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

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before saw thee? Thou art doubtless some vile deceiver from
Benares. Leave this house instantly, or thou wilt meet
with the treatment thou seemest so richly to deserve!" At
this time Moodgul's young son, who was about to be invested
with the sacred thread, entered the room. "My son," said
the unhappy father, "do you too shun me? Am I not your
father?" The child, as much or even more deceived, from
his extreme youth, than his elders, replied, "What a base
chattering knave thou art! Dost thou dare to address thy-
self thus to those who know thee not? Who art thou?
Get thee hence instantly, or I will cause thee to be punished
severely for thy impudence!" Poor Moodgul tried all he
could to convince them of his identity, by mentioning the
names of each and all of their relatives, friends, and acquain-
tances, and by recalling many little family incidents, but
all to no purpose. His mother, wife, and son, were certainly
surprised at the accuracy of his statements, but this was
not sufficient to dispel the error into which they had
fallen, and which had taken so deep a hold of their minds.
By this time Moodgul's father had returned, and with
him the counterfeit son. The real Moodgul, on seeing his
father, went forward, and with a low reverence besought
his blessing. The father was very much astonished at his
salutation, and said, "Thou addressest me by the title of
father!—I think thou art labouring under some grievous
mistake. Thou art not my son! I have but one son, and
here he is," pointing to the Zotinge. "I cannot but think
that thy mind is unsettled; if not, thou art endeavoring
to palm off some joke upon my family, but I would advise
thee to desist from such practices and to go thy way."
Moodgul, at the close of his father's speech, felt a sharp
pang shoot through his heart, and he bitterly repented
having left his paternal dwelling in opposition to his father's
express desire. It was, however, useless now to regret the
past, but he could not by any means think of an expedient
to extricate himself from his present dilemma. At last he
resolved upon going to King Gopichund, and representing