With innumerable crafty devices she planned her cunning tale, telling story after story of jealous wives, whereby to increase her resentment.
Chaupâi
Overmastered by fate, the queen was persuaded at heart, and adjured her by the love she bore her to speak out. “What is it you would ask? still do you not understand: even the brute beasts know what is good or bad for them. For the last fortnight the preparations have been going on, and it is only today that you learn the news from me. I am clothed and fed in your service, and I must therefore speak the truth at any cost. If I invent a word of falsehood, may God repay me for it! Should Rama be crowned tomorrow, God will have sown you a crop of misfortunes. I draw this line on the ground, O lady, and declare most emphatically that you will be like a fly in a milk-bowl. If you and your son will submit to be servants you will be able to stay, but on no other conditions.
Chaupâi
Overmastered by fate, the queen was persuaded at heart, and adjured her by the love she bore her to speak out. “What is it you would ask? still do you not understand: even the brute beasts know what is good or bad for them. For the last fortnight the preparations have been going on, and it is only today that you learn the news from me. I am clothed and fed in your service, and I must therefore speak the truth at any cost. If I invent a word of falsehood, may God repay me for it! Should Rama be crowned tomorrow, God will have sown you a crop of misfortunes. I draw this line on the ground, O lady, and declare most emphatically that you will be like a fly in a milk-bowl. If you and your son will submit to be servants you will be able to stay, but on no other conditions.