[657] "But it is seen, headman, that someone here — garlanded, wearing earrings … enjoying himself, one would think, like a king with the sensual pleasures of women.¹ Of him they say thus: 'Sirs, what did this man do, that — garlanded, wearing earrings … he enjoys himself, one would think, like a king with the sensual pleasures of women?' Of him they say thus: 'Sirs, this man committed misconduct with the wives of the king's enemy; the king, pleased with him, bestowed a reward upon him. That is why this man — garlanded, wearing earrings … enjoys himself, one would think, like a king with the sensual pleasures of women.'
"And it is seen, headman, that someone here — bound with a strong rope … has his head cut off to the south of the city. Of him they say thus: 'Sirs, what did this man do, that — bound with a strong rope … his head is being cut off to the south of the city?' Of him they say thus: 'Sirs, this man committed misconduct with women of good families, with girls of good families; therefore the kings, having seized him, inflict such punishment upon him.' What do you think, headman — has such a thing been seen or heard by you?"
"It has been seen by us, venerable sir, and heard, and it will be heard again."
¹ Footnote in the Siam Raṭṭha edition at this point: "M. and Yu. editions read *ratanaṃ ahāsi* ('carried off the treasure')" — a variant reading pertaining to the preceding passage.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.