Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/291

Rh Scepter and empire have no power to charm me— I go to seek a worthier prize than they!"

Then he strode away, full of bitterness and anger; but as he passed under the palace windows, he heard his mother weeping, and the sound softened his heart, so that his wrath died down, and a great loneliness fell upon him, because he was spurned by both father and mother. So he cried sorrowfully:

"Oh, heart crown'd with grief, hast thou nought But tears for thy son? Art mother of mine? Give one thought To my life just begun!"

And Queen Lona answered through her tears:

"Yea! Mother am I, though I weep, So hold this word sure,— Go, reign king of all men, but keep Thy heart good and pure!"

So Rajah Rasalu was comforted, and began to make ready for fortune. He took with