Page:The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago.djvu/179

Rh life to the Panchava that never stoops to an unjust deed! Furious as the goddess Durga or Kali, a woman who has lost her husband is at the palace gate and seeks an audience holding a golden anklet in her hand.”

“Let her come, bring her here,” said the king. Led by the guard Kannaki entered the hail, where the king was seated on the throne with his queen. Her long flowing hair hung loose and in disorder; her body was covered with dust, and tears flowed fast down her cheeks. The king, who was moved with pity at the sight of her, enquired graciously. “Who art thou maiden, that appearest before me bathed in tears?”

“Rash king! I have to speak to you,” began Kannaki, utterly unable to control her anger, her voice broken by sobs “I come from Pukâr, the kings of which city are famous for their impartial justice. One of them cut off the flesh from his own body, to save a dove: another drove his chariot over his dear son, because he had killed a calf. My name is Kannaki, and I am the widow of Kovilan, the son of that well-known merchant Machathuvan, who came to thy city to earn a livelihood, and was killed under your orders, when he went to sell one of my anklets.”

“Lady,” responded the king, “it is no injustice to kill a thief; but it is the right of the ruler of a country.”

“Thou erring king of Korkai! my anklets are filled with diamonds,” said Kannaki. “Well hast thou spoken,” exclaimed the king, “our anklets are filled with pearls. Bring the anklet and let us examine it.”

The anklet was placed before the king, and as Kannaki broke it, the diamonds which were in it, spattered out, some striking even the king’s face. The king was unnerved, when he saw the sparkling gems. He was now convinced that he had been deceived by his jeweller.

“No king am I,” said he with deep humility and remorse, “who believed the words of my goldsmith. I am the thief: I have done an act which sullies the fair fame of the long line of kings who ruled the southern land. Better for me is it to die than to bear this disgrace,” and swooned on the throne. The Pandyan queen fell at the feet of Kannaki, praying for pardon, knowing that she could offer no consolation to a woman whose