Gods desirous to possess thee;--one of these, the lord of heaven Indra, Agni, Varun, Yama,--choose thou, princess, for thy lord. Through their power, their power almighty--I have entered here unseen; As I entered in thy chamber--none hath seen, and none might stay. This, the object of my mission,--fairest, from the highest gods, Thou hast heard me, noble princess--even as thou wilt, decide." BOOK IV. To the gods performed her homage--smiled she, and to Nala spake:-- "Pledge to me thy faith,[35] O raja--how that faith, may I requite? I myself, and whatsoever--in the world I have, is thine In full trust is thine[36]--O grant me--in thy turn thy love, O king! Tis the swan's enamouring language--that hath kindled all my soul. Only for thy sake, O hero--are the assembled rajas met. But if thou mine homage scornest--scornest me, all honoured king, Poison for thy sake, fire, water,--the vile noose will I endure."[37] So, when spake Vidarbha's maiden--Nala answered thus, and said:-- "With the world's dread guardians present--wilt thou mortal husband choose? We with them, the world's creators--with these mighty lords compared, Lowlier than the dust they tread on--raise to them thy loftier mind. Man the gods displeasing, hastens--to inevitable death-- Fair limbed! from that fate preserve me--choose the all excelling gods. Robes by earthly dust unsullied--crowns of amaranthine flowers, Every bright celestial glory--wedded to the gods, enjoy. He, who all the world compressing[38]--with devouring might consumes, Sovereign of the gods, Hutása,--where is she who would not wed? He, in awe of whose dread sceptre[39]--all the assembled hosts of men, Cultivate eternal justice--where is she who would not wed? Him the all-righteous, lofty minded,--slayer of the infernal host,[40] Of all gods, the mighty monarch,--who is she that would not wed? Nor let trembling doubt arrest thee--in thy mind if thou couldst choose.[41] Varuna, amongst earth's guardians,--hear the language of a friend." To the sovereign of Nishadha--Damayanti spake, and said, And her eyes grew dim with moisture--flowing from her inward grief:-- "To the gods, to all, my homage--king of earth, I humbly pay; Yet thee only, thee, my husband--may I choose, Be this my vow!" Answered he the trembling maiden--as with folded hands she stood, "Bound upon this solemn mission--mine own cause how dare I urge. Plighted by a sacred promise--to the everlasting gods; Thus engaged to plead for others--for myself I may not plead. This my duty; yet hereafter--come I on my own behalf, Then I'll plead mine own cause boldly--weigh it, beauteous, in thy thought." Damayanti smiled serenely,--and with tear-impeded speech, Uttered brokenly and slowly--thus to royal Nala spake:-- "Yet I see a way of refuge--'tis a blameless way, O king;