194 Analytical Account of the Pancha Tantra. 



selves gloriously.' The weaver approved his notion ; but first, he added, 

 he must consult his wife. To this, the barber strenuously objected. A 

 wise man, he argued, would confer on women food, clothing, and appro- 

 priate ornaments, but would never let them share his councils, as Bhargava 

 has stated, that where a woman, a rogue, or a child, had the management, 

 the house was sure of going to ruin. A man would maintain his rank and 

 respectability, as long as he associated with grave people, and entrusted no 

 woman with his secrets. Women are engrossed with their own designs, and 

 purpose only their own pleasure. They love their own children even, no 

 longer than they derive from them self-gratification.' The weaver admitted 

 the justice of his friend's observations ; but his wife, he said, had no other 

 thoughts, than for her husband's welfare, and he must take her advice. 

 Accordingly he went to her, and related what had happened, what the 

 barber had recommended, and asked her what she thought it would be most 

 advantageous for him to solicit : she replied : 



" ' You should never listen, husband, to the advice of a barber ; as it is 

 said, ' Husbands should never take counsel with courtezans, parasites, 

 • mean persons, barbers, gardeners, and beggars. Royalty is a very trouble- 

 some thing, and the cares of peace and war, aggression and negotiation, 

 defence and administration, never allow its possessor a moment's enjoyment. 

 He, who is wise, will ever shun the station of a king, for which his own 

 relations, brothers and offspring, would be armed against his life. I should 

 recommend you, therefore, to be contented witii your station, and only to 

 seek the means of more eflfectually earning your livelihood. Ask for an 

 additional pair of hands, and another head, with which you may keep a 

 loom going, both before and behind you. The profit of such a second loom 

 will be quite sufficient to give you consequence and credit with your tribe, 

 as we have already from those of the first, quite enough for our own ex- 

 penditure." 



" This advice pleased the husband mightily ; he repaired forthwith to the 

 tree, and requested the spirit, as the price of his forbearance, to give him 

 another pair of arms, and an additional head No sooner said than done; 

 and he immediately was possessed of two heads and four arms, with which 

 he returned homewards, highly delighted. His new acquisitions, however, 

 proved fatal ; for as soon as the villagers saw him, they exclaimed, ' a 

 goblin ! a goblin !' and falling on him with clubs, or pelting him with stones, 

 speedily put a period to his existence. Therefore, I say, &c." 



