Ramayana, Book 2, The

<SPAN name="toc155" id="toc155"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf156" id="pdf156"></SPAN> <h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">BOOK II.</span></h1> <SPAN name="toc157" id="toc157"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf158" id="pdf158"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoII-I" id="CantoII-I" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto I. The Heir Apparent.</span></h2> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>So Bharat to his grandsire went</div> <div>Obedient to the message sent,</div> <div>And for his fond companion chose</div> <div>Śatrughna slayer of his foes.<SPAN id="noteref_258" name="noteref_258" href="#note_258"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">258</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>There Bharat for a time remained</div> <div>With love and honour entertained,</div> <div>King Aśvapati's constant care,</div> <div>Beloved as a son and heir.</div> <div>Yet ever, as they lived at ease,</div> <div>While all around combined to please,</div> <div>The aged sire they left behind</div> <div>Was present to each hero's mind.</div> <div>Nor could the king's fond memory stray</div> <div>From his brave children far away,</div> <div>Dear Bharat and Śatrughna dear,</div> <div>Each Varuṇ's match or Indra's peer.</div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>To all the princes, young and brave,</div> <div>His soul with fond affection clave;</div> <div>Around his loving heart they clung</div> <div>Like arms from his own body sprung.<SPAN id="noteref_259" name="noteref_259" href="#note_259"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">259</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>But best and noblest of the four,</div> <div>Good as the God whom all adore,</div> <div>Lord of all virtues, undefiled,</div> <div>His darling was his eldest child.</div> <div>For he was beautiful and strong,</div> <div>From envy free, the foe of wrong,</div> <div>With all his father's virtues blest,</div> <div>And peerless in the world confessed.</div> <div>With placid soul he softly spoke:</div> <div>No harsh reply could taunts provoke.</div> <div>He ever loved the good and sage</div> <div>Revered for virtue and for age,</div> <div>And when his martial tasks were o'er</div> <div>Sate listening to their peaceful lore.</div> <div>Wise, modest, pure, he honoured eld,</div> <div>His lips from lying tales withheld;</div> <div>Due reverence to the Bráhmans gave,</div> <div>And ruled each passion like a slave.</div> <div>Most tender, prompt at duty's call,</div> <div>Loved by all men he loved them all.</div> <div>Proud of the duties of his race,</div> <div>With spirit meet for Warrior's place.</div> <div>He strove to win by glorious deed,</div> <div>Throned with the Gods, a priceless meed.</div> <div>With him in speech and quick reply</div> <div>Vrihaspati might hardly vie,</div> <div>But never would his accents flow</div> <div>For evil or for empty show.</div> <div>In art and science duly trained,</div> <div>His student vow he well maintained;</div> <div>He learnt the lore for princes fit,</div> <div>The Vedas and their Holy Writ,</div> <div>And with his well-drawn bow at last</div> <div>His mighty father's fame surpassed.</div> <div>Of birth exalted, truthful, just,</div> <div>With vigorous hand, with noble trust,</div> <div>Well taught by aged twice-born men</div> <div>Who gain and right could clearly ken,</div> <div>Full well the claims and bounds he knew</div> <div>Of duty, gain, and pleasure too:</div> <div>Of memory keen, of ready tact,</div> <div>In civil business prompt to act.</div> <div>Reserved, his features ne'er disclosed</div> <div>What counsel in his heart reposed.</div> <div>All idle rage and mirth controlled,</div> <div>He knew the times to give and hold,</div> <div>Firm in his faith, of steadfast will,</div> <div>He sought no wrong, he spoke no ill:</div> <div>Not rashly swift, not idly slow,</div> <div>His faults and others' keen to know.</div> <div>Each merit, by his subtle sense;</div> <div>He matched with proper recompense.</div> <div>He knew the means that wealth provide,</div> <div>And with keen eye expense could guide.</div> <div>Wild elephants could he reclaim,</div> <div>And mettled steeds could mount and tame.</div> <div>No arm like his the bow could wield,</div> <div>Or drive the chariot to the field.</div> <div>Skilled to attack, to deal the blow,</div> <div>Or lead a host against the foe:</div> <div>Yea, e'en infuriate Gods would fear</div> <div>To meet his arm in full career.</div> <div>As the great sun in noontide blaze</div> <div>Is glorious with his world of rays,</div> <div>So Ráma with these virtues shone</div> <div>Which all men loved to gaze upon.</div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>The aged monarch fain would rest,</div> <div>And said within his weary breast,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Oh that I might, while living yet,</span></div> <div>My Ráma o'er the kingdom set.</div> <div>And see, before my course be run,</div> <div>The hallowed drops anoint my son;</div> <div>See all this spacious land obey,</div> <div>From side to side, my first-born's sway,</div> <div>And then, my life and joy complete,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >Obtain in heaven a blissful seat!”