t time stands aye accursed.
Those fleet horses, forward flying--like to birds, again, again,
All his soul elate with transport--Nala swifter, swifter drove;
With his face towards Vidarbha--rode the raja in his pride:
And when forward Nala journeyed--Kali to his home returned.
So released from all his sufferings--Nala went, the king of men,
Dispossessed by Kali, wanting--only now his proper form.

BOOK XXI.

With the evening in Vidarbha--men at watch, as they drew near,
Mighty Rituparna's coming--to king Bhima did proclaim.
Then that king, by Bhima's mandate--entered in Kundina's walls,
All the region round him echoing[128]--with the thunders of his car.
But the echoing of that chariot--when king Nala's horses heard,
In their joy they pawed and trampled[129]--even as Nala's self were there.
Damayanti, too, the rushing--of king Nala's chariot heard.
As a cloud that hoarsely thunders--at the coming of the rains.
All her heart was thrilled with wonder--at that old familiar sound.
On they seemed to come, as Nala--drove of yore his trampling steeds:
Like it seemed to Bhima's daughter--and e'en so to Nala's steeds.
On the palace roofs the peacocks--th' elephants within their stalls,
And the horses heard the rolling--of the mighty monarch's car.
Elephants and peacocks hearing--the fleet chariot rattling on,
Up they raised their necks and clamoured--as at sound of coming rain.[130]

DAMAYANTI _spake_.

"How the rolling of yon chariot--filling, as it seems, th' earth,
Thrills my soul with unknown transport--it is Nala, king of men.
If this day I see not Nala--with his glowing moonlike face,
Him, the king with countless virtues--I shall perish without doubt.
If this day within th' embraces--of that hero's clasping arms,
I the gentle pressure feel not--without doubt I shall not live.
If 'tis not, like cloud of thunder--he that comes, Nishadha's king,
I this day the fire will enter--burning like the hue of gold.
In his might like the strong lion--like the raging elephant,
Comes he not, the prince of princes--I shall perish without doubt.
Not a falsehood I remember--I remember no offence;
Not an idle word remember--in his noble converse free.
Lofty, patient, like a hero--liberal beyond all kings,
Nought ignoble, as the eunuch--even in private, may he do.
As I think upon his v