Part 22 (2/2)

Valadeva's Speech

Krishna's elder Valadeva, stalwart chief who bore the plough, Rose and spake, the blood of Vrishnis mantled o'er his lofty brow:

”Ye have listened, pious monarchs, to my brother's gentle word, Love he bears to good Yudhishthir and to proud Hastina's lord,

For his realm by dark blue Jumna good Yudhishthir held of yore, Brave Duryodhan ruled his kingdom on the ruddy Ganga's sh.o.r.e,

And once more in love and friends.h.i.+p either prince may rule his share, For the lands are broad and fertile, and each realm is rich and fair!

Speed the envoy to Hastina with our love and greetings kind, Let him speak Yudhishthir's wishes, seek to know Duryodhan's mind,

Make obeisance unto Bhishma and to Drona true and bold, Unto Kripa, archer Karna, and to chieftains young and old,

To the sons of Dhrita-rashtra, rulers of the Kuru land, Righteous in their kingly duties, stout of heart and strong of hand,

To the princes and to burghers gathered in the council hall, Let him speak Yudhishthir's wishes, plead Yudhishthir's cause to all.

Speak he not in futile anger, for Duryodhan holds the power, And Yudhishthir's wrath were folly in this sad and luckless hour!

By his dearest friends dissuaded, but by rage or madness driven, He hath played and lost his empire, may his folly be forgiven!

Indra-prastha's s.p.a.cious empire now Duryodhan deems his own, By his tears and soft entreaty let Yudhishthir seek the throne,

Open war I do not counsel, humbly seek Duryodhan's grace, War will not restore the empire nor the gambler's loss replace!”

Thus with cold and cruel candour stalwart Valadeva cried, Wrathful rose the brave Satyaki, fiercely thus to him replied:

III

Satyaki's Speech

”Shame unto the halting chieftain who thus pleads Duryodhan's part, Timid counsel, Valadeva, speaks a woman's timid heart!

Oft from warlike stock ariseth weakling chief who bends the knee, As a withered fruitless sapling springeth from a fruitful tree!

From a heart so faint and craven, faint and craven words must flow, Monarchs in their pride and glory list not to such counsel low!

Could'st thou, impious Valadeva, midst these potentates of fame, On Yudhishthir pious-hearted cast this undeserved blame?

Challenged by his wily foeman and by dark misfortune crost, Trusting to their faith Yudhishthir played a righteous game and lost!

Challenge from a crowned monarch can a crowned king decline, Can a Kshatra warrior fathom fraud in sons of royal line?

Nathless he surrendered empire true to faith and plighted word, Lived for years in pathless forests Indra-prastha's mighty lord!

Past his years of weary exile, now he claims his realm of old, Claims it, not as humble suppliant, but as king and warrior bold!

Past his year of dark concealment, bold Yudhishthir claims his own, Proud Duryodhan now must render Indra-prastha's jewelled throne!

<script>