Page:Buddhist Birth Stories, or, Jātaka Tales.djvu/324

208 turn." And he went himself, and put his neck upon the block of execution, and lay down.

The cook, seeing him, exclaimed, "The King of the Deer, whose life was promised to him, is lying in the place of execution. What does this mean?" And he went hastily, and told the king.

The king no sooner heard it than he mounted his chariot, and proceeded with a great retinue to the place, and beholding the Bodisat, said, "My friend the King of the Deer! did I not grant you your life? Why are you lying here?"

"O great king! a roe with young came and told me that the lot had fallen upon her. Now it was impossible for me to transfer her miserable fate to any one else. So I, giving my life to her, and accepting death in her place, have lain down. Harbour no further suspicion, great king!"

"My Lord the golden-coloured King of the Deer! I never yet saw, even among men, one so full of forbearance, kindness, and compassion. I am pleased with thee in this matter. Rise up! I grant your lives, both to you and to her!"

"But though two be safe, what shall the rest do, O king of men?"

"Then I grant their lives to the rest, my Lord."

"Thus, then, great king, the deer in the park will have gained security, but what will the others do?"

"They also shall not be molested."

"Great king! even though the deer dwell secure, what shall the rest of the four-footed creatures do?"

"They also shall be free from fear."

"Great king! even though the quadrupeds are in safety, what shall the flocks of birds do?"