Nala too, 'mong kings the tiger[15]--peerless among earthly men,
Like Kandarpa in his beauty[16]--like that bright-embodied God.
All around Vidarbha's princess--praised they Nala in their joy.
Ever praised they Damayanti--round Nishadha's noble king.
Hearing so each others virtues--all unseen they 'gan to love.
Thus of each, O son of Kunti,[17]--the deep silent passion grew.
Nala, in his heart impatient--longer that deep love to bear,
To the grove, in secret, wandered--by the palace' inmost court.
There the swans he saw disporting[18]--with their wings bedropped with gold:
Through the grove thus lightly moving--one of these bright birds he caught.
But the bird, in human language--thus the wondering king addressed:
"Slay me not, O gentle monarch!--I will do thee service true;
So in Damayanti's presence--will I praise Nishadha's king,
Never after shall the maiden--think of mortal man but thee."
Thus addressed, at once the monarch--let the bright-winged bird depart.
Flew away the swans rejoicing--to Vidarbha straight they flew;
To Vidharba's stately city:--there by Damayanti's feet,
Down with drooping plumes they settled--and she gazed upon the flock,
Wondering at their forms so graceful--where amid her maids she sate.
Sportively began the damsels--all around to chase the birds;
Scattering flew the swans before them--all about the lovely grove.
Lightly ran the nimble maidens,--every one her bird pursued;
But the swan that through the forest--gentle Damayanti chased,
Suddenly, in human language--spake to Damayanti thus.--
"Damayanti, in Nishadha--Nala dwells, the noble king--
Like the Aswinas in beauty,[19]--peerless among men is he.
O incomparable princess--to this hero wert thou wed,
Noble birth and perfect beauty--not unworthy fruit had borne.
Gods, Gandharvas,[20] men, the Serpents,[21]--and the Rakshasas[22] we've
seen,
All we've seen--of noble Nala--never have we seen the peer.
Pearl art thou among all women--Nala is the pride of men.
If the peerless wed the peerless--blessed must the union be."
When the bird thus strangely speaking--gentle Damayanti heard,
Answered thus the wondering maiden--"Thus to Nala, speak thou too."
"Be it so," replied the egg-born--to Vidarbha's beauteous maid.
Home then flew he to Nishadha--and to Nala told it all.

BOOK II.