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

126 to the palace. ‘No,’ thought he, ‘she has abandoned the enjoyments of a court for my sake, escaped from the hands of a ravisher, and is perhaps even now engaged in tracing me out. Oh! would that I could meet her soon!’ “The thief went on his journey, and travelled till he arrived at the anashutre which Malattee, under the name of Soomunt, had ordered, where he dined upon the dainty dishes provided for him as well as for others of his class, and was then conducted by an attendant to the king, to receive the virah. When Malattee saw him she recognised him at once, and questioned him closely as to why he had assumed the garb of a mendicant, and what were the reasons that had induced him to lead a rambling life. The thief was for a time completely dumbfoundered, but he soon regained his courage, and related everything connected with his distressing case, as he called it,—how he had gained a fair lady, and how he had been cheated by her. He said that he had adopted the habit he then wore as a punishment for the folly he had been guilty of. She laughed at the tale, and asked him how he had allowed himself to be thus tricked. ‘Alas!’ replied the thief, ‘I lost her as I have already had the honor of telling your majesty, but can your majesty inform me how she can be regained?’ ‘I can, very well,’ rejoined the king, ‘but henceforth do not trouble yourself about her; remain, however, at the anashutre, where you will get your meals, and be content.’ The thief promised obedience, and remained there, as the king had directed. “Prince Soomunt having sojourned for many days at Vodajagonath, at last set out on his way. He happened to travel the road leading to the anashutre in the city where his beloved Malattee had established herself—the city of Pooshapamuny. The princess had given strict orders that no person should pass along that way without partaking of the anashutre; so the men, observing the prince, made known to him the orders of the king, and entreated his presence, as they had that of others who had preceded him;

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but Prince Soomunt would not attend to their request. The men knew that if they forced the holy man the king would be displeased with them, and they feared also that Soomunt would curse them: he looked so grave and threat- ening that they drew back with a sort of instinctive dread, and hesitated to use violence. Our Manbhavy, however, promised to wait there until they had communicated his reply to their master; one of them, accordingly, went forward to the king, and acquainted him with the circum- stances. The king was much pleased with the account he received of this Manbhavy or mendicant: he thought he would prove to be some holy man; he therefore bade the minister go with the attendant, and request him, on the part of the king, to favor the court with his presence. The minister accordingly went out to where Soomunt was, and, approaching the prince, threw himself at his feet, very earnestly and most cordially inviting him to the anashutre. Soomunt told him that he had for a long time past refrained from the use of all delicacies in the shape of food, and that it was therefore of no use their endeavouring to prevail upon him to be present at the anashutre. The minister then desired Soomunt to favour him by waiting there until he had informed his master of his reply, on which Soomunt looked displeased at the minister, and said, 'Why should I wait here while you go and inform your master of what I have said? He may be a very good and honorable king to you, but to me the rich and the poor are both alike. Therefore, I pray you, let me go.' The minister tried all the means in his power to induce him to remain, and at last, after having expended almost the whole store of his arguments, he prevailed upon the Manbhavy to wait until he had reported the matter to the king. Accordingly, the minister went to the palace, and told the king all that had occurred. Malattee listened with much astonishment, and decided that it would be unworthy of them to allow the mendicant to depart without entertaining him. As may well be imagined, Prince Soomunt was her daily thought

128 and her nightly dream, and it now struck her, strangely enough, that perhaps this might prove to be Soomunt him- self. As this idea crossed her mind, she ordered a horse to be brought to her immediately, and having mounted, she rode out to the spot where the Manbhavy was impatiently awaiting permission to prosecute his journey. She soon distinguished him, seated on a stone in the road, and as her eye rested on him she recognised her long-lost and dear Prince Soomunt! She rode up to him, prostrated herself at his feet, and, with clasped hands and glistening eyes, paid him pure and earnest adoration, after the manner prescribed by the Hindu law for a devotee. She then entreated him to accompany her to her abode, but the Manbhavy replied, ‘No; I have no business at your majesty’s palace, since, as I have already told your minister, I have taken a vow against partaking of dainties.’ ‘No matter,’ replied Malattee; ‘I shall feel highly obliged by your kindly complying with my request; and I hope and trust that the Almighty will in due time restore you to your former position and happiness.’ She managed, after much persuasion, to prevail upon him to accompany her to the palace in a palanquin. When they had arrived there, the king and the mendicant adjourned to a private apartment, and the former desired the latter to make known the cause of his present disguise. ‘You need not,’ said the king, ‘be under any apprehension. Speak freely.’ Prince Soomunt, seeing the king so eager to learn his secret, immediately told him all, adding, ‘When I returned from the palace with the garland, which I recovered in the chamber of the Gowrihar, and found that my beloved Malattee was not where I had left her, I searched every tree, one by one, thinking I might have missed the right one, but all to no purpose,—she was nowhere to be found! I then made as much haste as I could to escape the pursuit of my uncle, who would, I had no doubt, when he became aware of our absence, send troops out in search of us. Next morning, by sunrise, I had assumed the disguise you now see me in, and have since travelled through cities

