They the livelong night together-slow related, each to each,
All their wanderings in the forest—and each wild adventure strange.
In king Bhima's royal palace-studying each the other's bliss,
With glad hearts, Vidarbha's princess—and the kingly Nala dwelt.
In their fourth year of divorcement-reunited to his wife,
Richly fraught with every blessing,—at the height of joy he stood.
Damayanti too re-wedded,—still increasing in her bliss,
Like as the glad earth to water-opens its half-budding fruits,
She of weariness unconscious,-soothed each grief, and full each joy,
Every wish fulfilled, shone brightly,—as the night, when high the moon.
WHEN that night was passed and over—Nala, that high-gifted king,
Wedded to Vidarbha's daughter-in fit hour her sire beheld.
Humbly Nala paid his homage to the father of his queen,
Reverently did Damayanti-pay her homage to her sire.
Him received the royal Bhima-as his son, with highest joy,
Honoured, as became him, nobly :-then consoled that monarch wise
Damayanti, to king Nala-reconciled, the faithful wife.
Royal Nala, all these honours,—as his homage meet, received;
And in fitting terms devotion-to his royal sire declared.
Mighty then, through all the city—ran the wakening sound of joy ;
All in every street exulting-at king Nala's safe return.
All the city with their banners,—and with garlands decked they forth. All the royal streets, well watered, and with stainless flowers were strewn ;
And from door to door the garlands of festooning flowers were hung; And of all the gods the altars-were with fitting rites adorned.
Rituparna heard of Nala-in the form of Vahuca,
Now re-wed to Damayanti,-and the king of men rejoiced.
To the king before his presence-Nala courteous made excuse,
In his turn Ayodhya's monarch-in like courteous language spake.
He, received thus hospitably,-wondering to Nishadha's king,
"Bliss be with thee, reunited-to thy queen :" 'twas thus he said. "Have I aught offensive ever-done to thee, or said, O king, Whilst unknown, within my palace-thou wert dwelling, king of men? If designed or undesigning-any single act I've done
I might wish undone, thy pardon—grant me, I beseech thee, king.”
"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 Bhángásuri 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.
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 acAll I have, even Damayanti,-every treasure I possess, [quired: 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.
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."
Hearing his contemptuous language-franticly thus pouring forth,
With his sword th' indignant Nala-fain had severed off his head.
But with haughty smile, with anger-glaring in his blood-red eyes,
"Play we now, nor talk we longer,—conquered, thou’lt no longer talk.”
Then of Pushkara the gaming-and of Nala straight began :
In a single throw by Nala-was the perilous venture gained;
Pushkara, his gold, his jewels,—at one hazard all was won!
Pushkara, in play thus conquered,-with a smile the king rejoined :
“Mine again is all this kingdom-undisturbed, its foes o'ercome.
Fallen king! Vidarbha's daughter-by thine eyes may ne'er be seen.
Thou art now,
with all thy household,-unto abject slavery sunk.
Not thyself achieved the conquest—that subdued me heretofore!
'Twas achieved by mightier Kali,-that thou didst not, fool, perceive.
Yet my wrath, by him enkindled,-will I not 'gainst thee direct;
Live thou henceforth at thy pleasure,-freely I thy life bestow,
And of thine estate and substance-give I thee thy fitting share.
Such my pleasure, in thy welfare,-hero, do I take delight,
And mine unabated friendship-never shall from thee depart.
Pushkara, thou art my brother,—may'st thou live a hundred years!”
Nala thus consoled his brother-in his conscious power and strength,
Sent him home to his own city-once embracing, once again.
Pushkara, thus finding comfort,-answered to Nishadha's lord,
Answered he to Punyasloka,-bowing low with folded hands :
Everlasting be thy glory! may'st thou live ten thousand years! That my life to me thou grantest,—and a city for mine home!" Hospitably entertained-there a month when he had dwelt, Joyful to his own proud city-Pushkara, with all his kin, With a well-appointed army,-of attendant slaves an host, Shining like the sun departed,-in his full meridian orb.
Pushkara thus crowned with riches,-thus unharmed, when he disEntered then his royal city-with surpassing pomp, the king: As he entered, to his subjects-Nala spake the words of peace. From the city, from the country-all, with hair erect with joy, Came, with folded hands addressed him,—and the councillors of state. "Happy are we now, O monarch,-in the city, in the fields, Setting forth to do thee homage,—as to Indra all the gods." Then at peace the tranquil city,—the first festal gladness o'er, With a mighty host escorted-Damayanti brought he home. Damayanti rich in treasures,—in her father's blessings rich, Glad dismissed the mighty-minded-Bhima, fearful in his strength. With the daughter of Vidarbha,—with his children in his joy, Nala lived, as lives the sovereign-of the gods in Nandana. Re-ascended thus to glory-he, among the kings of earth, Ruled his realm in Jambudwipa,-thus re-won, with highest fame ; And all holy rites performed he-with devout munificence.
THIS extract from the Ramayana has been edited by M. Chézy, with a free translation into French prose by M. Bournouf, a literal version into Latin, and a grammatical commentary and notes by the editor.
Through the arts of one of his wives Kaikéyí, to whom he had made an incautious vow to grant her demand, Dasaratha is obliged to send his victorious son Rama into banishment at the very moment of his marriage with the beautiful Sita. Rama is accompanied in his exile by Lakshmana. The following episode describes the misery and distress of the father, deprived of his favourite son.
SCARCE Rama to the wilderness-had with his younger brother gone,
Abandoned to his deep distress,-king Dasaratha sate alone.
Upon his sons to exile driven-when thought that king, as Indra bright,
Darkness came o'er him, as in heaven-when pales th' eclipsed sun
his light.
Six days he sate, and mourned and pined-for Rama all that weary time,
At midnight on his wandering mind-rose up his old forgotten crime.
His queen Kausalya, the divine-addressed he, as she rested near :
"Kausalya, if thou wakest, incline-to thy lord's speech thy ready ear.
Whatever deed, or good or ill,-by man, oh blessed queen, is wrought,
Its proper fruit he gathers still-by time to slow perfection brought.
He who the opposing counsel's weight-compares not in his judgment
Or misery or bliss his fate,-among the sage is deemed a fool. [cool,
As one that quits the Amra bower-the bright Palasa's pride to gain,
Mocked by the promise of its flower,—seeks its unripening fruit in vain.
So I the lovely Amra left-for the Palasa's barren bloom,
Through mine own fatal error 'reft-of banished Rama, mourn in gloom.
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