But from that hour the tall Myrobolan, Possessed by Kali, stood there, sear and dead.

Then onward, onward, speeding like the birds, Those coursers flew; and fast and faster still The glad Prince cheered them forward, all elate: And proudly rode the Raja towards the walls Of high Vidarbha. Thus did journey down Exultant Nala, free of trouble now, Quit of the evil spell, but bearing still His form misshapen, and the shrunken limb.

At sunset in Vidarbha (O great King!) The watchers on the walls proclaimed, "There comes The Raja Rituparna!" Bhima bade Open the gates; and thus they entered in, Making all quarters of the city shake With rattling of the chariot-wheels. But when The horses of Prince Nala heard that sound, For joy they neighed, as when of old their lord Drew nigh. And Damayanti, in her bower, Far off that rattling of the chariot heard, As when at time of rains is heard the voice Of clouds low thundering; and her bosom thrilled At echo of that ringing sound. It came Loud and more loud, like Nala's, when of old, Gripping the reins, he cheered his mares along.

It seemed like Nala to the Princess then-- That clatter of the trampling of the hoofs; It seemed like Nala to the stabled steeds: Upon the palace-roof the peac.o.c.ks heard And screamed; the elephants within their stalls Heard it and trumpeted; the coursers, tied, Snorted for joy to hear that leaping car; Peac.o.c.ks and elephants and cattle stalled All called and clamored with uplifted heads, As wild things do at noise of coming rain.

Then to herself the Princess spake: "This car, The rolling of it, echoing all around, Gladdens my heart. It must be Nala comes, My King of men! If I see not, this day, My Prince that hath the bright and moon-like face, My hero of unnumbered gifts, my lord, Ah, I shall die! If this day fall I not Into his opening arms--at last, at last-- And feel his close embrace, oh, beyond doubt, I cannot live! If--ending all--to-day Nishadha cometh not, with this deep sound Like far-off thunder, then to-night I'll leap Into the golden, flickering, fiery flames!

If now, now, now, my lion draws not nigh, My warrior-love, like the wild elephant, My Prince of princes--I shall surely die!

Nought call I now to mind he said or did That was not rightly said and justly done.

No idle word he spake, even in free speech; Patient and lordly; generous to bestow Beyond all givers; scorning to be base, Yea, even in secret--such Nishadha was.

Alas! when, day and night, I think of him, How is my heart consumed, reft of its joy!"

So meditating, like one torn by thoughts, She mounted to the palace-roof to see; And thence, in the mid-court, the car beheld Arriving. Rituparna and Vahuka She saw, with Vrishni's son, descend and loose The panting horses, wheeling back the car.

Then Rituparna, alighting, sought the King, Bhima the Maharaja, far-renowned-- Whom Bhima with fair courtesies received; Since well he deemed such breathless visit made With deep cause, knowing not the women's plots.

"_Swagatam!"_ cried he; "what hath brought thee, Prince?"

For nothing wist he that the Raja came Suitor of Damayanti. Questioned so, This Raja Rituparna, wise and brave, Seeing no kings nor princes in the court, Nor noise of the Swayamvara, nor crowd Of Brahmans gathering--weighing all those things, Answered in this wise: "I am come, great Lord, To make thee salutations!" But the King Laughed in his beard at Rituparna's word-- That this of many weary yojanas Should be the mark. "_Ahoswid_! Hath he pa.s.sed Through twenty towns," thought he, "and hither flown To bid good-morrow? Nay, it is not that.

Good! I shall know it when he bids me know."

Thereat, with friendly speech his n.o.ble guest The King to rest dismissed. "Repose thyself,"

He said; "the road was long; weary thou art."

And Rituparna, with sentences of grace Replying to this graciousness, was led By slaves to the allotted sleeping-room; And after Rituparna, Varshneya went.

Vahuka, left alone, the chariot ran Into its shed, and from the foamy steeds Unbuckled all the harness, thong by thong, Speaking soft words to them; then sat him down, Alone, forgotten, on the driving-seat.

But Damayanti, seeing Rituparna, And Vrishni's son, and him called Vahuka, Spake sorrowful: "Whose was the thunder, then, Of that fleet car? It seemed like Nala's own; Yet here I see no Nala! Hath yon man My lord's art learned, or th'other one, that thus Their car should thunder as when Nala comes?

Could Rituparna drive as Nala doth, So that those chariot-wheels should sound like his?"

And, after having pondered (O my King!), The beauteous Princess sent her handmaiden To Vahuka, that she might question him.

