, mad at seeing Khetromani; and wants to see her - in the Factory. - - _Aduri._ Fye! fye! fye! bad smell of the onion! Can we go to the - Saheb. Fye! fye! bad smell of the onion! I shall never be out any - more alone. I can bear every other thing, but the smell of the - onion I can never bear. Fye! fye! bad smell of the onion! - - _Reboti._ But, my mother, is not the virtue of the poor actual - virtue? That fool[15] says, he will give money, give grants of - lands for the cultivation of rice; and also give some employment - to our son-in-law. Fie! fie! to money. Is virtue something to be - sold? Has it any price? What can I say? That fool was an agent of - the Saheb, or else I would have broken her mouth with one kick. My - daughter is become thunder-struck from yesterday; and now and - then, she is starting with fear. - - _Aduri._ Oh, the Beard! When he speaks, it is like a he-goat - twisting about its mouth. For my part, I would never be able to go - there as long as he does not leave off his onions and beard. Fie! - fie! fie! the bad smell of the onion. - - _Reboti._ Mother, again that unfortunate fool says, if you do not - send her with me, I shall take her away by certain latyals. - - _Sabitri._ What more is the Burmese (Mug) power? Can anyone take - away a woman from a house in the British Dominion? - - _Reboti._ O my Mother! Every violence can be committed in the - ryot’s house. Taking away the women, they bring the men under - their power. In giving advances for Indigo they can do this; only - they cannot commit this before one’s eyes. Don’t you know, my - mother, the other day, because certain parties did not agree to - sign a fictitious receipt of advances, they broke down their house - and took away by force the wife of one of the Babus. - - _Sabitri._ What anarchy is this! Did you inform Sadhu of this? - - _Reboti._ No, my mother. He is already become mad on account of - the Indigo; again, if he hear this, will he keep quiet? Through - excessive anger he will rather smite his head with the axe. - - _Sabitri._ Very well, I shall make this known to Sadhu, through my - husband; you need not say anything. What misfortune is this! The - Indigo Planters can do anything. Then why do I hear it generally - said, that the Sahebs are strict in dispensing justice. Again, my - son Bindu Madhab speaks much in praise of them. Therefore I think - that _these are not Sahebs_; no, _they are the dregs_, (_Chandál_) - _of Sahebs_. - - _Reboti._ Respecting another word which Moyrani has said, I think - the eldest Babu has not heard of it—that a new order has been - proclaimed, by which the wicked Sahebs, by opening a communication - with the Magistrate, can throw any one into prison for six months; - again, that they are making preparations for doing the same with - the Babus. - - _Sabitri._ (_Sighing deeply._) If this be in the mind of God it - will be. - - _Reboti._ Many other things she said, my mother; but I was not - able to understand her. Is it the fact, that there is no appeal - when once a person is imprisoned? - - _Aduri._ I think, the wretch has aggravated this imprisoning. - - _Sabitri._ Aduri, be silent a little, my child. - - _Reboti._ Moreover, the wife of the Indigo Planter, in order to - make her husband’s case strong (_pakka_), has sent a letter to the - Magistrate, since it is said that the Magistrate hears her words - most attentively. - - _Aduri._ I saw the lady; she has no shame at all. When the - Magistrate of the Zillah (whose name occasions great terror) goes - riding about through the village, the lady also rides on - horseback, with him.—The Bou riding about on a horse! Because the - aunt of Kesi once laughed before the elder brother of her husband, - all people ridiculed her; while this was the Magistrate of the - Zillah. - - _Sabitri._ I see, wretched woman, thou wilt occasion some great - misfortune one day. Now it is evening, Ghose Bou, better go home. - There is Durga. - - _Reboti._ Now, I go my mother. I shall buy some oil from the shop; - then there will be light in the house. - - (_Exit Reboti and Khetromani._) - - _Sabitri._ Can’t you remain without speaking something at every - word. - - _Enter_ SARALOTA _with clothes on her head_. - - _Aduri._ Here, our washerwoman is come with her clothes. - - _Sabitri._ Thou fool, why is she a washerwoman? _She is my Bou of - gold, my Goddess of good Fortune_ (_patting her back_). Is there - no one in my family excepting you to bring down the clothes? Can’t - you, for one dunda[16] sit quiet in one place? Art thou born of - such a mad woman? How did you tear off your cloth. I think you - bruised yourself. Ah, her body is, as it were, a red lotus; and - this one bruise has made the blood to come out with violence. Now, - my daughter, I tell you, never move up and down the steps in the - dark, in such a manner. - - _Enter_ SOIRINDRI. - - _Soirindri._ Now, our young Bou, let us go to the ghát. - - _Sabitri._ Now, my daughters, while the evening light continues, - you two together go and wash yourselves. - - (_Exit all._) - ------ - -Footnote 8: - - This is a term which is applied to one’s son’s wife; but - sometimes, though rarely, it means wife. - -Footnote 9: - - This is only a quotation, explaining, by an example, the - eagerness of the mind when the desire in once excited. - -Footnote 10: - - This pronoun “his” refers to the husband of Saralota. - -Footnote 11: - - This is a Bengali term signifying sometimes _right_ and - sometimes _a witch_. - -Footnote 12: - - The word Rajah is here pronounced in an odd form; and it has - reference to those rajahs who were against widow marriage. As - the word is pronounced by a woman of the lower class, it is - spelt here incorrectly. - -Footnote 13: - - The iron circlet worn by a woman on her left hand, is the mark - or sign of the husband being alive. - -Footnote 14: - - Referring to Khetromani. - -Footnote 15: - - Referring to Podi Moyrani (sweet-meat maker). - -Footnote 16: - - A dunda is equal to 24 English minutes. - ------ - - - - - ---------- - - SECOND ACT—FIRST SCENE. - THE GODOWN OF BEGUNBARI FACTORY. - - ------- - - - _Torapa and four other Ryots sitting._ - - _Torapa._ Why do they not kill me at once? I can never show myself - ungrateful. That eldest Babu, who has preserved my caste; he - through whose influence I am living here; he, who by preserving my - plough and the cows, is preserving my life,—shall I by giving - false evidence throw the father of that Babu into prison? I can - never do that; I would rather give my life. - - _First Ryot._ _Before sticks there can be no words_; the stroke of - Shamchand is a very terrible thrust. Have we a film on our eyes; - did we not serve our eldest Babu? But, then, what can we do? If we - do not give evidence they will never keep us as we are. Wood Saheb - stood upon my breast and blood began to fall drop by drop. _And - the feet of the horse were, as it were, the hoofs of the ox._ - - _Second Ryot._ Thrusting in the nails; don’t you know the nails - which are stuck under the shoes worn by the Sahebs? - - _Torapa._ (_Grinding his teeth with anger._) Why do you speak of - the nails? My heart is bursting with having seen this blood. What - do I say? If I can once get him in the Vataramari field, with one - slap I can raise him in the air; and at once put a stop to all his - “gad dams” and other words of chastisement. - - _Third Ryot._ I am only a hireling, and keep men under me. When I - heard about the plan which our master formed, I immediately - refused to take any Indigo business on my hand, saying I shall - never work for that. Why was I then confined in the godown? I - thought that serving under him at this time, I shall be able to - make a good collection and shall be able to attend to my friend; - but I am rotting here in this place for five days, and again I am - to go to that Andarabad. - - _Second Ryot._ I went to that Andarabad once or twice; as also to - that Factory of Bhabnapore, every one speaks good of the Saheb of - that place; that Saheb once sent me to the Court, then I saw many - things pleasant in that place. - - _Torapa._ Did he find any fault with you? The Saheb of Bhabnapore - never raises a false disturbance. “_By speaking the truth, we - shall ride on horseback._” Had all Sahebs been of the same - character with him, then none would have spoken ill of the Sahebs. - - _Second Ryot._ My heart over-flows with joy. - - Now his torturing is all put a stop to. In his godown there are - now seven persons; one of them a child. The vile man has filled - his house also with kine and calves. Oh, what robbery is he - carrying on! - - _Torapa._ As soon as they get a Saheb who is a good man they want - to destroy him. They are holding a meeting to drive off the - Magistrate. - - _Second Ryot._ I cannot understand whether they have found fault - with the Magistrate of this or the other Zillah? - - _Torapa._ He did not go to dine in the Factory. They prepared a - dinner for the Magistrate, in order to get him within their power, - but the Magistrate _concealed himself like a stolen cow_; he did - not go to dinner. He is a person of a good family. Why should he - go to the Indigo Planters? We have now understood, these Planters - are the low people of Belata.[17] - - _First Ryot._ Then how did the late Governor Saheb go about all - the Indigo Factories, being feasted like a bride-groom just before - the celebration of the marriage.[18] Did you not see that the - Planter Sahebs brought him to this Factory well-adorned like a - bride-groom? - - _Second Ryot._ I think he has some share in this Indigo Company. - - _Torapa._ No! can the Governor take a share in Indigo affairs? He - came to increase his fame. If God preserve our present Governor, - then we shall be able to procure something for our sustenance; and - the great burden of Indigo shall no more hang on our shoulders. - - _Third Ryot._ (_With fear._) I die. If the ghost of this burden - once attack a person, is it true that it does not quit him soon? - My wife said so. - - _Torapa._ Why have you brought this my brother here? For fear of - the Sahebs, people are leaving the village; and my uncle - Bochoroddi has formed the following sentence: - - “The man with eyes like those of the cat, is an ignorant fool; - “So the Indigo of the Indigo Factory is an instrument of - punishment.” - - Bochoroddi is very expert in forming such sentences. - - _Second Ryot._ Did not you hear another sentence which was - composed by Nitá Atai? - - “The Missionaries have destroyed the caste; - The Factory monkeys have destroyed the rice.” - - _Torapa._ Aola Nochen has composed “Destroyed the Caste,” what is - it? - - _Second Ryot._ - - “The Missionaries have destroyed the caste; - The Factory monkeys have destroyed the rice.” - - _Fourth Ryot._ Ha! I do not know what is taking place in my house; - I am become the inhabitant of three villages at once. I came away - to Svaropur, and through the advice of Bose, I threw away the - advance which was offered me. When my young child was sick I came - to Bose to get from him a little sugar-candy. Ah! how very kind he - was; how agreeable and good-looking in countenance I found him; - and sitting as solemn as an elephant. - - _Torapa._ How many bigahs have they given this year? - - _Fourth Ryot._ Last year I prepared ten bigahs; but as to the - price of that, they raised great confusion. This year again, they - have given advances for fifteen bigahs; and I am doing exactly as - they are ordering me; still, they leave not off insulting me. - - _First Ryot._ I am laboring with my plough for these two years, - and I have cultivated a little piece of ground. That piece of - ground which I prepared this year, I kept for sesamum; but one - day, our young Saheb, riding on his horse, came to the place, and - waiting there himself, took possession of the whole piece. How can - the ryots live if this is to continue? - - _Torapa._ This is only the intrigue of the wicked Amin. Does the - Saheb know every thing about land? This fool goes about like a - revengeful dog: when he sees any good piece of land, he - immediately gives notice of it to the Saheb. The Saheb has no want - of money, and he has no need for borrowing money on credit. Then, - why is it that the fool does so; if he have to cultivate Indigo, - let him do so; let him buy oxen; let him prepare ploughs; if he - cannot guide the plough himself, let him keep men under him. What - want have you of lands? If you can cultivate the whole village; - and we do not refuse to give the village. In that case the land - can overflow with Indigo in two years. But he will not do it. - - —(_Aside, ho! ho! ho! má! má!