nts he stripped
From off his body, and, for broidered robe
A rough dress donned, woven of jungle-bark;
And what he did--O Lord of men!--so did
Arjuna, Bhima, and the twin-born pair,
Nakula with Sahadev, and she--in grace
The peerless--Draupadi. Lastly these six,
Thou son of Bharata! in solemn form
Made the high sacrifice of Naishtiki,
Quenching their flames in water at the close;
And so set forth, 'midst wailing of all folk
And tears of women, weeping most to see
The Princess Draupadi--that lovely prize
Of the great gaming, Draupadi the Bright--
Journeying afoot; but she and all the Five
Rejoiced, because their way lay heavenwards.

"Seven were they, setting forth,--princess and king,
The king's four brothers, and a faithful dog.
Those left Hastinapur; but many a man,
And all the palace household, followed them
The first sad stage; and, ofttimes prayed to part,
Put parting off for love and pity, still
Sighing 'A little farther!'--till day waned;
Then one by one they turned, and Kripa said,
'Let all turn back, Yuyutsu! These must go.'
So came they homewards, but the Snake-King's child,
Ulupi, leapt in Ganges, losing them;
And Chitranagad with her people went
Mournful to Munipoor, whilst the three queens
Brought Parikshita in.

"Thus wended they,
Pandu's five sons and loveliest Draupadi,
Tasting no meat, and journeying due east;
On righteousness their high hearts bent, to heaven
Their souls assigned; and steadfast trode their feet,
By faith upborne, past nullah, ran, and wood,
River and jheel and plain. King Yudhishthir
Walked foremost, Bhima followed, after him
Arjuna, and the twin-born brethren next,
Nakula with Sahadev; in whose still steps--
O Best of Bharat's offspring!--Draupadi,
That gem of women, paced; with soft, dark face,--
Beautiful, wonderful!--and lustrous eyes,
Clear-lined like lotus-petals; last the dog,
Following the Pandavas.

"At length they reach
The far Lauchityan Sea, which foameth white
Under Udayachala's ridge.--Know ye
That all this while Nakula had not ceased
Bearing the holy bow, named Gandiva,
And jewelled quiver, ever filled with shafts
Though one should shoot a thousand thousand times.
Here--broad across their pat