And with gentle words caressed them--on the chariot seat sate down. But the woeful Damayanti--when Bhangasuri she'd seen, And the charioteer Varshneya--and the seeming Vahuca, Thought within Vidarbha's princess--"Whose was that fleet chariot's sound? Such it seems as noble Nala's--yet no Nala do I see. Hath the charioteer Varshneya--Nala's noble science learned? Therefore did the thundering chariot--sound as driven by Nala's self? Or may royal Rituparna--like the skilful Nala drive, Therefore did the rolling chariot--seem as of Nishadha's king?" Thus when Damayanti pondered--in the silence of her soul, Sent she then her beauteous handmaid--to that king her messenger. BOOK XXII. DAMAYANTI _spake_. "Go, Kesinia, go, enquire thou--who is yonder charioteer, On the chariot seat reposing--all deformed, with arms so short? Blessed maid, approach, and courteous--open thou thy bland discourse: Undespis'd, ask thou thy question--and the truth let him reply. Much and sorely do I doubt me--whether Nala it may be, As my bosom's rapture augurs--as the gladness of my heart. Speak thou, ere thou close the converse--even as good Parnada spake And his answer, slender-waisted--undespis'd, remember thou." Then to Vahuca departing--went that zealous messenger, On the palace' loftiest terrace--Damayanti sate and gazed. KESINIA _spake_. "Happy omen mark thy coming--I salute thee, king of men: Of the princess Damayanti--hear, O lord of men, the speech: 'From what region came ye hither--with what purpose are ye come?' Answer thou, as may beseem you--so Vidarbha's princess wills." VAHUCA _spake_. "Soon a second Swayembara, heard the king of Kosala, Damayanti holds: to-morrow--will it be, the Brahmin said: Hearing this, with fleetest coursers--that a hundred yojanas' speed, Set he forth, the wind less rapid,--and his charioteer am I." KESINIA _spake_. "Who the third that journeys with you--who is he, and what his race? Of what race art thou? this office--wherefore dost thou undertake!" VAHUCA _spake_. "'Tis the far-renowned Varshneya--Punyasloka's charioteer: He, when Nala fled an exile--to Bhangasuri retired. Skilful I in taming horses--and a famous charioteer. Rituparna's chosen driver--dresser of his food am I." KESINIA _spake_. "Knows the charioteer Varshneya--whither royal Nala went? Of his fortune hath he told thee--Vahuca, what hath he said?" VAHUCA _spake_. "He of the unhappy Nala--safe the children borne away, Wheresoe'er he would, departed--of king Nala knows he nought: Nothing of Nishadha's raja--fair one! living man doth know. Through the world, concealed, he wanders--having lost his proper form. Only Nala's self of Nala--knows, and his own inward soul, Of himself to living mortal--Nala will no sign betray." KESINIA _spake_.