Chapter II: Part 2

(_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.

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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.

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SECOND ACT—THIRD SCENE.
A ROAD POINTING THREE WAYS.

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_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.

-----

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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._”

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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.