IV
The Suitors
"Brave Duryodhan and his brothers, princes of the Kuruland,
Kama proud and peerless archer, sister! seek thy noble hand,
And Gandhara's warlike princes, Bhoja's monarch true and bold,
And the son of mighty Drona, all bedecked in gems and gold!
King and prince from Matsya kingdom grace this noble wedding-feast,
Monarchs from more distant regions north and south and west and east,
Tamralipta and Kalinga on the eastern ocean wave,
Pattan's port whose hardy children western ocean's dangers brave!
From the distant land of Madra car-borne monarch Salya came.
And from Dwarka's sea-girt regions Valadeva known to fame,
Valadeva and his brother Krishna sprung from Yadu's race.
Of the Vrishni clan descended, soul of truth and righteous grace!
This is mighty Jayadratha come from Sindhu's sounding shore,
For his warlike feats renownéd, famed alike for sacred lore,
This is fair Kosala's monarch whose bright deeds our heralds sing.
From the sturdy soil of Chedi, Sisupala peerless king.
This is mighty Jarasandha, come from far Magadha's land,
These are other princely suitors, sister! eager for thy hand!
All the wide earth's warlike rulers seek to shoot the distant aim,
Princess, whoso hits the target, choose as thine that prince of fame!"
Decked with jewels, young and valiant, all aflame with soft desire,
Conscious of their worth and valour, all the suitors rose in ire,
