Page:Mahabharata - the epic of ancient India.djvu/41

 THE BRIDE'S CHOICE 27 VIII Krishna to the Rescue Krishna knew the sons of Pandu though in robes of Brahmans dressed, To his elder, Valadeva, thus his inner thoughts expressed : " Mark that youth with bow and arrow and with lion's lordly gait. He is helmet-wearing Arjun! greatest warrior midst the great! Mark his mate, with tree uprooted how he meets the suitor band. Save the tiger- waisted Bhima none can claim such strength of hand! And the youth with eyes like lotus, he who left the court erewhile, He is pious-souled Yudhishthir, man without a sin or guile! And those youths beside Yudhisthir, Pandu's twin-born children they, With her sons the righteous Pritha 'scaped where death and danger lay! For the jealous, fierce Duryodhan darkly schemed their death by fire, But the righteous sons of Pandu 'scaped Duryodhan's vengeful ire! " Krishna rose amidst the monarchs, strove the tumult to appease. And unto the angry suitors spake in words of righteous peace, Monarchs bowed to Krishna's mandate, left Panchala's festive land, Arjun took the beauteous princess, gently led her by the hand.