Sadhu. So very weak is our madam become by the death of her husband, that there is no doubt she will die, when she sees Babu Nobin in this condition. I applied so much water, rubbed my hand over the head so long; but nothing is bringing him to his senses again. You, Sir, call him once.
Priest. Eldest Babu! Eldest Babu! Nobin Madhab! (with tears in his eyes) Guardian of ryots! Giver of food! moving his eyes now! Ah! The mother will die immediately. When she heard of his being bound with ropes above ground, she resolved not to take the rice of this sinful world for ten days. This is the fifth; this morning, Nobin Madhab taking hold of her shoulders shed much tears and said, “Mother, if thou dost not take food this day, then I shall never take the rice with the clarified butter; thus placing the sin of disobedience to the mother on my head; but shall remain without food.” On which the mother kissing her son Nobin, said, “My son, I was a queen, now am I become the mother of a king. I would never have been sorry, had I once been able to place his[[54]] feet on my head at the time when he departed this life. Did such a virtuous person die an inauspicious death? It is for this reason that I am remaining without food. Ye are the children of this poor woman; looking on you and Bindu Madhab, I shall, this day, take for my food the orts of our reverend priest. Do not shed your tears before me.”
(Aside, cries of sorrow.)
Coming.
Enter Sabitri, Soirindri, Saralota, Aduri, Reboti, the Aunt of Nobin, and other women of the neighbourhood.
There is no fear, he is still alive.
Sabitri. (Observing Nobin on the point of death.) Nobin Madhab! my son, my son, my son, where, where, where art thou! Oh! Alas!
(Falls senseless.)
Soirindri. (With tears in her eyes.) Oh young Bou! take hold of our mother-in-law; let me once see the Lord of my life, in the fulness of my heart. (Sits near the mouth of Nobin.)
Priest. (To Soirindri.) My daughter, thou art a great lover of thy husband, a woman of constancy; the frame of thy body was created in a good moment. For one who is so entirely devoted to her husband, and who has every thing good on her part, Fortune may give life to her husband again; he is moving his eyes, serve him without fear. Sadhu, remain here till our madam be in her senses.