129 innumerable, but have hitherto gained no tidings of my beloved! I at last thought she might have returned to her father’s palace, but I have since learned the contrary from a wicked thief, in the disguise of a mendicant, who told me how he had taken her away that night from the grove, and how he was cheated by her under a pretext she formed of sending him to purchase provisions in the market, during which interval she escaped. This thief has also, for her sake, assumed the same disguise as myself. Since I parted from him up to the present moment, I have been almost a stranger to rest,—uneasiness of mind and the fatigues of the journey have totally banished sleep!’ The Princess Malattee could not but be touched at the recital of the hardships and sufferings her beloved had undergone. How- ever, she curbed her inclination a little longer, and said, ‘Well, mendicant, do you intend to wander in search of her any more? She may be in some unknown place; if so, how can you expect to find her? She may ere now have found another lover, still more handsome than your- self; how then is it possible you can recover her from his hands? I would advise you to search for her no more. Live here happily with me: I will procure for you an excellent and beauteous lady who will respect you in a far greater degree than did your beloved Malattee.’ ‘Oh, gracious king!’ said Soomunt in reply, ‘pray hear me. With regard to women, I have sworn that they shall all be alike to me: I will never look on one save as a mother or a sister.’ He then showed her the garland which he had always carried about with him, at sight of which, and the associations connected with it then crowding upon her mind, she was deeply affected, and could scarcely conceal her emotion. ‘Do you think,’ said she, ‘that if your Malattee were to meet you in this place you would know her again?’ ‘She cannot be here,’ replied he; ‘and I beg you will excuse me for refusing to accept your invitation to remain. I would rather that this body of mine should fall gradually into decay, than that I should prove false to Malattee, and R

130 break an oath so solemnly made.' When Malattee saw he was not to be moved from his purpose, she said, 'Your Malattee may have married some other person.' 'No,' replied he; 'your majesty must be aware that if she wished to marry any other, she would have married the man whom her father had with much trouble and expense procured for her; besides, she has sworn to look upon no other man save as a father or a brother. I am therefore quite easy on that head, knowing that nothing but death can sever us.' Hearing this, Malattee indulged in an immoderate fit of laughter. 'I hope,' said she, still laughing, 'you will now enjoy that happiness with your beloved Malattee which you have been so long deprived of, for she is now within my palace!' She desired him to wait there a moment, and she would bring her to him. She then went into her private apartments, took off her kingly robes, and, attiring herself in her marriage suit, with the ornaments she had worn on the day of their separation, she re-entered the room where Soomunt was in waiting. He recognised her at the first glance, ran to her, and tenderly embraced her. 'Ah! how much I am indebted to the king,' exclaimed he, 'who has so agreeably surprised me! Why does he not return, that I may thank him?' 'Do not expect to see the king any more,' replied the princess, with tears of joy in her eyes, 'but let us sit down, and I will explain the mystery to you.' "They sat down, after the joy of Soomunt at this unex- pected meeting had subsided, and the princess informed him of every circumstance that had befallen her since the night on which the garland had caused their separation, and also that the thief was then at the anashutre. They then began to express their gratitude to heaven, and to thank each other for their constancy in the most affectionate terms that true love could dictate. The prince chid Malattee gently for allowing him to remain so long in her presence without making herself known to him, but she prostrated herself before him, soliciting his pardon for it; and then

