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

158

limit : we should not look beyond it, for if we lose it once, it cannot be regained. Listen to me, dear love,' added the prince, 'to eat whilst walking, to laugh whilst talking, to be jealous of others' prospects, to regret losses, to recal the past, to interrupt the conversation of others, and to be eavesdropping, are unmistakeable signs of a perverted understanding. Do not, therefore, my dear Moheeny, grieve for the loss of the precious stone, but try to calm yourself.' These words, spoken in the most endearing tone, helped to clear away the mist of regret that clouded Moheeny's mind, and to restore her to her usual serenity and liveliness. It will be here necessary to make a short digression. "To the northward, about forty-seven yojuns from the cave, there was a city called Hempoory, the ruling monarch of which was named Kankameroo. The city covered an extent of some seven yojuns, and was densely populated. It pleased the Almighty to cause a great scarcity of water in the dominions of this king, the largest ponds, wells, lakes, and rivers being dried up ; the people were conse- quently obliged to quit their respective localities, and take up their residence in places where a sufficiency of this necessary of life was likely to be met with. In this city also lived a poor and destitute fisherman, with a large family wholly depending on his unaided exertions. This family, as may be imagined, was reduced to the most pain- ful stage of distress by the dearth of water,—in reality they were but eking out a wretched and miserable existence. The fisherman happened on one occasion, in pursuit of his calling, to come to that part of the river where the diamond had been dropped by Prince Sewdass. Finding the river well stocked with fish, he thanked God for direct- ing his steps to the spot, and then cast in his net. When he drew it up, he found it well filled, so he cast it a second time, and was favored with another large draught of fish, among which he found one far excelling the others in beauty and brilliancy,—in fact he had never before seen one to be