Drinking this,
the poor boy, was deceived into the belief that he had taken milk, and
began to dance in joy, saying, 'O, I have taken milk. I have taken milk!'
Beholding him dance with joy amid these playmates smiling at his
simplicity, I was exceedingly touched. Hearing also the derisive speeches
of busy-bodies who said, 'Fie upon the indigent Drona, who strives not to
earn wealth, whose son drinking water mixed with powdered rice mistaketh
it for milk and danceth with joy, saying, 'I have taken milk,--I have
taken milk!'--I was quite beside myself. Reproaching myself much, I at
last resolved that even if I should have to live cast off and censured by
Brahmanas, I would not yet, from desire of wealth, be anybody's servant,
which is ever hateful. Thus resolved, O Bhishma, I went, for former
friendship, unto the king of the Somakas, taking with me my dear child and
wife. Hearing that he had been installed in the sovereignty (of the
Somakas), I regarded myself as blessed beyond compare. Joyfully I went
unto that dear friend of mine seated on the throne, remembering my former
friendship with him and also his own words to me. And, O illustrious one,
approaching Drupada, I said, 'O tiger among men, know me for thy friend!'--
Saying this, I approached him confidently as a friend should. But Drupada,
laughing in derision cast me off as if I were a vulgar fellow. Addressing
me he said, 'Thy intelligence scarcely seemeth to be of a high order
inasmuch as approaching me suddenly, thou sayest thou art my friend! Time
that impaireth everything, impaireth friendship also.
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