Indra answered him:—­
    “Thou seest th’immortal gods.  Indra am I,
    And this is Agni, and the other here,
    Varuna, Lord of Waters; and beyond,
    Yama, the King of Death, who parteth souls
    From mortal frames.  To Damayanti go;
    Tell our approach.  Say this:  ’The world’s dread lords,
    Wishful to see thee, come; desiring thee—­
    Indra, Varuna, Agni, Yama, all. 
    Choose of these powers to which thou wilt be given.’”
    But Nala, hearing that, joined palms again,
    And cried:  “Ah, send me not, with one accord
    For this, most mighty Gods!  How should a man
    Sue for another, being suitor too? 
    How bear such errand?  Have compassion, Gods!”
      Then spake they:  “Yet thou saidst, ‘This shall I do,’
    Nishadha’s Prince! and wilt thou do it not,
    Forswearing faith?  Nay, but depart, and soon!”
      So bid, but lingering yet again, he said:—­
    “Well guarded are the gates; how shall I find
    Speech with her?”
                      “Thou shalt find,” Indra replied. 
    And, lo! upon that word Nala was brought
    To Damayanti’s chamber.  There he saw
    Vidarbha’s glory, sitting ’mid her maids,
    In majesty and grace surpassing all;
    So exquisite, so delicate of form,
    Waist so fine-turned, such limbs, such lighted eyes,
    The moon hath meaner radiance than she. 
    Love at the sight of that soft smiling face
    Sprang to full passion, while he stood and gazed. 
    Yet, faith and duty urging, he restrained
    His beating heart; but when those beauteous maids
    Spied Nala, from their cushions they uprose,
    Startled to see a man, yet startled more
    Because he showed so heavenly bright and fair. 
    In wondering pleasure each saluted him,
    Uttering no sound, but murmuring to themselves:—­
    “Aho! the grace of him:  aho! the brilliance;
    Aho! what glorious strength lives in his limbs! 
    What is he?  Is he God, Gandharva, Yaksha?”
    But this unspoken, for they dared not breathe
    One syllable, all standing shyly there
    To see him, and to see his youth so sweet. 
    Yet, softly glancing back to his soft glance,
    The Princess, presently, with fluttering breath,
    Accosted Nala, saying:  “Fairest Prince,
    Who by thy faultless form hath filled my heart
    With sudden joy, coming as come the gods,
    Unstayed, I crave to know thee, who thou art;
    How didst thou enter? how wert thou unseen? 
    Our palace is close-guarded, and the King
    Hath issued mandates stern.” 
                                Tenderly spake
    The Prince, replying to those tender words:—­
    “Most lovely!  I am Nala.  I am come
    A herald of the gods unto thee here. 
    The gods desire thee, the immortal Four—­
    Indra, Varuna, Yama, Agni.  Choose,