148 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
thy piety, and thy generous affection for tliy servants ; 
be thou for ever prosperous, and receive the obeisance 
of thy slaves.” On these words the prostrate bodies of 
Behrid, his wife, and son, became re-animated, and 
arose to pay homage to the deity, but she had va- 
nished, and the King had returned to his chamber. 
Now when morning was come, and the Raja was 
present in the assembly of his counsellors and chief 
ministers, he sent for the dewan, and inquired of 
him whence arose the disturbance in the night time ; 
and Behrid being uninformed of what his wife 
had declared unto the king, was desirous of conceal- 
ing his merit, and replied, “ Oh, King ! an unfor- 
tunate female wept, hut she has departed on her way.” 
Then the King was greatly pleased, and said aloud 
before the council, “ How can this most virtuous 
servant be sufficiently rewarded?” and having re- 
lated his history to the chiefs there assembled, 
he with his own hand adjusted upon Behrid s 
person a most princely kliilat (dress of honor) which 
he had ordered to be prepared. Then he bestowed 
upon him one fourth part of his territory, and made 
his son heir to his entire dominions. 
Wherefore then is it not apparent that “ a devoted 
stranger is more dear than a neglectful relation ; but 
an unkind kinsman is less esteemed than an utter 
stranger?” There is also another saying,— ' r ‘ In peril 
is a friend proved, in battle a hero, in wealth a reli- 
gious person, a wise man in poverty, in calamity a 
kinsman.” 
