Indian Antiquary Vol 14

SR No.: 032506
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 418
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 18 MB

Page 287

SEPTEMBER, 1885.]
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE.
253
tions, the prince to one country and the princess to another."
For the first time for many years this woman was seen to lift up her head; and when the leprous man inquired what reward she would give him if he brought the prince her husband there, she readily replied, “Ask what thou wilt and it shall be given to thee."
When the king and his company saw the woman speaking and looking quite happy, he was much surprised. At the same time, also, through God's mercy, the humour, which was escaping from the man's leprous wounds, stopped.
Then he went and sat down beside the second woman and asked her to listen to his tale :
"In a certain country there lived a gardener -the royal gardener-in whose house a beggar prince from some distant country chanced to arrive. This prince became the gardener's servant, but making himself so thoroughly useful and being of a noble and gentle mien he soon became the gardener's son-in-law. One day the daughter of the king of that country saw the prince (though she knew not that he was a prince), and begged her mother to solicit the king to marry her to him. After full inquiries the king discovered that he was a great and clever man, and therefore assented to his daughter's request and made great preparation for the wedding. The wedding took place and there was great rejoicing, and the new prince prospered exceedingly and grew more and more popular both with the king and people. Only his brethren envied him. At last, tired of their envy and seized with an irrepressible longing to visit his home and country, he left with his wife in a ship then about to sail for the desired haven. Alas! the ship was wrecked, and only two persons were saved out of the whole ship's company, the prince and princess. These escaped on two pieces of board. One landed in one country and the other landed in another country."
For the first time for many years the second woman lifted her bead, and when the man inquired what reward he should have if he could bring the prince before her she replied, "Ask what thou wilt and I will give it thee."
When the king and his company saw the woman's happy face and that her lips moved they were much surprised. At the same time,
also, the man's leprons wounds closed up and looked as if they would soon heal.
Then the man went and sat by the third woman and begged her to hear his story -
"In a far distant city there resided a certain rich merchant, who had pity upon & poor traveller, whom he had noticed standing one day by his shop, and made him his servant, but afterwards finding that he was so wise and good, and that the business prospered by his means, he made him his son-in-law. In course of time the son-in-law wished to visit his home and country and so left with his wife, promising to return soon. But alas! alas! the vessel went down with all hands except the prince and his wife, who escaped upon planks and timber from the wreck, one reaching one country and the other arriving at another country." When the woman heard these things she lifted her head, and when she further heard that the prince was alive and near the place, she entreated the man to show him to her and she would give him a great reward.
When the king and his company saw the third woman's happy face and ready speech they exceedingly wondered. At the same time also the wounds of the leprous man thoroughly dried-up and were like to altogether disappear.
Then the man went and sat down beside the fourth woman and asked her to listen to his story :
"In a certain jungle resided & great ogre who had captured a beautiful girl, a king's daughter, and kept her for his own service and amusement. By chance one day a man arrived at the entrance of the cave where this woman was sitting and lamenting her lot. He inquired why she wept and she told him all that had happened to her. Both being clever and beautiful they quickly entertained affection for one another and by the evening when the ogre usually returned from his excursions, finding that the man would not leave her she concealed him in a box. However, the ogre discovered him, but did not cat him, seeing that he was pale and thin, and kept him there as a servant. By-and-by the princess discovered the secret of the ogre's life and the prince accomplished his death, and then they both, the prince and the princess, sat on the ogre's enchanted stool and were transported to