this one doth know. 
    Alike the mastery seems of both; alike
    I judge their years.  If this man be not he,
    Two Nalas are there in the world for skill. 
    They say there wander mighty powers on earth
    In strange disguises, who, divinely sprung,
    Veil themselves from us under human mould;
    Bewilderment it brings me, this his shape
    Misshappen—­from conclusion that alone
    Withholds me; yet I wist not what to think,
    In age and manner like—­and so unlike
    In form!  Else Vahuka I must have deemed
    Nala, with Nala’s gifts.” 
                              So in his heart,
    Varshneya, watching, wondered—­being himself
    The second charioteer.  But Rituparna
    Sat joyous with the speed, delightedly
    Marking the driving of the Prince:  the eyes
    Attent; the hand so firm upon the reins;
    The skill so quiet, wise, and masterful;
    Great joy the Maharaja had to see. 
      By stream and mountain, woodland-path and pool,
    Swiftly, like birds that skim in air, they sped;
    Till, as the chariot plunged, the Raja saw
    His shoulder-mantle falling to the ground;
    And—­loath to lose the robe—­albeit so pressed,
    To Nala cried he, “Let me take it up;
    Check the swift horses, wondrous charioteer;
    And bid Varshneya light, and fetch my cloth,”
    But Nala answered:  “Far it lies behind;
    A yojana already we have passed;
    We cannot turn again to pick it up.” 
      A little onward Riturparna saw
    Within the wood a tall Myrobolan
    Heavy with fruit; hereat, eager he cried:—­
    “Now, Vahuka, my skill thou mayest behold
    In the Arithmic.  All arts no man knows;
    Each hath his wisdom, but in one man’s wit
    Is perfect gift of one thing, and not more. 
    From yonder tree how many leaves and fruits,
    Think’st thou, lie fall’n there upon the earth? 
    Just one above a thousand of the leaves,
    And one above a hundred of the fruits;
    And on those two limbs hang, of dancing leaves,
    Five crores exact; and shouldst thou pluck yon boughs
    Together with their shoots, on those twain boughs
    Swing twice a thousand nuts and ninety-five!”
      Vahuka checked the chariot wonderingly,
    And answered:  “Imperceptible to me
    Is what thou boastest, slayer of thy foes! 
    But I to proof will put it, hewing down
    The tree, and, having counted, I shall know. 
    Before thine eyes the branches twain I’ll lop: 
    How prove thee, Maharaja, otherwise,
    Whether this be or be not?  I will count
    One by one—­fruits and leaves—­before thee, King;
    Varshneya, for a space, can rein the steeds.” 
      To him replied the Raja:  “Time is none
    Now to delay.” 
                    Vahuka answered quick
    (His own set purpose serving):