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conducted him to a bath, which had been previously ordered to be prepared. On his return she took off his travelling garb, and arrayed him in a suit of unusual value and richness. "It would be impossible to convey any just idea of Prince Soomunt's joy. He was heard to say to himself, 'Oh, the dear and generous princess! What a treasure has this day been restored to me! I thank heaven for guiding my steps to this city. It gives me cause to hope that a long life of happiness is before me—even more than my heart can be said to desire.' The next day Malattee did not appear in her kingly garb, but having dressed herself like one of her own sex, and as became her position in life, she sent for one of the officers, and ordered him to summon the minister to her apartment forthwith. When the minister entered the chamber, in obedience to the com- mand of his king, he was surprised to see a lady of such extraordinary beauty there, and whom he had never before seen. The princess, however, put an end to his conjectures at once, by entering upon a relation of her own and Prince Soomunt's history. He listened to her in silence and admiration. When she had ended the narrative, she direct- ed him to manage the affairs of her government, with as much care and diligence as possible, for the space of a month from that day, as she would not appear in court until her beloved Soomunt was perfectly recovered from the indis- position attendant upon his long and harassing journey. She would, however, give him all the assistance in her power during her temporary absence from the public. "The Princess Malattee entertained the prince with a series of the most magnificent festivals, such as royalty alone could command: and every care and attention being at the same time bestowed on the restoration of his health, the prince, before the expiration of the month, had regained his usual strength and spirits, and was in all respects pre- pared to enter into any business of weight and importance. He now appeared to the princess, after the rest and comfort

132 he had enjoyed, far more handsome than ever : his finely- moulded limbs, his noble air, and the majesty of his person, all combined to render him one of the handsomest men, in all respects, ever seen. “ Shortly after this, Malattee summoned the minister and other nobles of the court, and acquainted them with her intention of placing Soomunt on the throne in her stead. They seemed much pleased to hear this, and there was not a single dissentient voice raised against the proposi- tion. They each and all congratulated the prince, with much warmth-and sincerity, and he was speedily placed upon the throne, amidst great and gorgeous celebrations, and with the usual ceremonies on such occasions. The new king was proclaimed throughout the city, and in all the adjacent places; and for several days together there was one continual flow of all that could tend to heighten the joy and increase the pleasure of the people at such an event. The rejoicings extended all over the kingdom, and couriers were despatched to different parts to make the event known far and near. Prince Soomunt entered into the business of state with so much confidence and majesty, and displayed such tact and ability, that he gained the admiration and well-merited approbation of all his subjects, so that they became, if possible, more than ever pleased with their sovereign ; and everything prospered under his wise and discreet rule. “ The prince and princess (whom we must henceforth designate the king and queen) thus continued to live happily together for a considerable time. One morning, the queen began to take a retrospective view of their past lives, when it occurred to her that Queen Shoodhamutty might perhaps at that moment be suffering the deepest and most inconsolable grief for the loss of her only son, as she had had no opportunity of hearing from him since the night on which he absconded from the palace. She there- fore mentioned the matter to her husband, and desired him to write to the king her father, acquainting him with all

133 that had befallen them since they left the palace, and with their present situation, as also with the nature of the oath that had been exchanged between them, and which was the cause of their elopement. King Soomunt immediately set about doing as he was desired, and wrote the letter, in which he dwelt at some length on the sufferings and hard- ships both himself and Malattee had undergone ere they had finally arrived at their present state of happiness, and respectfully, but in very forcible terms, pleaded their youth and the ardour of their love in extenuation of the indiscre- tion they had committed in leaving the palace, at the same time expressing deep regret for the consequent uneasiness and alarm they had caused their respective parents; he also affectionately and earnestly besought their forgiveness, more particularly that of his mother. When Soomunt had finished the letter, and sealed it, he despatched it by a trusty officer, and directed him to use all haste in delivering it to the king his uncle. When the officer arrived at the city, he went directly to the palace, and, having disclosed his mission, he was immediately taken before the king (Malattee’s father). The officer prostrated himself before the monarch in the usual manner, and, after a short speech of deference and respect, presented the letter. The king perused it, and was much pleased with the eloquent and masterly style in which it was written; he immediately sent for his sister, and read it over again to her. In doing so, he paid a just compliment to her son by extolling his qualifications and merit in the highest possible terms. “The receipt of the intelligence contained in Soomunt’s letter naturally enough caused much joy, and to none more so than the widowed Shoodhamutty, whose happiness in learning that her son was living and in the enjoyment of good fortune and power, was indeed indescribable. So great was also the king’s joy, that he ordered the intelligence to be published abroad, lest he should be overpowered with it by locking it up within his own bosom. ‘It would be too much,’ thought he, ‘so I must even share it.’

