scant-clothed in half a garment--with soft swelling limbs and breast,
Form of youthful faultless beauty--and her fair and moonlike face,
And her eyes with brows dark arching--and her softly-melting speech,
Saw long time that wild beast hunter--kindled all his heart with love.
Then with winning voice that huntsman--bland beginning his discourse,
Fain with amorous speech would soothe her--she his dark intent perceived.
Damayanti, chaste and faithful,--soon as she his meaning knew,
In the transport of her anger--her indignant soul took fire.
In his wicked thought the dastard--her yet powerless to subdue,
On the unsubdued stood gazing--as like some bright flame she shone.
Damayanti, in her sorrow--of her realm, her lord bereft,
On the instant she found language--uttered loud her curse of wrath,[73]--
"As my pure and constant spirit--swerves not from Nishadha's lord,
Instant so may this base hunter--lifeless fall upon the earth."
Scarce that single word was uttered--suddenly that hunter bold
Down upon the earth fell lifeless--like a lightning blasted tree.

BOOK XII.

Slain that savage wild-beast hunter--onward went the lotus-eyed,
Through the dread, and desert forest--ringing with the cricket's song;
Full of lions, pards, and tigers--stags, and buffalos, and bears,
Where all kinds of birds were flocking--and wild men and robbers dwelt.
Trees of every form and stature[74]--every foliage, every name;
Pregnant with rich mines of metal--many a mountain it enclosed,
Many a shady resonant arbour--many a deep and wondrous glen;
Many a lake, and pool, and river--birds and beasts of every shape.
She, in forms terrific round her--serpents, elves, and giants saw:[75]
Pools, and tanks of lucid water--and the shaggy tops of hills,
Flowing streams and headlong torrents--saw, and wondered at the sight.
And the princess of Vidarbha--gazed where in their countless herds,
Buffalos and bears were feeding--boars, and serpents of the wood.
Safe in virtue, bright in beauty--glorious and of high resolve,
Now alone, Vidarbha's daughter--wandering, her lost Nala sought.
Yet no fear king Bhima's daughter--for herself might deign to feel,
Travelling the dreary forest--only for her lord distressed;
Him she mourned, that noble princess--him in bitterest anguish wailed,
Every limb with sorrow trembling--stood s