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370
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[DECEMBER, 1886.
unhappy prophecy of the god!" So thought It was not from any insane tendency that Hariji, and so has many another fool thought, the old king spoke in that shameless manner only to bring down swift retribution on his head before so learned and respectable an assembly.
After finishing his ablations the king did not He had firmly resolved within himself to go into the dining hall, but retired to his couch marry all his four daughters himself; and as and lay down sulkily. According to the ancient soon as his councillors had left him, he called customs of Hindu monarchs this was a sign his minister to his side, and asked him to go of a great uneasiness of mind, and the news that and consult his daughters about it. By this the king had not taken even a grain of rice means the king foolishly thonght that he after his oil-bath spread throughout the palace. would reverse Maheśvara's prediction that bis The queen came flying to know the reason daughters should leave him early, and see him of her lord's displeasure. "Call my minister no more till just before his death. at once," was his order, and the queen sent The minister was in a delicate position. If word to that officer.
he objected to take the news to his daughters, As soon as the minister arrived the king the old king might be enraged and punish bim : ordered him to summon a great council within a and if he boldly stood before the girls and ghatiká, as he had an important question which spoke to them shamelessly about their father's could be solved only by that learned body. intention to marry them himself, they might
The assembly was hastily called, and the become enraged and murder him! Of the two inembers collected, anxiously waiting for the alternatives he chose death at the innocent matter to be set before them. The king came hands of the princesses, rather than at the and took his seat, and after looking gravely guilty hands of a king, who had become so mad round him rose up and said—“My learned as to be in love with his own danghters. So councillors that have met bere to-day, I have he went to them. a great question to put before you for your The princesses had as great a regard for opinion. Many of you are traders, and occa- their father's minister as they had for their sionally, for various reasons, travel to different father; and when they saw him approachcountries. When you procure a rare object, or ing their mansion they welcomed him, and, a very precious jewel, or a valuable ornament, making him sit in their midst, wished to do you keep it for your own use, or do you hear whether he had any special reason for his give it away to somebody else? Kindly think visit that day. When he heard the innocent over the matter well before you give me your talk of these children, who had not even comanswer."
menced their teens, his eyes began to swim Thas spoke Hariji, and all present ex- with tears at the thought of the unwelcome claimed that, if the object were very lare news he had to communicate to them. The they would prefer keeping it to themselves. girls, who were naturally intelligent, at once
"Exactly! well said !" vociferated the king. guessed from his tearful countenance, that "Even so do I wish to act! After great hard it must be some very bad news that he had ship and severe penance I obtained through the to tell, and so the eldest broké silence by sweet grace of Mabesvara four daughters. They are and well chosen words :my gems, my jewels, and my ornaments. "Our kind father, for so we regard you, what Why should I give them away in marriage to is the matter with you, that you have put on another P Why should I not myself marry such a digmal face ? Disclose to us the burden them and retain them ander me? If you would of your heart, that we also may share in your keep the rare things you acquire to yourselves, woes." why should not I also do the same P"
The minister could no longer contain his All his councillors hung their heads for very sorrow. He sobbed aloud and told them all the shame. They were disgusted at the turn proceedings that had taken place during the which their generalization had been made to day, and how very sorry be was that they take and saying, "As it pleases Your Majesty," should have that morning showed their skill to took leave of their sovereign, all thinking that their father in the oil-bath affair. The their king had gone mad.
girls were greatly affected at what they
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