irtues--as I think by day, by night,
All my heart is rent with anguish--widowed of in own beloved."
Thus lamenting, she ascended--as with frenzied mind possessed,
To the palace roof's high terrace--to behold the king of men.
In the middle court high seated--in the car, the lord of earth,
Rituparna with Varshneya--and with Vahuca she saw,
When Varshneya from that chariot--and when Vahuca came down,
He let loose those noble coursers--and he stopped the glowing car.
From that chariot-seat descended--Rituparna, king of men,
To the noble monarch Bhima--he drew near, for strength renowned.
Him received with highest honour--Bhima, for without due cause,
Deemed not he, the mighty raja--with such urgent speed had come.
"Wherefore com'st thou! hail and welcome"--thus that gracious king enquires;
For his daughter's sake he knew not--that the lord of men had come.
But the raja Rituparna--great in wisdom as in might,
When nor king within the palace--nor king's son he could behold,
Nor of Swayembara heard he--nor assembled Brahmins saw.
Thus within his mind deep pondering--spoke of Kosala the lord.
"Hither, O majestic Bhima--to salute thee am I come."
But king Bhima smiled in secret--as he thought within his mind,
"What the cause of this far journey--of a hundred Yojanas.
Passing through so many cities--for this cause he set not forth;
For this cause of little moment--to our court he hath not come:
What the real cause, hereafter--haply I may chance to know."
After royal entertainment--then the king his guest dismissed:
"Take then thy repose," thus said he--"weary of thy journey, rest."
He refreshed, with courteous homage--of that courteous king took leave,
Ushered by the royal servants--to th' appointed chamber went:
There retired king Rituparna--with Varshneya in his suite.
Vahuca, meantime, the chariot--to the chariot-house had led,
There the coursers he unharnessed--skilfully he dressed them there,
And with gentle words caressed them--on the chariot seat sate down.
But the woeful Damayanti--when Bhangasuri she'd seen,
And the charioteer Varshneya--and the seeming Vahuca,
Thought within Vidarbha's princess--"Whose was that fleet chariot's sound?
Such it seems as noble Nala's--yet no Nala do I see.
Hath the charioteer Varshneya--Nala's noble science learned?
Therefore did the thunder