_) Gazi-Saheb! Gazi-Saheb! Durga! - Durga![19] call your Rama. Within this there are ghosts. Be - silent, be silent. - - (_Aside_, Oh Indigo! You came to this land for our utter ruin. Ah! - I cannot any more suffer this torture. I cannot say how many other - Factories there are of this Concern. Within this one - month-and-a-half, I have already drunk the water of fourteen - Factories; and I do not know in what Factory I am now; and how can - I know that, while I am taken in the night from one Factory to - another, with my eyes entirely shut. Oh! my mother where art thou - now?) - - _Third Ryot._ Rama! Rama! Rama! Kali! Kali! Durga! Ganesha! Ashra! - - _Torapa._ Silence, silence. - - (_Aside_, Ah! I can make myself free from this hell, if I take the - advance for five bigahs of land. Oh! my uncle, it is now proper to - take the advance. Now, I see no means of giving the notice; my - life is on the point of leaving the body. I have no more any power - to speak. Oh my Mother, where art thou now? I have not seen thy - holy feet for a month-and-a-half.) - - _Third Ryot._ I shall speak of this to my wife; did you hear now? - Although these are become ghosts after death, still have they not - been able to extricate themselves from the Indigo advances. - - _First Ryot._ Art thou so very ignorant? - - _Torapa._ A person of a good family; I have understood that by the - words. My uncle Prana, can you once take me up on your shoulders, - then I can ask him where his residence is? - - _First Ryot._ Thou art a Musulman. - - _Torapa._ Then, you had better rise on my shoulders and see—(_sits - down_) rise up—(_sits on the shoulders_) take hold of the wall; - bring your face before the window—(_seeing Gopi Churn at a - distance_) come down, come down, my uncle, Gopi is coming (_first - Ryot falls down_). - - _Enter_ GOPI CHURN _and_ MR. ROSE _with his Ramkanta[20] in his - hand_. - - _Third Ryot._ Dewan, there is a ghost in this room. Now, it was - crying aloud. - - _Gopi._ If you don’t say as I teach you, you must become a ghost - of the very same kind. (_Aside, to Mr. Rose_) These persons have - known about Mojumdar’s confinement, we must no more keep him in - this Factory. It was not proper to keep him in that room. - - _Rose._ I shall hear of that afterwards. What ryot has refused; - what rascal is so very wicked? (_Stamps his feet_). - - _Gopi._ These are all well-prepared. This Musulman is very wicked; - he says, I can never show myself ungrateful, (_nimak harámi_). - - _Torapa._ (_Aside._) O my father! How very terrible the stick is! - Now I must agree with them; as to future considerations I shall - see what I can do afterwards. (_Openly_) Pardon me, Saheb! I, - also, am become the same with you. - - _Planter._ Be silent, thou child of the sow! This Ramkant is very - sweet. (_Strikes with Ramkant and also kicks him_). - - _Torapa._ Oh! oh! my mother, I am now dead! My uncle Prana, give - me a little water; I die for water. My father, father! - - _Rose._ Shall not filth be discharged into your mouth? (_Strikes - with his shoes_). - - _Torapa._ Whatever thou shalt say, I shall do. Before God, I ask - pardon of thee, my Lord. - - _Rose._ Now the villain has left his wickedness. To-night all must - be sent. Just write to the Attorney, that as long as the evidence - is not given, not one of these shall be let out. The Agent shall - go with them. (_To the Third Ryot_). Why art thou crying? (_Gives - a kick_). - - _Third Ryot._ Bou, where art thou? These are murdering me. O my - mother! Bou! my mother! I am killed, I am killed. (_Falls upside - down on the ground_). - - _Rose._ Thou, stupid, art become (_bonra_) mad. - - (_Exit Mr. Rose_). - - _Gopi._ Now, Torapa, have you got your full of the onion and the - shoe? - - _Torapa._ Oh Dewanji, preserve me by giving a little water. I am - on the point of death. - - _Gopi._ The Indigo ware-house and the steam-engine room—these are - places where the sweat shoots forth and water is drunk. Now, all - of you, come with me, that you may at once drink water. - - (_Exit all._) - ------ - -Footnote 17: - - Belata means England. - -Footnote 18: - - This refers to a certain practice in India of the Bride-groom - going to the houses of relatives amid great feasting, before the - celebration of the marriage. - -Footnote 19: - - These are all words used by Mahomedans in times of great alarm; - and here it is used to express the fear of ghosts. - -Footnote 20: - - It is very like Shamchand. - ------ - - - - - ---------- - - SECOND ACT—SECOND SCENE. - THE BED-ROOM OF BINDU MADHAR. - - ------- - - - _Saralota sitting with a letter in her hand._ - - _Saralota._ Now, my dear love with an honest tongue is not come, - and an elephant, as it were, is treading on the lotus-like heart. - I have become hopeless amid very great hope. In expectation of the - coming of the Lord of my life, I was waiting with greater - disquietude of mind than the swallow (_chátak_) does when waiting - for the drops of rain at the approaching rainy season. The way in - which I was counting the days exactly corresponded with what my - sister said, that each day appeared, as it were, a year, (_deep - sigh_). The expectation as to the coming of my husband is now of - no effect. The course of his life itself will prove successful, if - the great action in which he is now engaged, can prove so. Oh, - Lord of my life! We are born women, and cannot even go out to walk - in the garden; we are unable to walk out in the city; can by no - means form clubs for general good; we have no Colleges nor Courts, - nor Brahma Samajs of our own; we have nothing of our own, to - compose the mind, when it is once disturbed; and, moreover, we can - never blame a woman when she feels any disquietude. O my Lord, we - have only one to depend upon,—the husband is the object of the - wife’s thought, of her understanding, her study, her acquisition, - her meeting, her society; in short, this jewel—the husband—is all - to a virtuous woman. O thou letter! thou art come from the hand of - the dear object of my heart, I shall kiss thee, (_kisses it_); in - thee is the name of my Lord; I shall hold thee on my burnt heart, - (_keeps it on her breast_). Ah! how sweet are the words of my - Lord; as often as I read it, my mind is more and more charmed - (_reads_). - - MY DEAR SARALA,—_In my letter I cannot express what anxiety my - mind feels, to see your sweet face. O what inexpressible pleasure - do I feel when I place your beautiful (moonlike) face on my - breast! I thought that that moment of happiness is come; but pain - immediately overtook pleasure. The College is closed, but a great - misfortune has come upon me; through the grace of God, if I be not - able to extricate myself from it, I shall never be able any more - to show my face to thee. The Indigo Planters have secretly brought - an accusation against my father in the Court; their main design - being, in some way or other, to throw him into Jail. I have sent - letters, one after another, to my brother, giving him this - information; and I myself am remaining here with the greatest care - possible. Never disturb yourself with vain thoughts? The merciful - Father must certainly make us successful. My dear, I have not - forgotten the Bengali translation of “Shakespeare;” it cannot be - got now in the shops; but one of my friends, Bonkima by name, has - given me one copy. When I come home, I shall bring it with me. My - dear, what a great source of pleasure is the acquisition of - learning! I am conversing with you, although at such a great - distance, Ah! what great happiness would my mind have enjoyed if - my mother did not forbid you to send letters to me._ - - “_I am, yours_, - - “BINDU MADHAR.” - - As to myself—I have a full confidence as to that. If there be any - fault in your character, then who should be an example of good - conduct? Because I am fickle; cannot sit, for some time quietly in - one place, my mother-in-law calls me the daughter of a mad woman. - But, where is my fickleness now. In the place, where I have opened - the letter of my dear Lord, I have spent nearly a fourth part of - the day. The fickleness of the exterior part has now gone into the - heart. As, on the boiling of the rice, the froth rising up makes - the surface quiet, but the rice within is agitated; so am I now. I - have not that smiling face now. A sweet smile is the wife of - happiness; and so soon as happiness dies, the sweet smile goes - along with it. My Lord, when thou shalt prove successful, every - thing shall be preserved; if I am to see your face disquieted, all - sides will be dark unto me. O my restless mind, wilt thou be not - quieted? If you remain unquiet, that can be suffered. As to your - weeping, none can see it, nor can hear it; but my eyes! you shall - throw me into shame, (_rubbing her eyes_); if ye are not pacified, - I shall not be able to go out of doors. - - _Enter_ ADURI - - _Aduri._ What are you doing here? The elder Haldarni[21] is not - able to go to the tank-side. All whom I see are of a disturbed - countenance. - - _Saralota._ (_A deep sigh._) Let us then go. - - _Aduri._ I see you have not yet touched the oil. Your hairs are - yet dusty, and you have not yet left the letter. Does our young - Haldar write my name in the letter? - - _Saralota._ Has the Bara Takur (the eldest brother of the husband) - finished his bathing? - - _Aduri._ The eldest Haldar is gone to the village. A law-suit is - being carried on. Was that not written in your letter? Our master - was weeping. - - _Saralota._ (_Aside_) Truly, my Lord! Thou shalt not be able to - show thy face, if thou can’st not prove successful. (_Openly_) Let - us now rub ourselves with oil in the cook-room. - - (_Exit both._) - ------ - -Footnote 21: - - Referring to Soirindri, the wife of Nobin Madhab. - ------ - - - - - ---------- - - SECOND ACT—THIRD SCENE. - A ROAD POINTING THREE WAYS. - - ------- - - - _Enter_ PODI MOYRANI. - - _Podi._ It is the degenerate Amin who is ruining the country. Is - it through my own choice that I am levelling the axe at my - feet,[22] by giving the young woman to the Saheb? As to that - preparation which Ray made, had it not been caught[23] by Sadhu, - she would have been provided with food and clothing for life. Ah, - it bursts my heart when I see the face of Khetromani. Have I no - feelings of compassion, because I have made a paramour my - companion? Whenever she sees me still, she comes to me, calling me - Aunt! Aunt! Can the mother, with a firm heart, give such _a golden - deer into the grasp of the tiger_? How detestable is this, that - for the sake of money, I have given up my caste and my life; and - also am obliged to touch the bed of a Buno (rude tribe). That - libertine, the elder Saheb, has made it a practice to beat me - whenever he finds me, and has also said, he will cut off my nose - and ears;—that vile man is come to an old age, can keep women in - confinement, and can kick them; such a vile man, I have not seen - in the present day. Let me go to the black-mouthed Amin and tell - him that shall not be effected by me. Have I any power to go out - in the town? Whenever the nasty fellows of the neighbourhood see - me, they follow me as the Phinga (a kind of bird) does the crow. - - (_Aside, a song._) Whenever I sit down to reap the rice in the - field, his eyes immediately come before my sight. - - _Enter a Cow-herd._ - - _Cow-herd._ _Saheb_, have not insects attacked thine Indigo-twigs? - - _Podi._ Let them attack thy mother and sister, thou degenerate - fool. Leave off thy mother’s breast, go to the house of Death; go - to Colmighata, to the grave.[24] - - _Cow-herd._ I have also sent orders to prepare a pair of weeding - knives. - - _Enter a Latyal or Club-man._ - - Oh! the Latyal of the Indigo Factory. - - _The Cow-herd flies off swiftly._ - - _Latyal._ Thou, Oh lotus-faced, hast made the tooth-powder very - dear. - - _Podi._ (_Seeing the silver chain round the waist of the Latyal._) - Your chain is very grand. - - _Club-man._ Don’t you know, my dear, the clothing of the bailiff - and the dress of the dancer? - - _Podi._ I wanted a black calf from you a long while ago, but yet - you did not give it me. My brother, I shall not ask from thee any - more. - - _Club-man._ Dear lotus-faced, don’t be angry with me. To-morrow, - we shall go to plunder the place called Shamanagara; and if I can - get a black calf, I shall immediately keep that in your cow-house. - When I shall return with my fish, I shall pass by your house. - - (_Exit the Club-man._) - - _Podi._ The Planter Sahebs do nothing but rob. If the ryots be - loaded in a less degree with exactions they can preserve their - lives; and you[25] can get your Indigo. The Munshies of - Shamanagara entreated most earnestly to get ten portions of land - free. “_The Thief never hears the instructions of Religion._” The - wretched elder Saheb remained quiet, having burnt his wretched - tongue. - - _Enter four Boys of a Native Patshala._ - - _Four Boys._ (_Keeping down their mats, and expressing great mirth - with the clapping of their hands._) - - My dear Moyrani, where is your Indigo? - My dear Moyrani, where is your Indigo? - My dear Moyrani, where is your Indigo? - - _Podi._ My child Kesoba, I am your aunt. Never use such words to - me. - - _Four Boys._ (_Dance together._) My dear Moyrani; where is your - Indigo? - - _Podi._ My dear Ambika, I am your sister; don’t use me in this - manner, - - _Four Boys._ (_Dance round Podi._) - - My dear Moyrani, where is your Indigo? - My dear Moyrani, where is your Indigo? - My dear Moyrani, where is your Indigo? - - _Enter_ NOBIN MADHAB. - - _Podi._ What a shame is this, that I exposed my face to the elder - Babu. - - (_Exit Podi, covering herself with a veil._) - - _Nobin._ Wicked and profligate woman. (_To the children_) You are - playing on the road still; it is now too late, go home now. - - (_Exit four boys._) - - Ah! I can within five days establish a school for these boys, if - only the tyranny of the Indigo be once stopped. The Inspector of - this part of the country is a very good man. How very good a man - becomes, if only learning be acquired. He is young; but in his - conversation he has the experience of years. He has a great desire - that a school be established in this country. I am also not - unwilling to give money for this purpose; the large Bungalow which - I have, can be a good place for a school; moreover, what is more - happy than to have the boys of one’s own country to read and - write, and study in his own house, this is the true success of - wealth and of labour. Bindu Madhab brought the Inspector with him, - and it is his desire, that all with one mind try to establish the - school. But observing the unfortunate state of the country, he was - obliged to keep his design to himself; how very mild, quiet, - good-natured, and wise is he become now! Wisdom in younger years - is as beautiful as the fruits in a small plant. In reading of the - sorrow which my brother has expressed in his letter even the hard - stone is melted and the heart of the Indigo Planter would become - soft. I cannot now rise up to go home, I do not see any means; I - was not able to bring one of the five to my side, and I cannot - find where they are taken away.