[3] Lit., near the hand, ata lan̆gin; in other cases the expression is sometimes ata gāwin, with the same meaning. [↑]
[4] Ālessan-karana = ālissam-k., with dat. [↑]
No. 156
The Queen and the Beggar
At a city there exists a Beggar, begging, and continuing to eat [thus]. There is a travellers’ shed near the pool at which the Queen of that city bathes. The Beggar having come [after] begging and begging, eats at that travellers’ shed.
When the Queen was coming [after] bathing in the water, the Beggar went in front of her. Having said, “Why did a Beggar like thee come, and come in contact with me?”[1] she spat three times.
He having felt (lit., thought) much shame, went to the house of the washerman who cleans the cloths of the city. He remained doing work for him for wages. The washerman asked, “Why are you working for wages?”
“[In order] one day to get the crown and [royal] suit of clothes[2] I am working for wages,—at the time when the King (raju) is coming to the chamber,” [he said].
At the time when [the King] was coming to the chamber in which is the Queen, he stopped, investigating [matters]. Before the King came, [the Beggar], putting on the royal ornaments [and clothes], went. The guards finished the auspicious wish;[3] after that he went into the chamber.