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

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" Leaving them all thus engaged in their respective tasks,
we will now return to the real Prince Soomunt, whom we
left on his way back from the palace to the grove, after
regaining possession of the jewelled garland.

121
CHAPTER VIII.
Veytal concludes his tale, and disappears.
“ PRINCE SOOMUNT hastily returned, with the garland,
to the grove where he had left the princess, and began to
search for the horse he had hid under the tree. The night
was so dark that nothing could be distinguished, and he found
neither the horse nor the princess. Thinking, however,
that he might possibly have mistaken the tree, he continued
looking for them a long time, but it was all to no purpose,
—they were nowhere to be found. He became uneasy as
the conviction gradually gained upon him that some mis-
fortune had befallen the princess. The question as to
whether Malattee could be capable of practising a foul
deception upon him, for a moment intruded itself in his mind,
but it was at once discarded, as being unworthy of him-
self and cruelly unjust to her. Had then some thief or
other ill-disposed person forcibly taken her away ?—or
had she in terror returned to her father’s palace ? He
was thus lost in conjecture, without being able to arrive at
anything like a satisfactory solution of the mystery in
which the princess’ disappearance was shrouded, and so he
remained until the night was far advanced. He then
thought, and wisely too, that if the princess had not returned
to the palace, her father would, as soon as her absence
became known, lose no time in scouring the country far and
near in search of her, and it would therefore be rash in him
needlessly to expose himself to discovery. He therefore
disguised himself, and set out towards the north, after
carefully securing the garland round his waist. He travelled
under the guise of a Manbhavy,* with his clothes dyed a
reddish hue, as usually worn by such men. During his

• A member of a certain heretical order.
  Q 1

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wanderings the Princess Malattee was never out of his
thoughts. His food consisted of the fruits he found on the
road-side. In his course he explored a great many cities
and villages, in the hope of discovering his lost love; and
at every religious place he met with he performed the cere-
monies enjoined by Hindu law, and at such times a large
share of his supplications were in Malattee's behalf, his
grief for her loss continuing unabated. Having reached
the Sihandree mountain, he visited the shrine of Shree
Duttatria,* and paid his devotions to him. During his stay
in this sacred place, he felt much depressed in mind while
pondering on the ill fate which had separated him in so
sudden and unexpected a manner from his much-loved
Malattee. One day, while as usual deploring his misfor-
tune, he heard a voice issue from the heavens, saying,
‘ Prince! grieve no more, but take courage! Thy beloved
Malattee shall soon be restored to thee!’ The prince gazed
in silent awe in the direction whence the voice had proceeded,
and, being convinced that his ears had not deceived him,
he felt his sinking hopes fast revive. A great change was
soon perceptible in him, and he was gradually restored to ease
and tranquillity. He remained at that place nine days, and
then left it in pursuit of his journey.
"The Princess Malattee's father brought the bridegroom
to his palace, to the great delight of all there assembled,
and the princes and nobles, officers and distinguished
citizens, took their respective seats in the audience-hall.
Musicians engaged for the occasion performed on various
instruments, and every sign of perfect and joyous festivity
was to be seen about the palace. The time for uniting the
youthful pair was now fast approaching, and the priest
desired the king to bring forth the princess. The king
went into the palace to seek her, but although he made
the strictest search she was nowhere to be found! He
enquired of the queen if she knew where the princess was,
and she advised him to look for her in the chamber of the

• A particular incarnation of Shiva.

