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come to-day after a long absence, and even now you have not inspected the cattle-farm.' Ságarapota said: 'I have important business at home, so I must go this very instant.' The herdsman said: If there is any very urgent business, then this son of mine can take a letter there.' So Ságarapota wrote a letter, and put it into his hand, and sent him off. Dámannaka started on his journey. When he reached the garden of Rájagriha, he was tired, and he lay down in the temple of the god of love to refresh himself. Sleep fell upon him. In the meanwhile the daughter of that very merchant, Vishá by name, came there to worship the god of love. She saw Dámannaka with his broad eyes and broad chest; and while she was looking at him, her eye fell on her father's letter, so she took it from the end of his stick and read it. It ran as follows: 'Health and prosperity! Ságarapota from the cattle-farm lovingly embraces Samudradatta, and tells him what is to be done :
'Before he has time to wash his feet, you must immediately bestow
on this man
Visha (poison) and so make my heart free from the thorn of pain.'
She thought: No doubt my father has found here a bridegroom fit for me; as for the marriage having to be performed this very day, it means that to-day is an auspicious day, so the marriage must take place to-day. As for the order that Visha is to be given, in his eagerness he has written an anusvára instead of the long á, so I will put it right.' Having thus reflected, she took some collyrium from her eyes and made the letter á instead of a dot; and sealing the letter up again, she left it as it was, and went home.* After a short time Dámannaka reached the house. He gave the letter to Samudradatta. Samudradatta took the letter and read it and considered it. He said: 'My father's order is law to me,' so he collected all the necessary preparations for the marriage, and all the host of his rela
* Compare Grimm's No. 29, in which the robbers alter the letter found in the pocket of the Glückskind.' The story is also found in Dasent's Norse Tales.' See my paper in the Indian Antiquary for July, 1881.
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