Page:Sacred Books of the Buddhists Vol 1.djvu/227

 strong and hast thy winged carriage at thy disposal, why dost thou not hastily fly up to the sky at my arrival ?'

On hearing this, Sumukha addressed him with human language in a voice which distinctly articulated syllables and words, and by its sonorousness manifested the firmness of mind of the speaker, being employed to show his (virtuous) nature.

41, 42. 'How is it, thou askest me, that I, being able to go, do not go. Why, the cause thereof is this. This bird here suffers the misfortune of being insnared. Thou hast power over him, whose foot is entangled in this strong snare, but he has power over me by still stronger fetters, his virtues, by which he has fastened my heart.'

Upon this the Nishâda, affected with high admiration and almost in ecstasy, once more asked Sumukha.

43. Being afraid of me, the other swans left him and flew up to the sky. But thou dost not leave him. Say, what is this bird to thee?'

Sumukha spoke:

44. 'My king he is, my friend he is, whom I love no less than life, my benefactor he is, and he is in distress. On this account I may never desert him, not even in order to save my own life.'

And observing the feelings of growing tenderness and admiration which appeared in the Nishâda, he continued :

45. 'Oh! If this our conversation might lead to a happy end, my friend! If thou wert to obtain the glory of a virtuous action by setting us free now!'

The Nishâda spoke :

46. 'I do not wish thee harm, and it is not thee I have caught. Why then, go free and join thy relations who will be glad at the sight of thee!'

Sumukha spoke:

47, 48. 'If thou dost not wish my sorrow, then thou must grant my request. If thou art content with one,