123 ·
Gowrihar, where she might possibly have fallen asleep.
She was not there! It was soon known throughout the
palace that the princess had disappeared, and each person
ran in a different direction to search for her. Every apart-
ment in the palace, every neighbouring house, every quar-
ter of the city, and even the wells and ponds, into which
they thought she might possibly, in the darkness of the
night, have fallen, were all by turns examined with lighted
torches; but nothing, not even the slightest trace, could be
found. The king now remembered that Prince Soomunt
had not appeared among the assembled nobles at the
palace, 'and he therefore enquired of his sister Shoodhamutty
where her son was. She replied that she had not seen
him since that morning. They then began to search for
him, but this proved equally unsuccessful. At this stage
the queen informed the king that for some time past Prince
Soomunt and the Princess Malattee had been so intimate
that they were scarcely or ever seen apart, and if Soomunt
happened to be out, Malattee became uneasy and impatient
for his return; that she would not even eat unless he shared
her meal; and that they had been in the daily habit of
sitting in discourse together for a long time, although
everybody was ignorant of the nature of their conversation.
"The king regretted exceedingly this unexpected mis-
fortune, and suspected that the elopement, of which he was
now fully convinced, could not have taken place without
the cognisance of his sister Shoodhamutty. The latter
declared solemnly, however, that she knew nothing of the
flight, and said that if she was in any way concerned in it
she hoped the Almighty would punish her. She felt so
greatly hurt at the unjust suspicions of her brother that she
wept aloud. 'Alas!' sighed she, 'here have I passed my
early days of widowhood, with my only son, in the bosom
of my brother's family, earnestly hoping to meet with that
happiness which, it would now appear, is denied to me,
perhaps on account of my sins. I see I an doomed to
suffer much grief and trouble in this world : I am even now

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left in a forlorn condition. Oh, God! thou hast indeed
made me as destitute as the man to whom a wayfarer applied
for a little milk, and who, with his usual liberality, was
about to bestow it upon him, but when he approached his
cow for the purpose of obtaining the milk, her calf fell down
and immediately expired! Soomunt and Malattee have gone
away of their own free will and accord, and have left me to
sorrow, and in discord with my brother!’ Thus she gave
vent to her feelings, wounded by the suspicions entertained
of her.
“ Finding no probability of recovering the lost Malattee,
the king resolved on marrying his younger daughter,
Mallanee, to the deserted bridegroom. He therefore ordered
her to bathe and adorn her person for the occasion; and the
union was at once celebrated, with all the usual pomp and
festivity, which lasted four successive days.
“ Shortly after the marriage of the king’s younger daugh-
ter with Malattee’s bridegroom had taken place, as above
related, the newly-married couple, laden with magnificent
presents from the king, consisting of lands, slaves, elephants,
horses, gold, and jewels, set forward with the king of Brum-
bapoory, father of the prince, on their return, accompanied
a great way beyond the city gates by the bride’s father and
a host of nobles and citizens. At parting they exchanged
mutual expressions of good-will. The king (Malattee’s
father), on returning to his palace, was pained to observe
the grief in which he had plunged his sister by his unjust
suspicions; so he went to her, and endeavoured by every
means in his power to soothe and comfort her. He told her
not to be sorry on account of the ingratitude of her son and
the princess, for that they would doubtless be heard of at
some future time. ‘As long as you are living with me,’
said he, ‘you shall be treated with every respect and
courtesy, and shall be in want of nothing that I can provide
for you.’
“ Prince Soomunt travelled, in the guise he had assumed,
through several cities, and visited many religious places.

125
One day he arrived at a city called Vodajagonath,* which
is a very curious place. He resided there for a year,
during which time he met with the same wicked thief who
had deprived him of his affectionate Malattee. It happened
that as the thief and the prince were seated a little apart
from each other in a garden, near some mango trees, a ripe
fruit fell just at the feet of the thief, who, without cleaning
himself or rising from his seat, raised the mango to his
mouth with his hands, and ate it. Prince Soomunt was
much surprised at this, as their religion did not admit of
such a practice. He therefore addressed the thief. 'Well,
friend,' said he, 'you appear as a religious mendicant, and
yet have eaten the mango without cleaning yourself. How
unmeaning is your garb, then! You are a disgrace to the
whole race of mendicants!' The thief replied, 'Friend,
some time ago I had the unexpected good fortune of obtain-
ing from an usurper an inestimable jewel, in the shape of
the most handsome and amiable young lady my eyes ever
beheld. I conducted her to my own city, but, before I
could introduce her to my dwelling, she played me a sorry
trick. I was fool enough to believe all she said, and thus,
by my own folly, I destroyed all my hopes of future hap-
piness.' In short, he related the whole occurrence to
Soomunt, and in conclusion observed, 'I ate the mango in
the manner you observed, lest I should be deprived of it as
I was of my former prize.' The prince heard him out,
with every symptom of disgust and abhorrence, and the
thief, after he had done speaking, observing the manner in
which his explanation was received, thought it unsafe to
remain any longer in that place; he therefore arose and
departed on his journey. The prince remained for awhile
meditating on the ill luck that had befallen him, for, from
what the thief had just told him he was inclined to believe,
and did believe, that Malattee was the jewel he had spoken
of. He was now satisfied that Malattee had not returned

