विक्रम चरित (उज्जैन सम्राट् विक्रमादित्य - पराक्रम, न्याय एवं ३२ पुतलियों की कथा सटीक)

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where I was born?' She started, turned pale, and in an
incoherent manner replied, 'I know your ma—a—jes—ty
was born in the fa—mi—ly of the king whose crown you
now wear.' The king threatened that if she did not speak
the truth he would punish her in the way which he should
deem most advisable. She exhibited the utmost trepidation
at these words, and replied, 'Your majesty wishes to know
the truth;—indeed I am acquainted with nothing more
than what I have already said on the subject; but the
midwife who attended at your majesty's birth will doubtless
be able to supply you with further particulars.' The king
immediately sent for the midwife, and questioned her.
'Tell me,' said he, 'as you value your life, where was I
born? If you prevaricate, or tell any untruths, I will cut off
your nose and ears! Consider then well what you are about
to say.' The midwife, from her first entrance into the
presence of the young sovereign, trembled violently, and the
perspiration oozed out from every pore of her body to such
an extent as well nigh to render it impossible for her to
stand from sheer weakness. For a time she could not find
utterance; but when at length sufficiently recovered, she
said, 'I will obey your majesty's commands, by relating the
whole truth; but you must deign to pass your royal word
that no evil shall befal me if in the course of the relation I
should confess myself to have been guilty of gross miscon-
duct.' The king, in his anxiety to get at the truth, gave
the promise. The midwife then related the whole of the
transaction regarding the exchange of the children which we
have already recorded. Having done so, she prostrated
herself before the now enraged monarch, and notwithstand-
ing the promise of pardon that had been extended to her,
besought him for the love of heaven to forgive the part she
had taken in the dishonest act, being induced thereto, she
said, by the earnest entreaty of the queen. She implored
his clemency, not only for herself, but for all concerned in
the nefarious business. The princess, who had been all the
time an attentive listener to the tale that had been unfolded