Page:The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago.djvu/173

Rh population and the power of the Pandyan king, Madalan, a Brahmin pilgrim from Thalaich-Chenkanam, a village near Pukâr, arrived at the grove where they were staying. Kovilan who had known him before saluted him. The Brahmin was surprised to learn that Kovilan had travelled on foot, with his wife, to Madura. He praised the many generous acts done by Kovilan while at Pukar, and wondered why one, who had been so kind and benevolent to the poor and the unlucky, should himself suffer misfortune. Both he and the nun advised Kovilan to enter the city before sunset and secure suitable quarters among the merchants’ houses, as it was not proper for them to stay outside with ascetics and religious mendicants. During their conversation, Mathavi, a shepherdess, who was returning to Madura, after worshipping the image of a goddess outside the city, saluted the nun.

"Listen to me, Mathavi!" said the nun who thought it best to entrust Kannaki to the care of the shepherdess, “If the merchants of this city come to know the name of the father of this lady’s husband, they would hasten to welcome him to their house, and deem it an honour to have him as their guest; but until he makes their acquaintance and finds a proper lodging I entrust this lady to thy care. Take her to your house, and let her bathe and change her dress. Paint her eyelids, and give her flowers to wear in her hair. Take care of her as if she was your own daughter. Brought up in affluence, her soft little feet had seldom touched the bare ground in her native city: and yet in the long journey she has now made she felt not her own fatigue, but grieved that her husband exposed himself to the hot sun, and was ever attentive to his wants. So loving and faithful a wife I have not seen. Take her with you, and do not tarry.” Mathavi was Only glad to render any assistance to so amiable a young lady as Kannaki; and about sunset when the shepherds were returning with herds of lowing cows from their grazing grounds, she accompanied by Kannaki, and followed by a number of shepherdesses, entered the city, and led Kannaki to her house.

Mathavi, who was really proud to have such noble guests as

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