University of Virginia Library

X. THE CONSPIRATORS.

Scene: An Apartment in the Palace. Sivar and Ameer in conversation. Ali breaks in.
Ali.
Well, have you heard the news?

Ameer.
What news?

Ali.
Nay, then,
I see ye have not! Certain schemes have failed.
The mesh of cobwebs, friends, hath given way.
The lion is at large once more, and soon—

Ameer.
What lion and what schemes?

Sivar.
Nay, friend, speak out;
Leave riddles to the idle. In a word,
Is't well?

Ali.
All's lost! Your schemes are nought but smoke.

Ameer.
Speak, man! What is it? Have the ancient gods
Broken the silence of a thousand years
To warn or favour him thou wottest of?

Ali.
The war is over. Purmar's coming home!

Ameer.
All's lost, indeed, then!

Sivar.
How is this? Was not
The messenger in time?

Ali.
He was, to meet
The army wending homeward, rich with spoils,
And drunk with victory—banners and plumes,
Chariots and horsemen gleaming in red gold,
And clamorous with conquest:—Heaps of gems,
And skins, and slaves—captives of high degree,
And princely trophies of his prowess brings
The chieftain to the monarch.

Ameer.
And the lad?
He did not say his message?

Ali.
But he did!
Aye, word for word.

Ameer.
The fool!

Sivar.
All's lost, indeed;
And we, I fear, with all!

Ameer.
What! told Purmar
To change his tactics, with that laughing crowd
Of old victorious faces looking on,
And heaping petty insults on the chief
Whilst triumph blazed about his hated brows
In every conquered banner?

Ali.
Every word
The stripling breathed into the warrior's ear
Of his commission.

Sivar.
Aye, and more, no doubt?

Ali.
No doubt!

Ameer.
Then let us hope the message thrilled
The hot hate of Purmar through every vein:—
Our triumph may be yet.

Ali.
No fear of that—
No hope, I mean! For I am told the lad
Spake of the love of Sidh Râj, and revealed
The state of things in Rájput.

Ameer.
Traitor! Ha?

Ali.
Who? Where? The lad? Aye, maybe so.

Ameer.
Aye he
And others nearer!

Ali.
Youngster have a care!

Sivar.
Nay, spare your breath friends; you will need it all.
Hath the king laughed at us? What does it mean?

Ali.
He was sincere. He doubted his old friend,
Thanks to your hints.

Ameer.
And yours.

Sivar.
Already, ha!
Is this black fruit, recrimination, ripe?
Peace! We are all embroiled; and if so be
That Purmar will forgive the royal fool,
So much the worse for us. His hate will fall
Sharp as his blade upon our plotting heads!

Ameer.
We'll wait and see the issue; if advèrse,
Then for the sunny jungles of the south,
And farewell Rájput.