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

23
great consternation, nor were his minister and courtiers less
astounded. He beckoned his minister, who approached him
with unsteady steps, and with fear depicted in every linea-
ment of his countenance. "What an unexpected danger is
this!" exclaimed the king, as soon as he could give vent to the
feelings of his heart; "whence comes this man? How did
he become re-animated, and what expedient can we adopt?"
The minister exhorted his master, as well as he could, to
have patience for a while, and promised to devise some
means of satisfying the warrior. He said he would speak
to the man in private. With this he went towards him,
and sought an interview. The minister entered fully into
the particulars and circumstances of the events which, he
said, they were even then deploring, and called the whole
population to prove the accuracy of his statements. The
warrior, however, instead of exhibiting symptoms of grief
at the untimely fate of his wife, became furious and uncon-
trollable. He threatened at once to appeal- to arms.
"What!" said he, "am I right in hearing you? Was
it ever before known that a woman immolated herself with
her husband yet living? Oh no! I cannot believe what
you say. I once took you to be a just, prudent, and vir-
tuous man, but you appear no longer so. My wife has been
basely dealt with, if not forcibly kept from me; and I will
wage war to the death till I know more about it, and there
remains nothing else for me to do. You know what I am
capable of, and I warn you to beware of trifling with such
an one as you know me to be!" The king heard the
threats made by the warrior, and became pale with fear;
and being no longer able to control himself, came up to the
warrior and besought him to have pity on him. "Mode-
rate your anger, sir," said he; "what my minister says
is the truth. But if you are not satisfied with it, and as it
is entirely out of my power to produce your wife, who is
now reduced to ashes, you may, if you like, accept of my
queen, in exchange for her. I will do anything else that
I can for you, if you will only mention it. I desire to