ing chariot--sound as driven by Nala's self?
Or may royal Rituparna--like the skilful Nala drive,
Therefore did the rolling chariot--seem as of Nishadha's king?"
Thus when Damayanti pondered--in the silence of her soul,
Sent she then her beauteous handmaid--to that king her messenger.

BOOK XXII.

DAMAYANTI _spake_.

"Go, Kesinia, go, enquire thou--who is yonder charioteer,
On the chariot seat reposing--all deformed, with arms so short?
Blessed maid, approach, and courteous--open thou thy bland discourse:
Undespis'd, ask thou thy question--and the truth let him reply.
Much and sorely do I doubt me--whether Nala it may be,
As my bosom's rapture augurs--as the gladness of my heart.
Speak thou, ere thou close the converse--even as good Parnada spake
And his answer, slender-waisted--undespis'd, remember thou."
Then to Vahuca departing--went that zealous messenger,
On the palace' loftiest terrace--Damayanti sate and gazed.

KESINIA _spake_.

"Happy omen mark thy coming--I salute thee, king of men:
Of the princess Damayanti--hear, O lord of men, the speech:
'From what region came ye hither--with what purpose are ye come?'
Answer thou, as may beseem you--so Vidarbha's princess wills."

VAHUCA _spake_.

"Soon a second Swayembara, heard the king of Kosala,
Damayanti holds: to-morrow--will it be, the Brahmin said:
Hearing this, with fleetest coursers--that a hundred yojanas' speed,
Set he forth, the wind less rapid,--and his charioteer am I."

KESINIA _spake_.

"Who the third that journeys with you--who is he, and what his race?
Of what race art thou? this office--wherefore dost thou undertake!"

VAHUCA _spake_.

"'Tis the far-renowned Varshneya--Punyasloka's charioteer:
He, when Nala fled an exile--to Bhangasuri retired.
Skilful I in taming horses--and a famous charioteer.
Rituparna's chosen driver--dresser of his food am I."

KESINIA _spake_.

"Knows the charioteer Varshneya--whither royal Nala went?
Of his fortune hath he told thee--Vahuca, what hath he said?"

VAHUCA _spake_.

"He of the unhappy Nala--safe the children borne away,
Wheresoe'er he would, departed--of king Nala knows he nought:
Nothing of Nishadha's raja--fair one! living man doth know.
Through the world, concealed, he wanders--having lost his proper form.
Only Nala's