Chapter 6Scene 5

The forest near Dongurh. Enter Bearers with Comol Cumary in the palanquin. SECOND BEARER Courage, brothers, courage! We are almost out of the wood. Enter Kodal, leaping down from a thicket in front. KODAL But it is too soon to hollo. Stop, you plain-frogs, or you shall gutturalize your last croak. SECOND BEARER Put down the palanquin; we are taken. Great emperor of Bheels, be merciful. KODAL Stand still, rogues. I must first haul the runaway Rajpootny out of her dogbox. As he approaches the palanquin, the Bearer strikes him down suddenly and throws his bow and arrows down the hillside. SECOND BEARER Quick! Let us be off while he’s stunned. Enter Bappa and Coomood, followed by Bheels. BAPPA Your sister cannot overstep the pass, Which is beset and ambushed. Ho, there, halt! Put down the palanquin. Insensate fools,

Act I, Scene 5 Invite not death. The Bheels crowd in and surround the bearers. Is’t Kodal? is he hurt? KODAL (rising) Only stunned, Bappa. The hillside was a trifle harder than my head. Plain-frog, thou didst that trick handsomely. Give me thy paw, fellow. BAPPA Take these men prisoners and keep them safely. Remove your men; and, Kodal, guard the road Barring all rescue. Exit Kodal and Bheels with the bearers. Princess, take your sister Out of the palanquin. COOMOOD Comol, Comol, Dear fugitive from fate’s arrest, you’re taken. Come out. COMOL How was it? COOMOOD I told him of your flight. You’ll leave me all alone to wed a Bheel? You’ll break our compact? I have dragged you back To servitude. COMOL Nay, let me see my captor then. For if you smile, my Coomood, I must be Out of misfortune’s reach. (leaving the palanquin) Stand back, sweet. Come,

The Prince of Edur Where is this mountain thief who wars with Kings And lays his hands on Edur’s princesses As if his trunk were an immortal piece And he unhangable? BAPPA (advancing) I am the man, Bappa, the outlaw. COMOL This Bappa! this the Bheel? They gaze at one another. (smiling) Why, Coomood, it was Krishna after all. Monarch of caterans, I am Edur’s princess, Comol Cumary. Why didst thou desire me? BAPPA O who would not desire thee, glorious virgin? Thou art the rose of Rajasthan and I Will wear thee on my crest. COMOL ’Twas prophesied me. But roses, King of thieves, have thorns, and see! I have a sword. BAPPA (smiling) Thinkst thou that pretty toy Will save thee from me? COMOL It will do its best. And if you take me still, ’tis at your peril. I am a dangerous creature to possess.

Act I, Scene 5 BAPPA I will embrace the peril as a bride If in thy shape it dwell. COMOL I swear I pity you. You rush upon you know not what. Come now, If ’tis a gentle serving-girl you need, Here is my sister, Coomood, who can cook Divinely. Take her. Let me walk on to Dongurh. You will regret it, youth. COOMOOD Believe her not, ’Tis she’s a Droupadie; and who possesses her Is fated to be Emperor of the West. BAPPA Nay, you are twin sweet roses on one stalk And I will pluck you both, O flowers of Edur. COMOL Why did thy men beset me, mountaineer? What was thy hope? BAPPA At first ’twas policy And some desire of thy imperial ransom. But now I’ve seen thee, I will hold thee fast. Thou art not ransomable. COMOL You shall not have me, sir, till you have fought And beaten me. You shall not get me cheaply. I am a swashbuckler. Bheel, I can fight.

The Prince of Edur BAPPA Marvel, thou mayst and with great ease be victor If thou but use thy soft and shining eyes To dazzle me out of all possibility Of sound defence. COMOL Come, measure swords, on guard! BAPPA Thou wilt persist then in this pretty folly? COMOL Halt, halt! I will not fight except on terms. You’ll yield yourself my prisoner, Bheel, and free My maidens, when I’ve drubbed you handsomely? BAPPA If when I’ve conquered, you will utterly Surrender your sweet self into my arms, Princess of Edur. COMOL Take me if you can. BAPPA Thus then I take you. (disarms her) Rose, where is thy thorn? Now thou must yield indeed. COMOL Foul play! foul play! It was not fair to rob me of my sword. Call you this fighting? I’ll not yield myself.

Act I, Scene 5 BAPPA Thou hast no choice. He seizes her. COMOL I was not fairly won. Avaunt! this is mere highway robbery. I will not bear it. BAPPA Virgin, this is the moment For which thy loveliness was born. COMOL (faintly) Alas, What will you do with me? BAPPA I’ll carry thee, A hungry lion, to my secret lair Among the mighty hills, where none shall come To save thee from me, O my glorious prey, Bright antelope of Edur! COOMOOD Will you play With the young lion, Comol, and chafe his mood? Now you are borne down by his heavy mane And lie beneath his huge and tawny chest, Trembling and silent. BAPPA Princess, — COOMOOD May I walk on To Dongurh?

The Prince of Edur BAPPA No, thou mayst not. Follow me. Hold fast my arm, nor, princess, fear to hang Thy whole slight weight on me up these abrupt And breathless places, for the high ascent Is steep and rough to our uncouth abodes. Descent’s for your small feet impossible, Coomood, from your green prison on the heights. There Spring shall wall you in with flowers and make Her blossoming creepers chains for your bright limbs Softly forbidding you, when you’ld escape. COOMOOD Comol, tomorrow is the feast of May. Exeunt.