Page:The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago.djvu/172

Rh ground. Avoiding the public ferry where a continuous stream of passengers crossed the river on boats whose prows were shaped like the head of a horse or a lion or an elephant, they went to a small ferry, which was less frequented, and crossing over on a raft they reached the southern bank of the river. Keeping to the left of the city, they went round to the eastern gate, and entered a village, which was outside the walls of the city, in the midst of groves of areca and coconut plams, where only ascetics and men devoted to religion resided.

Early on the next day when the sound of the morning drum at the palace and at the various temples in the city was heard outside the city walls, Kovilan approached he nun and saluting her reverently, said “Pious nun! Having forsaken the path of virtue, I was the cause of much misery to my poor wife, and we have suffered great hardships in travelling through unknown countries. I shall now go into the city and make the acquaintance of the merchants there. Until I come back, may I leave my wife in thy care?”

“Many have suffered in the past for the woman they loved” replied the nun, “Know you not the story of Rama who obeying the commands of his father, went into exile with his wife, and losing her, was for a long time a prey to intense grief. Another king played at dice and lost his kingdom: then fleeing into a forest with his wife, deserted her at midnight. You at least are not so unfortunate as those kings. You have still got your wife with you. Be not disheartened, therefore, but go into the city, and enquire where you can find a suitable lodging and return.”

Having taken leave of the nun, Kovilan entered the city passing through the gate which was guarded by Yavana soldiers who stood with drawn swords. With wonder he beheld the grand city, its broad streets, and the storied mansions of the opulent classes. Till midday he strolled through the market, the merchants’ streets and the public squares, and unable to bear the heat of the noon-day sun, he walked back under the shade of the numerous flags which lined the streets. While he was describing to the nun the grandeur of Madura, the happiness of its