134 “The king did not omit to distribute sugar in his city, as was usual when any great and joyous event occurred, in order that he might testify his delight. He ordered grand preparations to be made, and his equipage prepared, as he intended paying a visit to his nephew and daughter. Every- thing being ready, the king, with his sister, the royal family, and all the nobles and courtiers, set out on their journey. When their retinue drew near the city of Pooshapamuny, King Soomunt, who had received notice of it, went out to meet them, accompanied by his beloved Malattee and all the chiefs of his court. King Soomunt and the lovely Malattee were richly and magnificently dressed, with tiaras of diamonds encircling their brows, and otherwise decorated in a profuse manner with pearls and precious stones.. King Soomunt rode on an elephant very richly caparisoned, and the handsome Malattee was carried in a palanquin decked out in the most gorgeous manner. They left the city amid the sounding of trumpets and hautboys, and the beating of drums. The meeting took place, and on both sides there was great emotion displayed. Soomunt and Malattee both affectionately embraced their royal parents, and they were in turn met with many expressions of love and esteem, and numberless sincere congratulations. The past was forgotten in the present. They then entered the city, amid the deafening shouts of all the assembled townspeople. “ King Soomunt conducted his uncle and mother to his rich and noble palace, and entertained them with every imaginable care and attention. Next day the marriage ceremony between king Soomunt and the faithful Malattee was solemnised, and great was the rejoicing throughout the whole city. The hearts of the lowly brahmins, as well as those of the more favored children of the clime, were alike gladdened by the rich presents and profuse liberality which characterised the proceedings of the day. King Soomunt was loaded with costly presents from his father-in-law ; and, at the conclusion of all, the royal guests set forward on their return, excepting Queen Shoodhamutty, who remained

135 with her son, having decided on spending her declining years under his protection. “ King Soomunt and his lovely bride lived happily, sur- rounded with wealth and power, and in the enjoyment of contentment and peace, until they were, in the usual course of nature, gathered to their forefathers.” The Shaloonky, having finished her tale, told the Princess Pudmavuntty and the disguised brahmin that that was all she had to say, and immediately took her flight from the chowrung, and disappeared in the wall.

136 CHAPTER IX. Veytal returns, in the shape of a peacock, and commences to relate the history of King Rutnamanee, his son Sewdass, Hurridass the Prime Minister's son, and the Princess Moheeny. WHEN the Shaloonky had departed, a peacock appeared in her place. Vickramadetea, the disguised brahmin, seeing it, and knowing full well that it was the Veytal again, who had assumed that guise, requested the bird to amuse them with a tale. “Oh!” said the peacock, “I am ready to oblige you, but cannot do so unless the princess expresses her willingness to humour you in this respect.” The Princess Pudmavuntty could not contain herself for laughter, in which she indulged for awhile, and then bade the peacock proceed. Before, however, the bird began his tale, he bowed to the brahmin, and begged to be permitted to express a hope that her highness and the company at large would be pleased to hearken attentively to what he was about to relate, as it would prove, he thought, much more entertain- ing and amusing than they perhaps anticipated. Those assembled in the room promised their best attention, and the bird thus began:— “There was once a city called Rutnapoory, where, at one period, reigned a wise and discreet king named Rutna- mance. His kingdom, which was very populous, was at peace with all the neighbouring dominions. Rutnamance had a minister named Vichakshun, and they were both men of virtue, and possessed of many good qualities, which rendered them objects of great love and respect to all who came within the sphere of their influence. Rutnamanee had also a son named Sewdass, who had a favourite official attached to his train, called Hurridass, the son of his father's