[26] I think Torapa will never - speak a lie. It shall be a great loss to us, if the other four - give evidence; especially as I was not able to make the least - preparation; and again the Magistrate is a great friend of Mr. - Wood. - - _Enter a Ryot, two Peadas or Bailiffs of the Police, and a Taidgir - of the Indigo Factory._ - - _Ryot._ My elder Babu, preserve my two children; there is no one - else to feed them. Last year, I gave eight carts’ load of Indigo, - and I did not get a single pice for that, and also I am bound, as - with cords, for the remainder. Again, they will take me to - Andarabad. - - _Guard._ The advance-money of the Indigo and the marking nut of - the washer-man, as soon as they come in contact, become mostly - joined. You villain come; you must first go to the Dewanji; your - elder Babu also shall come to this. - - _Ryot._ Come, I don’t fear this. I would rather have my body rot - in the Jail than any more prepare the Indigo of that white man. My - God! my God! none looks on the poor (_weeps_). My elder Babu, give - my children food; they brought me to the field; and I was not able - to see them once. - - (_Exit all, except Nobin Madhab._) - - _Nobin._ What injustice! These two children will die without food - in the same way as the new-born young of the hare suffer when the - hare is in the hand of the savage hunters. - - _Enter_ RAY CHURN. - - _Ray._ Had not my brother caught hold of us, I would have put a - stop to her breathing. I would have killed her; then, at the - utmost, I had been hanged within six months.[27] That villain! - - _Nobin._ Ray Churn, where art thou going? - - _Ray._ Our mistress ordered me to call Putakur. The stupid Podi - told me that the bailiff will bring the summons to-morrow. - - (_Exit Ray Churn._) - - _Nobin._ Oh! oh! oh! That which never took place in this family, - has now come to pass. My father is very peaceful, honest, and of a - sincere mind; knows not what disputes and enmities are; never goes - out of the village; trembles with fear at the name of Court - affairs, and even shed tears when he read the letter. If he is to - go to Indrabad, he will turn mad; and if, to the jail, he will - throw himself into the stream. Ah, such are the misfortunes that - are to fall on him, while I, his son, am living! My mother is not - so much afraid as my father is; she does not lose hope at once; - with a firm mind, she is now invoking God. My deer-eyed is become, - as it were, the deer in my volcano[28]; she is become mad with - fear and anxiety. Her father died in an Indigo Factory; and her - fear, now, is lest the same happens to her husband. How many sides - am I to keep quiet? Is it proper to fly off with the whole family; - or, is it not right that to do good unto others is the highest - virtue? I shall not turn aside hastily. I see, I am not able to do - any good to Shamanagara; still, what work is there which is beyond - the power of exertion? Let me see what I can do. - - _Enter two Pundits._ - - _First P._ My child, is the house of Goluk Chunder Bose in this - quarter? I heard from my uncle, that person is very honest—the - grandeur of the Bose family. - - _Nobin._ (_Bowing before him._) Sir, I am his eldest son. - - _First P._ Yes! yes! very honest! To have such a son is not the - result of a little virtue. - - _Second P._ We had been invited by Babu Arabindu, of Sougandha. - To-day, we remain in the house of Goluk Chunder; and shall do good - unto you. - - _Nobin._ This is my great fortune. Sirs, come by this way. - - (_Exit all._) - ------ - -Footnote 22: - - This expression “striking the axe on my feet” signifies ruining - myself. - -Footnote 23: - - That is, had the intrigue used by Ray not been detected, it - would have proved very advantageous. - -Footnote 24: - - All these signify that let Death come upon thee. - -Footnote 25: - - The word “you” refers to the Indigo Planters. - -Footnote 26: - - This number, five, here referred to, are the persons whom he was - trying to bring on his side for the law-suit. - -Footnote 27: - - This expression “had been hanged for six months,” is only used - sarcastically. - -Footnote 28: - - That is, as the deer feels disquieted when exposed in a volcano, - so is my mate troubled by the many anxieties in my mind. - ------ - - - - - ---------- - - THIRD ACT—FIRST SCENE. - BEFORE THE FACTORY IN BEGUNBARI. - - ------- - - - _Enter_ GOPI CHURN _and a Native Jailor_. - - _Gopi._ As long as your share is not less, don’t bring anything to - my notice. - - _Jailor._ Can that filth be digested by one person eating the - whole? I told him, if you eat, give a part to the Dewanji; but he - says what power has your Dewan? He is not so much the son of a - Keát, (_shoemaker caste_) that he shall direct the Saheb like unto - one leading a monkey. - - _Gopi._ Very well, now go; I shall show that Kaot (what a club) - how strong he is. - - (_Exit Khálási._) - - The fellow has got so much power through the authority of the - younger Saheb. I shall also say it is a very easy thing for one to - carry on his work, if his master be the husband of his sister; the - elder Saheb becomes very angry at this word. But the fellow is - very angry with me; at every word, he shows me the Shamchand. That - day he kicked me with his stockings on. These few days, I see that - his temper is become somewhat mild towards me; since Goluk Bose is - summoned, he has expressed a little kindness. A person is - considered very expert by the Saheb, if he can bring about the - ruin of many. “_One becomes a good Physician by the death of one - hundred patients._” - - (_Seeing Mr. Wood._) - - Here he is coming; let me first soften his mind by giving him some - information about the Boses. - - _Enter_ MR. WOOD. - - Saheb, tears have now come out of the eyes of Nobin Bose. Never - was he punished more severely. His garden is taken away from him; - the small pieces of land he had are all included among the lands - which are given to Gada, Poda (_low castes_); his cultivation is - nearly put a stop to; his magazines are all become empty, and he - was sent into Court twice; in the midst of so many troubles, he - still stood firm; but now he has fallen down. - - _Planter._ That rascal was not able to do any thing in - Shamanagara. - - _Gopi._ Saheb, the Munshis came to him; but he told them, my mind - is not at rest now, “my limbs are become powerless through weeping - for my father, and I am, as it were, become mad.” On observing the - wretched condition of Nobin, about seven or eight ryots of - Shamanagara have all given up, and all are doing exactly as your - Honour is ordering them. - - _Planter._ You are a very good Dewan, and you have formed a very - good plan. - - _Gopi._ I knew Goluk Bose to be a coward, and that if he were - obliged to go to Court, he would turn mad. As Nobin has a great - affection for his father, he will of course be punished; and it - was for this reason that I gave the advice to make the old man the - defendant. Also, the plan which your Honour formed was not the - less good. Our Indigo cultivation has been newly made on the sides - of his tank; thus laying the snake’s eggs in his heart. - - _Planter._ _With one stone two birds have been killed_; ten bigahs - of land are cultivated with Indigo, and also that fool is - punished. He shed much tears, saying that if Indigo be planted - near the tank we shall be obliged to leave our habitation; but I - said, to cultivate Indigo in one’s habitation is to the best - advantage. - - _Gopi._ And the fool brought an action in the Court, on hearing - that reply. - - _Planter._ That will be of no effect; that Magistrate is a very - good man. If the case turn into a civil one it will never be - concluded in less than five years. That Magistrate is a great - friend of mine. Just see, by the new Act, the four rascals were - thrown into prison only by making your evidence strong. _This Act - is become the brother of the sword._ - - _Gopi._ Saheb, in order that those four ryots might not suffer - loss in their cultivation, Nobin Bose has given his own plough, - kine, and harrow for the ploughing of their lands; and he is - trying his utmost that their families might not suffer great - trouble. - - _Planter._ When he is required to plough this land, for which - advances are allowed, he says, my ploughs and kine are less in - number. He is very wicked; and now he is very well punished. - Dewan, now you have done very well, and now I see work may be - carried on by you, without loss. - - _Gopi._ Saheb, it is your own favour. My desire is, that advances - should be increased every year. But that cannot be done by me - alone; some confident Amin and Khalasis are necessary. Can the - Indigo cultivation be improved by those who, for the sake of two - rupees, occasioned the loss of the produce of three bigahs of - land? - - _Planter._ I have understood it, the rascally Amin occasioned this - confusion. - - _Gopi._ Saheb, the new habitation, and the taking of advances of - Chunder Goladar are not allowed here. The Amin once, according to - regular custom, threw one rupee on his ground as an advance. That - person, in order to be allowed to return that rupee even shed - tears and came along with the Amin as far as Ruthtollah, begging - him earnestly to take it back. There he met with Nilkanta Babu, - who has chosen the profession of an Attorney immediately after - leaving the College. - - _Planter._ I know that rascal; he, it is, who writes every thing - concerning me in the newspapers. - - _Gopi._ Their papers can never stand before yours, can by no means - bear a comparison; and, moreover, they are as _the earthen bottles - for cooling water compared to the jars of Dacca_. But, to bring - the newspapers within your influence, great expense has been - incurred. That takes place according to time; as is said, - - “According to circumstances, the friend becomes an enemy: - The lame ass is sold at the price of the horse.” - - _Planter._ What did Nilkanta do? - - _Gopi._ He sharply rebuked the Amin; and the Amin with no little - shame brought back that one rupee, with two rupees more, from - Goladar’s house. Chunder Goladar would have been able very easily - to supply the Indigo for three or four bigahs. Is this the work of - a servant? If I can conduct the Dewanny and the business of the - Amin, then this kind of ingratitude can be stopped. - - _Planter._ Great wickedness this is; evident ingratitude. - - _Gopi._ Saheb, grant pardon for this bad conduct; the Amin brought - his own sister to our younger Saheb’s room. - - _Planter._ Yes! Yes! I know; that rascal and Podi corrupted our - young Saheb. I must give that wicked fool some instruction very - soon. Send him to my sitting room. - - (_Exit Mr. Wood._) - - _Gopi._ Just see, _in whose hand the monkey plays best. The Khait - is one rogue, and the Crow another._ - - “_Now have you fallen under the stroke of the Khait; where even - the grand-father of the sister’s husband loses the game._” - - - - - ---------- - - THIRD ACT—SECOND SCENE. - THE BED-ROOM OF NOBIN MADHAB. - - ------- - - - NOBIN MADHAB _and_ SOIRINDRI _sitting_. - - _Soirindri._ Lord of my soul, what is preferable, whether the - ornament or my father-in-law? That, for which thou art wandering - about day and night; that, for which thou hast left thy food and - sleep; that, for which thou art shedding