________________
246
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(SEPTEMBER, 1885
because I was alone and could not bring them! And so it was arranged that this loving for your Majesty's and your Honours' inspec- pair should both go. tion. And see ye farther that these things Now the prince's country was far distant, before you are none other than those belonging and could not be reached except by crossing the to the three carcasses which my brethren brought sea. However, the royal couple did not hesitate back with them yesterday evening, and which on this account, though the prince had once they are thought to have killed. Thou seest it been nearly drowned and lost his first wife in is not so, O king, but that out of the envy and the shipwreck, and the princess had a horror malice of their hearts have they done this thing, of the sea. Passages were quickly engaged that my name might be degraded, and that the in a vessel soon to sail for the desired country, king's favour might pass from me. If your and they embarked fall of plans and expectaMajesty will but step forth into the court-yard tions. and look at the three dead beasts lying It is not necessary to give another account there, your Majesty will find that my of a shipwreck; for alas! the vessel had not testimony is true, and that of my brethren proceeded far upon her journey, when the false."
cruel waves engulphed her, and the prince The king immediately rose and went into
and princess and all the rest of the passengers the court-yard as advised; and lo! the jackal and crew were precipitated into the waters. was there but wanting a tail, the bear was It was a terrible time, though nothing was there but without a nose, and the leopard was seen and not a sound was heard, because of there, but having only one ear. Here, then, the darkness of the night and the roar of the was undoubted proof of the veracity of the waves. Each one seemed to die, singly and prince's words, and the king was so glad to unmourned. Afterwards, however, it was find that he had not reposed his confidence in discovered that two out of all those on board vain, that he almost forgot to reprove the had been saved, and these two were the prince other princes and members of the darbar for and his beautiful wife. As was the case with their mean and false behaviour.
the prince and his first wife, so now, they had Henceforth the king's special affection was each clung to different pieces of wood, parts more than ever marked, and eventually it was of the wreck, and had drifted to different and settled that the favourite prince should suc- far distant places. ceed to the throne, while the other princes The princess was carried by the waters to were promised only minor estates and offices that place where her husband's first wife had Not long after this final settlement of the been carried before her. She, too, entered the succession the prince was filled with an unfruitfal and flowerlese garden, and there bat intense longing to visit his father and country, down and wept bitterly. And lo! as soon as and told the king so, promising that after he she entered the garden the flower-buds grew had fulfilled this wish he would return. The larger and increased in number, and the trees king was much grieved to hear this, and en- began to shoot out their branches. When the treated the prince not to go, but to send head-gardener visited the garden on the folmessengers and inquire about his father and lowing morning to make his usual inspection people, and the affairs of the kingdom. The he was surprised to find so many more buds, prince, however, so urged his request, that at and the trees, too, giving some promise of length the royal consent was given. On eventually bearing fruit and affording shade. reaching home he told his wife of the proposed He gave the under-gardeners a holiday for that journey and bade her not to grieve or fear, as day, and went at once to inform the king of this he should soon return; but she would not glad matter. The king was delighted with hear him or the entreaties of the king and this further sign of God's blessing upon the queen-so great was her love.
garden and richly rewarded the gardener. " Whither thou goest I too will go," she For very joy the gardener went back to the cried, “I will never leave thee. Come trial garden to assure himself that his eyes had not or pleasure, I will be with thee. I live only deceived him; and on reaching it he saw because thou livest !"
another woman sitting in the garden, and
