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

164
shortly after, and Moheeny then begged him to consent to
her employing the widow, who seemed altogether destitute.
‘Consider,’ replied the prince, ‘we are quite happy in our
secluded home. This woman may perhaps have come here
with no good intention ; if so, we shall have to regret what
you now propose doing,—it may be productive of injury to
us. People are not all so virtuous and good as they them-
selves would fain appear, and therefore cannot always be
expected to speak the truth. We are here living in
content and happiness, and I see no necessity for, this
woman’s being retained in our service. Take my advice,—
do not engage her. If you do, I feel a presentiment that
some harm will befal us, which may not then be remedi-
able.’ The princess, nevertheless, was so urgent in her
entreaties that the prince was compelled to yield, though
much against his will, and the widow’s services were retained.
Shambae was questioned as to her knowledge of cooking,
and other domestic work, and her answers were satisfactory.
On discovering the aversion of the prince to her, the widow
conceived a great and bitter hatred against him, which,
however, she concealed in such a manner that it was not
discovered until too late.
“ One whole month rolled away without anything
unusual occurring to disturb the tranquillity of that peace-
ful home. During this time Shambae diverted her new
mistress with interesting tales and witty anecdotes. In
‘this way she so ingratiated herself into her favor, that the
indiscreet but candid Moheeny related to her the little
history of her meeting with the prince, and of the extent and
sincerity of their love. This was what Shambae longed to
know, and she now found how she could most easily and
effectually injure the prince. Shambae had, previous to
her departure from the palace, procured some poisonous
ingredients of great strength, and she was not long in finding
an opportunity to execute her vile and atrocious purpose.
She one day poisoned the prince’s food, and, owing to the
peculiar flavour of the ingredient used, which, as a matter