University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

—Same place. Time, the next evening.
Muttra and the Zemindar are passing along; Kemaun meets them.
KEMAUN.
Stay, stop! a word with you.

ZEMINDAR.
What dog is here?
A Pariah? Strike him down.

KEMAUN.
'Tis not ill said;
But hard blows must be struck ere that be done.
What say you,—shall we fight?

MUTTRA
(to the ZEMINDAR).
Peace! do not touch him:
'Tis a strange fellow; very brave and honest,
But strange, as you may see. He brings me news
Of matters afar off, and (with your leave,)
I would be private with him. Farewell, now;
[Zemindar exit.
I'll follow soon. Now, then, is all prepared?

KEMAUN.
Who is that little withered, winter thing,
Whose knees go knocking by the bamboo stalks?

MUTTRA.
'Tis the Zemindar.

KEMAUN.
So!—I'll take his money
With a free heart. Nature has written dupe,
And cheat, and miser, in his reptile looks:
That's well; we'll strip him of his golden skin,
And tie him to a tree. His girl, you say—

MUTTRA.
May live; yes,—'twill be better she escape.
(Aside.)
She touched my humour, as she moved away:
Methought her walk was like an antelope's;
Her eyes are jewel-like; sweet words she has;
Soft limbs, bright ringlets, and a swan-like gait.
My mind is changed; I would not have her burn,
Till she grows old, and then—the wood may blaze.

KEMAUN.
And, if I rescue her?

MUTTRA.
And keep her for me,
I'll show thee where her father hides his gold.

KEMAUN.
Good; thou shalt have a third: that and the girl
Thou'lt fairly earn by thy bold treachery.

MUTTRA.
How, treachery?

KEMAUN.
Ay,—oh, that offends thee? Tush,
We on the river care not for such things:
We speak our minds and stab; a plain good way,
And saves a load of trouble. Now I'll leave thee.
My rogues are skulking in the thicket there,
And wait for orders. When this horn is blown,
[Gives it.
I'll come and make the priests stare.

MUTTRA.
Do not drag
Their curse on me.

KEMAUN.
Oh no. I know thou art
Half priest, and three parts saint, and all a knave.
Do I not know thee, Muttra? thou hast done—

MUTTRA.
Bad deeds, I know't, but I do mortify
My flesh with fast, and score my back with stripes;
Have I not lain on the jagged iron,—ha!
Cankered my tongue? and swung upon a hook?

KEMAUN.
Peace, you blind cheat, how dare you brag to me?
What! taunt me with your virtues?

MUTTRA.
I have done:
Let us not quarrel, who are now allies.
Retire, and wait the signal. Nay, retire.

KEMAUN
(aside).
Now let me have both gold and girl, and then—

[Exit.
MUTTRA.
The cut-throat infidel robber!—he is gone.
I breathe more freely. He will do the sin,
And I reap the sweet profit: that is right.
When all is won, I'll lead the Rajah where
The villain hides: none know where 'tis but I.

Messenger entering.
MESSENGER.
The priests are waiting for thee, holy Muttra.
The victim which you promised hath not come.
Haste! for the Rajah will be there to-day,
And sacrifice to Siva.

MUTTRA.
Say I come.
[Messenger exit.)
'Twill be a glorious day. The Rajah come?
Well, we must wait until he leave the shrine,
And then do our design. Now, what's the matter?

Kemaun, entering.
KEMAUN.
The wood's surrounded: half the Rajah's troops—

MUTTRA.
Fear not; 'tis nothing. He does sacrifice;
And all his Court attend: 'tis ever thus.
Go, hide your men; there, 'midst the underwood;
And when the Rajah's gone, I'll blow the horn.

[Exeunt.