3i8 CRADLE TALES OF HINDUISM
rained from his sightless eyes, as he stretched out his hands in appeal to Duryodhana.
^< My son 1 my son I is this madness?" he cried, " Forget you that as a mother's blessing works a man's greatest good, so a woman's sorrow brings him supreme woe ? Why should you out- rage this proud and helpless queen, unless, indeed, ye be wearied of the good days, and desire to bring destruction on your father and his house ? " And then, as if in a vain desire to mitigate the force of the coming doom, by winning some measure of goodwill from the hapless woman, the old man turned himself to Draupadi, ** Speak, my daughter!" he commanded tremulously. ** Name three boons that I can grant to you. This at least remains, that / am free to restore whatever you may ask ! "
The heroic consort of the Pandavas drew her- self up to her full height, and the clear cold tones of her wonderful voice rang through the hall.
- ' I speak, O King, as a free woman," she began,
" for he who has sold himself into slavery has no power over the free to make them bondsmen. Yudisthira first bartered his own freedom, there- fore could he claim no control over his wife's I " The King nodded his assent, and Draupadi went on. " I demand, then, the freedom of Yudisthira, that no son of mine henceforth may have to claim a slave for his father I "
"Granted/' said Dritarashtr^ briefly. " Ask again."