• The name of the celebrated idol worshipped in Orissa, on the
  Coromandel coast.

126
to the palace. ‘No,’ thought he, ‘she has abandoned the
enjoyments of a court for my sake, escaped from the hands
of a ravisher, and is perhaps even now engaged in tracing
me out. Oh! would that I could meet her soon!’
“The thief went on his journey, and travelled till he
arrived at the anashutre which Malattee, under the name of
Soomunt, had ordered, where he dined upon the dainty
dishes provided for him as well as for others of his class,
and was then conducted by an attendant to the king, to
receive the virah. When Malattee saw him she recognised
him at once, and questioned him closely as to why he had
assumed the garb of a mendicant, and what were the
reasons that had induced him to lead a rambling life. The
thief was for a time completely dumbfoundered, but he
soon regained his courage, and related everything connected
with his distressing case, as he called it,—how he had gained
a fair lady, and how he had been cheated by her. He said
that he had adopted the habit he then wore as a punishment
for the folly he had been guilty of. She laughed at the
tale, and asked him how he had allowed himself to be thus
tricked. ‘Alas!’ replied the thief, ‘I lost her as I have
already had the honor of telling your majesty, but can your
majesty inform me how she can be regained?’ ‘I can,
very well,’ rejoined the king, ‘but henceforth do not
trouble yourself about her; remain, however, at the
anashutre, where you will get your meals, and be content.’
The thief promised obedience, and remained there, as the
king had directed.
“Prince Soomunt having sojourned for many days at
Vodajagonath, at last set out on his way. He happened
to travel the road leading to the anashutre in the city where
his beloved Malattee had established herself—the city of
Pooshapamuny. The princess had given strict orders that
no person should pass along that way without partaking of
the anashutre; so the men, observing the prince, made
known to him the orders of the king, and entreated his
presence, as they had that of others who had preceded him;

127

but Prince Soomunt would not attend to their request.
The men knew that if they forced the holy man the king
would be displeased with them, and they feared also that
Soomunt would curse them: he looked so grave and threat-
ening that they drew back with a sort of instinctive dread,
and hesitated to use violence. Our Manbhavy, however,
promised to wait there until they had communicated his
reply to their master; one of them, accordingly, went
forward to the king, and acquainted him with the circum-
stances. The king was much pleased with the account he
received of this Manbhavy or mendicant: he thought he
would prove to be some holy man; he therefore bade the
minister go with the attendant, and request him, on the
part of the king, to favor the court with his presence. The
minister accordingly went out to where Soomunt was, and,
approaching the prince, threw himself at his feet, very
earnestly and most cordially inviting him to the anashutre.
Soomunt told him that he had for a long time past refrained
from the use of all delicacies in the shape of food, and that
it was therefore of no use their endeavouring to prevail
upon him to be present at the anashutre. The minister
then desired Soomunt to favour him by waiting there until
he had informed his master of his reply, on which Soomunt
looked displeased at the minister, and said, 'Why should I
wait here while you go and inform your master of what I
have said? He may be a very good and honorable king
to you, but to me the rich and the poor are both alike.
Therefore, I pray you, let me go.' The minister tried all
the means in his power to induce him to remain, and at
last, after having expended almost the whole store of his
arguments, he prevailed upon the Manbhavy to wait until
he had reported the matter to the king. Accordingly, the
minister went to the palace, and told the king all that had
occurred. Malattee listened with much astonishment, and
decided that it would be unworthy of them to allow the
mendicant to depart without entertaining him. As may
well be imagined, Prince Soomunt was her daily thought

