(Something misshapen, with a shrunken arm, But skilled in driving, very dexterous In cookery and sweetmeats). He--with groans, And tears which rolled and rolled--asked of my health, And then these verses spake full wistfully:-- 'Even when their loss is largest, noble ladies Keep the true treasure of their hearts unspent, Attaining heaven through faith, which undismayed is By wrong, unaltered by abandonment; Such an one guards with virtue's golden shield Her name from harm; pious and pure and tender; And, though her lord forsook her, will not yield To wrath, even against that vile offender-- Even against the ruined, rash, ungrateful, Faithless, fond Prince from whom the birds did steal His only cloth, whom now a penance fateful Dooms to sad days, that dark-eyed will not feel Anger; for if she saw him she should see A man consumed with grief and loss and shame; Ill or well lodged, ever in misery, Her unthroned lord, a slave without a name.' Such words I heard him speak," Parnâda said, "And, hastening thence, I tell them to thee, here; Thou knowest; thou wilt judge; make the King know." But Damayanti listened, with great eyes Welling quick tears, while thus Parnâda spake, And afterwards crept secretly and said Unto her mother: "Breathe no word hereof, Dear mother, to the King, but let me speak With wise Sudêva in thy presence here; Nothing should Bhima know of what I plan, But, if thou lovest me, by thee and me This shall be wrought. As I was safely led By good Sudêva home, so let him go-- With not less happy fortune--to bring back, Ere many days, my Nala; let him seek Ayodhyâ, mother dear, and fetch my Prince!" But first Parnâda, resting from his road-- That best of twice-borns--did the Princess thank With honorable words and gifts: "If home My Nala cometh, Bráhman!" so she spake, "Great guerdon will I give. Thou hast well done For me herein--- better than any man; Helping me find again my wandered lord." To which fair words made soft reply, and prayers For "peace and fortune," that high-minded one, And so passed home, his service being wrought. Next to Sudêva spake the sad Princess This (O my King!), her mother standing by:-- "Good Bráhman, to Ayodhyâ's city go. Say in the ears of Raja Rituparna, As though thou cam'st a simple traveller, 'The daughter of King Bhima once again Maketh to hold her high Swayamvara. The kings and princes from all lands repair Thither; the time draws nigh; to-morrow's dawn Shall bring the day. If thou wouldst be of it, Speed quickly, conquering King! at sunsetting Another lord she chooseth for herself; Since whether Nala liveth or is dead, None knoweth.'" These the words which he should say;