Thither from earth ascending, those twain saints—­
    The wise, the pure, the mighty-minded ones,
    The self-restrained—­Narad and Parvata. 
    The mansion of the Sovereign of the Gods
    In honor entered they; and he, the Lord
    Of Clouds, dread Indra, softly them salutes,
    Inquiring of their weal, and of the world
    Wherethrough their name was famous, how it fares. 
      Then Narad said:  “Well is it, Lord of Gods,
    With us, and with our world; and well with those
    Who rule the peoples, O thou King in Heaven!”
      But He that slew the Demons spake again:—­
    “The princes of the earth, just-minded, brave,
    Those who, in battle fearing not to fall,
    See death on the descending blade, and charge
    Full front against it, turning not their face—­
    Theirs is this realm eternal, as to me
    The cow of plenty, Kamadhuk, belongs. 
    Where be my Kshatriya warriors?  Wherefore now
    See I none coming of those slaughtered lords,
    Chiefs of mankind, our always honored guests?”
      And unto Indra Narad gave reply:—­
    “King of the Air! no wars are waged below;
    None fall in fight, to enter here.  The Lord
    Of high Vidarbha hath a daughter, famed
    For loveliness beyond all earthly maids,
    The Princess Damayanti, far-renowned. 
    Of her, dread Sakra! the Swayamvara
    Shall soon befall, and thither now repair
    The kings and princes of all lands, to woo—­
    Each for himself—­this pearl of womanhood. 
    For oh, thou Slayer of the Demons, all
    Desire the maid.” 
                     Drew round, while Narad spake,
    The Masters, th’Immortals, pressing in
    With Agni and the Greatest, near the throne,
    To listen to the speech of Narada;
    Whom having heard, all cried delightedly,
    “We, too, will go.”  Thereupon those high gods,
    With chariots, and with heavenly retinues,
    Sped to Vidarbha, where the kings were met. 
    And Nala, knowing of this kingly tryst,
    Went thither joyous, heart-full with the thought
    Of Damayanti. 
                  Thus it chanced the gods
    Beheld the Prince wending along his road,
    Goodly of mien, as is the Lord of Love. 
    The world’s Protectors saw him, like a sun
    For splendor; and, in very wonder, paused
    Some time irresolute, so fair he was;
    Then in mid-sky their golden chariots stayed,
    And through the clouds descending called to him:—­
    “Abo!  Nala of Nishadha!  Noblest Prince,
    Be herald for us; bear our message now.” 
      “Yea!” Nala made reply, “this will I do”—­
    And then—­palm unto palm in reverence pressed—­
    Asked:  “Shining Ones, who are ye?  Unto whom,
    And what words bearing, will ye that I go? 
    Deign to instruct me what it is ye bid.” 
    Thus the Prince spake, and