</span></div> <div>In him the monarch saw combined</div> <div>The fairest form, the noblest mind,</div> <div>And counselled how his son might share,</div> <div>The throne with him as Regent Heir.</div> <div>For fearful signs in earth and sky,</div> <div>And weakness warned him death was nigh:</div> <div>But Ráma to the world endeared</div> <div>By every grace his bosom cheered,</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page090"></span><SPAN name="Pg090" id="Pg090" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div>The moon of every eye, whose ray</div> <div>Drove all his grief and fear away.</div> <div>So duty urged that hour to seize,</div> <div>Himself, his realm, to bless and please.</div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>From town and country, far and near,</div> <div>He summoned people, prince, and peer.</div> <div>To each he gave a meet abode,</div> <div>And honoured all and gifts bestowed.</div> <div>Then, splendid in his king's attire,</div> <div>He viewed them, as the general Sire,</div> <div>In glory of a God arrayed,</div> <div>Looks on the creatures he has made.</div> <div>But Kekaya's king he called not then</div> <div>For haste, nor Janak, lord of men;</div> <div>For after to each royal friend</div> <div>The joyful tidings he would send.</div> <div>Mid crowds from distant countries met</div> <div>The king upon his throne was set;</div> <div>Then honoured by the people, all</div> <div>The rulers thronged into the hall.</div> <div>On thrones assigned, each king in place</div> <div>Looked silent on the monarch's face.</div> <div>Then girt by lords of high renown</div> <div>And throngs from hamlet and from town</div> <div>He showed in regal pride,</div> <div>As, honoured by the radiant band</div> <div>Of blessed Gods that round him stand,</div> <div>Lord Indra, Thousand-eyed.</div> </div> <SPAN name="toc159" id="toc159"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf160" id="pdf160"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoII-II" id="CantoII-II" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto II. The People's Speech.</span></h2> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Then to the full assembly bowed</div> <div>The monarch, and addressed the crowd</div> <div>With gracious speech, in accents loud</div> <div>As heavenly drum or thunder-cloud:</div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Needs not to you who know declare</span></div> <div>How ever with paternal care</div> <div>My fathers of Ikshváku's line</div> <div>Have ruled the realm which now is mine.</div> <div>I too have taught my feet to tread</div> <div>The pathway of the mighty dead,</div> <div>And with fond care that never slept</div> <div>Have, as I could, my people kept.</div> <div>So toiling still, and ne'er remiss</div> <div>For all my people's weal and bliss,</div> <div>Beneath the white umbrella's<SPAN id="noteref_260" name="noteref_260" href="#note_260"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">260</span></span></SPAN> shade.</div> <div>Old age is come and strength decayed.</div> <div>Thousands of years have o'er me flown,</div> <div>And generations round me grown</div> <div>And passed away. I crave at length</div> <div>Repose and ease for broken strength.</div> <div>Feeble and worn I scarce can bear</div> <div>The ruler's toil, the judge's care,</div> <div>With royal dignity, a weight</div> <div>That tries the young and temperate.</div> <div>I long to rest, my labour done,</div> <div>And in my place to set my son,</div> <div>If to the twice-born gathered here</div> <div>My counsel wise and good appear.</div> <div>For greater gifts than mine adorn</div> <div>Ráma my son, my eldest-born.</div> <div>Like Indra brave, before him fall</div> <div>The foeman's cities, tower and wall.</div> <div>Him prince of men for power and might,</div> <div>The best maintainer of the right,</div> <div>Fair as the moon when nothing bars</div> <div>His glory close to Pushya's stars,</div> <div>Him with to-morrow's light I fain</div> <div>Would throne the consort of my reign.</div> <div>A worthy lord for you, I ween,</div> <div>Marked as her own by Fortune's Queen.</div> <div>The triple world itself would be</div> <div>Well ruled by such a king as he.</div> <div>To such high bliss and happy fate</div> <div>Will I the country dedicate,</div> <div>And my sad heart will cease to grieve</div> <div>If he the precious charge receive.</div> <div>Thus is my careful plan matured,</div> <div>Thus for myself is rest secured;</div> <div>Lieges, approve the words I say,</div> <div>Or point ye out some wiser way.</div> <div>Devise your prudent plan. My mind</div> <div>Is fondly to this thought inclined,</div> <div>But men by keen debating move</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >Some middle course which all approve.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>The monarch ceased. In answer came</div> <div>The joyous princes' glad acclaim.</div> <div>So peacocks in the rain rejoice</div> <div>And hail the cloud with lifted voice.</div> <div>Murmurs of joy from thousands round</div> <div>Shook the high palace with the sound.