'Fair Queen! what though the quiver of my mouth
Be set with glistening pearls and rubies red?
I trade not jewels, east, west, north, or south;
Take back thy gems, and give me food instead.
Thy gifts are rich and rare, but costly charms
Scarce find fit placing in a Jôgi's alms!'
Then Queen Sundrân took back the jewels, and bade the beautiful Jôgi
wait an hour till the food was cooked. Nevertheless, she learnt no
more of him, for he sat by the gate and said never a word. Only when
Queen Sundrân gave him a plate piled up with sweets, and looked at him
sadly, saying--
'What King's son art thou? and whence dost thou come?
What name hast thou, Jôgi, and where is thy home?'
then Raja Rasâlu, taking the alms, replied--
'I am fair Lona's son; my father's name
Great Sâlbâhan, who reigns at Sialkot.
I am Rasâlu; for thy beauty's fame
These ashes, and the Jôgi's begging note,
To see if thou wert fair as all men say;
Lo! I have seen it, and I go my way!'
Then Rasâlu returned to his master with the sweets, and after that he
went away from the place, for he feared lest the Queen, knowing who he
was, might try to keep him prisoner.
And beautiful Sundrân waited for the Jôgi's cry, and when none came,
she went forth, proud and stately, to ask the old Jôgi whither his
pupil had gone.
Now he, vexed that she should come forth to ask for a stranger, when
he had sat at her gates for two-and-twenty years with never a word or
sign, answered back, 'My pupil? I was hungry, and I ate him, because
he did not bring me alms enough.'
'Oh, monster!' cried Queen Sundrân. 'Did I not send thee jewels and
sweets? Did not these satisfy thee, that thou must feast on beauty
also?'
'I know not,' quoth the Jôgi; 'only this I know--I put the youth on a
spit, roasted him, and ate him up. He tasted well!'
'Then roast and eat me too!' cried poor Queen Sundrân; and with the
words she threw herself into the sacred fire and became _sati_
for the love of the beautiful Jôgi Rasâlu.
And he, going thence, thought not of her, but fancying he would like
to be king a while, he snatched the throne from Raja Hari Chand, and
reigned in his stead.