tears incessantly; that, - for which thy pleasant face has been depressed; and that which has - occasioned thy head-ache; my dear Lord, can I not for that give - away this my trifling ornament. - - _Nobin._ My dear, you can, with ease, give; but with what face - shall I take it? What great troubles the husband is to undergo in - order to dress his wife: he has to swim in the rapid stream, to - throw himself into the deep ocean, engage in battles, to climb - mountains, to live in the wilderness, and to go before the mouth - of the tiger. The husband adorns his wife with so much trouble; am - I so very foolish as to take away the ornament from the very same - wife. O my lotus-eyed, wait a little. Let me see this day, and if, - finally I cannot procure it, then I shall take your ornaments - afterwards. - - _Soirindri._ O my heart’s love! We are very unfortunate now; and - who is there that shall give you on loan the sum of Co.’s Rs. 500 - at such a time. I am entreating you again, take my ornaments and - those of our youngest Bou, and try to procure money from a banker. - Observing your troubles the lotus-like young Bou is become sad. - - _Nobin._ Ah! my sweet-faced, the cruel words which you used struck - on my heart like arrows of fire. Our youngest Bou, she is a girl; - good clothes and beautiful ornaments are objects of pleasure to - her. What understanding has she now? What does she know of family - business. As our young Bipin cries when his neck-lace is taken - from him in play, so our youngest Bou weeps when her ornaments are - taken away. Oh, oh! am I formed so mean-spirited a man? Am I to be - so cruel a robber? Shall I deceive a young girl? This can never - be, as long as life exists. The worthless Indigo Planters even - cannot commit such a crime. My dear, never use such a word before - me. - - _Soirindri._ Beloved of my soul, that pain with which I told these - words, is only known to me and the omniscient God. What doubt is - there, that they are fiery arrows? They have burst my heart and - burnt my tongue, and then having divided the lips, have entered - your heart. It is with great pain that I told you to take the - ornaments of the youngest Bou. Can there be any pleasure in the - mind, after having observed this your insane wandering, this - weeping of my father-in-law, the deep sighs of my mother-in-law, - the sad face of the youngest Bou, the dejected countenance of - relatives and friends, and the sorrowful mournings of the ryots? - If by any means we can restore safety, then all shall be safe. My - Lord, I do feel the same pain in giving the ornaments of our - youngest Bou, as if I had to give those of Bipin; but if I give - away the ornaments of Bipin, before giving those of the youngest - Bou, that would prove an act of cruelty to her; since, she might - think that my sister looks on me as a stranger. Can I give pain to - her honest heart by doing this? Is this the work of the elder - sister who is like a mother? - - _Nobin._ My dear love! Your heart is very sincere. There is not a - second to you in sincerity in the female race. Is this my family - reduced to this state! What was I, and what am I now become! The - sum of my profits was seven hundred Rupees. I had fifteen - warehouses for corn, sixteen bigahs of garden land, twenty ploughs - and fifty harrows. What great feasts had I at the time of the - Puja; the house filled with men, feasting the Brahmins, gifts to - the poor, the feasting of friends and relations, the musical - entertainments of the Voishnabas, and also pleasant theatrical - representations. I have expended such large sums, and even given - as donations one hundred Rupees. Being so rich, now I am obliged - to take away the ornaments of my wife, and the wife of my young - brother. What affliction? God, thou didst give these, and thou - hast taken them again. Then, what sorrow? - - _Soirindri._ My dear, when I see you weep, my life itself weeps - (_tears in her eyes_). Was there so much pain in my fate; am I - thus destined to see such distress in my Lord? Do not prevent me - any more. (_Takes out the amulet._) - - _Nobin._ My heart bursts when I see your tears (_rubbing the - tears_). Stop my dear, of the moon-like face, stop (_taking hold - of her hands_). Keep these; one day more, let me see. - - _Soirindri._ My dear, what further resource is left? Do, as I tell - you now. If it be so destined, there shall be many ornaments - afterwards (_aside, sneezing_); true, true. Aduri is coming. - - _Enter_ ADURI _with two letters_. - - _Aduri._ I can’t say whence the letters came; but my mistress told - me to give them to you. - - (_Exit Aduri, after giving the letters._) - - _Nobin._ It shall be known by these letters whether your ornaments - are to be taken or not. (_Opens the first letter._) - - _Soirindri._ Read it aloud. - - _Nobin._ (_Reads the letter._) - - “DEAR FRIEND,—_This is to make it known to you, that to give a sum - of money to you at present is only to make a return of favours. My - mother has taken leave of this world yesterday; and the day of her - first funeral obsequies is very near. This have I written - yesterday. The tobacco is not yet sold._ - - “_I am, yours_, - - “GHONOSYAM MUKERJI.” - - What misfortune is this! Is this my assistance on the funeral - obsequies of the mother of the honorable Mukerji? Let me see what - deadly weapon hast thou brought. (_Opens the letter._) - - _Soirindri._ My dear, it is very miserable to fall into despair - after entertaining high hopes. Let the letter remain as it is. - - _Nobin._ (_Reads the letter._) - - “HONORED SIR,—_I received your last letter, and was much pleased - with reading of your good fortune. I have already collected the - sum of three hundred Rupis, and shall take that along with me to - you to-morrow. As to the remaining one hundred, I shall clear that - on the coming month. The great benefit which you have bestowed on - me, excites me to give some interest._ - - “_I am, your most obdt. Servt._, - - “GOKUL KRISHNA PALITA.” - - _Soirindri._ I think God has turned his face towards us; now, let - me go, and give this information to our youngest Bou. - - (_Exit Soirindri._) - - _Nobin._ (_Aside._) My life is, as it were, the idol of sincerity; - it is a piece of a straw in a rapid stream. Let me take my father - now to Indrabad, depending on this; as to the future it shall be - according to Fate. With me I have one hundred and fifty Rupis. As - to the tobacco, if I had kept it for a month more, I would have - sold that for the sum of five hundred Rupis; but what can I do? I - am obliged to give it for three hundred and fifty Rupis, since I - have to pay much for the Officers of the Court; and also heavy - expenses for going to and returning from the place. If on account - of this false case, there be a delay, then am I certain that the - destruction of this land is very near. What a brutal Act is - passed? But, what is the fault of the Act; or of those who passed - the Act? What misery can the country suffer if those who are to - carry out the Act, do it with impartiality? Ah, by this Act how - many persons are suffering in prison-houses without a fault! It - bursts the heart to see the miseries of their wives and children; - the pots for boiling rice on the hearths are remaining as they - are; the several kinds of grain in their yards are being dried up; - their kine in the rooms are all remaining bound in their places; - the cultivation of the fields is not fully carried out, the seeds - are not sown, and the wild grass in the rice fields is not cut - off. What further prospects are there in the present year? All are - crying aloud, with the exclamation, Where is my lord? Where is my - father? Some Magistrates are dispensing justice with proper - consideration; in their hands this Act is not become the rod of - death. Ah! Had all Magistrates been as just as the Magistrate of - Amaranagara is, then could the harrow fall on the ripe grain and - the locusts destroy the fields? Had that been the case, would I - ever have been thrown into so many dangers? O, thou - Lieutenant-Governor! had’st thou engaged men of the same good - character as thou had’st enacted laws, then the country would - never have been miserable. O, thou Governor of the land! had’st - thou made such a regulation, that every plaintiff, when his case - is proved false, shall be put in prison, then the jail of - Amaranagara would have been crowded with Indigo Planters; and they - would never have been so very powerful. Our Magistrate is - transferred, but our case is to continue here to the end; and that - will occasion our ruin. - - (_Enter Sabitri._) - - _Sabitri._ If you are to give up all the ploughs, is it that even - then you are to take the advance-money? Sell all your ploughs and - kine, and engage in trade; we shall enjoy ourselves with the - profits that shall accrue from that. We can no longer endure this. - - _Nobin._ Mother, I, also, have the same desire. Only, I wait till - Bindu is engaged in some service. If we leave off ploughing the - land, it will be impossible for us to maintain the family; and it - is for this reason, that we have still, with so much trouble, kept - these ploughs. - - _Sabitri._ How shalt thou go with this headache? Oh oh! was such - Indigo produced in this land! (_Places her hand on Nobin’s head_). - - (_Enter Reboti._) - - _Reboti._ My mother! Where shall I go? What shall I do? They have - done what! Why is it that through ill-fortune I brought her? - Having brought one of a strange caste, I am become unable to - preserve propriety. My eldest Babu! preserve me; my life is on the - point of bursting out. Bring me Khetromani; bring me my _puppet of - gold_. - - _Sabitri._ These destroyers can do all things. Ye are taking by - force the pieces of ground of men, their grain, their kine and - calves. By the force of clubs, ye are cultivating Indigo, and the - people are doing your work with cries and sobbings. - - _Reboti._ My mother! I am preparing the Indigo, taking only half - the food. Those bigahs which they had marked, on them I worked. - When Ray works, he weeps with deep sighs; if he hear of this my - work, he would become, as it were, insane. - - _Nobin._ Where is Sadhu now? - - _Reboti._ He is sitting outside, and is weeping. - - _Nobin._ To a woman of good family, _constancy in faithfulness to - her husband is, as it were, the loadstone_; and how very beautiful - does she appear (_ramaniki ramaniyá_) when she is decorated with - that ornament. Is a woman of a good family carried off, when the - Bhima-like Svaropur of my father is still in existence? At this - very moment shall I go. I shall see what manner of injustice this - is. _The Indigo frog can never sit on the white waterlily-like - constancy of a woman._ - - (_Exit Nobin Madhab._) - - _Sabitri._ _Chastity is the store of gold which is given by - Providence; it is so valuable that it makes the beggar woman, a - queen._ If you can rescue this jewel before it is soiled, from the - hands of the Indigo monkey, then shall I say that you have - actually answered the purpose of my being your mother. Such - injustice I never heard of. Now, Ghose Bou, let us go out-side. - - - - - ---------- - - THIRD ACT—THIRD SCENE. - MR. ROSE’S CHAMBER. - - ------- - - - MR. ROSE _sitting. Enter_ PODI MOYRANI & KHETROMANI. - - _Khetra._ My aunt, don’t speak of such things to me; I can give up - my life, but my chastity never; cut me in pieces, burn me in the - fire, throw me into the water, and bury me under ground; but as to - touching another man that can I never do. What will my husband - think? - - _Podi._ Where is your husband now, and where are you? This shall - no one know. Within this night, I shall bring you back with me to - your mother. - - _Khetra._ Very well, the husband may not know it—but God above - will know it, and I shall never be able to throw dust in his eyes. - Like the fire of the brick-kiln it will still burn within my - breast, and the more my husband shall love me for my constancy, - the more my soul shall be tortured. Openly or secretly, I never - can take a paramour. - - _Podi._ My child, come, come to the Saheb. Whatever you have to - say, say to him. To speak to me is like _crying in the - wilderness_. - - _Planter Rose._ To speak to me is _throwing pearls at the hog’s - feet_. Ha, ha, ha, we Indigo Planters, are become the companions - of Death; can our Factories remain, if we have pity? By nature, we - are not bad; our evil disposition has increased by Indigo - cultivation. Before, we felt sorrow in beating one man; now, we - can beat ten persons with the Ramkant (leather strap), making them - senseless; and immediately after, we can, with great laughter, - take our dinner or supper. - - _Torap._ I will swim over the stream to my house, this night. What - more shalt thou hear of my fate; I broke down the window of the - Attorney’s stable, and immediately ran off to the Zemindary of - Babu Bosonto, and then in the night came to my wife and children. - This Planter has stopped every thing; has he left any means for - men to live by ploughing? How very terrible are the thrusts of the - Indigo? Again, the advice is given to serve for it. Now, Sir, - where are your kicks with your shoes on, and your beating on the - head? (_Thrusts him with his knees_). - - _Nobin._ Torap, what is the use of beating him? We ought not to be - cruel, because they are so; I am going. - - (_Exit Nobin, with Khetromani._) - - _Torap._ Do you want to show such ill-usage and bad conduct? Speak - to your old father and carry on your business by mutual consent; - how long shall your force of hand continue? You shall not be able - to do anything, when I shall fly. There is no abuse more horrid - than to say, Die! When your destiny shall decide, you shall have - to enter the Factory of the Tomb. Just settle our eldest Babu’s - account of the last year; and take what he consents to sow of - Indigo in the present year. It is owing to you that they have - fallen into a state of confusion. It is not merely to load one - with advances, but cultivation is necessary. Good evening, our - young Saheb. Now, I go. (_Throws him about, lying on his back, and - flies off._) - - - - - ---------- - - THIRD ACT—FOURTH SCENE. - THE HALL IN THE HOUSE OF GOLUK BOSE. - - ------- - - - _Enter_ SABITRI. - - _Sabitri._ (_With a deep sigh._) O thou cruel Magistrate! Why - didst not thou also give me a summons? I would have gone to the - zillah with my husband and my child; that would have been far - better than remaining in this desert. Ah! my husband always - remains in the house, never goes out to another village even on - invitation. Is he destined to suffer so much?