minister. “They were both young men of promise and education, and, being almost of the same age and engaged in similar pursuits, they conceived a liking for each other, which soon ripened into friendship. They passed nearly the whole of their time together, and were never happy but in each other's society. The king found that this intimacy interfered with his arrangements for his son's future pros- pects in life, and he was therefore determined at all hazards to put an end to their intercourse if possible. He called Sewdass to him one day, and kindly said, ‘ My son, you have now nearly arrived at the age of discretion, and how is it that you spend so much of your valuable time, which should be more usefully and profitably engaged, in the company of my minister's son, in frivolous undertakings and unprofitable tasks ? You can gain nothing by his conversation, for he is greatly your inferior. You might spend your time in laying up stores of knowledge, in the study of the various branches of science, and in the improve- ment of your mind, by preparing it for the duties you may be called upon to perform at a future period. Turn, then, my son, from the path you are now pursuing into that which must lead you to honour, fame, and renown.’ Thus spoke the good king, but, alas ! how short-lived was the impression of this fatherly admonition on the young prince ! Not that he was totally devoid of feeling and respect for his royal parent, but his strong affection for the minister's son carried all before it, and would not admit of his giving him up altogether. “ The minister one day found the king in a very angry mood, and the latter, conscious of having been observed by the former, said to him, ‘ Vichakshun, you have come at a time when my wrath is greatly kindled. Know you not what my commands were touching the intimacy and friend- ship which exists between Prince Sewdass and your son ? Have I not commanded that it should be discontinued ? I now give you to understand that if you do not exert your influence to put an immediate stop to it, you will incur my S

138 severe displeasure, and I shall be put to the disagreeable necessity of dealing with you and your son in a manner suited to the occasion, so as effectually to prevent the growing intimacy.' The minister was alarmed at the words of the king, and, falling on his knees before his sovereign, begged forgiveness for his son's temerity, and for his own seeming neglect. 'I assure your majesty,' said he, 'that I constantly pursue my son with threats and persuasions in order to prevent his intercourse with the prince, but he pays no attention to my repeated remonstrances. I shall now proceed to extremities, if nothing else can effect it.' He then bowed and retired. "On the minister's return home, he summoned his son before him, and informed him of what the king had said. Hurridass seemed to regret very much that he had given so much offence to his majesty, and faithfully pledged his word never more to seek the prince. The next morning Hurridass received a message, as usual, from the prince, requesting him to attend upon him as speedily as possible, but Hurri- dass wrote back to the prince that he could not, after what had passed between the king and his father, again hazard an interview with him, as it would inevitably call down the ire as well of his father as of the king. He entered into a minute detail of all that had occurred, and of the subsequent injunctions which had been laid upon him, and concluded by begging the prince most earnestly to dispense with his company until the king should become more favorable to their intimacy. This reply caused the affectionate prince much pain and uneasiness. He never could have believed of his friend that he would consent to remain away from him on such a slight pretext, without even venturing to see him. He could but ill disguise the dissatisfaction he felt at his father's proceeding, and he resolved upon sending for his friend again, notwithstanding the king's prohibition. He accordingly sent another messenger, requesting Hurri- dass to come, if it were only to afford an opportunity for fuller explanation of the circumstances mentioned in his

139 note. The minister’s son, however, was resolved upon not disobliging his father and the king. He refused, saying that he could not visit the prince after what had happened, nor would he on any account disobey the orders he had received. He desired the messenger to acquaint the prince with this determination on his part. Prince Sewdass was lost in amazement and grief, being ignorant of the best means to adopt in such a predicament. At last he resolved on calling upon Hurridass in person, and no sooner was this resolution formed than he hastened to put it into execution. He burst into Hurridass’ room, and, half-choked with grief, in a tone of supplication conjured him, by all that was sacred in friendship, to acquaint him with the cause of so sudden a change in his demeanour towards him. ‘If,’ said the prince, ‘it is on account of what my father has said, how foolish it is on your part to attach such weight and importance to his words! True enough, he has said that our intimacy must cease, but it was in a fit of passion; he surely could not have really meant it. I am sure he did not intend to separate us thus for ever. Dispel such scrupulosities, my dear Hurridass, and once more return to the arms of your friend—your brother.’ ‘Prince,’ replied Hurridass, after having allowed his friend to give vent to his emotions, which could not but be flattering to him, as they supplied an additional proof, if one were wanted, of the sincerity and disinterestedness of the prince’s friendship, ‘Prince, the king your father has so willed it, and has repeatedly told my father so, there can therefore be no mis- take. I cannot disobey my father’s commands on any account, much as my heart is with you. Be generous, prince, and excuse me. I have sworn never again to be seen in your company unless your father (he alone can do it) absolves me from my oath by rescinding his orders. Besides, were I to act in opposition to the direct and oft-repeated injunctions of the king, it would only lead to the ruin, not alone of myself, but of my own parent, and would also, I fear, bring disgrace and opprobrium on you.

