nt lie;
Ten miles,[122] lo, it lies behind us--turn we not, to gain it, back."
Answered thus by noble Nala--then Bhangasuri the king,
Bowed with fruit, within the forest--saw a tall Vibhitak[123] tree:
Gazing on that tree, the raja--spake to Vahuca in haste,
"Now, O charioteer, in numbers, thou shalt see my passing skill.
Each one knows not every science--none there is that all things knows:
Perfect skill in every knowledge--in one mind there may not be.
On yon tree are leaves how many?--Vahuca, how many fruit?
Say, how many are there fallen?--one above a hundred, there.
One leaf is there 'bove a hundred--and one fruit, O Vahuca!
And of leaves are five ten millions[124]--hanging on those branches two.
Those two branches if thou gather--and the twigs that on them grow,
On those two are fruits two thousand--and a hundred, less by five."
Then, when he had check'd the chariot--answered Vahuca the king,
"What thou speakest, to mine eyesight--all invisible appears;
Visible I'll make it, counting--on yon boughs the leaves and fruit:
Then, when we have strictly numbered--I mistrust mine eyes no more.
In thy presence, king, I'll number--yonder tall Vibhitak-tree.
Whether it may be, or may not--this not done, I cannot know.
I will number, thou beholding--all its fruits, O king of men,
But an instant let Varshneya--hold the bridles of the steeds."
To the charioteer the raja--answered, "Time is none to stay."
Vahuca replied, all eager--his own purpose to fulfil,
"Either stay thou here an instant--or go onward in thy speed,
With the charioteer Varshneya--go, for straight the road before."
Answered him king Rituparna--with a bland and soothing voice:
"Charioteer! on earth thine equal--Vahuca, there may not be;
By thy guidance, skilled in horses!--to Vidarbha I would go:
I in thee have placed reliance--interrupt not then our course:
Willingly will I obey thee--Vahuca, in what thou ask'st,
If this day we reach Vidarbha--ere the sun hath sunk in night."
Vahuca replied, "No sooner--have I numbered yonder fruit,
To Vidarbha will I hasten--grant me then my prayer, O king."
Then the raja, all reluctant--"Stay then, and begin to count;
Of one branch one part, O blameless--from the tall Vibhitak tree,
Man of truth, begin to number--and make glad thine inmost heart."
From the chariot quick alightin