er exile, reft of friends,
Soul-disturbed by her great sorrow--in the excess of her despair.
No! she could not thus have acted--she with noble offspring blest.
Where the truth, and where the falsehood--setting forth, I best shall judge,
I the will of Rituparna--for mine own sake, will obey."
Thus within his mind revolving--Vahuca, his wretched mind,
With his folded hands addressed he--Rituparna, king of men:
"I thy mandate will accomplish--I will go, O king of men,
In a single day, O raja--to Vidarbha's royal town."
Vahuca of all the coursers--did a close inspection make
Entering in the royal stable--by Bhangasuri's command.
Ever urged by Rituparna--Vahuca, in horses skilled,
Long within himself debating--which the fleetest steeds to choose,
He approached four slender coursers--fit, and powerful for the road,
Blending mighty strength with fleetness--high in courage and in blood;
Free from all the well-known vices--broad of nostril--large of jaw;
With the ten good marks distinguished[119]--born in Sindhu[120]--fleet as
wind.
As he gazed upon those coursers--spoke the king, almost in wrath:
"Is then thus fulfilled our mandate?--think not to deceive us so.
How will these my coursers bear us--slight in strength and slightly
breathed--
How can such a way be travelled--and so long, by steeds like these?"--

VAHUCA _spake_.

"Two on th' head, one on the forehead--two and two on either flank--
Two, behold, the chest discloses--and upon the crupper one--
These the horses to Vidharba--that will bear us, doubt not thou;
Yet, if others thou preferest--speak, and I will yoke them straight."

RITUPARNA _spake_.

"In the knowledge thou of horses--Vahuca, hast matchless skill;
Whichso'er thou think'st the fittest--harness thou without delay."

* * * * *

Then those four excelling horses--nobly bred--of courage high,
In their harness to the chariot--did the skilful Nala yoke.--
To the chariot yoked, as mounted--in his eager haste the king
To the earth those best of horses--bowed their knees and stooped them down.
Then the noblest of all heroes--Nala, with a soothing voice,
Spake unto those horses, gifted--both with fleetness and with strength.
Up the reins when he had gathered--he the charioteer bade mount,
First, Varshneya, skilled in drivi