The Holy Birds continued: Then the king,
O'ercome with grief and pain, hearing the words
Of Vi??v??mitra, with his wife and son
Journeyed along, dragging his weary steps.
At length the holy place appeared in view--
The shrine of ? iva; thus within himself,
He said: "Benares, sacred to the god,
Lies now before me; there shall I find rest,
For there man has no power." The king approached
The gates on foot: lo! at the entry stood
The Br??hman Vi??v??mitra. Mighty Saint!
The king, his hands in supplication joined,
With humble reverence, said: "Here is my life,
My wife, my son, I offer all to thee;
Accept, I pray, the offering! or choose
Whatever else thou wouldest!" But the sage
Replied: "The month is past! most saintly king!
Give me the present for the sacrifice--
The offering thou hast promised." "One half-day
As yet remains before the month be past,
Oh Br??hman of surpassing piety,
And penances unfading. Wait, I pray,
A few short hours." Then Vi??v??mitra said:
"So be it, king! once more I will return,
But if the offering be not duly paid,
Before the sinking of this evening's sun,
My curse shall smite thee.
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