things befall—­
    Wonderful, gracious—­when he heard that voice
    Called the great snake to memory:—­whereupon
    His proper self returned.  Bhima’s fair child
    Divinely sounding (Lord of Bharat’s line!)—­
    Yielded all doubt of his delightful Love. 
    Then cast he round about his neck the cloth—­
    Unstained by earth, enchanted—­and (O King!)
    Saw her dear lord his beauteous form resume. 
    “Ah, Nala!  Nala!” cried she, while her arms
    Clasped him and clung; and Nala to his heart
    Pressed that bright lady, glowing, as of old,
    With princely majesty.  Their children twain
    Next he caressed; while she—­at happy peace—­
    Her beautiful glad face laid on his breast,
    Sighing with too much joy.  And Nala stood
    A great space silent, gazing on her face,
    Sorrow-stamped yet, her long, deep-lidded eyes,
    Her melting smile—­himself ’twixt joy and woe. 
      Afterwards, all that story of the Prince,
    And all of Damayanti, Bhima’s Queen
    Told to the Maharaja joyously. 
    And Bhima said:  “To-morrow will I see—­
    When Nala hath his needful offerings made—­
    Our daughter and this wandering lord well knit.” 
      But all that night they sat, hand clasped in hand,
    Rejoicing, and relating what befell
    In the wild wood, and of the woful times. 
      That night being spent, Prince Nala in his state
    Led forth Vidarbha’s Pride before the court. 
    And Bhima—­in an hour found fortunate—­
    Re-wed those married lovers.  Dutifully
    Nala paid homage to the Maharaja,
    And reverently did Damayanti bow
    Before her father.  He the Prince received
    With grace and gladness, as a son restored,
    Making fair welcome, and with words of praise
    Exalting Damayanti, tried and true;
    Which in all dignity Prince Nala took,
    Returning, as was meet, words honorable. 
    Therewith unto the city spread the noise
    Of that rejoicing.  All the townspeople,
    Learning of Nala joyously returned,
    Made all their quarters gay with float of flags,
    Flutter of cloths, and garlands; sprinkled free
    The King’s-ways with fresh water, and the cups
    Of fragrant flowers; and hung long wreaths of flowers. 
    From door to door the white street-fronts before;
    And decked each temple-porch, and went about
    The altar-gods. 
    And afterwards, in Bhima’s royal house
    Serenely dwelled the Princess and the Prince,
    Each making for the other peaceful joy. 
    So in the fourth year Nala was rejoined
    To Damayanti, comforted and free,
    Restful, attained, tasting delights again. 
    Also the glad Princess, gaining her lord,
    Laid sorrows by, and blossomed forth anew,
    As doth the laughing earth when the rain falls,
    And brings her unseen, waiting