Page:Sacred Books of the Buddhists Vol 1.djvu/277

 somewhat alarmed. Therefore, tell me, wonderful deer, who is he on whose account thou speakest so? Is it a man or a spirit, a bird or perhaps a forestanimal ?'

The Bodhisattva spoke :

28. 'No desire of blaming prompted me, O king, to this utterance, but becoming aware of this blamedeserving action, I spoke sharp words in order to prevent him from attempting to do such a thing again.

29. 'For who would like to use harsh language to those who have committed a sin, strewing, so to speak, salt upon the wound of their fault ? But even to his beloved son a physician is obliged to apply such medical treatment as is made necessary by his illness.

30. He whom I, moved by pity, rescued, when he was carried off by the current, is the man who made this danger arise for me, O best of men. Indeed, intercourse with wicked people does not tend to bliss.'

Then the king, casting on that man a stern look expressive of harsh reproach, asked him : 'Oh, in truth, wast thou rescued before from such a distress by this deer?' And the man, who was pale and perspired with fear, sorrow, and dejection, answered in a low tone of shame: 'Yes, I was.' Upon which the king revilingly exclaimed: ‘Fie upon thee!' and placing the arrow on the bowstring he continued: 'Do not think it a trifle!

31. 'He whose heart was not even softened by an exertion like that employed in thy behalf, is a vile representative of his fellow-creatures and brings them into dishonour. Why should this lowest of men live any longer?'

With these words he grasped his bow in the middle and bent it in order to kill him. But the Bodhisattva, overpowered by his great compassion, placed himself between, saying to the king : 'Stop, Your Majesty, stop, do not strike one already stricken!

32. ‘At the very moment that he listened to the culpable enticement of Cupidity, his enemy, at that