take of them within the palace, but, out of a desire to gain notoriety from the public, who watched the ceremonious arrangements connected with the meals, he caused a jewelled pavilion to be made, and when he took his meals he caused it to be decorated, and sat on a couch made of gold, surmounted by the white parasol of state. Surrounded by men and women servitors he ate his food out of a golden dish that cost a hundred thousand pence.
Then a certain greedy man, on seeing all this serving of the king's food, longed to taste the fare, and was unable to restrain his desire. He, however, thought of a device, so, girding up his loins and throwing up his hands, he approached the king, shouting loudly—"Oh! make way! I am a messenger, a messenger!"
At that time it was a custom among the people not to stop any one crying out "I am a messenger!" Therefore, the multitude made way for him, and allowed him an opportunity of passing through their midst.
He rushed along into the king's presence, took a piece of meat from the dish and put it into his mouth. Then the sword-bearer drew out his sword with the intention of cutting off his head, but the king forbade him to strike, saying: "Don't be afraid; eat away!"
After washing his hands he sat down. At the end of the meal the king ordered water and also betel-leaf to be given him.
"Well, you say you are a 'messenger.' Whose messenger are you?"
"O, great king, I am the messenger of lust and of the belly. Lust gave me a command to you—made me a messenger, and sent me here." Then he spake the following gâthâs:—
"The lust that makes men travel far and wide,
And e'en from foes a boon to ask and take,
Hath sent me on its errand here to-day.
Restrain thy wrath, be angry not, O king.
"The lust that all men day and night here sways,
And makes them do its will and its behest,
Hath sent me on its errand here to-day,
Restrain thy wrath, be angry not, O king."
