The ocean of story, being C.H. Tawney's translation of Somadeva's ...

10 THE OCEAN OF STORY
neighbours, or by robbing them, does not remain. The
poison-trees 1 of wealth, which are rooted in wickedness and
bring forth an abundant crop of wickedness, are soon broken
by the weight of their own fruit. All that is gained by that
wealth in this world is the toil of acquiring it and other
annoyances, and in the next world great suffering in hell
a suffering that shall continue as long as the moon and stars
endure. As for love, that love which fails of attaining its
object brings disappointment that puts an end to life, and
unlawful love, though pleasing in the mouth, is simply the
forerunner of the fire of hell. 2 But a man's mind is sound
owing to good actions in a former life, and a hero, who possesses
self-command and energy, obtains wealth and the
object of his desires, not a spiritless coward like you. So,
my good fellow, have recourse to self-command, and strive
for the attainment of your ends."
" '
When that friend said this to me I returned him a
careless and random answer. However, I concealed my real
thoughts, spent the night in a calm and composed manner,
and in course of time came here, to see if by any chance she
lived in this town. When I arrived here, I saw you with your
neck in a noose, and after you were cut down I heard from
you your sorrow, and I have now told you my own.
" '
So I have made efforts to obtain that fair one whose
name and dwelling-place I know not, and have thus exerted
but why do
myself to gain what no heroism could procure ;
you, when Madiravati is within your grasp, play the faint-
heart, instead of manfully striving to win her ? Have you
not heard the legend of old days with regard to Rukmini ?
Was she not carried off by Vishnu after she had been given
to the King of Chedi ? '
'*
While that friend of mine was thus concluding his tale,
Madiravati came there with her followers, preceded by the
1 Here the reading of MS. No. 1 882 is Papamula yatah papaphalabharam
prasuyate Tatkshanenaiva bhajyante sighram dhanavishadrumah. No. S003 reads
praptamula, tadbharenaiva and bhujyante. No. 21 66 agrees with No. 1882 in the
main, but substitutes tana for dhana. I have followed No. 1882, adopting
tadbharenaiva from No. 3003.
2 I read yas chadharmyo '
gradutah. MS. No. 1882 reads yas chadhamyo,
No. 3003 reads yas chadharmo, and No. 2166 reads as I propose.