swiftly, however, and as
the year drew toward an end the little wife grew strangely pale and
still, fasted constantly, and spent most of her time praying that the
doom of death might be averted. When the fatal day drew near, she was
so weak and faint she could hardly stand; but, when Satyavan announced
he was going out into the forest to cut wood, she begged to accompany
him, although he objected the way was far too rough and hard for her
tender feet. By dint of coaxing, however, Savitri obtained his
consent; so hand in hand she passed with her husband through the
tropical woods.

While Satyavan was felling a tree, he suddenly reeled and fell at her
feet, fainting. In a moment Savitri was bending over him, holding his
head in her lap and eagerly trying to recall life in his veins. While
doing so, she suddenly became aware of Yama, God of Death, with
blood-red clothes, cruel eyes, and the long black noose, with which he
snares the soul and draws it out of the body. In spite of Savitri's
pleading, he now drew out Satyavan's soul and started off with his
prize, leaving the youthful body pale and cold on the ground.

With that the gloomy god fitted his noose,
And forced forth from the prince the soul of him--
Subtile, a thumb in length--which being reft,
Breath stayed, blood stopped, the body's grace was gone,
And all life's warmth to stony coldness turned.
Then, binding it, the Silent Presence bore
Satyavan's soul away toward the South.
--_Edwin Arnold._

But the little wife, instead of staying with the corpse, followed
Yama, imploring him not to bear off her husband's soul! Turning
around, Yama sternly bade her go back, as no human mortal could tread
the road he was following, and reminding her that it was her duty to
perform her husband's funeral rites. She, however, insisting that
wherever Satyavan's soul went she would go too, painfully followed the
king of death, until in pity he promised to grant her anything she
wished, save her husband's soul. Thereupon Savitri begged that her
blind father-in-law might recover sight and kingdom, boons which Yama
immediately granted, telling Savitri to go and inform her
father-in-law so, for the way he had to tread was long and dark.

Weak and weary as she was, Savitri nevertheless persisted in following
Yama, until he again turned, declaring he would grant any boon, save
her husband's life, to comfort her. The little wife now begg