Then spake the Princes:  “In that army of the Swans there was no soldier like the Paddy-bird, who gave his own life for the King’s.”

“There be nowhere many such,” replied Vishnu-Sarman; “for

    ’All the cows bring forth are cattle—­only now and then is born
    An authentic lord of pastures, with his shoulder-scratching horn.’[20]

“It is well spoken,” said the Princes.

“But for him that dares to die so,” added the Sage, “may an eternal heaven be reserved, and may the lustrous Angels of Paradise, the Apsaras, conduct him thither!  Is it not so declared, indeed?—­

    ’When the soldier in the battle lays his life down for his king,
    Unto Swerga’s perfect glory such a deed his soul shall bring.’

“It is so declared,” said the Rajah’s sons.

“And now, my Princes,” concluded Vishnu-Sarman, “you have listened to ‘War.’”

“We have listened, and are gratified,” replied the sons of the King.

“Let me end then,” said their Preceptor, “with this—­

      ’If the clouds of Battle lower
      When ye come into your power,
      Durga grant the foes that dare you
      Bring no elephants to scare you;
      Nor the thunderous rush of horses,
      Nor the footmen’s steel-fringed forces: 
    But overblown by Policy’s strong breath,
    Hide they in caverns from the avenging death.’

[16] The peacock is wild in most Indian jungles.  The swan is a species of flamingo of a white color.  The voice and gait of a beautiful woman are likened by the Hindoo poets to those of the swan.

[17] By such a death as that alluded to, she earns the title of Sati, the “excellent.”

[18] The common Indian crane; a graceful white bird, seen everywhere in the interior of Hindoostan.

[19] A man of military caste.

[20] Large branching horns which reach backward and rub upon his shoulders.

PEACE

When the time came for resuming instruction, the King’s sons said to Vishnu-Sarman, “Master, we have heard of War, we would now learn somewhat of the treaties which follow war.”  “It is well asked,” replied the Sage; “listen therefore to ‘Peace,’ which hath this commencement—­

    ’When those great Kings their weary war did cease,
    The Vulture and the Goose concluded Peace.’

‘How came that?’ asked the Princes.

Vishnu-Sarman related:—­

THE TREATY BETWEEN THE PEACOCKS AND THE SWANS

“So soon as King Jewel-plume had retreated, the first care of King Silver-sides was the discovery of the treason that had cost him the fort.

‘Goose,’ he said to his Minister, ’who put the fire to our citadel, think you?  Was it an enemy or an inmate?’

‘Sire,’ replied the Goose, ’Night-cloud and his followers are nowhere to be seen—­it must needs be his work.’