BOOK XXIII.

Hearing this, fair Damayanti — all abandoned to her grief.

Thinking still that he was Nala — to Kesinia spake again.

“Go, Kesinia, go, examine — Vahuca, and all his acts,

Silent take thy stand beside him — and observe whate'er he does;

Nor, Kesinia, be there given him — fire his labours to assist:

Neither be there given him water — in thy haste, at his demand:

All, when thou hast well observed him — every act to me repeat,

Every act that more than mortal — seems in Vahuca, relate.”

Thus addressed by Damayanti — straight Kesinia went again,

Of the tamer of the horses — every act observed, came back;

Every act as she had seen it — she to Damayanti told:

Every more than mortal wonder — that in Vahuca appeared.

“Very holy is he, never — mortal man, in all my life,

Have I seen, or have I heard of — Damayanti, like to him.

He drew near the lowly entrance — bowed not down his stately head;

On the instant, as it saw him — up th’ expanding portal rose.

For the use of Rituparna — much and various viands came;

Sent, as meet, by royal Bhima — and abundant animal food.

These to cleanse, with meet ablution — were capacious vessels brought;

As he looked on them, the vessels — stood, upon the instant, full.

Then, the meet ablutions over — Vahuca went forth, and took,

Of the withered grass a handful — held it upward to the sun:

On the instant, brightly blazing — shone the all-consuming fire.

Much I marvelled at the wonder — and in mute amazement stood;

Lo, a second greater marvel — sudden burst upon my sight!

He that blazing fire stood handling — yet unharmed, unburned, remained.

At his will flows forth the water — at his will it sinks again.

And another greater wonder — lady, did I there behold:

He the flowers which he had taken — gently moulded in his hands,

In his hands the flowers, so moulded — as with freshening life endued,

Blossomed out with richer fragrance — stood erect upon their stems:

All these marvels having noted — swiftly came I back to thee.”

Damayanti when these wonders — of the king of men she heard,

Thought yet more king Nala present — thought her utmost wish achieved.

Deeming still her royal consort — in the form of Vahuca,

With a gentle voice and weeping — to Kesinia spake again:

“Go, again, Kesinia, secret — and by Vahuca unseen,

Of those viands bring a portion — by his skilful hand prepared:”

She to Vahuca approaching — unperceived stole soft away

Of the well-cooked meat a morsel — warm she bore it in her haste,

And to Damayanti gave it — fair Kesinia, undelayed.

Of the food prepared by Nala — well the flavour did she know;

Tasting it she shrieked in transport — “Nala is yon charioteer.”

Trying then a new emotion — of her mouth ablution made:

She her pair of infant children — with Kesinia sent to him.

Soon as he young Indrasena — and her little brother saw,

Up he sprang, his arms wound round them — to his bosom folding both;

When he gazed upon the children — like the children of the gods,

All his heart o'erflowed with pity — and unwilling tears broke forth.

Yet Nishadha's lord perceiving — she his strong emotion marked,

From his hold released the children — to Kesinia speaking thus:

“Oh! so like mine own twin children — was yon lovely infant pair,

Seeing them thus unexpected — have I broken out in tears:

If so oft thou comest hither — men some evil will suspect,

We within this land are strangers — beauteous maiden, part in peace.”