Page:Travels in the Mogul Empire, A.D. 1656-1668.djvu/536

466 APPENDIX I. two of his brothers and enters Agra, but without his forces; the Emperour endeavours to persuade Aureng-Zebe to resign Indamora to him he refuses and the Emperour admits Morat and his troops into the City, Aureng-Zebe is placed in confinement Morat falls in love with Indamora Nourmahal makes love to Aureng-Zebe he rejects her advances with horror she, in revenge, summons her mutes and offers him a cup of poison Morat enters and takes away the cup. This is a passage which most of the critics who have discussed this Tragedy, but apparently without any knowledge whatever of Bernier's book, have thought unworthy of its Author. I do not think, however, that, after a careful perusal of Bernier's narrative, their verdict will be generally concurred in, especially when it is borne in mind that Bernier's entire work formed the leit motif t nay a good deal more than that, of Dryden's drama. In support of this opinion, the passage in question, in Act iv., is here given: -

As he is going to drink, enter Morat, attended. Mor. Make not such haste, you must my leisure stay : Your Fate's deferr'd, you shall not die to-day. [ Taking the Cup from him Nour. What foolish pity has possess'd your mind, To alter what your prudence once design'd P 1 Mor. What if I please to lengthen out his date A day, and take a pride to cozen Fate? Nour. 'Twill not be safe to let him live an hour. Mor. I'll do't, to show my Arbitrary pow'r. Nour. Fortune may take him from your hands again, And you repent th' occasion lost in vain. Mor. I smile at what your Female fear foresees ; I'm in Fate's place, and dictate her Decrees. Let Arimant be called. Morat and his father quarrel the Emperour reconciles himself to Aureng-Zebe the latter defeats the forces of Morat Nourmahal is going to stab Indamora, but is prevented by Morat Morat dies of his wounds Melesinda -determines to burn herself on his funeral pile Nourmahal poisons herself, and dies mad the Emperour resigns Indamora to Aurenge-Zebe. Dryden has of course taken great liberties with history, the manners and customs of the Indies, and so forth, but it is pleasing to see his keen appreciation of the genius of Bernier, which is well illustrated in a passage which will be found at the end of the Tragedy, Act v., 1 Compare Raushan Ara Begum's conduct towards her brother Dara, when his fate was being decided, at p. 100.