Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/299

/ IV.] BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE.. 263 careless steps of the merchant, they flew away. The fowlers, in great disappointment, came up to Chand, and, taking him for a mischievous knave, assaulted him. After suffering all imaginable ills at the hands of the infuriated Manasa Devi, Chand was able_ to return to Champaka Nagar, to his own great relief and to the delight of his queen Sanaka. Soon afterwards another son was born to him. It was a remarkably handsome child, and they called hin Laksmindara or favourite of the goddess of wealth. Chand consulted astrologers and they were unanimous in declaring to him privately that the boy was destined to die on the night of his mar- riage-day, by snake-bite. Chand had how given up all hopes of worldly happiness. Night and day, he worshipped the great Mahadeva and prayed for strength to keep up his determination. Now Laksmindara, who grew to be a most handsome and accomplished prince, came of that age when youths of his caste generally mar- ried, and the queen Sanaka sought for a suitable bride for her son. The family priest, Janardan, brought information that in the whole world there was not another creature in womanly form so lovely and beautiful as Behula—the accomplished daughter of Saha, the merchant of Nichhani Nagar. Behula’s face was like a full-blown lotus, her eyes were 901 and playfulas those of a wild gazelle, her hair wore the tints of summer clouds and when dis- hevelled, fell down her back and _ reached the ankles. She sang like a cuckoo and danced better than any dancing-girl in the whole city of Champaka Nagar. Is assault- ed by the fowlers., Returns home, Another son born to him. Doomed to die in early youth. Behula, the accom. plished daughter of Saha, the merchant.