'
One morning, his Majesty, being exceedingly thirsty, had repaired to the
bank of the Jumna to drink water, and just as he was about to lap it,
the bellow of Lusty-life, awful as the thunder of the last day, reached
the imperial ears. Upon catching the sound the King retreated in
trepidation to his own lair, without drinking a drop, and stood there in
silence and alarm revolving what it could mean. In this position he was
observed by the sons of his minister, two jackals named Karataka and
Damanaka, who began to remark upon it.
'Friend Karataka,' said the last,'what makes our royal master slink away
from the river when he was dying to drink?'
'Why should we care?' replied Karataka. 'It's bad enough to serve him,
and be neglected for our pains--
'Oh, the bitter salt of service!--toil, frost, fire, are not so keen:--
Half such heavy penance bearing, tender consciences were clean.'
'Nay, friend! never think thus,' said Damanaka--
'What but for their vassals,
Elephant and man--
Swing of golden tassels,
Wave of silken fan--
But for regal manner
That the "Chattra"[12] brings,
Horse, and foot, and banner--
What would come of kings?'
'I care not,' replied Karataka; 'we have nothing to do with it, and
matters that don't concern us are best left alone.
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