To the gods performed her homage--smiled she, and to Nala spake:--
"Pledge to me thy faith,[35] O raja--how that faith, may I requite?
I myself, and whatsoever--in the world I have, is thine
In full trust is thine[36]--O grant me--in thy turn thy love, O king!
Tis the swan's enamouring language--that hath kindled all my soul.
Only for thy sake, O hero--are the assembled rajas met.
But if thou mine homage scornest--scornest me, all honoured king,
Poison for thy sake, fire, water,--the vile noose will I endure."[37]
So, when spake Vidarbha's maiden--Nala answered thus, and said:--
"With the world's dread guardians present--wilt thou mortal husband choose?
We with them, the world's creators--with these mighty lords compared,
Lowlier than the dust they tread on--raise to them thy loftier mind.
Man the gods displeasing, hastens--to inevitable death--
Fair limbed! from that fate preserve me--choose the all excelling gods.
Robes by earthly dust unsullied--crowns of amaranthine flowers,
Every bright celestial glory--wedded to the gods, enjoy.
He, who all the world compressing[38]--with devouring might consumes,
Sovereign of the gods, Hutasa,--where is she who would not wed?
He, in awe of whose dread sceptre[39]--all the assembled hosts of men,
Cultivate eternal justice--where is she who would not wed?
Him the all-righteous, lofty minded,--slayer of the infernal host,[40]
Of all gods, the mighty monarch,--who is she that would not wed?
Nor let trembling doubt arrest thee--in thy mind if thou couldst choose.[41]
Varuna, amongst earth's guardians,--hear the language of a friend."
To the sovereign of Nishadha--Damayanti spake, and said,
And her eyes grew dim with moisture--flowing from her inward grief:--
"To the gods, to all, my homage--king of earth, I humbly pay;
Yet thee only, thee, my husband--may I choose, Be this my vow!"
Answered he the trembling maiden--as with folded hands she stood,
"Bound upon this solemn mission--mine own cause how dare I urge.
Plighted by a sacred promise--to the everlasting gods;
Thus engaged to plead for others--for myself I may not plead.
This my duty; yet hereafter--come I on my own behalf,
Then I'll plead mine own cause boldly--weigh it, beauteous, in thy thought."
Damayanti smiled serenely,--and with tear-impeded speech,
Uttered brokenly and slowly--thus to royal Nala spake:--
"Yet I see a way of refuge--'tis a blameless way, O king;
Whence no sin to thee, O raja,--may by any chance arise.
Thou, O noblest of all mortals--and the gods by Indra led,
Come and enter in together--where the Swayembara meets;
Then will I, before the presence--of the guardians of the world,
Name thee, lord of men! my husband--nor to thee may blame accrue."
By the maiden of Vidarbha--royal Nala thus addressed,
Back again returned, where waited--eager, the expecting gods.
Him, the guardians of the world, the mighty--ere he yet drew near, beheld,
Him they saw, and bade him instant--all his tidings to unfold--
"Was she seen of thee, O monarch--Damayanti with soft smile?
Spake she of us all? what said she?--tell, O blameless lord of earth."
NALA _spake_.
To the bower of Damayanti--on your solemn mission sent,
Entered I the lofty portal--by the aged warders watched;
Mortal eye might not behold me--there as swift I entered in;
None save that fair raja's daughter--through your all prevailing power.
And her virgin handmaids, saw I--and by them in turn was seen;
And they all in mute amazement--gazed upon me as I stood.
I described your godlike presence--but the maid with beauteous face
Chooses me, bereft of reason--O most excellent of gods!
Thus she spake, that maiden princess,--"Let the gods together come,
Come with thee, Oh king of mortals,--where the Swayembara meets;
There will I, before their presence--choose thee, raja, for my lord.
So to thee, O strong armed warrior--may no blame, no fault ensue."
Thus it was, even as I tell you--word for word did it befall.
Plainly have I spoke, the judgment--rests with you, of gods the chief!