Flew away the swans rejoicing--to Vidarbha straight they flew; To Vidharba's stately city:--there by Damayanti's feet, Down with drooping plumes they settled--and she gazed upon the flock, Wondering at their forms so graceful--where amid her maids she sate. Sportively began the damsels--all around to chase the birds; Scattering flew the swans before them--all about the lovely grove. Lightly ran the nimble maidens,--every one her bird pursued; But the swan that through the forest--gentle Damayanti chased, Suddenly, in human language--spake to Damayanti thus.-- "Damayanti, in Nishadha--Nala dwells, the noble king-- Like the Aswinas in beauty,[19]--peerless among men is he. O incomparable princess--to this hero wert thou wed, Noble birth and perfect beauty--not unworthy fruit had borne. Gods, Gandharvas,[20] men, the Serpents,[21]--and the Rakshasas[22] we've seen, All we've seen--of noble Nala--never have we seen the peer. Pearl art thou among all women--Nala is the pride of men. If the peerless wed the peerless--blessed must the union be." When the bird thus strangely speaking--gentle Damayanti heard, Answered thus the wondering maiden--"Thus to Nala, speak thou too." "Be it so," replied the egg-born--to Vidarbha's beauteous maid. Home then flew he to Nishadha--and to Nala told it all. BOOK II. Damayanti, ever after--she the swan's sweet speech had heard-- With herself she dwelt no longer--all herself with Nala dwelt. Lost in thought she sate dejected--pale her melancholy cheek, Damayanti sate and yielded--all her soul to sighs of grief. Upward gazing, meditative--with a wild distracted look, Wan was all her soft complexion--and with passion heart-possessed,[23] Nor in sleep nor gentle converse--nor in banquets found she joy; Night nor day she could not slumber--Woe! oh woe! she wept and said. Her no longer her own mistress--from her looks, her gesture, knew Damayanti's virgin handmaids--to Vidarbha's monarch they Told how pined his gentle daughter--for the sovereign of men. This from Damayanti's maidens--when the royal Bhima heard, In his mind he gravely pondered--for his child what best were done. "Wherefore is my gentle daughter--from herself in mind estranged?" When the lord of earth his daughter--saw in blooming youth mature, Knew he for the Swayembara[24]--Damayanti's time was come. Straight the lord of many peasants[25]--summoned all the chiefs of earth, "Come ye to the Swayembara--all ye heroes of the world!" Damayanti's Swayembara--soon as heard the kings of men, All obeyed king Bhima's summons--all to Bhima's court drew near; Elephants, and steeds, and chariots--swarmed along the sounding land; All with rich and various garlands[26]--with his stately army each-- All the lofty-minded rajas--Bhima with the arm of strength,