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

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thoroughly convinced that the king's commands were the sole cause of the step the youths had taken ; and they even went the length of surmising that the young men might, in a fit of desperation, have put an end to their lives. This affected them more seriously than ever, and made the two fathers wretched indeed. The minister, however, hoped for the best ; and on his observing the king weighed down by this last idea, he tried to rouse him from his lethargic state of distress by exhorting him not to allow such sad specula- tions to dwell on his mind. He counselled him to look to God for the restoration of the prince, as he (the minister) did for the recovery of his own son. He besought him not to despair, for that all would yet be well. ' Come what will,' said Vichakshun in conclusion, ' it is the duty of every good man to bow with meek submission to the will of Him who does everything for the best, and who is ever ready to listen to the prayers and supplications of his crea- tures.' These words from the minister, who was a truly good and wise man, greatly encouraged the king, who became calmer, and at length determined to leave the issue to God, who alone could help him out of the anguish into which the loss of his only son—the heir to his throne, and the prop of his old age—had plunged him. The minister, finding the king's usual composure somewhat restored, retired from his presence. " We must now see what has become of Prince Sewdass and his companion and bosom-friend Hurridass. As they prosecuted their journey, they frequently thought and talked of their parents, and pictured vividly to themselves the distress and sorrow which they would feel when their flight became known. Thus they went on through many a town and village, across rivers and streams, over steep and rugged mountains. They did not in their travels ignore the promptings of their generous and benevolent dispositions, but visited the huts of the poor, and administered such comfort as they could. They also entered, on their way, the several temples and places of worship, and performed T