1839.] 



Essay on Telugu Literature. 



379 



perdition. He exclaimed death has not befallen me but a sin worse 

 than death: surely this wretch is not fit to be called a parrot! let me 

 cut the sinful miscreant to pieces. He therefore sent for the jewelled 

 cage, and filled with fury, grinding his teeth with rage, cruel as a fores- 

 ter who destroys birds, he seized the parrot in his left hand, and with- 

 out considering what he was doing, while it screamed out he slew it. 



Now listen. There was in that town an actress who was now 

 aged. She had in her youth been celebrated for her talents in 

 the dance and song so that she was amply patronized. But now that 

 she was old, her juniors were incessantly flying at her, and torment- 

 ing her and smiting her, so that they drove her out of the house, and 

 she took refuge in the next street. She reflected, surely, in my youth 

 mere words and harmonious notes obtained me large gain : for the 

 applause of the multitude was lavished on me. Now my fate has 

 made all men my foes, and as the proverb says " instead of dealing 

 in roses I am come to selling faggots." Who in the world will endure 

 to live after losing the fashion ? It is better for me to resolve to die by 

 partaking of the celebrated poisoned mangoes so that I may at once 

 relinquish my life. 



Full of these thoughts she at midnight stole to the enchanted mango- 

 tree, and out of the piles of fallen fruit she picked out one, and devour- 

 ed it. She instantly found herself a girl of twelve years old: she was 

 greatly delighted, and as the eastern sky reddened towards dawn she 

 returned home dancing and singing, as she passed through the high 

 street so that all who saw her were filled with astonishment. This was 

 reported to the king who was incredulous. But when he saw this dan- 

 satrice in the bloom of youth he called her to him, and by the hands 

 of his servants collected the fruit, and in the presence of the people de- 

 livered them to his ministers who took them, and distributed them to 

 all. Hereupon venerable couples who had been wedded for a century 

 were miraculously restored to youth. 



But when the king reflected on the good brought about by the parrot 

 he was filled with grief at the folly he had committed. Alas, thought 

 he, I reared it as a son, and then sitting at my ease, in perfect coolness 

 I have broken faith, and slain my hapless favourite. So saying he 

 drew his sword, and gave up the ghost.* 



And when she thus saw her lord perish before her face, the royal 

 dame accompanied him in death. 



Therefore reflect that if you slay your son as this king slew the 

 parrot without due consideration, you will repent the deed. 



* Suicide is perpetually mentioned in the Hindu writings a« no sin. 