128
and her nightly dream, and it now struck her, strangely
enough, that perhaps this might prove to be Soomunt him-
self. As this idea crossed her mind, she ordered a horse to
be brought to her immediately, and having mounted, she
rode out to the spot where the Manbhavy was impatiently
awaiting permission to prosecute his journey. She soon
distinguished him, seated on a stone in the road, and as her
eye rested on him she recognised her long-lost and dear
Prince Soomunt! She rode up to him, prostrated herself
at his feet, and, with clasped hands and glistening eyes, paid
him pure and earnest adoration, after the manner prescribed
by the Hindu law for a devotee. She then entreated him
to accompany her to her abode, but the Manbhavy replied,
‘No; I have no business at your majesty’s palace, since, as
I have already told your minister, I have taken a vow against
partaking of dainties.’ ‘No matter,’ replied Malattee; ‘I
shall feel highly obliged by your kindly complying with my
request; and I hope and trust that the Almighty will in
due time restore you to your former position and happiness.’
She managed, after much persuasion, to prevail upon him
to accompany her to the palace in a palanquin. When
they had arrived there, the king and the mendicant
adjourned to a private apartment, and the former desired the
latter to make known the cause of his present disguise.
‘You need not,’ said the king, ‘be under any apprehension.
Speak freely.’ Prince Soomunt, seeing the king so eager to
learn his secret, immediately told him all, adding, ‘When I
returned from the palace with the garland, which I recovered
in the chamber of the Gowrihar, and found that my beloved
Malattee was not where I had left her, I searched every
tree, one by one, thinking I might have missed the right
one, but all to no purpose,—she was nowhere to be found!
I then made as much haste as I could to escape the
pursuit of my uncle, who would, I had no doubt, when he
became aware of our absence, send troops out in search of
us. Next morning, by sunrise, I had assumed the disguise
you now see me in, and have since travelled through cities

129
innumerable, but have hitherto gained no tidings of my
beloved! I at last thought she might have returned to her
father’s palace, but I have since learned the contrary from
a wicked thief, in the disguise of a mendicant, who told me
how he had taken her away that night from the grove, and
how he was cheated by her under a pretext she formed of
sending him to purchase provisions in the market, during
which interval she escaped. This thief has also, for her
sake, assumed the same disguise as myself. Since I parted
from him up to the present moment, I have been almost a
stranger to rest,—uneasiness of mind and the fatigues of
the journey have totally banished sleep!’ The Princess
Malattee could not but be touched at the recital of the
hardships and sufferings her beloved had undergone. How-
ever, she curbed her inclination a little longer, and said,
‘Well, mendicant, do you intend to wander in search of
her any more? She may be in some unknown place; if
so, how can you expect to find her? She may ere now
have found another lover, still more handsome than your-
self; how then is it possible you can recover her from his
hands? I would advise you to search for her no more.
Live here happily with me: I will procure for you an
excellent and beauteous lady who will respect you in a far
greater degree than did your beloved Malattee.’ ‘Oh,
gracious king!’ said Soomunt in reply, ‘pray hear me.
With regard to women, I have sworn that they shall all be
alike to me: I will never look on one save as a mother or
a sister.’ He then showed her the garland which he had
always carried about with him, at sight of which, and the
associations connected with it then crowding upon her mind,
she was deeply affected, and could scarcely conceal her
emotion. ‘Do you think,’ said she, ‘that if your Malattee
were to meet you in this place you would know her again?’
‘She cannot be here,’ replied he; ‘and I beg you will
excuse me for refusing to accept your invitation to remain.
I would rather that this body of mine should fall gradually
into decay, than that I should prove false to Malattee, and
R

