How bear such errand? Have compassion, Gods!" Then spake they: "Yet thou saidst, 'This shall I do,' Nishadha's Prince! and wilt thou do it not, Forswearing faith? Nay, but depart, and soon!" So bid, but lingering yet again, he said:-- "Well guarded are the gates; how shall I find Speech with her?" "Thou shalt find," Indra replied. And, lo! upon that word Nala was brought To Damayanti's chamber. There he saw Vidarbha's glory, sitting 'mid her maids, In majesty and grace surpassing all; So exquisite, so delicate of form, Waist so fine-turned, such limbs, such lighted eyes, The moon hath meaner radiance than she. Love at the sight of that soft smiling face Sprang to full passion, while he stood and gazed. Yet, faith and duty urging, he restrained His beating heart; but when those beauteous maids Spied Nala, from their cushions they uprose, Startled to see a man, yet startled more Because he showed so heavenly bright and fair. In wondering pleasure each saluted him, Uttering no sound, but murmuring to themselves:-- "Aho! the grace of him: aho! the brilliance; Aho! what glorious strength lives in his limbs! What is he? Is he God, Gandharva, Yaksha?" But this unspoken, for they dared not breathe One syllable, all standing shyly there To see him, and to see his youth so sweet. Yet, softly glancing back to his soft glance, The Princess, presently, with fluttering breath, Accosted Nala, saying: "Fairest Prince, Who by thy faultless form hath filled my heart With sudden joy, coming as come the gods, Unstayed, I crave to know thee, who thou art; How didst thou enter? how wert thou unseen? Our palace is close-guarded, and the King Hath issued mandates stern." Tenderly spake The Prince, replying to those tender words:-- "Most lovely! I am Nala. I am come A herald of the gods unto thee here. The gods desire thee, the immortal Four-- Indra, Varuna, Yama, Agni. Choose, O Brightest! one from these to be thy lord. By their help is it I have entered in Unseen; none could behold me at thy gates, Nor stay me, passing; and to speak their will They sent me, fairest one and best. Do thou, Knowing the message, judge as seemeth well." She bowed her head, hearing the great gods named, And then, divinely smiling, said to him:-- "Pledge thyself faithfully to me, and I Will seek, O Raja, only how to pay That debt with all I am, with all I have; For I and mine are thine--in full trust thine. Make me that promise, Prince. Thy gentle name-- Sung by the swan--first set my thoughts afire; And for thy sake--only for thee--sweet Lord, The kings were summoned hither. If, alas! Fair Prince, thou dost reject my sudden love, So proffered, then must poison, flame, or flood,