140 I regret the circumstances as much as you by any possibi- lity can do, but what alternative have we? I trust, however, that you will, by the blessing of God, succeed in all your undertakings, and become prosperous, but it must be with- out me. I am not permitted to share in it. I beg, there- fore, that you will not prolong the pain this interview brings with it, but leave me to brood over my misfortune, which is in itself sufficient, and almost more than I can bear, without witnessing your distress. Leave me, prince, I beseech you!' 'What means all this, Hurridass?' asked the prince; 'can it be that you have, without a struggle, at once resolved upon shutting me out from your heart? The difficulties that now surround us cannot but give way before our united efforts. Oh, recal then those cruel and unfeeling words of yours! Say that you will still be my friend,—that we shall again meet, though it may be at a distant time, more distant, perhaps, than my heart can be reconciled to, but let me still be sustained with the hope that the friendship—the brotherly love and affection—which I have lavished on you are not unrequited, and I will be content—at least I will strive to be so. But do not—oh, — do not doom me to despair, by extinguishing the last faint gleam of hope!' 'Ah, prince! why do you thus distress yourself and me by struggling against fate? Destiny over- rules all our inclinations, all our wishes, and, alas! all our hopes and aspirations! What I have said is not said of my own accord, but with the severest pang that my heart ever experienced. I say it because I know and am convinced that it must be so. Adieu, prince! may you soon regain your usual composure.' 'This day, then, shall be my last!' cried the prince with great vehemence, as Hurridass attempted to cut short the interview by withdrawing himself; 'and why delay when an opportunity is thus presented?' continued he distractedly, as, eyeing a sabre hanging on the wall, he rushed up to it, seized it in a determined manner, and attempted to bury the blade in his bosom. Hurridass, nimbly stepping up,

141 fortunately succeeded in arresting his uplifted arm. ‘What deed of wickedness are you about to perpetrate?’ demanded he; ‘do you wish to hurry yourself into eternity with all your misdeeds and imperfections on your head? Is this the morality and wisdom which you have learnt from our holy religion? Do you not fear God? Desist, I pray you desist!’ ‘I fear God, and none else,’ replied the now desperate prince; ‘but as life has no longer any charms for me, what is left me but to die?’ Hurridass replied, ‘Do not rush headlong to destruction. Bide your time. He who lives in the fear of God, and places his dependence on Him, may rest in peace; no real evil can befal him. What may appear as trials to the short-sighted vision of man, are but blessings in disguise. Losses, disappoint- ments, bereavements, and pains, ought each and all to be looked upon as corrections and admonitions dealt out by a fatherly hand, and therefore blessings. Let a man but have patience, and put his faith in the Almighty, and he will surmount all the difficulties that may present themselves to him. You must be aware of all this, my dear prince, and yet you are so rash and intemperate as to attempt to lay violent hands on yourself, and thus to sacrifice a life so precious as yours is to all—to me in particular! Alas! your rashness makes me relent: I cannot, considering the resolve that has now taken possession of your mind,—of putting an end to your existence if we do not continue our friendship,—hesitate a moment to do as you wish, though at a great and imminent personal hazard to myself. ‘What!’ exclaimed the wretched prince, ‘do you hold out hopes for me?’ ‘I was going to say,’ continued Hurri- dass, ‘that I consider I should be endangering your life were I to refuse compliance with your wishes; I must therefore even swerve from my determination’—‘And consent!’ cried the prince. ‘You have said it,’ replied Hurridass; ‘I must resolve on leaving my parents and home on your account. Let us not be rash, however, but give the subject a few hours’ consideration.’ ‘Tush!’ cried the