130
break an oath so solemnly made.' When Malattee saw he was
not to be moved from his purpose, she said, 'Your Malattee
may have married some other person.' 'No,' replied he;
'your majesty must be aware that if she wished to marry
any other, she would have married the man whom her father
had with much trouble and expense procured for her;
besides, she has sworn to look upon no other man save as
a father or a brother. I am therefore quite easy on that
head, knowing that nothing but death can sever us.'
Hearing this, Malattee indulged in an immoderate fit of
laughter. 'I hope,' said she, still laughing, 'you will now
enjoy that happiness with your beloved Malattee which you
have been so long deprived of, for she is now within my
palace!' She desired him to wait there a moment, and
she would bring her to him. She then went into her
private apartments, took off her kingly robes, and, attiring
herself in her marriage suit, with the ornaments she had
worn on the day of their separation, she re-entered the room
where Soomunt was in waiting. He recognised her at the
first glance, ran to her, and tenderly embraced her. 'Ah!
how much I am indebted to the king,' exclaimed he, 'who
has so agreeably surprised me! Why does he not return,
that I may thank him?' 'Do not expect to see the king
any more,' replied the princess, with tears of joy in her
eyes, 'but let us sit down, and I will explain the mystery
to you.'
"They sat down, after the joy of Soomunt at this unex-
pected meeting had subsided, and the princess informed
him of every circumstance that had befallen her since the
night on which the garland had caused their separation, and
also that the thief was then at the anashutre. They then
began to express their gratitude to heaven, and to thank
each other for their constancy in the most affectionate terms
that true love could dictate. The prince chid Malattee
gently for allowing him to remain so long in her presence
without making herself known to him, but she prostrated
herself before him, soliciting his pardon for it; and then

131

conducted him to a bath, which had been previously ordered
to be prepared. On his return she took off his travelling
garb, and arrayed him in a suit of unusual value and
richness.
"It would be impossible to convey any just idea of
Prince Soomunt's joy. He was heard to say to himself,
'Oh, the dear and generous princess! What a treasure
has this day been restored to me! I thank heaven for
guiding my steps to this city. It gives me cause to hope
that a long life of happiness is before me—even more than
my heart can be said to desire.' The next day Malattee
did not appear in her kingly garb, but having dressed
herself like one of her own sex, and as became her position
in life, she sent for one of the officers, and ordered him to
summon the minister to her apartment forthwith. When
the minister entered the chamber, in obedience to the com-
mand of his king, he was surprised to see a lady of such
extraordinary beauty there, and whom he had never before
seen. The princess, however, put an end to his conjectures
at once, by entering upon a relation of her own and Prince
Soomunt's history. He listened to her in silence and
admiration. When she had ended the narrative, she direct-
ed him to manage the affairs of her government, with as
much care and diligence as possible, for the space of a
month from that day, as she would not appear in court until
her beloved Soomunt was perfectly recovered from the indis-
position attendant upon his long and harassing journey.
She would, however, give him all the assistance in her
power during her temporary absence from the public.
"The Princess Malattee entertained the prince with a
series of the most magnificent festivals, such as royalty
alone could command: and every care and attention being
at the same time bestowed on the restoration of his health,
the prince, before the expiration of the month, had regained
his usual strength and spirits, and was in all respects pre-
pared to enter into any business of weight and importance.
He now appeared to the princess, after the rest and comfort