"Go, Keshini," the Princess said; "inquire Who is that man upon the driving-seat, Misshapen, with the shrunken arm. Approach Composedly, question him winningly With greetings kind, and bid him answer thee According to the truth. I feel at heart A doubt--a hope--that this, perchance, may be My Lord and Prince; there is some new-born joy Fluttering within my breast. Accost him, girl; And, ere thou partest, what Parnada said, Say thou, and hear him answer, blameless one, And bring it on thy lips!"

Then went the maid Demurely, and accosted Vahuka, While Damayanti watched them from the roof.

"_Kushalam te bravimi_--health and peace I wish thee!" said she. "Wilt thou answer true What Damayanti asks? She sends to ask Whence set ye forth, and wherefore are ye come Hither? Vidarbha's Princess fain would know."

"'Twas told my Raja," Vahuka replied, "That Damayanti for the second turn Holds her Swayamvara: the Brahman's word Was, "This shall be to-morrow." So he sped, Hearing that news, with steeds which in one day Fly fifty yojanas, swift as the winds, Exceeding fleet. His charioteer am I."

"Who, then," Keshini asked, "is he that rode The third? whence cometh he, and what his race?

And thou thyself whence sprung? and tell me why Thou servest thus?"

Then Vahuka replied:-- "Varshneya is the third who rode with us, The famous charioteer of Nala he: When thy Prince fled, he went to Koshala And took our service. I in horse-taming And dressing meat have skill; so am I made King Rituparna's driver and his cook."

"Knoweth Varshneya, then, where Nala fled?"

Inquired the maid; "and did he tell thee this, Or what spake he?"

"Of that unhappy Prince He brought the children hither, and then went Even where he would, of Nala wotting nought; Nor wotteth any man, fair damsel! more.

Hidden from mortal eyes Nishadha lives, Wandering the world, his very body changed.

Of Nala only Nala's own heart knows, And by no sign doth he bewray himself."

Keshini said: "That Brahman who did wend First to Ayodhya bore a verse to say Over and over, everywhere--strange words, Wove by a woman's wit. Listen to these:--

'Whither art thou departed, cruel lover, Who stole the half of thy beloved's cloth, And left her to awaken and discover The wrong thou wroughtest to the love of both?

She, as thou didst command, a sad watch keepeth, With woful heart wearing the rended dress.

Prince, hear her cry who thus forever weepeth; Be mindful, hero; comfort her distress!'

What was it thou didst utter, hearing this?

Some gentle speech! Say it again--the Queen, My peerless mistress, fain would know from me.

Nay, on thy faith, when thou didst hear that man, What was it thou replied? She would know."

(Descendant of the Kurus!) Nala's heart, While so the maid spoke, well-nigh burst with grief, And from his eyes fast flowed the rolling tears; But, mastering his anguish, holding down The pa.s.sion of his pain, with voice which strove To speak through sobs, the Prince repeated this:--

"Even against the ruined, rash, ungrateful, Faithless, fond Prince, from whom the birds did steal His only cloth, whom now a penance fateful Dooms to sad days, that dark-eyed will not feel Anger; for if she saw him she should see A man consumed with grief and loss and shame; Ill or well lodged, ever in misery, Her unthroned lord, a slave without a name."

Speaking these verses, woful Nala moaned, And, overcome by thought, restrained no more His trickling tears; fast broke they forth (O King!).

But Keshini, returning, told his words To Damayanti, and the grief of him.

When Damayanti heard, sore-troubled still, Yet in her heart supposing him her Prince, Again she spake: "Go, Kashini, and watch Whatever this man doeth; near him stand, Holding thy peace, and mark the ways of him And all his acts, going and coming; note If aught there be of strange in any deed.

Let them not give him fire, my girl--not though This hindereth sore; nor water, though he ask Even with beseeching. Afterwards observe, And bring me what befalls, and every sign Of earthly or unearthly power he shows; And whatsoever else Vahuka doth, See it, and say."

Thereon Keshini sped, Obeying Damayanti and--at hand-- Whatever by that horse-tamer was wrought, The damsel watched, and all his ways; and came Back to the Princess, unto whom she told Each thing Vahuka did, as it befell, And what the signs were, and the wondrous works Of earthly and unearthly gifts in him.

"_Subhe_!"[27] quoth she, "the man is magical, But high and holy mannered; never yet Saw I another such, nor heard of him.

Pa.s.sing the low door of the inner court, Where one must stoop, he did not bow his head, But as he came the lintel lifted up And gave him s.p.a.ce. Bhima the King had sent Many and diverse meats for Rituparna, Of beast and bird and fish--great store of food-- The which to cleanse some chatties stood hard by, All empty; yet he did but look on them, Wishful, and lo! the water brimmed the pots.