—The peadahs taking - him away, and he himself to go to the jail. Bhagavati, my mother! - was there so much in thy mind? Ah! he says, that he can never - sleep, but in a room very long and broad; he eats only the boiled - Atapa rice;[29] he takes the food prepared by no other hand but - that of the eldest Bou. Ah! he brought out blood out of his breast - by severe slaps; he made his eyes swollen by tears; and at the - same time, he took his leave, he said this is my going to the side - of the Ganges[30] (_weeps_). Nobin says, Mother call on Bhagavati. - I must return home having gained my object and bring him home - also. Ah! the face of my son, like unto that of gold, is - blackened; what great troubles for the collection of money! - Wandering about without rest, his brain is become like a - whirl-pool. Lest I give away the ornaments of the Bous, my son - encourages me, saying, My mother, what want of money? What large - sum will be necessary for this case? How shall my child grieve, if - my ornaments be given in mortgage for our suit on small portions - of land! He says, as soon as I get a small sum of money, I shall - immediately bring back the ornaments. My son has courage in his - tongue and tears in his eyes. Ah! he started with tears in his - eyes. My dear Nobin, in this heat of the sun, went to Indrabad; - and I, a great sinner, remained confined in my room. Is this the - life thy mother spends! - - _Enter_ SOIRINDRI. - - _Soirindri._ Madam, it is now too late. Now bathe. It is our - unfortunate destiny; else, why shall such an occurrence come to - pass? - - _Sabitri._ (_With tears._) No, my daughter, as long as my Nobin - does not return, I shall never give rice and water to my body. Who - shall give food to my son? - - _Soirindri._ His brother has a lodging house there, and they have - a Brahmin; there will be no disturbance. You had better come and - bathe. - - _Enter_ SARALOTA, _with a cup of oil_. - - Young Bou, you had better rub the oil on her body, and make her - bathe, and bring her to the cook-room. Let me go to prepare the - place. - - (_Exit Soirindri._) - - (_Saralota rubs the oil on her mother-in-law’s body._) - - _Sabitri._ My parrot[31] is become silent; my daughter has no more - words in her month; she is faded like a stale flower. Ah! ah! for - how long have I not seen Bindu Madhab? I am waiting in expectation - that the College will be closed, and my son will come home. But - this danger is come (_applying her hand on Saralota’s chin_). Ah! - the mouth of my dear one is dry, I think you have not yet taken - any food. While I have fallen into this danger, when shall I - examine, whether any have taken their food or not. Let me bathe - you, go and take some food. I am also going. - - (_Exit both._) - ------ - -Footnote 29: - - When the rice in cleansed from its husks by being placed in the - sun, instead of being boiled, it is called the Atapa rice. - -Footnote 30: - - That is, this is his last leave. - -Footnote 31: - - The word parrot here refers to Saralota. As the parrot is - generally an object of fondness to persons, so Saralota was - called a parrot, because she was much loved by her - mother-in-law. - ------ - - - - - ---------- - - FOURTH ACT—FIRST SCENE. - THE CRIMINAL COURT OF INDRABAD. - - ------- - - - _Enter_ MR. WOOD, MR. ROSE, _the Magistrate, and An Officer, - sitting_. GOLUK CHUNDER, NOBIN MADHAB, BINDU MADHAB, _the - Attorneys of the Plaintiff and the Defendant, the Agent, Nazir, a - Bailiff, Servants, Ryots, &c., standing_. - - _Defendant’s Attorney._ May the prayer in this application be - granted. (_Gives the application to the Sheristadar._) - - _Magistrate._ Very well; read it. (_Speaks with Mr. Wood, and - laughs._) - - _Sheristadar._ (_To the Defendant’s Attorney._) You have written - here what equals the length of the Ramayan. Can the petition be - read without its being in abstract? (_Turns to another page of the - application_). - - _Magistrate._ (_Having spoken with Mr. Wood, and concealing his - laughter_). Read clearly. - - _Sheristadar._ In the absence of the defendant and his attorneys, - the evidence is already taken from the witnesses of the plaintiff. - We pray that the witnesses of the plaintiff be again called. - - _Plaintiff’s Attorney._ My Lord, it is true that attorneys are - given up to lying, deceiving, and forgery; they easily forge and - tell lies, and are incessantly engaged in immoral actions. They - lead astray married women; and then they themselves enjoy their - houses and every thing else. The Zemindars hate the attorneys; but - for the effecting their special purposes, they call them, and give - them a seat on their couch. My Lord, the very profession of the - attorneys is a cheating one. But the attorneys of the Indigo - Planters can never deceive. The Indigo Planters are Christians; - falsehood is accounted a great sin in the Christian Religion. - Stealing, licentiousness, murder, and other actions of that nature - are also looked upon as hateful in that religion not taking evil - actions into consideration, even forming evil designs in the mind - dooms a man to burn in the fire of hell. The main aim of the - Christian Religion is to show kindness, to forgive, to be mild and - to do good unto others; so, it is by no means probable that the - Indigo Planters, who follow such a true and pure religion, ever - give false evidence. My Lord, we do serve such Indigo Planters; we - have reformed our character according to theirs, and even, if we - desire, we can, by no means, teach the witness anything false; - since if the Sahebs, the lovers of truth, find the least fault in - their servants, they punish them according to the rules of - justice. The Amin of the Factory, the witness of the defendant, is - an example of that. Because he deprived the ryot of his advances, - the kind Saheb drove him from his office; and being angry on - account of the cries of the poor ryot, he also beat him severely. - - _Wood the Planter._ (_To the Magistrate._) Extreme provocation! - Extreme provocation! - - _Plaintiff’s Attorney._ My Lord, many questions were put to my - witnesses; had they been witnesses who were prepared ones - (perjured) they would have been caught by those very questions. - The lawyers have said, “The Judge is as the advocate of the - defendant,” consequently the questions to be put by the defendant, - are already asked by your Honour. Therefore, there is no - probability of any advantage to the defendant, if the witnesses be - brought here again; but on the other hand, it will prove very - disadvantageous to them. Honored Sir, the witnesses are poor - people who live by holding the plough. By the plough they maintain - their wives and children; their fields become ruined if they do - not remain there for the whole day; so much so, that because it - proves a loss to them if they come home, their wives bring boiled - rice and refreshments bound in handkerchiefs to them in the - fields, and make them eat that. It proves an entire loss to the - ryots to come away from the fields for one day; and at such a - time, if they be brought to such a distant part of the zillah by - summons, then the labours of the whole year will go for nothing. - Honored Sir, Honored Sir, do as you think just. - - _Magistrate._ I don’t see any reason for that (_as advised by Mr. - Wood_). There seems no necessity for that. - - _Defendant’s Attorney._ My Lord, the ryots of no village take the - advances of the Indigo Planters with their full consent. The - Indigo Planter, accompanied by the Amins and servants, or his - Dewan, goes on horse-back to the field, marks off the best pieces - of land, and orders the preparation of the Indigo. Then the owner - of the land brings the ryots to the Factory, and having made known - to them the particulars of the matter, takes their signatures for - the advances. The ryots, taking the money in advance, come home - with tears in their eyes; and the day on which any of them comes - home with the money, his house, becomes filled, as it were, with - the tears of persons weeping for the death of a relative or - friend. On the payment of the Indigo to the Indigo Planter, even - if the latter have something still to pay to the farmers above the - sum of the advances as the price of that article, yet they keep it - in their Account-books that the farmers have still something to - pay. The ryots, when they have once taken the advance, will suffer - pain for not less than seven generations. The sorrow which the - ryots endure in the preparation of the Indigo is known only to - themselves and the Great God, the Preserver of the poor. Whenever - some sit together, they converse about the advances and inform - each other of their respective sums; and also try how to save - themselves. They have no necessity for forming plans and mutually - taking the advice of each other. Of themselves they are become as - mad as the dog who received a blow on the head. The witnesses gave - evidence that the ryots were willing to prepare Indigo; but that - the person who has engaged me had, by advice and intimidation, - stopped their engaging in the preparation of Indigo. This is a - very striking and an evident forgery. Honored Sir, once more bring - them before the Bench, and your servant will by two questions - disclose the falsity of their evidence. I do acknowledge, that - Nobin Madhab Bose, the son of Goluk Chunder Bose, who engaged me, - tried his utmost to extricate the helpless ryots from the hands of - the giant-like Indigo Planters. I do acknowledge this. He also - proved himself successful in stopping the tyranny of Mr. Wood; - which is known fully by the case which was brought here for the - burning of the village of Polaspore. But Goluk Chunder Bose is of - a very peaceful character; he fears the Indigo Planters more than - the tigers, never engages in any quarrels; at no time injures - another, and even is not courageous enough to save another from - danger. My Saheb, that Goluk Chunder Bose is a man of a good - character, is known to all persons in the zillah, and can be known - even by enquiring of the Amlas of the Court. - - _Goluk._ Honored Sir, the whole sum due for my Indigo of the last - year was not paid; still only through fear of coming into Court, I - consented to take the advance for sixty bigahs of land. My eldest - son said, “Father, we have other ways of living; the loss in - Indigo for one year or two might stop feasts and religious - ceremonies, but will not produce want of food. But those who - entirely depend on their ploughs; what means have they? Losing - this case if we be obliged again to engage in the Indigo - cultivation, all will be obliged to do the same afterwards.” He - said this is a wise man; and consequently I told him to make the - Saheb, by entreaties and supplications, to agree to fifty bigahs. - The Saheb said nothing, neither Yes nor No; and secretly made - preparations to bring me in my old age, to gaol. I know that the - only way to get happiness is to keep the Sahebs contented; the - country is the Saheb’s, the Judges are their brothers and friends; - and is it proper to do anything against them? Extricate me, and I - make this promise, that if I cannot prepare the Indigo from want - of ploughs and kine, I will annually give the Saheb Co.’s Rs. 100 - in the place of that. Am I a person to tutor the ryots? Do I meet - them? - - _Defendant’s Attorney._ Honored Sir, of the four ryots who came as - witnesses, one is of the Tikiri caste; he