132
he had enjoyed, far more handsome than ever : his finely-
moulded limbs, his noble air, and the majesty of his person,
all combined to render him one of the handsomest men,
in all respects, ever seen.
“ Shortly after this, Malattee summoned the minister
and other nobles of the court, and acquainted them with
her intention of placing Soomunt on the throne in her
stead. They seemed much pleased to hear this, and there
was not a single dissentient voice raised against the proposi-
tion. They each and all congratulated the prince, with
much warmth-and sincerity, and he was speedily placed
upon the throne, amidst great and gorgeous celebrations,
and with the usual ceremonies on such occasions. The
new king was proclaimed throughout the city, and in all the
adjacent places; and for several days together there was
one continual flow of all that could tend to heighten the
joy and increase the pleasure of the people at such an event.
The rejoicings extended all over the kingdom, and couriers
were despatched to different parts to make the event known
far and near. Prince Soomunt entered into the business
of state with so much confidence and majesty, and displayed
such tact and ability, that he gained the admiration and
well-merited approbation of all his subjects, so that they
became, if possible, more than ever pleased with their
sovereign ; and everything prospered under his wise and
discreet rule.
“ The prince and princess (whom we must henceforth
designate the king and queen) thus continued to live
happily together for a considerable time. One morning,
the queen began to take a retrospective view of their past
lives, when it occurred to her that Queen Shoodhamutty
might perhaps at that moment be suffering the deepest and
most inconsolable grief for the loss of her only son, as she
had had no opportunity of hearing from him since the
night on which he absconded from the palace. She there-
fore mentioned the matter to her husband, and desired him
to write to the king her father, acquainting him with all

133
that had befallen them since they left the palace, and with
their present situation, as also with the nature of the oath
that had been exchanged between them, and which was the
cause of their elopement. King Soomunt immediately set
about doing as he was desired, and wrote the letter, in
which he dwelt at some length on the sufferings and hard-
ships both himself and Malattee had undergone ere they
had finally arrived at their present state of happiness, and
respectfully, but in very forcible terms, pleaded their youth
and the ardour of their love in extenuation of the indiscre-
tion they had committed in leaving the palace, at the same
time expressing deep regret for the consequent uneasiness
and alarm they had caused their respective parents; he also
affectionately and earnestly besought their forgiveness,
more particularly that of his mother. When Soomunt had
finished the letter, and sealed it, he despatched it by a
trusty officer, and directed him to use all haste in delivering
it to the king his uncle. When the officer arrived at the
city, he went directly to the palace, and, having disclosed
his mission, he was immediately taken before the king
(Malattee’s father). The officer prostrated himself before
the monarch in the usual manner, and, after a short speech
of deference and respect, presented the letter. The king
perused it, and was much pleased with the eloquent and
masterly style in which it was written; he immediately
sent for his sister, and read it over again to her. In doing
so, he paid a just compliment to her son by extolling his
qualifications and merit in the highest possible terms.
“The receipt of the intelligence contained in Soomunt’s
letter naturally enough caused much joy, and to none more
so than the widowed Shoodhamutty, whose happiness in
learning that her son was living and in the enjoyment of
good fortune and power, was indeed indescribable. So
great was also the king’s joy, that he ordered the intelligence
to be published abroad, lest he should be overpowered with
it by locking it up within his own bosom. ‘It would be too
much,’ thought he, ‘so I must even share it.’

134
“The king did not omit to distribute sugar in his city,
as was usual when any great and joyous event occurred, in
order that he might testify his delight. He ordered grand
preparations to be made, and his equipage prepared, as he
intended paying a visit to his nephew and daughter. Every-
thing being ready, the king, with his sister, the royal family,
and all the nobles and courtiers, set out on their journey.
When their retinue drew near the city of Pooshapamuny,
King Soomunt, who had received notice of it, went out to
meet them, accompanied by his beloved Malattee and all
the chiefs of his court. King Soomunt and the lovely
Malattee were richly and magnificently dressed, with tiaras
of diamonds encircling their brows, and otherwise decorated
in a profuse manner with pearls and precious stones.. King
Soomunt rode on an elephant very richly caparisoned, and
the handsome Malattee was carried in a palanquin decked
out in the most gorgeous manner. They left the city amid
the sounding of trumpets and hautboys, and the beating of
drums. The meeting took place, and on both sides there
was great emotion displayed. Soomunt and Malattee both
affectionately embraced their royal parents, and they were
in turn met with many expressions of love and esteem, and
numberless sincere congratulations. The past was forgotten
in the present. They then entered the city, amid the
deafening shouts of all the assembled townspeople.
“ King Soomunt conducted his uncle and mother to his
rich and noble palace, and entertained them with every
imaginable care and attention. Next day the marriage
ceremony between king Soomunt and the faithful Malattee
was solemnised, and great was the rejoicing throughout the
whole city. The hearts of the lowly brahmins, as well as
those of the more favored children of the clime, were alike
gladdened by the rich presents and profuse liberality which
characterised the proceedings of the day. King Soomunt
was loaded with costly presents from his father-in-law ; and,
at the conclusion of all, the royal guests set forward on
their return, excepting Queen Shoodhamutty, who remained

