7. The Courtiers then respectfully asked the king, what was the matter with him; with a voice as sweet as the lotus utters to the sun when he is eclipsed by Ráhu. 8. The attendants also with all the ministerial officers, asked him about his case; as the gods terrified at the great deluge, asked the sage Márkandeya concerning the occurrence. 9. Lord! we were greatly dismayed, said they, upon seeing you in that plight; because the stoutest hearts are broken by accidents proceeding from unknown causes. 10. What were those pleasant objects of your desire, that had so much bewitched your mind? Since you know that all the objects which appear pleasant for the present, prove to be bitter at the end. _Gaudia principium nostri sunt saepe doloris._ Ovid. Pleasure is often the introduction to pain, and amid the roses fierce Repentence rears her snaky crest. Thomson. So: Pleasure is pain, when drunk without a rein. 11. How could your clear understanding, which has been pacified by the grand doctrines and precepts of the wise, fall in to the false fascinations of the foolish? (_Falsum gaudium juvat, quem nisi mendosum._ False pleasure pleases, none but the base). 12. The minds of fools are fascinated by the trivial and tawdry trifles of common people; but they are of no value to the high minded as one like yourself. (The good and great are above the reach of the allurements of pleasure). 13. Those who are elated by the pride of their bodies, have their minds always excited by ungovernable passions, which take their lead through life. (Pride is innate in beauty). 14. Your mind is elevated above common things, it is calm and quiet and enlightened by truth; and fraught with excellent qualities; yet it is strange to find it out of its wits. 15. The mind unpracticed to reasoning, is led away by the currents of time and place, but the nobleminded are not subject to the influence of incantations and enchanting spells. 16. It is impossible for the reasoning mind to be weakened or deranged, the high mind like the mount towering of Meru, is not to be shaken by the boisterous winds. 17. Thus consoled by his companions, the countenance of the king resumed its colour; as the face of the full moon collects its brightness, in the bright fortnight of the month. 18. The moon-like face of the king was brightened by his full open eyes, as the vernal season is beautified by the blooming blossoms, after the winter frost has passed away. 19. The king’s face shone forth with astonishment, and it was mixed with fear, at the remembrance of the charm of the magician; as the moon shines pale in the sky, after her deliverance from the shadow of an eclipse. 20. He saw the magician and said to him with a smile, as the serpent _takshaka_ addresses his enemy—the weasel. 21. You trickster, said he, what was this snare which thou didst entrap me in, and how was it that thou didst perturb my tranquil soul by thy wily trick, as a gale disturbs the calm of the sea.