"Not or deed or word discourteous--not the slightest hast thou done; Hadst thou, I might not resent it--freely would I pardon all. Thou of old, my friend, my kinsman--wert, O sovereign of men, From this time henceforth thy friendship--be my glory and my joy. Every wish anticipated--pleasantly I dwelt with thee, As in mine own royal palace--dwelt I ever, king, in thine. My surpassing skill in horses--all is thine that I possess; That on thee bestow I gladly--if, O king, it seem thee good." Nala thus to Rituparna--gave his subtle skill in steeds, Gladly he received the present--with each regulation meet. Gifted with that precious knowledge--then Bhangasuri the king, Home returned to his own city--with another charioteer. Rituparna thus departed--Nala, then the king of men, In the city of Kundina--sojourned for no length of time. BOOK XXVI. There a month when he had sojourned--of king Bhima taking leave, Guarded but by few attendants--to Nishadha took his way. With a single splendid chariot--and with elephants sixteen, And with fifty armed horsemen--and six hundred men on foot; Making, as 'twere, earth to tremble--hastening onward, did the king, Enter awful in his anger--and terrific in his speed. Then the son of Virasena--to king Pushkara drew near; "Play we once again," then said he--"much the wealth I have acquired: All I have, even Damayanti--every treasure I possess, Set I now upon the hazard--Pushkara, thy kingdom thou: In the game once more contend we--'tis my settled purpose this, Brother, at a single hazard--play we boldly for our lives. From another he who treasures--he who mighty realm hath won, 'Tis esteemed a bounden duty--to play back the counter game. If thou shrinkest from the hazard--be our game the strife of swords, Meet we in the single combat--all our difference to decide. An hereditary kingdom--may by any means be sought, Be re-won by any venture--this the maxim of the wise. Of two courses set before thee--Pushkara, the option make, Or in play to stand the hazard--or in battle stretch the bow." By Nishadha's lord thus challenged--Pushkara, with smile suppressed, As secure of easy victory--answered to the lord of earth; "Oh what joy! abundant treasures--thou hast won, again to play; Oh what joy! of Damayanti--now the hard-won prize is mine: Oh what joy! again thou livest--with thy consort, mighty armed! With the wealth I win bedecked--soon shall Bhima's daughter stand, By my side, as by great Indra--stands the Apsara in heaven.[137] Still on thee hath dwelt my memory--still I've waited, king, for thee; In the play I find no rapture--but 'gainst kinsmen like thyself. When this day the round-limbed princess--Damayanti, undespised, I shall win, I rest contented--still within mine heart she dwells."