[39] Book VII. 109-13 (after Delongchamps’ translation).
The corresponding passage in the Institutes of Vishnu (VIII. 20-3) renders this somewhat more intelligible. When the judge swears the witness—
“A Brahmana he must address thus, ‘Declare.’
“A Kshatriya he must address thus, ‘Declare the truth.’
“A Vaisya he must address thus, ‘Thy kine, grain, and gold (shall yield thee no fruit if thou wert to give false evidence).’
“A Sudra he must address thus, ‘Thou shalt have to atone for all (possible) heavy crimes (if thou wert to give false evidence).’”
[40] Institutes of Vishnu, IX. (Jolly’s Translation).
[41] Iliad. XV. 36-40.—Luciani Philopseud. 5; Cataplus 11.
[42] LI. 3, 4, D. XII. ii.
[43] Volundarkvida 31 (Thorpe’s Sæmund’s Edda). A curious remnant of this is seen in the burgher law of Northern Germany in the thirteenth century, by which a man reclaiming a stolen horse was bound to kick its left foot with his right foot, while with his left hand he took hold of the animal’s ear and swore by its head that it was his.—Sachsisches Weichbild, art. 135.