142 prince; 'no more evasion! You have consented to my proposals; and only on one condition do I return the sword to its place—that you do not go back from your word.' They then affectionately embraced each other, and mingled their tears, after which, lest they should be seen together by the minister, they retired to a secluded place for the purpose of deliberating on their future movements. After a few minutes spent in conversation, Hurridass said, 'Will you, my dear prince, allow me to make the first pro- position? I feel convinced that it will meet your approval.' 'I shall, I am sure, have no voice apart from yours,' replied the prince; 'pray go on.' 'It is expedient,' continued Hurridass, 'that we forthwith leave this city, the scene of our happy childhood, and travel to some other clime more congenial to our present condition and circumstances, where we may uninterruptedly enjoy each other's society in peace and contentment, and thus ensure for ourselves that serenity of mind which is necessary for the devoting ourselves to the various branches of art and science. There, too, when not otherwise engaged, we can indulge ourselves in works of charity and benevolence—visit the saints, and — give alms to the poor; and there we may, if God so wills it, die together, and let our dust be mingled within the small compass of one and the same grave. To remain here and continue our intimacy would be to bring ruin on our- selves: our fathers will most assuredly discard us, and perhaps do us some greater injury. What say you, my dear prince?' 'Be it so,' replied Sewdass; 'your counsel is good, and you have displayed your usual soundness of judgment in it. I also perceive, more than ever, the goodness of your heart and the sincerity of your kind regard for me.' Having thus determined on leaving the city together, they retired to make the necessary preparations, promising to meet the next day at a certain time and place which had been agreed upon between them. They hastily provided them- selves with some money and other necessaries essential for the journey, and at the appointed hour the youths met at

143 the rendezvous, whence, after a cordial greeting, they set forth, without making any one a party to their design. “On the day of their departure, the king arose at his usual hour, and, having bathed himself, as was his custom, proceeded to the apartment allotted to the purpose of medi- tation, there to pour forth his thanks to his beneficent Creator. In his prayers he did not omit his son Sewdass, on whom he called down the blessings of heaven, little dreaming that he had rebelled against him, and was at that moment far from his birth-place and anxious parent, with- out having given him the slightest notice or intimation of his intention. The king, having ended his devotions, em- ployed the intermediate time till noon in his court. After the labours of the day were over, he retired to take his usual meal, and was surprised at not finding his son in his customary place, as he had hitherto never failed to be pre- sent. He sent a messenger to the minister’s house to see if he was there with Hurridass, but no—he was not there. The king then ordered him to be sought for in all the places where he thought he was likely to be, yet he was not found. King Rutnamanee on this became agitated and alarmed, especially when he heard that the minister was also engaged, with equally bad success, in searching for his son. He immediately ordered the different parts of the city to be searched closely, as well as the roads leading from it: but the youths, having had a good many hours’ start, were out of reach, and jogging along quite pleasantly, without inter- ruption. The minister also, as has been said, was looking everywhere for his son, and loudly deploring his absence; and on his servants informing him that he had not been seen since the previous night, no doubt was left on the anxious father’s mind that Sewdass and Hurridass had left the city together. He immediately presented himself before the king, and communicated his suspicions. The latter was sorely grieved at the turn affairs had thus unexpectedly taken, and asked the minister of he had not been cognisant of the intended departure of the two youths, and if so, why.

144 he had not taken the necessary precautions to prevent their carrying it out. The minister said that he knew nothing of it till the moment of his majesty's sending a messenger for the prince. The king then asked whether his orders regarding his son had been communicated to the youth. 'May it please your majesty,' said the minister, 'I distinctly informed my son of the instructions I had received from your majesty, and told him in addition that if he disregarded the matter, not only would he himself be a sufferer, but likewise I, his father. My son promised to obey me; but upon enquiry, I understand that yesterday morning the Prince Sewdass sent a messenger to request my son to wait upon him, but he returned a direct refusal, whereupon a second messenger came with a like message, and succeeded no better than the first. The prince, however, being bent upon having an interview, came in person the third time, and burst into my son's apartment. They then conversed for some time, were afterwards seen to retire to a secluded place, and have not since been seen or heard of. It is to be presumed that as your majesty was pleased to lay them under some restraint regarding their frequent meetings and growing intimacy, they have evaded your majesty's control, in order that they may give free scope to their inclinations. Such being the case, I would take the liberty of suggesting to your majesty the propriety of setting some portion of the troops in motion. Let them be sent out to the several neighbouring provinces, with instructions to scour the coun- try far and wide.' The king immediately acted on the minister's suggestion, and despatched numerous horsemen in all directions. The greatest exertions were made by them, but all without avail : they were fain to return, after a fruitless search. The king was grieved to learn that no trace of them could be found; and the minister and his family were also thrown into deep distress. His majesty again summoned his minister, and had another consultation with him, but neither of them could suggest a plan likely to result in the capture of the runaways. They became now

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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