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

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