ebooks Slaves and Slavery in Africa: Volume Two: The Servile Estate by From Ingramcontent in History

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Excerpt: ...taken possession of thee! The Pandavas have gone to the forest; having given a particular pledge; so that what thou apprehendest can never take place! O bull of the Bharata race; the Pandavas ever abide by the truth. They will never; therefore; accept the words of thy father! If however; accepting the commands of the king; they come back to the capital; violating their vow; even this would be our conduct; viz.; assuming; an aspect of neutrality; and in apparent obedience to the will of the monarch; we will closely watch the Pandavas; keeping our counsels!' "Dussasana said; 'O uncle of great intelligence; it is even as thou sayest! The words of wisdom thou utterest always recommend themselves to me!'"Karna said; 'O Duryodhana; all of us seek to accomplish thy will and; O king; I see that unanimity at present prevaileth among us! The sons of Pandu; with passions under complete control; will never return without passing away the promised period. If; however; they do return from failing sense; do thou defeat them again at dice.' "Vaisampayana said; 'Thus addressed by Karna; king Duryodhana with cheerless heart; averted his face from his counsellors. Marking all this; Karna expanding his beautiful eyes; and vehemently gesticulating in anger; haughtily addressed Duryodhana and Dussasana and Suvala's son saying; 'Ye princes; know ye my opinion! We are all servants of the king (Duryodhana) waiting upon him with joined palms! We should; therefore; do what is agreeable to him! But we are not always able to seek his welfare with promptness and activity (owing to our dependence on Dhritarashtra)! But let us now; encased in mail and armed with our weapons; mount our cars and go in a body to slay the Pandavas now living in the forest! After the Pandavas have been quieted and after they have gone on the unknown journey; both ourselves and the sons of Dhritarashtra will find peace! As long as they are in distress; as long as they are in sorrow; as long as they are...