CEYLON BRANCH— ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY, 95 



gkilful in managing elephants, horses and chariots, skilled in the 

 jbow and sword, firm of foot and strong of hand, and brave in 

 War. At one time Rattapala I was of surpassing power, and 

 saw no equal in strength. How think you great King are you 

 now firm of foot and strong of hand, able to contend in war. 

 Not so, Rattapala, I am now decrepid, aged, old, far advanced 

 in life, and arrived at its close. I am eighty years old : some- 

 times when I intend to put my foot in one place, I put it in a dif- 

 ferent one. On account of this, therefore, great King, it is said 

 by Bagawa that the inhabitants of the world are carried away 

 and are of short continuance: and knowing, seeing and hearing 

 this I have forsaken home and became houseless. Wonderful^ 

 astonishing Rattapala; it has been well said by Bagawa that 

 the world passes away and is of short continuance. The 

 world does pass away and is of short continuance. 



This royal family Rattapala has for its defence in danger a 

 force of elephants, cavalry, chariots and infantry: how then is 

 that to be understood which has been spoken by Rattapala 

 that the world is defenceless and wichout protection ? How think 

 you great King, are you subject to any continued sickness. 

 Yes, Rattapala, I am troubled with a constant flatulance 

 (9o«530gDo<p>cDj windy complaint) so that sometimes when my friends 

 and relations are standing round me they say, King Korawya is 

 dead! King Korawya is dead! What think you great King, 

 can you say to those friends and relations, Come here all of you 

 my friends and relations, and divide this pain among you that 

 I may obtain ease, or must you endure it yourself? No. Ratta- 

 pala, I do not call my friends and relations saying, Come all 

 of you and divide this pain among you that I may have a 

 little ease, but I have to endure it myself. It is concerning 

 this therefore great King that Bagawa has said, The world is 

 defenceless and without protection : and I knowing, seeing and 

 Rearing this, have forsaken my home and become houseless. 

 Wonderful, surprising Rattapala it has been well said by Ba* 



