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

115 · In the mean while, no sooner had the thief turned his back, than the princess, divesting herself of her garments, dressed herself in those of Prince Soomunt, and by this means she wrought so complete a transformation in her appearance that her nearest friends would scarcely have recognised her. She lost no time in mounting her horse, and then set off on her flight, taking the forward road, being afraid to retrace her path, lest she should be pursued and overtaken by the thief. “ Shortly after the princess had made her escape, the thief returned, loaded with the purchases he had been making, but, to his utter confusion and disappointment, he found that both the horse and the princess had disappeared. Now, only, did the deluded wretch became sensible of the ruse put on him by the princess to lull his suspicions, the result of which he but too painfully felt. So enamoured had he become of the princess, that he was like one beside himself when the truth for the first time flashed across his mind;—he swore, stamped his feet, and displayed all the symptoms of an ungovernable and inordinate passion. Overcome by his violence, he sank to the ground in an agony of despair, and deplored his misfortune, as he termed it, in the following strain :—‘ Ah ! what an execrable fool am I ! Almost at the very moment when, without any pains on my part, this treasure of inestimable worth was thrown in my way, I have, by my own folly and blindness, lost it for ever ! I am the most miserable of beings ! Unlucky I am and have been, and unlucky I shall remain through life ! As well might a string of pearls be given to an ape, a brilliant jewel to one born blind, or a soft and impressive speech be addressed to a deaf man ! I have proved myself little or no better than these. The cup that was offered to me contained all that man could desire, and yet have I, like an idiot,—a fool, a blind infatuated fool !—dashed it from my lips, and turned from the proffered boon !’ In a state bordering on despair, and fully determined not to con- tinue living in the world as he had so far done, he dyed his