now informs the king that he has been restored to liberty.  Asked about Sagarika he hangs down his head and declares that he cannot utter such unpleasant tidings.  The king infers that Sagarika is no more and faints.  The friend says, “my friend, revive—­revive!  I was about to tell you, the queen has sent her to Ougein—­this I called unpleasant tidings, Susangata told me so,—­and what is more, she gave me this necklace to bring to your Majesty.”  Vasantaka gives the king the necklace which he applies to his heart to alleviate his despair.  By command, the courtier applies the ornament round the neck of the king.  At this time, Vijayavarman, the nephew of Rumanwat the general of the state, arrives to announce:—­“Glory to your Majesty! your Majesty’s fortune is propitious in the triumphs of Rumanwat.  By your Majesty’s auspices the Kosalas are subdued.  On receiving your Majesty’s commands, my uncle soon collected a mighty army of foot, and horse, and elephants, and marching against the king of Kosala, surrounded him in a strong position in the Vindhya mountains.  Impatient of the blockade, the Kosala monarch prepared his troops for an engagement.  Issuing from the heights, the enemy’s forces came down upon us in great numbers, and the points of the horizon were crowded with the array of mighty elephants, like another chain of mountains:  they bore down our infantry beneath their ponderous masses:  those who escaped the shock were transpierced by innumerable arrows and the enemy flattered himself he had for once disappointed our commander’s hopes.  Fires flashed from the blows of contending heroes, helmets and heads were cloven in twain—­the broken armour and scattered weapons were carried away in torrents of blood, and the defiance of the king of Kosala, in the van of his army, was heard by our warriors; when our chief alone confronted him, and slew the monarch on his furious elephant with countless shafts.  All honour to our gallant foe, the king of Kosala; for glorious is the warrior’s death when his enemies applaud his prowess.  Rumanwat then appointed my elder brother, Sanjayavarman, to govern the country of Kosala, and making slow marches in consequence of the number of his wounded, returned to the capital.  He is now arrived.”  The king applauds his general and commands the distribution of the treasures of his favour.

Samvarasiddhi, a magician from Ougein, now interviews the king.  The magician, waving a bunch of peacock’s feathers, observes, “Reverence to Indra, who lends our art his name.  What are your Majesty’s commands?  Would you see the moon brought down upon earth, a mountain in mid air, a fire in the ocean, or night at noon?  I will produce them—­Command.  What need of many words?  By the force of my master’s spells, I will place before your eyes the person whom in your heart you are most anxious to behold.”

The king not wishing to see the performance alone, summons the queen who arrives soon.  The king leads her to a seat, sits beside her and commands the magician to display his power.