135
with her son, having decided on spending her declining
years under his protection.
“ King Soomunt and his lovely bride lived happily, sur-
rounded with wealth and power, and in the enjoyment of
contentment and peace, until they were, in the usual course
of nature, gathered to their forefathers.”
The Shaloonky, having finished her tale, told the Princess
Pudmavuntty and the disguised brahmin that that was all
she had to say, and immediately took her flight from the
chowrung, and disappeared in the wall.

136
CHAPTER IX.
Veytal returns, in the shape of a peacock, and commences to relate the
history of King Rutnamanee, his son Sewdass, Hurridass the Prime
Minister's son, and the Princess Moheeny.
WHEN the Shaloonky had departed, a peacock appeared
in her place. Vickramadetea, the disguised brahmin,
seeing it, and knowing full well that it was the Veytal again,
who had assumed that guise, requested the bird to amuse
them with a tale. “Oh!” said the peacock, “I am ready
to oblige you, but cannot do so unless the princess expresses
her willingness to humour you in this respect.” The
Princess Pudmavuntty could not contain herself for laughter,
in which she indulged for awhile, and then bade the peacock
proceed. Before, however, the bird began his tale, he
bowed to the brahmin, and begged to be permitted to express
a hope that her highness and the company at large would
be pleased to hearken attentively to what he was about to
relate, as it would prove, he thought, much more entertain-
ing and amusing than they perhaps anticipated. Those
assembled in the room promised their best attention, and
the bird thus began:—
“There was once a city called Rutnapoory, where, at one
period, reigned a wise and discreet king named Rutna-
mance. His kingdom, which was very populous, was at
peace with all the neighbouring dominions. Rutnamance
had a minister named Vichakshun, and they were both
men of virtue, and possessed of many good qualities, which
rendered them objects of great love and respect to all who
came within the sphere of their influence. Rutnamanee
had also a son named Sewdass, who had a favourite official
attached to his train, called Hurridass, the son of his father's

minister. “They were both young men of promise and
education, and, being almost of the same age and engaged
in similar pursuits, they conceived a liking for each other,
which soon ripened into friendship. They passed nearly the
whole of their time together, and were never happy but in
each other's society. The king found that this intimacy
interfered with his arrangements for his son's future pros-
pects in life, and he was therefore determined at all hazards
to put an end to their intercourse if possible. He called
Sewdass to him one day, and kindly said, ‘ My son, you
have now nearly arrived at the age of discretion, and how
is it that you spend so much of your valuable time, which
should be more usefully and profitably engaged, in the
company of my minister's son, in frivolous undertakings
and unprofitable tasks ? You can gain nothing by his
conversation, for he is greatly your inferior. You might
spend your time in laying up stores of knowledge, in the
study of the various branches of science, and in the improve-
ment of your mind, by preparing it for the duties you may
be called upon to perform at a future period. Turn, then,
my son, from the path you are now pursuing into that
which must lead you to honour, fame, and renown.’ Thus
spoke the good king, but, alas ! how short-lived was the
impression of this fatherly admonition on the young prince !
Not that he was totally devoid of feeling and respect for his
royal parent, but his strong affection for the minister's son
carried all before it, and would not admit of his giving him
up altogether.
“ The minister one day found the king in a very angry
mood, and the latter, conscious of having been observed by
the former, said to him, ‘ Vichakshun, you have come at a
time when my wrath is greatly kindled. Know you not
what my commands were touching the intimacy and friend-
ship which exists between Prince Sewdass and your son ?
Have I not commanded that it should be discontinued ? I
now give you to understand that if you do not exert your
influence to put an immediate stop to it, you will incur my
S

