He stood with beating heart and tearful eyes. And when sweet Damayanti looked on him, She could not speak for anguish of keen joy To have him close; but sat there, mute and wan, Wearing a sad-hued cloth, her lustrous hair Falling unbanded, and the mourning-mark Stamped in gray ashes on her lovely brow. And, when she found a voice, these were the words That came from her: "Didst ever, Vahûka-- If Vahûka thy name be, as thou say'st-- Know one of noble nature, honorable, Who in the wild woods left his wife asleep-- His innocent, fond wife--weary and worn? Know'st thou the man. I'll say his name to thee; 'Twas Nala, Raja Nala! Ah, and when In any thoughtless hour had I once wrought The smallest wrong, that he should leave me so, There in the wood, by slumber overcome? Before the gods I chose him for my lord, The gods themselves rejecting; tell me how This Prince could so abandon, in her need, His true, his loving wife, she who did bear His babes--abandon her to whom he swore-- My hand clasped, in the sight of all the gods, And Agni's self--'Thy true lord I will be!' Thou saidst it!--where is now that promise, fled?" While thus she spake (O Victor of thy foes!), Fast from her eyes the woe-sprung waters ran. And Nala, seeing those night-black, loving eyes Reddened with weeping, seeing her falling tears; Broke forth: "Ah! that I lost my throne and realm In dicing, was not done by fault of mine; 'T was Kali wrought it; Kali, O my wife, Drove me to leave thee. Therefore, long ago That evil one was stricken by the curse Which thou didst utter, wandering in the wood, Desolate, night and day, grieving for me. Possessing me he dwelt; but, cursed by thee, Tortured he dwelt, consuming with thy words In fierce and fiercer pain, as when is piled Brand upon burning brand. But he is gone; Patience and penance have o'ermastered him. Princess, the end is reached of our long woes. That evil one being fled, freeing my will, See, I am here; and wherefore would I come, Fairest, except for thee? Yet, answer this:-- How should a wife, right-minded to her lord-- Her own and lawful lord--compass to choose Another love, as thou, that tremblest, didst? Thy messengers over all regions ran, By the King's name proclaiming: 'Bhima's child A second husband chooseth for herself, Whomso she will--as pleaseth--being free,' Those shameless tidings brought the Raja here At headlong speed--and me!" Tenderly smiled Damayanti through her tears, with quivering lips, And joined palms, answering her aggrievèd Prince:-- "Judgest thou me guilty of such a sin? When for thy sake I put the gods aside-- Thee did I choose, Nishadha, my one lord. In quest of thee did all those Bráhmans range