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

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