138
severe displeasure, and I shall be put to the disagreeable
necessity of dealing with you and your son in a manner
suited to the occasion, so as effectually to prevent the
growing intimacy.' The minister was alarmed at the words
of the king, and, falling on his knees before his sovereign,
begged forgiveness for his son's temerity, and for his own
seeming neglect. 'I assure your majesty,' said he, 'that I
constantly pursue my son with threats and persuasions in
order to prevent his intercourse with the prince, but he pays
no attention to my repeated remonstrances. I shall now
proceed to extremities, if nothing else can effect it.' He
then bowed and retired.
"On the minister's return home, he summoned his son
before him, and informed him of what the king had said.
Hurridass seemed to regret very much that he had given so
much offence to his majesty, and faithfully pledged his word
never more to seek the prince. The next morning Hurridass
received a message, as usual, from the prince, requesting
him to attend upon him as speedily as possible, but Hurri-
dass wrote back to the prince that he could not, after what
had passed between the king and his father, again hazard
an interview with him, as it would inevitably call down the
ire as well of his father as of the king. He entered into a
minute detail of all that had occurred, and of the subsequent
injunctions which had been laid upon him, and concluded
by begging the prince most earnestly to dispense with his
company until the king should become more favorable to
their intimacy. This reply caused the affectionate prince
much pain and uneasiness. He never could have believed
of his friend that he would consent to remain away from
him on such a slight pretext, without even venturing to see
him. He could but ill disguise the dissatisfaction he felt
at his father's proceeding, and he resolved upon sending for
his friend again, notwithstanding the king's prohibition.
He accordingly sent another messenger, requesting Hurri-
dass to come, if it were only to afford an opportunity for
fuller explanation of the circumstances mentioned in his

139
note. The minister’s son, however, was resolved upon not
disobliging his father and the king. He refused, saying
that he could not visit the prince after what had happened,
nor would he on any account disobey the orders he had
received. He desired the messenger to acquaint the prince
with this determination on his part. Prince Sewdass was
lost in amazement and grief, being ignorant of the best
means to adopt in such a predicament. At last he resolved
on calling upon Hurridass in person, and no sooner was
this resolution formed than he hastened to put it into
execution. He burst into Hurridass’ room, and, half-choked
with grief, in a tone of supplication conjured him, by all
that was sacred in friendship, to acquaint him with the
cause of so sudden a change in his demeanour towards him.
‘If,’ said the prince, ‘it is on account of what my father
has said, how foolish it is on your part to attach such weight
and importance to his words! True enough, he has said
that our intimacy must cease, but it was in a fit of passion;
he surely could not have really meant it. I am sure he did
not intend to separate us thus for ever. Dispel such
scrupulosities, my dear Hurridass, and once more return to
the arms of your friend—your brother.’ ‘Prince,’ replied
Hurridass, after having allowed his friend to give vent to
his emotions, which could not but be flattering to him, as
they supplied an additional proof, if one were wanted, of the
sincerity and disinterestedness of the prince’s friendship,
‘Prince, the king your father has so willed it, and has
repeatedly told my father so, there can therefore be no mis-
take. I cannot disobey my father’s commands on any
account, much as my heart is with you. Be generous,
prince, and excuse me. I have sworn never again to be
seen in your company unless your father (he alone can do
it) absolves me from my oath by rescinding his orders.
Besides, were I to act in opposition to the direct and
oft-repeated injunctions of the king, it would only lead to
the ruin, not alone of myself, but of my own parent, and
would also, I fear, bring disgrace and opprobrium on you.