t the slightest hast thou done;
Hadst thou, I might not resent it--freely would I pardon all.
Thou of old, my friend, my kinsman--wert, O sovereign of men,
From this time henceforth thy friendship--be my glory and my joy.
Every wish anticipated--pleasantly I dwelt with thee,
As in mine own royal palace--dwelt I ever, king, in thine.
My surpassing skill in horses--all is thine that I possess;
That on thee bestow I gladly--if, O king, it seem thee good."
Nala thus to Rituparna--gave his subtle skill in steeds,
Gladly he received the present--with each regulation meet.
Gifted with that precious knowledge--then Bhangasuri the king,
Home returned to his own city--with another charioteer.
Rituparna thus departed--Nala, then the king of men,
In the city of Kundina--sojourned for no length of time.

BOOK XXVI.

There a month when he had sojourned--of king Bhima taking leave,
Guarded but by few attendants--to Nishadha took his way.
With a single splendid chariot--and with elephants sixteen,
And with fifty armed horsemen--and six hundred men on foot;
Making, as 'twere, earth to tremble--hastening onward, did the king,
Enter awful in his anger--and terrific in his speed.
Then the son of Virasena--to king Pushkara drew near;
"Play we once again," then said he--"much the wealth I have acquired:
All I have, even Damayanti--every treasure I possess,
Set I now upon the hazard--Pushkara, thy kingdom thou:
In the game once more contend we--'tis my settled purpose this,
Brother, at a single hazard--play we boldly for our lives.
From another he who treasures--he who mighty realm hath won,
'Tis esteemed a bounden duty--to play back the counter game.
If thou shrinkest from the hazard--be our game the strife of swords,
Meet we in the single combat--all our difference to decide.
An hereditary kingdom--may by any means be sought,
Be re-won by any venture--this the maxim of the wise.
Of two courses set before thee--Pushkara, the option make,
Or in play to stand the hazard--or in battle stretch the bow."
By Nishadha's lord thus challenged--Pushkara, with smile suppressed,
As secure of easy victory--answered to the lord of earth;
"Oh what joy! abundant treasures--thou hast won, again to play;
Oh what joy! of Damayanti--now the hard-won prize is mine:
Oh what joy! again thou livest--wi