Returned, his countenance with rage
Distorted; and he thus addressed the king:
"The sum is fair; why dost thou not accept
The offer? Then indeed thou mightest pay
The gift thou owest for the sacrifice."
"O son of Kusika!" replied the king,
"Consider this, I pray!--my noble race!
Truly am I descended from the sun!
How can I then become, though sore in want,
Lowest of creatures--a Cha.n.dala's slave?"
"Delay no more," the Brahman said, "but pay
The gift at once, and sell thyself a slave
To the Cha.n.dala--or assuredly
I curse thee." "Saintly priest, be merciful!"
The king entreated; and, immersed in care,
He seized the Brahman's feet, exclaiming thus:
"What am I but a slave, o'erwhelmed with grief!
Fear holds me! Saintly priest, be merciful!
Protect me, mighty saint! Save me, I pray,
From this most horrible Cha.n.dala. Sir!
Most noble saint! hereafter shall thy will
Be all the object of my life! To serve
Thy lightest wish shall be my highest joy!
Thus will I make the offering--I will be
Thy __slave__!" Replied the Brahman: "If thou art
My slave, then will I sell thee as a slave
To the Cha.n.dala." Then, filled with delight,
Paying the money, the Svapaka bound
His lately-purchased slave, and striking him,
Led hill away. Parted from all his friends;