Page:The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago.djvu/187

Rh every nook and corner of the shady groves. Manimekalai who heard the tinkling bells of the prince’s chariot, as it came near the park, told Sutamati, in her sweet voice, “I have heard Chitrapati and Vayantamalai informing my mother that Prince Uday Kumara had set his heart on me. The bells we hear appear to be those of his chariot. What shall I do?” Sutamati was very much frightened, aad told Manimekalai to enter at once the crystal grove, and to conceal herself in the central chamber. She then stood at a distance, within sight of the building: and the prince who came up to her a little later, said “Though you are standing alone, I know quite well why you are here. Tell me why has Manimêkalai come out of the convent. Is she old enough to feel the passion of love?”

"How can I, a woman, advise a prince who is descended from that illustrious king, who ashamed of his youth, assumed the disguise of an old man and dispensed justice?” said Sutamati, greatly agitated, “Yet shall I speak to thee, valiant prince! Our body is the result of our deeds in former births, and the cause of our deeds in our present birth. Formed of flesh, it decays by age it is the seat of disease, the haunt of desire; the den of every vice; the hiding place of anger; and in it dwells the mind which is oppressed wiih grief, distress, despair and lamentation. Therefore, thou noble prince! view this body with contempt.” Before Sutamati finished her speech, the youthful Manimêkalai came out of her chamber, and stood within the crystal alcove appearing outside like a statue made of coral.

The prince who saw her through the walls of crystal, at first thought her to be a beautiful statue newly placed in the alcove, but afterwards suspecting it to be Manimêkalai, attempted to enter the building, and examined it on all sides, but failed, the crystal door being bolted on the inside.

"There are beautiful sculptures in this building, where is your young companion hiding herself?” asked the prince.

“She must indeed be a saint,” replied Sutamati, evading an answer, "if she does not wish to see your god-like figure.”

“Who can resist surging floods,” remarked the prince, “who can conquer love? If she does love me, let her come to me;" and was about to go away, when he turned to Sutamati again and