(_Phágulal comes in._)
_Phágulal_
They won’t hear of letting Bishu off. I am afraid, they’ll----Who is
this? The King!
Oh you wicked witch,--conspiring with the King himself! O vile
deceiver!
_King_
What is the matter with you? What is that crowd out for?
_Phágulal_
To break the prison gate. We may lose our lives, but we shan’t fall
back.
_King_
Why should you fall back? I too am out for breaking. Behold the first
sign--my broken Flagstaff!
_Phágulal_
What! This is altogether beyond us simple folk.
Be merciful, Nandini, don’t deceive me. Am I to believe my eyes?
_Nandini_
Brother, you have set out to win death. You have left no chance for
deception to touch you.
_Phágulal_
You too come along with us, our own Nandini!
_Nandini_
That is what I’m still alive for, Phágulal. I wanted to bring my
Rañjan amongst you. Look there, he has come, my hero, braving death!
_Phágulal_
Oh, horror! Is that Rañjan lying there, silent?
_Nandini_
Not silent. He leaves behind him in death his conquering call. He
will live again, he cannot die.
_Phágulal_
Ah, my Nandini, my beautiful one, was it for this you were waiting
all these eager days?
_Nandini_
I _did_ await his coming, and he _did_ come. I still wait to prepare
for his coming again, and he _shall_ come again. Where is Chandrá?
_Phágulal_
She has gone with her tears and prayers to the Governor, accompanied
by Gôkul. I’m afraid Gôkul is seeking to take up service with the
Governor. He will betray us.
King, are you sure you don’t mistake us? We are out to break your own
prison, I tell you!
_King_
Yes, it is my _own_ prison. You and I must work together, for you
cannot break it alone.
_Phágulal_
As soon as the Governor hears of it, he will march with all his
forces to prevent us.
_King_
Yes, my fight is against them.
_Phágulal_
But the soldiers will not obey you.
_King_
_You_ will be on my side!
_Phágulal_
Shall we be able to win through?
_King_
We shall at least be able to die! At last I have found the meaning of
death. I am saved!
_Phágulal_
King, do you hear the tumult?
_King_
There comes the Governor with his troops. How could he be so quick
about it? He must have been prepared beforehand. They have used my
own power against me.
_Phágulal_
My men have not yet turned up.
_King_
They will never come. The Governor is sure to get round them.
_Nandini_
I had my last hope that they would bring my Bishu to me. Will that
never be?
_King_
No hope of that, I’m afraid.
_Phágulal_
Then come along, Nandini, let us take you to a safe place first. The
Governor will see red, if he but catches sight of you.
_Nandini_
You want to banish me into the solitary exile of safety?
(_Calling out_) Governor! Governor!--He has swung up my garland of
_kunda_ flowers on his spear-head. I will dye that garland the colour
of my oleanders with my heart’s blood.--Governor! He has seen me!
Victory to Rañjan!
[_Runs off._
_King_ (_calling after her_)
Nandini!
[_Follows her._
(_The Professor comes in._)
_Phágulal_
Where are _you_ hurrying to, Professor?
_Professor_
Some one said that the King has at last had tidings of the secret of
Life, and has gone off in quest of it. I have thrown away my books to
follow him.
_Phágulal_
The King has just gone off to his death. He has heard Nandini’s call.
_Professor_
The network is torn to shreds! Where is Nandini?
_Phágulal_
She has gone before them all. We can’t reach her any more.
_Professor_
It is only now that we shall reach her. She won’t evade us any longer.
(_Professor rushes out, Bishu comes in._)
_Bishu_
Phágulal, where is Nandini?
_Phágulal_
How did you get here?
_Bishu_
Our workmen have broken into the prison. There they are,--running off
to fight. I came to look for Nandini. Where is she?
_Phágulal_
She has gone in advance of us all.
_Bishu_
Where?
_Phágulal_
To the last freedom.
Bishu, do you see who is lying there?
_Bishu_
Rañjan!
_Phágulal_
You see the red streak?
_Bishu_