But under cover of a lie each act of sinful greed
Forfeits rebirth as man or god, and straight to hell must lead.

[375] Thus did he even in the midst of his retinue put the king to shame. Then the king said to him, "I did not have you caught, Sumukha, to kill you and eat your flesh, but hearing how wise you were I was anxious to listen to your eloquence," and, making the matter clear, he said:

No sin was mine, O Sumukha, nor seized I you through greed,
Your fame for wisdom and deep thought, 'twas this that caused the deed.

"Haply if here they may declare some true and helpful word,"
'Twas so I bade the fowler seize and bring thee here, O bird.

On hearing this Sumukha said, "You have acted wrongly, sire," and he spoke as follows:

We could not speak the word of truth, awed by approaching death,
Nor when in death's last agony we draw our parting breath.

Who would a bird with bird decoy, or beast with beast pursue,
Or with a text a preacher trap, nought base would he eschew.

And whoso utters noble words, intent on action base,
Both here and in the next world sinks from bliss to woeful place.

Be not o'erjoyed in glory's hour, in danger not distrest,
Make good defects, in trouble strive to do thy very best.

[376] Sages arrived at life's last stage, the goal of death in view,
After a righteous course on earth, to heaven their way pursue.

Hearing this cleave to righteousness, O sire, and straight release
This royal Dhatarattha bird, the paragon of geese.

Hearing this the king said:

Go, fetch ye water for their feet, and throne of solid worth,
Lo! from his cage I have set free the noblest bird on earth,

Together with his captain bold, so able and so wise,
Taught with his king in weal and woe ever to sympathise.

Sure such an one right well deserves e'en as his lord to fare,
Just as he was prepared with him both life and death to share.

Hearing the king's words they fetched seats for them and as they sat there they washed their feet with scented water and anointed them with oil an hundredfold refined.

[377] The Master, in explaining the matter, said:

The royal bird sat on a throne, eight-footed, burnished bright,
All solid gold, with Kasi cloth o'erspread, a splendid sight.

And next his king sat Sumukha, his trusty captain bold,
Upon a couch with tiger-skin o'erspread, and all of gold.

To them full many a Kasi lord in golden bowls did bring,
Choice gifts of dainty food to eat, the offerings of their king.