has no knowledge of what - a plough is; he has no lands and no rents to pay; has no kine and - no cow-house; and this can be best known by proper examination. - Kanai Torofdar is a ryot of a different village; and as to our - Babu he has no acquaintance with him. For these reasons we do pray - that these men be brought again. The legislators have said, before - the decision, the defendant ought to be supplied with all proper - means. Saheb, if this my prayer be granted, I shall have no more - reasons for complaint. - - _Plaintiff’s Attorney._ Saheb. - - _Magistrate._ (_Writes a letter._) Speak, speak; I am not writing - from hearsay. - - _Plaintiff’s Attorney._ Saheb, if at this time, the ryots be - brought here they will suffer great loss; else, I, also, would - have prayed for their being brought here again, since the offences - of the defendant which are already proved, may receive stronger - confirmation. Sir, the bad character of Goluk Chunder Bose is - known throughout the country; he who benefits him, in return, - receives injuries. The Indigo Planters crossing the immeasurable - ocean have come to this land, and have brought out its secret - wealth; have done great benefit to the country, have increased the - royal treasure, and have profited themselves. What place, besides - the prison, can best befit a person who thus opposes the great - actions of these noble men. - - _Magistrate._ (_Writes the address._) Chaprasi! - - _Chaprasi._ Sir! (_Comes to the Saheb._) - - _Magistrate._ (_Advises with Mr. Wood._) Give this to Mrs. Wood. - Tell the Khansamah, the Saheb, who is come here, will not go - to-day. - - _Sheristadar._ Sir, what orders are to be written? - - _Magistrate._ Let it remain within the _Nathi_ or Court documents. - - _Sheristadar._ (_Writes._) It is ordered that it remains within - the _Nathi_ (_signed by the Magistrate_). Saheb, thou hast not yet - made a signature on the orders to the reply of the defendant. - - _Magistrate._ Read it. - - _Sheristadar._ It is ordered, that the defendant is to give Co.’s - Rs. 200, or two persons as security, and that the subpœnas be - sent to the truthful witnesses. (_The Magistrate gives the - signature_). - - _Magistrate._ Bring the case of the robbery in Mirghan to the - Court to-morrow. - - (_Exit Magistrate, Mr. Wood, Mr. Rose, - Chaprasi, and Bearers._) - - _Sheristadar._ Nazir, take the security-bond from the defendant - properly. - - (_Exit sheristadar, agent, the plaintiff’s - attorney, the ryots._) - - _Nazir._ (_To the Defendant’s Attorney._) How can we write now, - while it is evening; moreover, I am somewhat busy now. - - _Defendant’s Attorney._ The name is great, but in property there - is nothing (_speaks with the Nazir._) This money they will give by - selling the ornaments. - - _Nazir._ I have no estates, have no trade nor lands for - cultivation. This is my whole stock. It is for your sake only that - I have agreed to take Rupees 100. Let us go to our lodging. Be - careful that the Dewan does not hear this. Have not they got - something as their own. - - (_Exit all._) - - - - - ---------- - - FOURTH ACT—SECOND SCENE. - INDRABAD, THE DWELLING OF BINDU MADHAB. - - ------- - - NOBIN MADHAB, BINDU MADHAB, _and_ SADHU _sitting_. - - _Nobin._ I am now obliged to go home. My mother will die as soon - as she hears of this. What more shall I do now for you? See that - our father does not suffer great sorrow. I have now determined on - leaving our habitation. I shall sell off everything, and send the - money. Whoever wants any sum, I will give him that. - - _Bindu._ The Darogah does not want money; only, for fear of the - Magistrate, he does not allow the cooking Brahmin to be taken - there. - - _Nobin._ Give him money and also entreat him. Ah! His[A] body is - old; he has been without food for three days! I explained to him, - and entreated him greatly. He says, “Nobin, let three days pass - and then shall I think, whether I shall take food or not; within - these three days, I shall not take any thing.” - - _Bindu._ I do not find any means, how I can be able to make my - father take some boiled rice. The hand which he has placed on his - eyes from the time when the Magistrate, the slave of the Indigo - Planters, ordered him to be kept in the prison, that hand he has - not yet removed. The hand is filled with the tears; and the piece - where he was made to sit down at first, is still that where he now - is. Being entirely silent, and remaining weak in body and without - power to move, he is become like a dead pigeon in this cagelike - prison. This day is the fourth, and to-day I must make him take - food. You had better go home, and I shall send a letter every day. - - _Nobin._ O God, what great sorrow art thou giving to our father! - If they do allow you, my dear Bindu, to remain day and night in - the prison; then can I quietly go to our house. - - _Sadhu._ Let me steal, and you bring me before the Court as a - thief. I will make the confession; they will put me in prison; - then I will be best able to serve my master. - - _Nobin._ O Sadhu! Thou art the actual Sadhu (the honest man). Ah! - you are now very sorry on learning the deadly sorrow of - Khetromani; and the sooner I can take you home the better. - - _Sadhu._ (_Deep sigh._) My eldest Babu! Shall I see my daughter on - my return. I have none other. - - _Bindu._ If you make her take that draught which I gave you, she - must be cured by that. The Doctor heard every particular of her - disease, and has given that medicine. - - _Enter the Deputy Inspector._ - - _D. Inspector._ Bindu Babu, Mr. Commissioner has written very - urgently about releasing your father. - - _Bindu._ There is no doubt the Lieutenant-Governor will grant him - release. - - _Nobin._ After what time can the notice of the release come? - - _Bindu._ It will not be more than fifteen days. - - _D. Inspector._ The Deputy Magistrate of Amaranagara gave an order - of imprisonment for six months to a certain Mooktyar according to - this law; but he had to remain for sixteen days in the gaol. - - _Nobin._ Shall such a time ever come, that the Governor, becoming - friendly, destroy the evil desires of the unfriendly Magistrate? - - _Bindu._ There is a God, the Lord of the Universe; and he must do - it. Sir, you had better start, for there is a long way to go. - - (_Exit Nobin, Bindu, and Sadhu._) - - _D. Inspector._ Alas! The two brothers, burnt up by these - anxieties, have, as it were, become dead, while living. The order - of release from the Lieutenant-Governor will be as the restoration - of life to them. Babu Nobin Chunder is of a brave spirit, does - good to others, is very munificent, a great improver of learning, - and also of a patriotic mind; but the mist of the cruel Indigo - Planters withered all his good qualities in the bud. - - _Enter the Pundit of the College._ - - Welcome, Sir! - - _Pundit._ My body is naturally somewhat of a warm nature. I cannot - hear the sunshine. The heat of the sun makes me, as it were, mad - in the months of March, April, and May. I had a very severe - head-ache for a few days; and was not able to attend Bindu Madhab - at all. - - _D. Inspector._ The Vishnu Toila (a kind of oil) can do you some - good. The oil is prepared for Babu Vishnu, and to-morrow I shall - send some to your house. - - _Pundit._ I am much obliged to you for that. A man of a healthy - constitution becomes mad by teaching children; such am I. - - _D. Inspector._ Why don’t we see our elder Pundit any more? - - _Pundit._ He is now trying some means to leave this doggish - service. While his good son is making some acquisition of - property, the family will be maintained like that of a King. It - does not seem good for him now to go to and come from the College - looking with his books under his arm like a bull bound to the - cart. He is now of age. - - _Re-enter_ BINDU MADHAB. - - _Bindu._ The Pundit is come. - - _Pundit._ Did the sinful creature show so much injustice? You did - not hear it; at Christmas he spent ten days continually in that - Factory. The ryot is to have justice from him! _Can the Hindu - celebrate his religious services before the Kazi_ (the Mahomedan - judge)? - - _Bindu._ The decree of Providence. - - _Pundit._ Whom did you appoint as Muktyar? - - _Bindu._ Prandhan Mullik. - - _Pundit._ Why did you appoint him as your Muktyar? It would have - been better if you had engaged some other person. “All Gods are - equal. To make a separation from the wicked, the village becomes - empty.”[32] - - _Bindu._ The Commissioner has made a report to the Government - recommending the release of my father. - - _Pundit._ _One is ashes and so is the other_; as is the Magistrate - such is the Commissioner. - - _Bindu._ Sir, you know not the Commissioner; and, therefore, you - spoke thus of him. The Commissioner is very impartial, and is - always desirous of the improvement of the natives. - - _Pundit._ Whatever that be; now if, through the blessing of God, - your father be released, then all shall be well. In what condition - is he in the gaol? - - _Bindu._ He is shedding tears day and night, and for the last - three days has taken no food. Just now I shall go to the gaol, and - shall make him happy by giving him this good news. - - _Enter a Chaprasi._ - - Art thou a chaprasi of the gaol? - - _Chaprasi._ Sir, come quickly to the goal. The Darogah has called - you. - - _Bindu._ Have you seen my father this day? - - _Chaprasi._ Come, Sir. I cannot say anything. - - _Bindu._ Come, Sir (_to the Pundit_). I don’t suppose all good. I - go. - - (_Exit Bindu Madhab and Chaprasi._) - - _Pundit._ Yes; let us all go. I think some bad accident has taken - place. - - (_Exit both._) - ------ - -Footnote 32: - - This is a proverb, signifying you cannot separate the tares from - wheat. - ------ - - - - - ---------- - - FOURTH ACT—THIRD SCENE. - THE PRISON-HOUSE OF INDRABAD. - - ------- - -_The dead body of Goluk Chunder swinging, bound by his outer garment - twisted like a rope; the Darogah of the Gaol and the Jamadar sitting._ - - _Darogah._ Who is gone to call Babu Bindu Madhab? - - _Jamadar._ Manirodi is gone there. Till the Doctor comes, we - cannot bring it down. - - _Darogah._ Did not the Magistrate say, he will come here this day? - - _Jamadar._ No, Sir, he has four days more to come. At Sachigunge - on Saturday, they have a Champagne-party and ladies’ dance. Mrs. - Wood can never dance with any other, but our Saheb; and I saw - that, when I was a bearer. Mrs. Wood is very kind: through the - influence of one letter, she got me the Jamadary of the Jail. - - _Darogah._ Ah! The father of Babu Bindu Madhab expressed great - sorrow at his not getting food. When Babu Bindu sees this, he will - quit life. - - _Enter_ BINDU MADHAB. - - All things are by the will of God. - - _Bindu._ What is this! What is this! Ah! ah! My father is dead - while bound above ground with a rope! I was coming to try some - means for his release. What sorrow! (_places his own head on the - breast of the dead body, then clasps the corpse, and weeps_). Oh - father! Hast thou at once broken the ties of affection towards us? - Shalt thou no more praise Bindu before other men for his English - education? Calling Nobin Madhab by the name of “Bhima[33] of - Svaropur;” is that now put at an end? You have now made a treaty - with Bipin (the son of Nobin) with whom you always had a quarrel, - saying to the eldest Bou, “My mother, my mother.” Ah! as in the - case of a heron and its mate, with their young ones flying in the - air, in search of food, if the heron be killed by a fowler, the - mate with her young ones falls into great danger, so shall my - mother be when she hears of your being put to death, while hung - above ground by a rope. - - _Darogah._ (_Bringing Babu Bindu aside by taking hold of his - hands._) Babu Bindu do not be so impatient now. Get the permission - of the Doctor, and try to take the corpse soon to the Amritaghata. - - _Enter Deputy Inspector and the Pundit._ - - _Bindu._ Darogah, do not speak of anything to me. Whatever - consultation you have to make, make that with the Pundit and the - Deputy Inspector. Through sorrow, I have lost the power of speech; - let me take my father’s feet once on my breast. (_Sits up, taking - the feet of Goluk on his breast._) - - _Pundit._ (_To the Deputy Inspector._) Let me take Bindu Madhab on - my lap; you had better unloose the rope. It is never proper to - keep such a godly body in this hell. - - _Darogah._ It will be necessary to wait for a short time. - - _Pundit._ Are you the chowkidar of hell, else why have you such a - character? - - _Darogah._ Sir, you are wise, you are reproaching me. - - _Enter the Doctor._ - - _Doctor._ Ho! Ho! Bindu Madhab! God’s will. The Pundit is come. - Bindu must not leave the College. - - _Pundit._ It is not proper for Bindu to leave the College. - - _Bindu._ As to our estates and possessions, we have lost every - thing; at last, our father has left us beggars (_weeps_); how can - studying be any more carried on? - - _Pundit._ The Indigo Planters have taken away the all of Bindu - Madhab and his family. - - _Doctor._ I have heard of these Planters from the Missionaries and - also I have seen them myself. Once as I was coming from a certain - Planter’s Factory at Matanagara, while I was sitting in a village, - two ryots of the place were passing by the side of my palanquin; - one of them had some milk with him, which I wanted to buy. - Immediately, one whispered to the other, “The Indigo giant, the - Indigo giant.” Then having left the milk, they ran off. I asked - another ryot, and he said, that these persons ran off for fear of - being compelled to take advances for Indigo; and as I had taken - the advance, what reason is there for going to his godown. I - understood, he took me for a planter; I gave the milk into that - ryot’s hand, and went away from the place. - - _D. Inspector._ A certain Missionary was passing through a village - within the concern of Mr. Vally. As soon as the ryots saw him, - they began to cry aloud, “The Indigo ghost is come out, the Indigo - ghost is come out;” and having left that path, flew into their own - houses. But as the ryots found, by and by, the bounty, mildness, - and forgiving temper of these gentlemen, they began to wonder; and - as much as the Missionaries showed heartfelt sorrow for the - tortures which the poor people suffered from the Indigo Planters, - so much the more they began to love them, and to have faith in - them. Now the ryots say to each other, “All bamboos are of one - tuft; but of one is made the frame of the Goddess Durga, and of - another the sweepers basket.” - - _Pundit._ Let us take away the dead body. - - _Doctor._ We must be sharp. You can bring it out. - - (_Bindu Madhab and the Deputy Inspector loosening the rope bring - out the corpse._) - - (_Exit all._) - ------ - -Footnote 33: - - Bhima or Brikadar was the second brother of Yudhistra and the - second sond of Pandu. - ------ - - - - - ---------- - - FIFTH ACT—FIRST SCENE. | BEFORE THE OFFICE OF THE BAGHUNBARI - FACTORY. - - ------- - - - _Enter_ GOPINATH DAS _and a Herdsman_. - - _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 any thing, 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; 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[34] wear the poita. We - cannot satisfy all the Brahmins now in existence in a great feast, - and still they wanted to increase the number. The father-in-law of - our young Babu is greatly respected. The Judge or Magistrate when - they come to him take off their hats. 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 those who live - within the house and those who live in the bazar.[35] 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 the house - when the news of Nobin being bound by the rope and thus killed - came, the mistress of the family would have died. We 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 report. - - _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[36] (full of rice). But have you - kept the rice that she shall be full of it?[37] 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.[38] - - _Cowherd._ What can I do? Is it my desire to sit in the Factory - and abuse the Sahebs? - - _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 head-ache and the miserable condition of his - mother. - - _Cowherd._ _It is the cold attacking a frog._[39] Dewanji, don’t - be angry with me, I am as a mad goat; shall I prepare the tobacco? - - _Gopi._ This stupid fellow of Nanda’s family is very senseless. - - _Cowherd._ The Sahebs are doing all: _they themselves are - blacksmiths and at the same time the cimeter; where they make one - to fall, there they themselves also fall_. If ruin come upon these - Saheb’s Factories, then the people of the villages save themselves - by bathing.[40] - - _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 rupi 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 in 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 for the - last year. Yet the Sahebs are not satisfied; these disputes arose - only for certain pieces of grounds; and it would have been good - for Nobin Bose to have given them these—_to keep the goddess - Sitola[41] well-pleased 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 with the former Dewan for some days. - - _Enter_ MR. WOOD. - - _Wood._ There will be a great quarrel at Matanagara: 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 (Surki) brickpowder - makers or sellers. I, Mr. Rose, and you are to go there. The fool - while he has taken his cacha[42] 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 _surkiwallá_ 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 to-morrow and keep him along with - Mojumdar. 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 - Mojumdar, 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 said the salary cannot be - given before the accounts are closed. Honored Sir, is this the - judgment 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 ricefield, 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 Lakhman, the son of Sumitra, - suffered by the Sacti-sela,[43]—while they are without food. - - _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. 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 preparation of the - rice and also enquire whether the extent of land for which the - debtors have asked the revenue from them, is all cultivated with - grain. Some inexperienced persons, taking under false pretences a - larger sum than is necessary, and thus being burdened with heavy - debts, cause losses on the part of the Mahajans and also - themselves suffer great trouble. The Mahajans go to the fields for - stopping these, and not like “Indigo Giants” (_strikes his - tongue_).[44] Sir, the stupid, shameless Mahajans speak thus. - - _Wood._ I see, Saturn[45] 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[46] - (the prison); the men 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 - Mojumdar. 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[47] (_throws him down with - kicks_). Were you sent as a witness to the Commission, you would - have ruined every thing, you diabolical niggar (_two kicks more_); - with such a tongue you shall do your work like a Caot,[48] 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[49] seven hundred times; else, how are numberless - stockings digested?[50] Oh! what kickings! Oh! the fool is, as it - were, the wife of a student who is out of College.[51] - - (_Aside_) Dewan, Dewan. - - _Gopi._ Your servant is present. Whose turn is it? - - “In the sea of love are many waves.” - - (_Exit Gopi._) - ------ - -Footnote 34: - - The writer class among the Natives of this country. - -Footnote 35: - - Signifying the distinction between the women or a good and that - of a licentious character. - -Footnote 36: - - This is one of the names of Durga, meaning the goddess of - Plenty. - -Footnote 37: - - Signifying, have you not taken away her whole possession? Then, - how can she show her pity by supporting the poor? - -Footnote 38: - - That is, he will make every thing dark to you, as at the time of - the new moon. In short, he will kill you. - -Footnote 39: - - That is, nothing; as the cold has no effect on the frog. - -Footnote 40: - - That is, purify themselves by bathing. - -Footnote 41: - - Sitola is the goddess of the small-pox; and the meaning of the - above is that if that goddess be kept satisfied, the disease of - the small-pox cannot come; and if come, will pass away. - -Footnote 42: - - This refers to Nobin Bose. The cacha signifies the piece of - cloth kept by the sons on the death of their parents for one - month, when the pinda or offering to the dead is made. - -Footnote 43: - - Lakhman was the brother of Rama. When they were gone to make war - with Ravana of Lunka, (Ceylon) in a certain battle Lakhman - suffered very much by the Sacti-sela (the name of a superior - engine in a battle). - -Footnote 44: - - This is a sign of shame or fear. - -Footnote 45: - - The planet Saturn is said to have a very bad influence. Whenever - it comes upon one, the utter ruin of that person is thought very - near. - -Footnote 46: - - Ironically, the house of Prosperity. - -Footnote 47: - - The Kaista is the caste of writers. - -Footnote 48: - - Caot is the name of a mean caste, and the word Kaet is only a - common form of expression for the term Kaista. - -Footnote 49: - - The vulture is taken for a detestable bird. - -Footnote 50: - - Signifying, else how can he bear so many kickings? - -Footnote 51: - - This is said only in reference to his dress. - ------ - - - - - ---------- - - FIFTH ACT—SECOND SCENE. - THE BEDROOM OF NOBIN BOSE. - - ------- - - - _Aduri crying when preparing Nobin’s bed._ - - _Aduri._ Ah! ha! ha! 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. - - (_Aside._) 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_) flew 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 - here; 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 will 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 (_pindadán_) on the - banks of the Ganges; it is only 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 - judgment. Our madam and the eldest Bou forbad 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 Rupis, I shall fall at the Saheb’s feet, and thus - stop the cultivation of the Indigo on the side of the tank, and - shall speak nothing of the dispute in such a dangerous time.” With - this intention our eldest Babu took me and Torap with him, and - going there with tears in his eyes, said to the Saheb, “Saheb, I - bring you a present of 50 Rupis; 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[52] 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 Babus knees, he said “This is the gift for your father’s - ceremony.” - - _Priest._ Narayan! Narayan.[53] (_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_ (a certain grass). Kes Dali, who is now - the jamadar of the Factory, and other ten surkiola immediately - stood round him. The eldest Babu had once saved these from the - hands of robbers; so they felt a little ashamed to raise their - hand 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 “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 is shrunk on observing the head of the Babu; then, - when shall I kill these? Oh! oh! 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 hand in front of his own, which was cut, and there was the - sign of a slight bruise on the Babu’s breast. - - _Priest._ (_Deeply thinking for some time, reads_). - - “_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-laborer, 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 his 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, when the nose of Surpanaka 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; 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 sees 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 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 the 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[54] - 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.” - - (_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, my son, my son, where, where, 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 body. - - _Saralota._ (_Speaking slowly to Reboti, after placing the hand on - the nose._) Her breathing is full, but 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 the mother is - lying senseless on the ground being grieved for her dear son. My - Lord open thine eyes once more; call thy maid-servant[55] 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 an 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 accidently let fall from the hand of the gardener. My Lord - took me up with love and increased my honour. 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. - (_Falls down upon the ground._) - - _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[56] (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 is always happy in saying Badhumata, Badhumata,[57] - and is the brightener of the ten sides.[58] Bindu Madhab, who - surpasses the autumnal moon in purity, is dearer to me than was - Lakshman-deva to Sita-devi. 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.[59] 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 that of 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, than 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! ah! our mother-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.[60] 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 mad-woman’s - daughter.” (_Sabitri rises up and sits near Nobin; and looking - steadily on him, with certain expressions 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! if - Madam Sorrow 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 hand_). - - _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 Saheb; - else why shall I fall 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?