BOOK III.

Nala made his solemn promise,— “all your bidding will I do;”

Then with folded hands adoring — humbly of their will enquired.

“Who are ye? to whom must Nala — as your welcome herald go?

What is my commanded service?— tell me, mighty gods, the truth.”

Spake the sovereign of Nishadha — Indra answered thus and said:—

“Know us, the Immortals, hither — come for Damayanti's love.

Indra I, and yon is Agni,— and the king of waters there —

Slayer he of mortal bodies,— Yama, too, is here, O king!

Thou, O Nala, of our coming,— must to Damayanti tell:

Thee to see, the world's dread guardians — Indra and the rest came down,

Indra, Agni, Varun, Yama,— each to seek thine hand are come.

One of these celestial beings,— choose, O maiden, for thy lord.”

Nala, thus addressed by Indra — with his folded hands replied:

“Thus with one accord commanding — on this mission send not me.

How can man, himself enamoured — for another plead his cause?

Spare me then, ye gods, in mercy — this unwelcome service, spare.”

“I will do your bidding freely — thus thou'st said, Nishadha's king;

Wilt thou now belie thy promise?— Nala, go, nor more delay.”

By the gods adjured so sternly — thus rejoined Nishadha's king —

“Strictly guarded is yon palace — how may I find entrance there?”

“Thou shalt enter;” thus did Indra — to the unwilling king reply.

In the bower of Damayanti — as they spake, king Nala stood.

There he saw Vidarbha's maiden — girt with all her virgin bands;

In her glowing beauty shining — all excelling in her form;

Every limb in smooth proportion — slender waist and lovely eyes;

Even the moon's soft gleam disdaining — in her own o'erpowering light.

As he gazed, his love grew warmer — to the softly smiling maid,

Yet to keep his truth, his duty — all his passion he suppressed.

Then Nishadha's king beholding — all those maids with beauteous limbs

From their seats sprang up in wonder — at his matchless form amazed.

In their rapture to king Nala — all admiring, homage paid;

Yet, not venturing to accost him,— in their secret souls adored.

“Oh the beauty! oh the splendour!— oh the mighty hero's strength!

Who is he, or God, or Yaksha — or Gandharba may he be.”

Not one single word to utter,— dared that fair-limbed maiden band;

All struck dumb before his beauty — in their bashful silence stood.

Smiling, first, upon the monarch — as on her he gently smiled,

Damayanti, in her wonder — to the hero Nala spake:—

“Who art thou of form so beauteous — thou that wakenest all my love;

Cam'st thou here like an immortal — I would know thee, sinless chief.

How hast entered in our palace?— how hast entered all unseen?

Watchful are our chamber wardens — stern the mandate of the king.”

By the maiden of Vidarbha — Nala thus addressed, replied:—

“Know, O loveliest, I am Nala — here the messenger of gods,

Gods desirous to possess thee;— one of these, the lord of heaven

Indra, Agni, Varun, Yama,— choose thou, princess, for thy lord.

Through their power, their power almighty — I have entered here unseen;

As I entered in thy chamber — none hath seen, and none might stay.

This, the object of my mission,— fairest, from the highest gods,

Thou hast heard me, noble princess — even as thou wilt, decide.”