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

59 are now mine, and whatever I shall bid you perform you must agree to in all obedience," said the brahmin in reply. "Yes, my lord," said she, "I can truly affirm henceforth I am your slave, entirely disposed to comply with all your wishes." The brahmin immediately came out of the vessel, and declared to her the particular case of the unfortunate Prince Duntsain,—that he had, during a period of twelve years, practised religious austerities, in the hope of conciliating the gods in his favor, in order to become pos- sessed of her,—and that, therefore, she must of necessity marry him. She, having already promised obedience to his commands, after reflecting for a short time remembered that she had done wrong in thus pledging her word. "I will, however," said she aloud, "if you wish it, attend to the request of Prince Duntsain; but you must first oblige me in one respect, otherwise I shall not do so." "Do not hesitate to make me acquainted with your wish," replied the brahmin, "for I am ready to oblige you in any way you can point out, so long as you agree to take the prince for your future husband." She promised to explain in the evening, and in the mean while asked him to partake of a meal with her in her apartments, with which he complied. When it was night, and they had partaken of the meal, they seated themselves on a couch in deep conversation; after some time had elapsed in this way, the brahmin asked her to communicate to him what she had said in the morning was to be the condition of her taking Prince Duntsain for her future lord. "I do not wish to ask you for any favors, or to put you to any inconvenience," said the princess, "all I desire is, that you will make me laugh and speak four different times successively; I will then do as you bid me. Failing in this, however, I must give you distinctly to understand that I will not accept of the prince for my husband." The brahmin felt disconcerted at this pro- position, but he immediately thought of Veytal, whom he instantly summoned to the spot. He appeared to Vickrama- detea, but remained invisible to all others. Vickramadetea