3o6 CRADLE TALES OF HINDUISM
question, and as soon as King Shantanu understood that the girl's father really meant what he said, he withdrew his suit. But it was impossible to forget the beautiful maiden herself, and every one saw that the King was sad at heart. Even the Prince began to notice it, and to inquire the reason why, and after a while he found some member of the court to tell him the story. How unexpected was the result 1 No sooner did Bhishma understand the cause of his father's sorrow, than he called for his chariot, and set out to visit the house of the fisherman. On arriving there, he inquired carefully whether there were not some reason for the refusal of marriage, other than that which had been assigned. But the fisherman assured him that there was not. If it had been possible to make his daughter the mother of future kings, he would by no means have objected to her entering the royal household.
"Then," said the Prince, "the matter should be easily settled, for I am perfectly willing to give up all right to the throne, in favour of the children of your daughter Satyaki."
"Ah, Sir," said the fisherman, ** it is easy for you to promise, and easy for you to keep I I believe in your good-will. But you will marry some day, and what about your sons ? They will not be willing to forego a crown, simply because such was your intention I "
