With the same good fortune swiftly--may Sudeva part from hence, Home to bring the royal Nala--mother, to Ayodhya's town." Resting from his toil, Parnada--of the Brahmin race the best, Did the daughter of Vidarbha--honour, and with wealth reward. "Brahmin! home if come my Nala--richer guerdon will I give; Much hast thou achieved, and wisely--so as none but thou has done. That again with my lost husband--noblest Brahmin, I may meet." Thus addressed, his grateful homage--and his benedictions paid, Having thus achieved his mission--home the wise Parnada went. Then accosting good Sudeva--Damayanti thus began, And before her mother's presence--in her pain and grief she spake: "Go, Sudeva, to the city--where Ayodhya's raja dwells, Speak thou thus to Rituparna--Come, as of thine own accord. Once again her Swayembara--does king Bhima's daughter hold; Damayanti, thither hasten--all the kings and sons of kings; Closely now the time is reckoned--when to-morrow's dawn appears; If that thou would'st win the Princess--speed thou, tamer of thy foes. When the sun is in his rising--she a second lord will choose: Whether lives or is not living--royal Nala, no one knows." Thus, as he received his mission--hastening to the king, he spake, To the royal Rituparna--spake Sudeva, in these words. BOOK XIX. Hearing thus Sudeva's language--Rituparna, king of men With a gentle voice and blandly--thus to Vahuca began. "Where the princess Damayanti--doth her Swayembara hold In one day to far Vidarbha--Vahuca, I fain would go." In these words the unknown Nala--by his royal lord addressed All his heart was torn with anguish--thus the lofty-minded thought-- "Can she speak thus, Damayanti--thus with sorrow frantic act? Is't a stratagem thus subtly--for my sake devised and plann'd? To desire this deed unholy[118]--is that holy princess driven Wrong'd by me, her basest husband--miserable, mind-estranged! Fickle is the heart of woman--grievous too is my offence! Hence she thus might act ignobly--in her exile, reft of friends, Soul-disturbed by her great sorrow--in the excess of her despair. No! she could not thus have acted--she with noble offspring blest. Where the truth, and where the falsehood--setting forth, I best shall judge, I the will of Rituparna--for mine own sake, will obey." Thus within his mind revolving--Vahuca, his wretched mind, With his folded hands addressed he--Rituparna, king of men: "I thy mandate will accomplish--I will go, O king of men, In a single day, O raja--to Vidarbha's royal town." Vahuca of all the coursers--did a close inspection make Entering in the royal stable--by Bhangasuri's command. Ever urged by Rituparna--Vahuca, in horses skilled, Long within himself debating--which the fleetest steeds to choose,