  Hearing this, fair Damayanti—all abandoned to her grief. Thinking still that he was Nala—to Kesinia spake again. "Go, Kesinia, go, examine—Vahuca, and all his acts, Silent take thy stand beside him—and observe whate'er he does; Nor, Kesinia, be there given him—fire his labours to assist: Neither be there given him water—in thy haste, at his demand: All, when thou hast well observed him—every act to me repeat, Every act that more than mortal—seems in Vahuca, relate." Thus addressed by Damayanti—straight Kesinia went again, Of the tamer of the horses—every act observed, came back; Every act as she had seen it—she to Damayanti told: Every more than mortal wonder—that in Vahuca appeared. Kesinia spake. "Very holy is he, never—mortal man, in all my life, Have I seen, or have I heard of—Damayanti, like to him. He drew near the lowly entrance—bowed not down his stately head; On the instant, as it saw him—up th' expanding portal rose. For the use of Rituparna—much and various viands came; Sent, as meet, by royal Bhima—and abundant animal food. These to cleanse, with meet ablution—were capacious vessels brought; As he looked on them, the vessels—stood, upon the instant, full. Then, the meet ablutions over—Vahuca went forth, and took, Of the withered grass a handful—held it upward to the sun: Much I marvelled at the wonder—and in mute amazement stood; Lo, a second greater marvel—sudden burst upon my sight! He that blazing fire stood handling—yet unharmed, unburned, remained. At his will flows forth the water—at his will it sinks again. And another greater wonder—lady, did I there behold: He the flowers which he had taken—gently moulded in his hands, In his hands the flowers, so moulded—as with freshening life endued, Blossomed out with richer fragrance—stood erect upon their stems: All these marvels having noted—swiftly came I back to thee." Damayanti spake. Damayanti when these wonders—of the king of men she heard, Thought yet more king Nala present—thought her utmost wish achieved. Deeming still her royal consort—in the form of Vahuca, With a gentle voice and weeping—to Kesinia spake again: "Go, again, Kesinia, secret—and by Vahuca unseen, Of those viands bring a portion—by his skilful hand prepared:" She to Vahuca approaching—unperceived stole soft away Of the well-cooked meat a morsel—warm she bore it in her haste, And to Damayanti gave it—fair Kesinia, undelayed. Of the food prepared by Nala—well the flavour did she know; Tasting it she shrieked in transport—"Nala is yon charioteer." Trying then a new emotion—of her mouth ablution made: She her pair of infant children—with Kesinia sent to him. Soon as he young Indrasena—and her little brother saw, Up he sprang, his arms wound round them—to his bosom folding both; When he gazed upon the children—like the children of the gods, Yet Nishadha's lord perceiving—she his strong emotion marked, From his hold released the children—to Kesinia speaking thus: "Oh! so like mine own twin children—was yon lovely infant pair, Seeing them thus unexpected—have I broken out in tears: If so oft thou comest hither—men some evil will suspect, We within this land are strangers—beauteous maiden, part in peace." |
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