Then, having washed the meats, he hastened forth In quest of fire, and, holding towards the sun A knot of withered gra.s.s, the bright flame blazed Instant amidst it. Wonderstruck was I This miracle to see, and hither ran With other strangest marvels to impart:-- For, Princess, when he touched the blazing gra.s.s He was not burned, and water flows for him At will, or ceases flowing; and this, too, The strangest thing of all, did I behold-- He took some faded leaves and flowers up, And idly handled them; but while his hands Toyed with them, lo! they blossomed forth again With lovelier life than ever, and fresh scent, Straight on their stalks. These marvels have I seen, And fly back now to tell thee, mistress dear!"

But when she knew such wonders of the man, More certainly she deemed those acts and gifts Betokened Nala; and so-minded, full Of trust to find her lord in Vahuka, With happier tears and softening voice she said To Keshini: "Speed yet again, my girl; And, while he wots not, from the kitchen take Meat he hath dressed, and bring it here to me."

So went the maid, and, waiting secretly, Broke from the mess a morsel, hot and spiced, And, bearing it with faithful swiftness, gave To Damayanti. She (O Kuru King!)-- That knew so well the dishes dressed by him-- Touched, tasted it, and, laughing--weeping--cried, Beside herself with joy: "Yes, yes; 'tis he!

That charioteer is Nala!" then, a-pant, Even while she washed her mouth, she bade the maid Go with the children twain to Vahuka; Who, when he saw his little Indrasen And Indrasena, started up, and ran, And caught, and folded them upon his breast; Holding them there, his darlings, each as fair As children of the G.o.ds. Then, quite undone With love and yearning, loudly sobbed the Prince.

Until, perceiving Keshini, who watched, Shamed to be known, he set his children down, And said: "In sooth, good friend, this lovely pair So like mine own are, that at seeing them I am surprised into these foolish tears.

Thou comest here too often; men will think Thee light, or me; remember, we are here, Strangers and guests, girl! Go thy ways in peace!"

But seeing that great trouble of his soul, Lightly came Keshini, and pictured all To Damayanti. She, burning to know If truly this were Nala, bade the girl Seek the Queen's presence, saying thus for her:-- "Mother! long watching Vahuka, I deem The charioteer is Nala. One doubt lives-- His altered form. I must myself have speech With Vahuka; thou, therefore, bid him come, Or suffer me to seek him. Be this done Forthwith, good mother!--whether known or not Unto the Maharaja."

When she heard, The Queen told Bhima what the Princess prayed, Who gave consent; and having this good leave From father and from mother (O my King!), Command was sent that Vahuka be brought Where the court ladies lodged.

So met those twain; And when Prince Nala's gaze fell on his wife, He stood with beating heart and tearful eyes.

And when sweet Damayanti looked on him, She could not speak for anguish of keen joy To have him close; but sat there, mute and wan, Wearing a sad-hued cloth, her l.u.s.trous hair Falling unbanded, and the mourning-mark Stamped in gray ashes on her lovely brow.

And, when she found a voice, these were the words That came from her: "Didst ever, Vahuka-- If Vahuka thy name be, as thou say'st-- Know one of n.o.ble nature, honorable, Who in the wild woods left his wife asleep-- His innocent, fond wife--weary and worn?

Know'st thou the man. I'll say his name to thee; 'Twas Nala, Raja Nala! Ah, and when In any thoughtless hour had I once wrought The smallest wrong, that he should leave me so, There in the wood, by slumber overcome?

Before the G.o.ds I chose him for my lord, The G.o.ds themselves rejecting; tell me how This Prince could so abandon, in her need, His true, his loving wife, she who did bear His babes--abandon her to whom he swore-- My hand clasped, in the sight of all the G.o.ds, And Agni's self--'Thy true lord I will be!'

Thou saidst it!--where is now that promise, fled?"

While thus she spake (O Victor of thy foes!), Fast from her eyes the woe-sprung waters ran.

And Nala, seeing those night-black, loving eyes Reddened with weeping, seeing her falling tears; Broke forth: "Ah! that I lost my throne and realm In dicing, was not done by fault of mine; 'T was Kali wrought it; Kali, O my wife, Drove me to leave thee. Therefore, long ago That evil one was stricken by the curse Which thou didst utter, wandering in the wood, Desolate, night and day, grieving for me.

Possessing me he dwelt; but, cursed by thee, Tortured he dwelt, consuming with thy words In fierce and fiercer pain, as when is piled Brand upon burning brand. But he is gone; Patience and penance have o'ermastered him.

Princess, the end is reached of our long woes.

That evil one being fled, freeing my will, See, I am here; and wherefore would I come, Fairest, except for thee? Yet, answer this:-- How should a wife, right-minded to her lord-- Her own and lawful lord--compa.s.s to choose Another love, as thou, that tremblest, didst?

