Vessantara-Jataka in Pali and English - MyWebSpace

Translation 579 Vessantara-Jåtaka
[Fausbøll, Jåtaka, vol. VI, p. 579]
The king acknowledged his fault:
"It was ill done of me indeed to ruin the innocent,
When by the people's voice I drove my son to banishment.
Then all the wealth which I possess, all that I have in hand,
Be his; and let Vessantara come and rule in Sivi land."
The lad replied:
"Not for my word will he return, the chief of Sivi land:
Then go thyself and fill thy son with blessings from thy hand."
Then to his general-in-chief King Sañjaya thus said:
"My horses, chariots, elephants, and soldiers go prepare,
And let the people come around, the chaplains all be there.
The sixty thousand warrior lords armed and adorned so fair,
Drest up in blue or brown or white, with bloodred crests, be there.
Like as the spirit-haunted hills, where trees a plenty grow,
Are bright and sweet with plants divine, so here the breezes blow.
Bring fourteen thousand elephants, with trappings all of gold,
With drivers holding lance and hook: as many horse be told.
Sindh horses, all of noble breed, and very swift to go,
Each ridden by a henchman bold, and, holding sword and bow. 1
1 Compare Fausbøll, vol. V, p. 259, line 4 (Cowell, vol. V, p. 132).