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

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thoroughly convinced that the king's commands were the
sole cause of the step the youths had taken ; and they even
went the length of surmising that the young men might, in
a fit of desperation, have put an end to their lives. This
affected them more seriously than ever, and made the two
fathers wretched indeed. The minister, however, hoped for
the best ; and on his observing the king weighed down by
this last idea, he tried to rouse him from his lethargic state
of distress by exhorting him not to allow such sad specula-
tions to dwell on his mind. He counselled him to look to
God for the restoration of the prince, as he (the minister)
did for the recovery of his own son. He besought him not
to despair, for that all would yet be well. ' Come what
will,' said Vichakshun in conclusion, ' it is the duty of
every good man to bow with meek submission to the will of
Him who does everything for the best, and who is ever
ready to listen to the prayers and supplications of his crea-
tures.' These words from the minister, who was a truly
good and wise man, greatly encouraged the king, who became
calmer, and at length determined to leave the issue to God,
who alone could help him out of the anguish into which the
loss of his only son—the heir to his throne, and the prop
of his old age—had plunged him. The minister, finding
the king's usual composure somewhat restored, retired from
his presence.
" We must now see what has become of Prince Sewdass
and his companion and bosom-friend Hurridass. As they
prosecuted their journey, they frequently thought and talked
of their parents, and pictured vividly to themselves the
distress and sorrow which they would feel when their flight
became known. Thus they went on through many a town
and village, across rivers and streams, over steep and
rugged mountains. They did not in their travels ignore the
promptings of their generous and benevolent dispositions,
but visited the huts of the poor, and administered such
comfort as they could. They also entered, on their way,
the several temples and places of worship, and performed
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