Chapter 7Act II, Scene 1

Act II The forest near Dongurh. Scene 1 In the forest near Dongurh. Bappa, Sungram. The Captain and Rajpoot soldiers, guarded by Bheels. BAPPA Ponder it, captain. Sungram, see the bearers Released, but let those cowards first be scourged Who put their lives above their lady’s honour. Give golden largess to the faithful four And send them with a script. Let Edur know That Bappa holds his cherished daughter fast And frees her not save for a lakh of mohurs, Her insufficient ransom. If it displease him, Let him come here with all his fighting-men And take her from my grip. Word it to wound him So that he shall come thundering up the hills Incensed inexorably. Exit Sungram. Soldier, again, ’Tis not my wont to slay my prisoners, Who am a Rajpoot, and to pen you here Eating your hearts away like prisoned lions Were the world’s loss and to myself no profit. Take then your choice and either follow me Or to your Edur back return unharmed.

The Prince of Edur CAPTAIN Thou art a noble enemy, young chieftain; But change thy boon; for I have lost my charge Ingloriously and now can only entreat The use of my own sword to avenge my honour On its betrayer. Living I go not back To Edur. BAPPA Soldier, thou art too scrupulous. The wariest captain need not think it shame To be surprised among these mountains. If Edur Receive you not, follow my fortunes, Rajpoot. I am as noble as the prince you serve, And he who waits on Bappa’s fateful star, May be more fortunate than kings. CAPTAIN Chieftain, Save my old master’s blood I serve no other Than noble Edur. (suddenly with excitement) What is that jewel, boy, Upon thy sword-hilt? Where hadst thou that weapon? BAPPA What moves thee thus? It is my father’s sword, Though who my father was, Fate hides from me. CAPTAIN (with emotion) I take thy offer, prince. I am thy soldier, And all these men shall live and die for thee. A SOLDIER What dost thou, captain?

Act II, Scene 1 CAPTAIN I have never swerved From the high path of Rajpoot honour. Trust me, Rajpoots. SOLDIER Thou wast our chief in war and always We found thee valiant, proud and honourable. Convince us that we may transfer unshamed Our falchions only stained with foemen’s blood, And still we’ll follow thee. CAPTAIN I will convince you At a fit season. BAPPA Knowst thou something, soldier, That’s hid from me? CAPTAIN Pardon my silence, chieftain. All things have their own time to come to light. BAPPA I will expect my hour then and meanwhile Think myself twice as great as yesterday Whom your strong hands now serve. Come, friends, with me; Resume your swords for yet more glorious use In Bappa’s service. Exeunt.