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

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the assurance he had given him that he would exert all his
powers to secure for him the desire of his heart—the hand-
some princess. Vickramadetea's nobleness prompted him to
attend to the wants of others, ere he proceeded with anything
for himself; so he expressed to the brahmin his willingness
to proceed to the place where the young prince of whom he
spoke was to be met with, and promised that he would assist
in the endeavour to obtain the hand of the princess for the
anxious and devoted lover. The parrot and the brahmin
passed the night together under the same tree, and in the
morning, Somedut placed him on his shoulder and retraced
his steps towards the temporary abode of prince Duntsain.
The prince saw the brahmin with the parrot approaching,
and awaited them with anxiety depicted on his countenance.
When they came near to him he saluted Somedut, and
addressed him thus :—" My dear Somedut, since your
departure I have been placed in a worse position than that
in which you found me on your first visit. My passion is
killing me gradually, my patience is fast wearing out, my
courage fails me more than ever, and I am the most wretched
of human creatures." The brahmin replied, " Look here,
this bird is the king Vickramadetea, and he will be the
means of procuring you your wishes," and he placed the
bird on the prince's hand, who prostrated himself in all
respect before it. The prince was pleased, and a gleam of
joy shot through his withered heart. He likewise made his
obeisance, entreating both the king and Somedut not to
suffer him any longer to remain a prey to the anguish he
had borne for twelve long years and more, but to take pity
upon him, and to fulfil the promise they had vouchsafed to
make him in their kindness of heart as early as possible.
The parrot told his friend Somedut that he wished him to
learn the charm of changing his natural shape and
appearance, as it was necessary they should mutually
exchange their conditions : in this way he said he would be
able to bring about speedily the prince's desire. Somedut
consented at once, and commenced to learn the mysterious