[61] (_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[62] 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_. - - (_Exit Saralota, Reboti, and all the neighbouring - women; and Soirindri, putting - a veil on her head, stands in - one side of the room._) - - _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 dead elder Haldar “My infant child,” and chastised - the young Haldar’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[63] 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. (_Stretching 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 _sarhi_. - - _Physician._ Ah! the light of the 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 Bahu!” 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_). _The curtain falls._ - ------ - -Footnote 52: - - This term Yabans has reference to the Mahomedans, the Europeans. - -Footnote 53: - - The name of Vishnu, God. - -Footnote 54: - - This pronoun “his” stands for Goluk Chunder, the father of Nobin - Madhab. - -Footnote 55: - - The term maid-servant here refers to Soirindri, the wife of - Nobin Madhab. - -Footnote 56: - - It is a general custom in this country to apply the alpana on - the floor nearly in all religions observances. - -Footnote 57: - - This term signifies the wife of one’s son. - -Footnote 58: - - This expression, “the brightener of the ten sides” signifies - that he did good wherever he went. The ten sides are the north, - south, east, west, north-east, north-west, south-east, - south-west, the top, and the under sides. - -Footnote 59: - - The reference here is to the wanderings of Rama in the - wilderness of the Deccan. The signification of the original is - that while the husband Nobin is he on the point of death, there - is no preparation for his wife to die with him. - -Footnote 60: - - That is, she had expressed so much anger against her; or as the - original, thrown her into the burning-pot of disgust and hatred. - The Champa is the name of a fragrant yellow flower. - -Footnote 61: - - This day in kept sacred by the widows of this country. - -Footnote 62: - - A certain ceremony performed on the eighth day after the birth - for securing its good fortune. - -Footnote 63: - - A treatise on the science of medicine. - ------ - - - - - ---------- - - FIFTH ACT—THIRD SCENE. - THE ROOM OF SADHU CHURN. - - ------- - - - _On one side, Khetromani in great torment on her bed, and Sadhu; - on the other side, Reboti, sitting._ - - _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.[64] - - _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 sarhi; 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_. 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._ Khetromani! Khetromani! Open your eyes fully my daughter. - - _Khetro._ My mother! my father! All, it is an axe! (_Turns on the - other side_).[65] - - _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.[66] How can I forget him? Dear me! my - Siva! - - _Sadhu._ Raychurn is gone a long time ago; he is not yet come. - - _Reboti._ Our eldest Babu preserved her from the grasp of the - tiger. 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—a cracked Tangrah (a fish) Ah! ah! - - _Reboti._ I think the ninth of the moon is closed;[67] 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_ RAYCHURN _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 n sign of her end. - - _Reboti._ She is crying out, thorns, thorns. I have prepared her - bed so thickly,[68] 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.” - - _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 be any means. - - _Physician._ The water with which the Atapa (dried rice) is - washed, is now necessary. The application of the Shuchikavaran (a - medicine) is required. - - _Sadhu._ That Atapa which the Barah Renee sent for offerings of - prayer is in the other room. Raychurn, bring that here. - - (_Exit Raychurn._) - - _Reboti._ Is Annapurnah[69] now awake, that she shall with the - rice in her hands come to me my Khetromani? 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 insanity 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 - placed full of molasses, and the same be boiling by a great fire, - I can also bear the torments, 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 him money, he said, “Babu Bindu, the manner - in which you are already troubled makes it improbable that the - ceremony of your father will be performed. I cannot take any thing - 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 - the doctor been of a hard heart, 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 - Khetromani; 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 Khetromani. - - _Physician._ Had the doctor been hard-hearted 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_ RAYCHURN _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 Gya 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. Raychurn, 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! - Khetromoni! daughter. Wilt thou not speak any more, my daughter? - Oh! Oh! Oh! (_Weeps_). - - _Physician._ Her end is very near. - - _Sadhu._ Raychurn take hold of her, take hold of her (_Sadhuchurn - and Raychurn take Khetramoni from the bed, and go out-side_). - - _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, ho! ho! ho! (_Goes behind Khetra, 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._) - ------ - -Footnote 64: - - Reboti says, My daughter, what is it that gives you so much - pain? The bed is all over cleared, there is nothing that can - trouble the body. - -Footnote 65: - - These are words which are expressed through great grief. - -Footnote 66: - - Kartika is taken to be the most lovely in appearance among the - gods—the symbol of male beauty. He is the son of Siva and - Doorgah. - -Footnote 67: - - Here, the reference is to the last of the three days in which - the goddess Doorgah is worshipped; and the last day is taken to - be one of great pain, because on that day she is to take her - departure from her parents to go to her husband Siva. - -Footnote 68: - - Thickly prepared signifies many coverings of the bed placed one - above another. - -Footnote 69: - - It is one of the names of Doorgah. The term signifies “full of - rice,” or the Goddess of Plenty. - ------ - - - - - ---------- - - FIFTH ACT—FOURTH SCENE. - THE HALL IN THE HOUSE OF GOLUK CHUNDER BASU. - - ------- - - - _Sabitri sitting with the dead body of Nobin on her lap._ - - _Sabitri._ Let my dear child sleep; my dear keeps my heart at - rest. When I see the sweet face, I remember that other face[70] - (_kisses_). My child is sleeping most soundly (_rubs the hand - over the head of the corpse_). Ah! what have the musquitoes - 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 are 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[71] (_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, suckle the - pap, my dear, suckle 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.[72] 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[73] (_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 hands_). 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_). 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[74] - resin, the whistling of the swinging machine, the white hairs of - seven co-wives[75]—_bhanti_[76] leaves, the flowers of the - _dhuturá_, 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; 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 the 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[77] 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, (Invisible) in order to cure thee, and therefore thou - remainedest quiet for some. 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 tenors of - the clouds, the ashes 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 then wast - able to bring thy dead son from out-side the house. (_Goes near - the corpse_). - - _Sabitri._ I have placed the circle; and why do you come within - it? - - _Saralota._ Ah! my husband can never be able to live on seeing the - death of this his land-conquering and most dear brother. - (_Weeps_). - - _Sabitri._ You are envying my child; you all-destroying wretch, - 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[78] (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_ BINDU 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. (_Standing on her - neck_). - - _Bindu._ As the mother, having destroyed the child whom she was - fondling for making it sleep on her lap, on awaking will go to - destroy herself, so wilt thou, Oh my mother! go to kill thyself, - if thine insanity passing off thou can’st 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 older - 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. Ho! Ho! Mother, (_embracing - Saralota, she falls down, dead on the ground_). - - _Bindu._ (_Placing his hand 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 mama 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, 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 did’st 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 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 Bose family of - Svaropur is destroyed by Indigo, the great destroyer of honour. - How very terrible are the arms of Indigo! - - The cobra de capello, 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. Incessantly 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 no where. When I used - to call, Mama, she immediately took me on her breast, and rubbed - my mouth. Who knows the greatness of maternal affection? The cry - of mama, mama, mama, mama do I make in the battle-field 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 hearts - Sarala is gone to. The most beautiful, wise, and entirely devoted - to me; she walked as the swan,[79] 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. - - 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._ - - _FINIS._ - ------ - -Footnote 70: - - The face of her husband. - -Footnote 71: - - It sometimes happens, that during sleep the child either cries - or laughs; that is called, the Deala of the child. - -Footnote 72: - - An ornament made of shell for the wrists of women. - -Footnote 73: - - That is, let her become a widow within three days, who has made - me so. - -Footnote 74: - - The Sala is the native name of the tree _Shorea robusta_. - -Footnote 75: - - The wives of the same husband. - -Footnote 76: - - _Volkmeria odorata._ - -Footnote 77: - - Dhannantari is the Physician of the Gods. - -Footnote 78: - - Shoranan is one of the names of Kartikeya. In this place, it - refers to Nobin Madhab, on account of the great honor which he - had acquired from the people of the country; and he is compared - with Kartikeya, because he had much honour among the gods. - -Footnote 79: - - The gait of the swan is considered in this country the most - beautiful model of the motion of the feet. - ------ - - - - - - - - - ------------------------------------ - - Calcutta Printing and Publishing Press, No. 10, Weston’s Lane. - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Transcriber’s Note - - Errors deemed most likely to be the printer’s have been corrected, - and are noted here. The references are to the page and line in the - original, including those which occur in the footnotes. Minor - lapses of punctuation in the formatting of the dialog itself are - corrected without comment here. - - 18.31 how many days are there still remaining of Replaced. - this month[./?] - - 19.32 This is a Bengal[l]i term Removed. - - 24.1 I shall take her away by certain latyals[.] Added. - - 24.15 Did you inform Sadhu of this[./?] Replaced. - - 34.19 but one of my friends[./,] Bonkima by name, Replaced. - - 42.5 like unto one leading a [,/.] Replaced. - - 45.11 business of the Amin[;/,] then this kind Replaced. - - 46.6 My dear, you can, with [c/e]ase, give Replaced. - - 48.7 My hea[s/r]t bursts Replaced. - - 65.13 the Kazi (the Mahomedan judge)[./?] Replaced. - - 66.11 _Bind[a/u]._ Have you seen my father this day? Replaced. - - 66.13 _Exit Bind[a/u] Madhab and Chaprasi_ Replaced. - - 66.15 (_Exit Bind[a/u] Madhab and Chaprasi._) Replaced. - - 68.10 _Daroga[h]._ Sir, you are wise Added. - - 76.34 a common [f]orm of expression for the term Restored. - Kaista. - - 84.18 there is no preparation for Sita’s going with Added. - him[.] - - 88.30 It is necessary to see her pulse on[c]e. Added. - - 88.31 let me observe the[y] pulse once. Removed. - - 89.30 on account [of the ]of the pain in his nose Redundant. - - 90.24 How very extravagant are my daug[th/ht]er’s Transposed. - desires! - - 95.2 take Khetramoni from the[.] bed Removed. - - 97.28 and therefore thou remainedest quiet for some[ Added. - ]time. - - 100.17 Why are our mother-in-law and [b/B]ou both Capitalized. - lying in this manner? - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Nil Darpan; or, The Indigo Planting -Mirror, by Dinabandhu Mitra - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NIL DARPAN *** - -***** This file should be named 54027-0.txt or 54027-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/0/2/54027/ - -Produced by KD Weeks, Mary Glenn Krause, Eric Lehtonen and -the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by The Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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