arun, Yama,--choose thou, princess, for thy lord.
Through their power, their power almighty--I have entered here unseen;
As I entered in thy chamber--none hath seen, and none might stay.
This, the object of my mission,--fairest, from the highest gods,
Thou hast heard me, noble princess--even as thou wilt, decide."

BOOK IV.

To the gods performed her homage--smiled she, and to Nala spake:--
"Pledge to me thy faith,[35] O raja--how that faith, may I requite?
I myself, and whatsoever--in the world I have, is thine
In full trust is thine[36]--O grant me--in thy turn thy love, O king!
Tis the swan's enamouring language--that hath kindled all my soul.
Only for thy sake, O hero--are the assembled rajas met.
But if thou mine homage scornest--scornest me, all honoured king,
Poison for thy sake, fire, water,--the vile noose will I endure."[37]
So, when spake Vidarbha's maiden--Nala answered thus, and said:--
"With the world's dread guardians present--wilt thou mortal husband choose?
We with them, the world's creators--with these mighty lords compared,
Lowlier than the dust they tread on--raise to them thy loftier mind.
Man the gods displeasing, hastens--to inevitable death--
Fair limbed! from that fate preserve me--choose the all excelling gods.
Robes by earthly dust unsullied--crowns of amaranthine flowers,
Every bright celestial glory--wedded to the gods, enjoy.
He, who all the world compressing[38]--with devouring might consumes,
Sovereign of the gods, Hutasa,--where is she who would not wed?
He, in awe of whose dread sceptre[39]--all the assembled hosts of men,
Cultivate eternal justice--where is she who would not wed?
Him the all-righteous, lofty minded,--slayer of the infernal host,[40]
Of all gods, the mighty monarch,--who is she that would not wed?
Nor let trembling doubt arrest thee--in thy mind if thou couldst choose.[41]
Varuna, amongst earth's guardians,--hear the language of a friend."
To the sovereign of Nishadha--Damayanti spake, and said,
And her eyes grew dim with moisture--flowing from her inward grief:--
"To the gods, to all, my homage--king of earth, I humbly pay;
Yet thee only, thee, my husband--may I choose, Be this my vow!"
Answered he the trembling maiden--as with folded hands she stood,
"Bound upon this solemn mission--mine own cause how dare I urge.
Pligh