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TRANSLATION
137
32. Seeing the king plunged in care and understanding his
expression and gestures she cast a glance at his face
and thought : 33. His expression is amorous to a loved one, forthright to
an honest man, energetic to a waverer, awe-inspiring
to an enemy, agitated in sleep, 34. grim in adversity, frolicsome in joy, and indecisive when
he himself is ashamed, whilst in sorrow it fades and
becomes devoid of colour. 35. The revelation of the four quarters of the heavens, the
cover of the outer garment opened wide, the fact that
the seat has grown unsteady: these are the great signs. 36. The queen said to the king who was now very perturbed
at seeing an envoy: 'Why have you become so per
turbed, my lord ?' 37. The king recounted everything and with a clear radiance
in her features, in tones that were sweet because of her
laughter and deep from the force of her affection, 38. she said : What authority has a woman of good family
for announcing an envoy and what wife who is devoted
to her husband will give a false answer ?' 39. The king said: Tell me the meaning of this, my lady?'
Tapping that white hair she said plainly: 'This is the
envoy of the sacred doctrine.' 40. Then with an expression which was hesitant from bashful
ness the queen looked at her husband and said: 'If
you are ashamed of being old, 41. I will put a check on all the people of the city by much
giving of alms.' The king replied : 'Darling, I have . had enough of jesting speeches. 42. I am not ashamed of old age that has come in due course
to my house but of having let slip the opportunity to
take the vows before a white hair was visible. 43. Alas! Alas! I am ill-starred, wretched, clinging to the
family life, unmindful of the sacred doctrine, bemused by pleasures that are impure, transient and unsatisfying
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