To which Siva answered: "From my very childhood, mighty king, have I lived in holy seclusion and devotion; from this seclusion the father of my wife drew me forth, pressed and entreated me to accept the gift of honour, with the value of which I was wholly ignorant; but he assured me he was aware of its great pecuniary worth, and he would guarantee it to me. On my accepting it, without even giving it a look, I handed it over to him: he afterwards voluntarily purchased it from me, giving me his own price, and in proof of this I adduce this contract in his own handwriting: now, mighty ruler, judge between us; I have in truth laid the case fairly before you."
Siva having thus concluded his defence, Madhava addressed himself to the priest, saying: "Speak not derogatorily of this holy man, now your son. Whatever the cause of your grievance, he is innocent, as you yourself are good and upright; but I also owe an explanation to my liege and master. In what way can I have committed myself?—neither from you nor him have I taken or accepted the least benefit. The fortune my father left me I had for years given into the custody of an old and tried friend of our house; removing it from thence I presented it, under the circumstances your majesty is aware of, to this Brahmin. But if they had not been real gems, but only worthless metal and glass as this worthy priest intimates, by what means was my restoration to health so wonderfully wrought? That I gave it with pure and honest intention, witness for me the all but miracle by which I was saved!"
Thus spoke Madhava without changing a feature; but the king and his ministers laughed, and testified the good opinion they entertained for him. They then pronounced the following judgment:—"Neither Siva nor Madhava are in the least to blame, they are wholly innocent."
In sorrow and shame the priest went his way, robbed of his whole fortune, and punished for his avarice and the heartless manner in which he had sacrificed his daughter; though fortunately for her and no thanks to her father, she found in Siva a good and affectionate husband.
The two rogues altered their mode of life: thenceforward they walked in the path of virtue and well-doing; and favoured by the king, whom they faithfully served, they lived many years honoured, respected, and happy in Ujjayini.
THE GOBLIN BIRD.
[Betschuanian, South Africa.]
