The legends of the Panjâb

:
236 LEGENDS OF THE PANJAB.
Hearing this said the gardener, " Princess, bear my
words.
70 I saw a great many parrots in the garden to-day."
" Parrots there were ; where have they gone Gardener,
hear my words
Either you show me the parrots, or else I will hang you.^'
Hearing this said the parrot, " Princess hear my words '
What has it to do with this gardener Hear thou my
words."
75 Hearing this said the Princess, "Listen, Har Dai*, my
maid .
Kill this parrot and bring him. to me."
Away ran the maid and came to the parrot.
The parrot flapped his wings and Sew away : he went
not near the Princess,
Girls and maids wandered about, but the parrot fell not
into their hands.
80 The Princess- aston-ished slept on her couch.
The parrot thought in his mind, " Now what shall I do
to-day
I will thrust my beak into the Princess's body."
The parrot flew off and came to the Princess.
Thinking in his mind,, he thrust in his beak.
85 He thrust his beak deep into the Princess's body.
He thrust his beak into her face.
The Princess got up quickly and seized the parrot.
The blood stood upon the Princess's face and the maid
asked her,
" Princess, why look at the parrot thy face is injured."
90 " What do you say about my face I have caught the
parrot.
I had seized it and it died in my royal hands."
" What V said a maid, " Hear my words, Princess ;
Put down the parrot, and look to your face."
Hearing this the Princess put the parrot down on the
bed.
* There is a doubt as to this name : see note to text.