How Raja Rasâlu Went Out Into the World

Young Rasâlu lived on, far from the light of day, for eleven long

years, growing tall and strong, yet contented to remain playing with

his colt and talking to his parrot; but when the twelfth year began,

the lad's heart leapt up with desire for change, and he loved to

listen to the sounds of life which came to him in his palace-prison

from the outside world.

'I must go and see where the voices come from!' he said; and when his

nurses told him he must not go for one year more, he only laughed

aloud, saying, 'Nay! I stay no longer here for any man!'

Then he saddled his horse Bhaunr Irâqi, put on his shining armour, and

rode forth into the world; but--mindful of what his nurses had often

told him--when he came to the river, he dismounted, and going into

the water, washed himself and his clothes.

Then, clean of raiment, fair of face, and brave of heart, he rode on

his way until he reached his father's city. There he sat down to rest

a while by a well, where the women were drawing water in earthen

pitchers. Now, as they passed him, their full pitchers poised upon

their heads, the gay young Prince flung stones at the earthen vessels,

and broke them all. Then the women, drenched with water, went weeping

and wailing to the palace, complaining to the King that a mighty young

Prince in shining armour, with a parrot on his wrist and a gallant

steed beside him, sat by the well, and broke their pitchers.

Now, as soon as Raja Sâlbâhan heard this, he guessed at once that it

was Prince Rasâlu come forth before the time, and, mindful of the

Jôgis' words that he would die if he looked on his son's face before

twelve years were past, he did not dare to send his guards to seize

the offender and bring him to be judged. So he bade the women be

comforted, and for the future take pitchers of iron and brass, and

gave new ones from his treasury to those who did not possess any of

their own.

But when Prince Rasâlu saw the women returning to the well with

pitchers of iron and brass, he laughed to himself, and drew his mighty

bow till the sharp-pointed arrows pierced the metal vessels as though

they had been clay.

Yet still the King did not send for him, and so he mounted his steed

and set off in the pride of his youth and strength to the palace. He

strode into the audience hall, where his father sat trembling, and

saluted him with all reverence; but Raja Sâlbâhan, in fear of his

life, turned his back hastily and said never a word in reply.

Then Prince Rasâlu called scornfully to him across the hall--

'I came to greet thee, King, and not to harm thee!

What have I done that thou shouldst turn away?

Sceptre and empire have no power to charm me--

I go to seek a worthier prize than they!'

Then he strode out of the hall, full of bitterness and anger; but, as

he passed under the palace windows, he heard his mother weeping, and

the sound softened his heart, so that his wrath died down, and a great

loneliness fell upon him, because he was spurned by both father and

mother. So he cried sorrowfully--

'O heart crown'd with grief, hast thou naught

But tears for thy son?

Art mother of mine? Give one thought

To my life just begun!'

And Queen Lonâ answered through her tears--

'Yea! mother am I, though I weep,

So hold this word sure,--

Go, reign king of all men, but keep

Thy heart good and pure!'

So Raja Rasâlu was comforted, and began to make ready for fortune. He

took with him his horse Bhaunr Irâqi, and his parrot, both of whom had

lived with him since he was born; and besides these tried and trusted

friends he had two others--a carpenter lad, and a goldsmith lad, who

were determined to follow the Prince till death.

So they made a goodly company, and Queen Lona, when she saw them

going, watched them from her window till she saw nothing but a cloud

of dust on the horizon; then she bowed her head on her hands and wept,

saying--

'O son who ne'er gladdened mine eyes,

Let the cloud of thy going arise,

Dim the sunlight and darken the day;

For the mother whose son is away

Is as dust!'