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

56 the assurance he had given him that he would exert all his powers to secure for him the desire of his heart—the hand- some princess. Vickramadetea's nobleness prompted him to attend to the wants of others, ere he proceeded with anything for himself; so he expressed to the brahmin his willingness to proceed to the place where the young prince of whom he spoke was to be met with, and promised that he would assist in the endeavour to obtain the hand of the princess for the anxious and devoted lover. The parrot and the brahmin passed the night together under the same tree, and in the morning, Somedut placed him on his shoulder and retraced his steps towards the temporary abode of prince Duntsain. The prince saw the brahmin with the parrot approaching, and awaited them with anxiety depicted on his countenance. When they came near to him he saluted Somedut, and addressed him thus :—" My dear Somedut, since your departure I have been placed in a worse position than that in which you found me on your first visit. My passion is killing me gradually, my patience is fast wearing out, my courage fails me more than ever, and I am the most wretched of human creatures." The brahmin replied, " Look here, this bird is the king Vickramadetea, and he will be the means of procuring you your wishes," and he placed the bird on the prince's hand, who prostrated himself in all respect before it. The prince was pleased, and a gleam of joy shot through his withered heart. He likewise made his obeisance, entreating both the king and Somedut not to suffer him any longer to remain a prey to the anguish he had borne for twelve long years and more, but to take pity upon him, and to fulfil the promise they had vouchsafed to make him in their kindness of heart as early as possible. The parrot told his friend Somedut that he wished him to learn the charm of changing his natural shape and appearance, as it was necessary they should mutually exchange their conditions : in this way he said he would be able to bring about speedily the prince's desire. Somedut consented at once, and commenced to learn the mysterious