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

THE RETURN TO KAUSAMBl 17
and on the way our caravan was destroyed by bandits, and
we, separated from it, lost our way, and so came to enter
this forest ; here we have met you, and all our fears are at
an end.' When I said this, he was moved by compassion
'
for my Brahmanical character, and said : I am a chief of
the foresters come here to hunt, and you wayworn travellers
have arrived here as my guests ;
so now come to my house,
which is at no great distance, to rest.'
" When he had said this, he made my wearied darling
get up on his horse, and himself walked, and so he led us
to his dwelling. There he provided us with food and other
requisites, as if he had been a relation. 1 Even in bad districts
some few noble-hearted men spring up here and there.
Then he gave me attendants, who enabled me to get out of
that wood, and I reached a royal grant to Brahmans, where
I married that lady. Then I wandered about from country
to country, and meeting with a caravan I have to-day come
here with her to bathe in the water of the Ganges. And here
I have found this man whom I selected for myself as a friend,
and I have seen your Highness. This, Prince, is my story."
When he had said this he ceased, and the Prince of Vatsa
loudly praised that Brahman who had obtained the prize
he desired, the fitting reward of his genuine goodness ; and
in the meanwhile the prince's ministers, Gomukha and the
others, who had long been roaming about looking for him,
came up and found him. And they fell at the feet of Nara-
vahanadatta, and tears of joy poured down their faces,
while he welcomed them all with due and fitting respect.
Then the prince, accompanied by Lalitalochana, 2 returned
with those ministers to his city, taking with him those two
young Brahmans, whom he valued on account of the tact and
skill they had displayed in attaining worthy objects.
1
I read bandhavavat so. The late Professor Horace Hayman Wilson observes
of this " : story The incidents are curious and diverting, but they are
chiefly remarkable from being the same as the contrivances by which Madhava
and Makaranda obtain their mistresses in the drama entitled MalaU and Madhava
or The Stolen Marriage." For the plot of Bhavabhuti's Malatlmadhava
{circa a.d. 700) see Keith, Sanskrit Drama, pp. 187, 188, and also pp. 192, 193.
N.M.P.
2 See Vol. VII, p. 195. n.m.p.
VOL. VIII. B