Page:Nil Durpan.djvu/131

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moon decreases day by day. My mother, when hast thou come up? I have left off food and sleep, and am looking after thee continually, and did I fall into so much insensibility; I promised that I shall bring thy husband from Yama, in order to cure thee, and therefore, thou remainedest quiet for some time. In this formidable night, so full of darkness, like unto that which shall take place on the destruction of the Universe; when the skies are spread over with the terrors of the clouds, the flashes of lightning are giving a momentary light, like the arrows of fire, and the race of living creatures are given up, as it were, to the sleep of Death; all are silent; when the only sound is the cry of jackals in the wilderness and the loud noise of the dogs, the great band of enemies to thieves. My mother, how is it possible, that in such a night as this thou wast able to bring thy dead son from outside the house (Goes near the corpse).

Sabitri.   I have placed the circle; and why do you come within it?

Saralota.   Ah! my husband shall never be able to live on seeing the death of this land-conquering and most dear brother.

(Weeps

Sabitri.   You are envying my child: you all-destroying wretch and the daughter of a wretch! Let your husband die. Go out, just now; be out; or else, I shall place my foot on your throat, take out your tongue and kill you immediately.

Saralota.   Ah! such Shoranan[1] (six-mouthed) of gold, whom our father-in-law and mother-in-law had, is now gone into the water.

Sabitri.   Don't look on my child; I forbid you—you destroyer of your husband. I see, your death is very near. (Goes a little towards her).

  1. Shoranan: One of the names of the god Kartikeya. Nobin Madhab is being compared with this god—Ed.

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