21G 
[No. 3, 
G. A. Grierson —The Song of Manik Chandra. 
The King spake. 
285. “ Now also wait thou with thy hand upon thy heart. Until I 
return after fifty years have passed away.” 
The Queen spake. 
285. “ Lift up thy head, O king, and see a pair of juicy cocoa-nuts 
over my heart. The pair of cocoa-nuts shine forth with lustre. 287. I 
will open the nuts and put them to thy mouth, thou hast not strength in 
thy body (to pluck them). It is a fruit, which if a man refuse, he will 
suffer the pangs of hell four times fourteen times. 
The King spake. 
288. “ Hear me, 0 lady, daughter of Haris Chandra. When a secret 
hath been divulged, the meaning of its words become plain. 289. In 
front rideth an elephant’s mahaut , behind him the king. Far have I gone, 
and (I have learned that) the great house of my pilgrimage is at a far dis¬ 
tance. 290. I have tasted the fruit of the cocoanut and my belly was 
not filled. In vain have I, a householder, suffered* in my servitude.” 
Tiie Queen spake. 
291. “ Hear me, my king. My pleasant loved one, one petition have 
I to make unto thee. 292. “ Ho not, 0 pious king, go to a far country. 
Give me one little child, that I may keep him in my lap. 293. I will keep 
him and nurse him in my lap, and I will touch thee when I see my darling 
child. 294. I will place the sun-shade and staff of thy royalty over my 
child’s head. I will be the mother of the king and will enjoy the king¬ 
dom.” 295. The queen spoke of a child, and the king heard her words 
and said, 
The King spake. 
296. “ What thou desirest is not a chini champa plantain, that I 
may mix it with water and give it thee to eat. It is not the fruit of a tree, 
that I can pluck it, and place it in thy hands. 297. Fate hath not given 
thee a child. What can I do P 298. I will rejDeat the charms of the 
gurus of old, and will become a seven months’ child within thy womb. 299. 
Thou shalt call me ‘ son.’ Thou shalt open the covering of thy breast, 
and shalt give me milk.” 
The Queen spake. 
300. “ I spake to thee of a child, and thou speakest to me of milk. 
Thou art my wedded husband, how can I call thee ‘ son.’ 301. I knew 
* Lit. Died. A popular song makes Gopi Chandra charge his wives with intrigu¬ 
ing with Khetuwa Lankes'var as a last resource for getting away. But this is not borne 
out by any copy of this poem which I have seen. 
