Or knitted cord, be my sad remedy." So spake Vidarbha's Pride; and Nala said:-- "With gods so waiting--with the world's dread lords Hastening to woo, canst thou desire a man? Bethink! I, unto these, that make and mar, These all-wise ones, almighty, am like dust Under their feet: lift thy heart to the height Of what I bring. If mortal man offend The most high gods, death is what springs of it. Spare me to live, thou faultless lady! Choose Which of these excellent great gods thou wilt; Wear the unstained robes! bear on thy brows The wreaths which never fade, of heavenly blooms! Be, as thou mayest, a goddess, and enjoy Godlike delights! Him who enfolds the earth, Creating and consuming, Brightest Power, Hutâsa, Eater of the Sacrifice, What woman would not take? Or him whose rod Herds all the generations forward still On virtue's path, Red Yama, King of Death, What woman would affront? Or him, the all-good, All-wise destroyer of the Demons, first In heaven, Mahendra--who of womankind Is there that would not wed? Or, if thy mind Incline, doubt not to choose Varuna; he Is of these world-protectors. From a heart Full friendly cometh what I tell thee now." Unto Nishadha's Prince the maid replied-- Tears of distress dimming her lustrous eyes--- "Humbly I reverence these mighty gods; But thee I choose, and thee I take for lord; And this I vow!" With folded palms she stood, And trembling lips, while his faint answer fell:-- "Sent on such embassy, how shall I dare Speak, sweetest Princess, for myself to thee? Bound by my promise for the gods to sue, How can I be a suitor for myself? Silence is here my duty; afterwards, If I shall come, in mine own name I'll come, Mine own cause pleading. Ah, might that so be!" Checking her tears, Damayanti sadly smiled, And said full soft: "One way of hope I see, A blameless way, O Lord of men! wherefrom No fault shall rise, nor any danger fall. Thou also, Prince, with Indra and these gods, Must enter in where my Swayamvara Is held; then I, in presence of those gods, Will choose thee, dearest, for my lord; and so Blame shall not light on thee," With which sweet words Soft in his ears, Nishadha straight returned There where the gods were gathered, waiting him; Whom the world's masters, on his way, perceived, And, spying, questioned, asking for his news:-- "Saw'st thou her, Prince? Didst see the sweet-lipped one? What spake she of us? Tell us true; tell all!" Quoth Nala: "By your worshipful behest Sent to her house, the great gates entered I, Though the gray porters watched; but none might spy My entering, by your power, O radiant Ones, Saving the Raja's daughter; her I saw Amid her maidens, and by them was seen.