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

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before saw thee? Thou art doubtless some vile deceiver from Benares. Leave this house instantly, or thou wilt meet with the treatment thou seemest so richly to deserve!" At this time Moodgul's young son, who was about to be invested with the sacred thread, entered the room. "My son," said the unhappy father, "do you too shun me? Am I not your father?" The child, as much or even more deceived, from his extreme youth, than his elders, replied, "What a base chattering knave thou art! Dost thou dare to address thy- self thus to those who know thee not? Who art thou? Get thee hence instantly, or I will cause thee to be punished severely for thy impudence!" Poor Moodgul tried all he could to convince them of his identity, by mentioning the names of each and all of their relatives, friends, and acquain- tances, and by recalling many little family incidents, but all to no purpose. His mother, wife, and son, were certainly surprised at the accuracy of his statements, but this was not sufficient to dispel the error into which they had fallen, and which had taken so deep a hold of their minds. By this time Moodgul's father had returned, and with him the counterfeit son. The real Moodgul, on seeing his father, went forward, and with a low reverence besought his blessing. The father was very much astonished at his salutation, and said, "Thou addressest me by the title of father!—I think thou art labouring under some grievous mistake. Thou art not my son! I have but one son, and here he is," pointing to the Zotinge. "I cannot but think that thy mind is unsettled; if not, thou art endeavoring to palm off some joke upon my family, but I would advise thee to desist from such practices and to go thy way." Moodgul, at the close of his father's speech, felt a sharp pang shoot through his heart, and he bitterly repented having left his paternal dwelling in opposition to his father's express desire. It was, however, useless now to regret the past, but he could not by any means think of an expedient to extricate himself from his present dilemma. At last he resolved upon going to King Gopichund, and representing