Page:The Enchanted Parrot.djvu/32

28 you look so dismal? Tell me the cause of the trouble. You know people possessed of wisdom should not lose their self-possession even if difficulties arise. For it has been said —

" ' The man who is not overjoyed hi prosperity, who is not cast down in adversity, who is stedfast in difficulties, such a man as this has been born for an everlasting ornament and protection to the world.' "

So the Bráhman told his daughter the whole story, and how the king had threatened to banish him; since — " There is not a single person in this world on whose friendship or affection one can rely: how much less on that of a king who walks in the way? of treachery.

" For it has been said —

" ' Cleanliness in a crow ; honesty in a gambler; mildness in a serpent; women satisfied with love; vigour in a eunuch; truth in a drunkard; friendship in a king — who ever heard of these things? '

" Moreover — " ' Put not your trust in rivers, in savage beasts, in homed cattle, in armed men, in women, in princes. Kings are like soldiers clad in mail, savage, crooked in their ways as serpents that