Thy messengers over all regions ran, By the King's name proclaiming: 'Bhima's child A second husband chooseth for herself, Whomso she will--as pleaseth--being free,'

Those shameless tidings brought the Raja here At headlong speed--and me!"

Tenderly smiled Damayanti through her tears, with quivering lips, And joined palms, answering her aggrieved Prince:-- "Judgest thou me guilty of such a sin?

When for thy sake I put the G.o.ds aside-- Thee did I choose, Nishadha, my one lord.

In quest of thee did all those Brahmans range In all ten regions, telling all one tale Taught them by me; and so Parnada came To Koshala, where Rituparna dwells, And found thee in his house, and spake to thee Those words, and had thy gentle answer back.

Mine the device was, Prince, to bring thee quick; For well I wist no man in all this world Could in one day the fleetest coursers urge So many yojanas, save thou, dear Prince!

I touch thy feet, and tell thee this in truth; And true it is that never any wrong Against thee, even in fancy, have I dreamed.

Witness for me, as I am loyal and pure, The ever-shifting, all-beholding Air, Who wanders o'er the earth; let him withdraw My breath and slay me, if I sinned in aught!

Witness for me, yon golden Sun who goes With bright eye over us; let him withhold Warm life and kill me, if I sinned in aught!

Witness for me the white Moon, whose pale spell Lies on all flesh and spirit; let that orb Deny me peace and end me, if I sinned!

These be the watchers and the testifiers, The three chief G.o.ds that rule the three wide worlds; I cry unto them; let them speak for me; And thou shalt hear them answer for my faith, Or once again, this day, abandon me."

Then Vayu showed--the all-enfolding Air-- And spake: "Not one wrong hath she wrought thee, Prince, I tell thee sooth. The treasure of her truth Faultless and undefiled she hath kept By us regarded, and sustained by us, These many days. Her tender plot it was, Planned for thy sake, which brought thee; since who else Could in one day drive threescore yojanas?

Nala, thou hast thy n.o.ble wife again; Thou, Damayanti, hast thy Nala back.

Away with doubting; take her to thy breast, Thrice happy Prince!"

And while G.o.d Vayu spake, Look! there showered flowers down out of the sky[28]

Upon them; and the drums of heaven beat Beautiful music, and a gentle wind, Fragrant, propitious, floated, kissing them.

But Nala, when he saw these things befall-- Wonderful, gracious--when he heard that voice Called the great snake to memory:--whereupon His proper self returned. Bhima's fair child Divinely sounding (Lord of Bharat's line!)-- Yielded all doubt of his delightful Love.

Then cast he round about his neck the cloth-- Unstained by earth, enchanted--and (O King!) Saw her dear lord his beauteous form resume.

"Ah, Nala! Nala!" cried she, while her arms Clasped him and clung; and Nala to his heart Pressed that bright lady, glowing, as of old, With princely majesty. Their children twain Next he caressed; while she--at happy peace-- Her beautiful glad face laid on his breast, Sighing with too much joy. And Nala stood A great s.p.a.ce silent, gazing on her face, Sorrow-stamped yet, her long, deep-lidded eyes, Her melting smile--himself 'twixt joy and woe.

Afterwards, all that story of the Prince, And all of Damayanti, Bhima's Queen Told to the Maharaja joyously.

And Bhima said: "To-morrow will I see-- When Nala hath his needful offerings made-- Our daughter and this wandering lord well knit."

But all that night they sat, hand clasped in hand, Rejoicing, and relating what befell In the wild wood, and of the woful times.

That night being spent, Prince Nala in his state Led forth Vidarbha's Pride before the court.

And Bhima--in an hour found fortunate-- Re-wed those married lovers. Dutifully Nala paid homage to the Maharaja, And reverently did Damayanti bow Before her father. He the Prince received With grace and gladness, as a son restored, Making fair welcome, and with words of praise Exalting Damayanti, tried and true; Which in all dignity Prince Nala took, Returning, as was meet, words honorable.

Therewith unto the city spread the noise Of that rejoicing. All the townspeople, Learning of Nala joyously returned, Made all their quarters gay with float of flags, Flutter of cloths, and garlands; sprinkled free The King's-ways with fresh water, and the cups Of fragrant flowers; and hung long wreaths of flowers.

From door to door the white street-fronts before; And decked each temple-porch, and went about The altar-G.o.ds.

And afterwards, in Bhima's royal house Serenely dwelled the Princess and the Prince, Each making for the other peaceful joy.

So in the fourth year Nala was rejoined To Damayanti, comforted and free, Restful, attained, tasting delights again.