</div> <div>Then when the gathered throng had learned</div> <div>His will who right and gain discerned,</div> <div>Peasant and townsman, priest and chief,</div> <div>All met in consultation brief,</div> <div>And soon agreed with one accord</div> <div>Gave answer to their sovereign lord:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“King of the land, we know thee old:</span></div> <div>Thousands of years have o'er thee rolled,</div> <div>Ráma thy son, we pray, anoint,</div> <div>And at thy side his place appoint</div> <div>Our gallant prince, so brave and strong,</div> <div>Riding in royal state along,</div> <div>Our eyes with joyful pride will see</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >Screened by the shade that shelters thee.”</span></div> <div>Then spake the king again, as though</div> <div>Their hearts' true wish he sought to know:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“These prayers for Ráma's rule suggest</span></div> <div>One question to my doubting breast.</div> <div>This thing, I pray, with truth explain:</div> <div>Why would ye, while I justly reign,</div> <div>That he, mine eldest son, should bear</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >His part with me as ruling heir?”</span></div> <div>Then all the people made reply,</div> <div>Peasant and townsman, low and high:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Each noblest gift of form and mind,</span></div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page091"></span><SPAN name="Pg091" id="Pg091" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div>O Monarch, in thy son we find.</div> <div>Do thou the godlike virtues hear</div> <div>Which Ráma to our hearts endear.</div> <div>So richly blest with graces, none</div> <div>In all the earth excels thy son:</div> <div>Nay, who to match with him may claim</div> <div>In truth, in justice, and in fame?</div> <div>True to his promise, gentle, kind,</div> <div>Unenvious, of grateful mind,</div> <div>Versed in the law and firm of soul,</div> <div>He keeps each sense with strict control.</div> <div>With duteous care he loves to sit</div> <div>By Bráhmans skilled in Holy Writ.</div> <div>Hence brightest glory, ne'er to end,</div> <div>And matchless fame his youth attend.</div> <div>Skilled in the use of spear and shield,</div> <div>And arms which heavenly warriors wield,</div> <div>Supreme in war, unconquered yet</div> <div>By man, fiend, God in battle met,</div> <div>Whene'er in pomp of war he goes</div> <div>'Gainst town or city of the foes,</div> <div>He ever comes with Lakshmaṇ back</div> <div>Victorious from the fierce attack.</div> <div>Returning homeward from afar</div> <div>Borne on his elephant or car,</div> <div>He ever to the townsmen bends</div> <div>And greets them as beloved friends,</div> <div>Asks how each son, each servant thrives,</div> <div>How fare our pupils, offerings, wives;</div> <div>And like a father bids us tell,</div> <div>Each for himself, that all is well.</div> <div>If pain or grief the city tries</div> <div>His heart is swift to sympathize.</div> <div>When festive scenes our thoughts employ</div> <div>He like a father shares the joy.</div> <div>High is the fate, O King, that gave</div> <div>Thy Ráma born to bless and save,</div> <div>With filial virtues fair and mild</div> <div>Like Kaśyap old Maríchi's child.</div> <div>Hence to the kingdom's distant ends</div> <div>One general prayer for him ascends.</div> <div>Each man in town and country prays</div> <div>For Ráma's strength, health, length of days.</div> <div>With hearts sincere, their wish the same,</div> <div>The tender girl, the aged dame,</div> <div>Subject and stranger, peasant, hind,</div> <div>One thought impressed on every mind,</div> <div>At evening and at dawning day</div> <div>To all the Gods for Ráma pray.</div> <div>Do thou, O King, of grace comply,</div> <div>And hear the people's longing cry,</div> <div>And let us on the throne by thee</div> <div>The lotus-tinted Ráma see.</div> <div>O thou who givest boons, attend;</div> <div>A gracious ear, O Monarch, lend</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">And for our weal install,</div> <div>Consenting to our earnest prayer,</div> <div>Thy godlike Ráma Regent Heir,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" >Who seeks the good of all.”</span></div> </div> <SPAN name="toc161" id="toc161"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf162" id="pdf162"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoII-III" id="CantoII-III" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto III. Dasaratha's Precepts.</span></h2> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>The monarch with the prayer complied</div> <div>Of suppliant hands, on every side</div> <div>Uplifted like a lotus-bed:</div> <div>And then these gracious words he said:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Great joy and mighty fame are mine</span></div> <div>Because your loving hearts incline,</div> <div>In full assembly clearly shown</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >To place my Ráma on the throne.”</span></div> <div>Then to Vaśishṭha, standing near,</div> <div>And Vámadeva loud and clear</div> <div>The monarch spoke that all might hear:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“'Tis pure and lovely Chaitra now</span></div> <div>When flowers are sweet on every bough;</div> <div>All needful things with haste prepare</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >That Ráma be appointed heir.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Then burst the people's rapture out</div> <div>In loud acclaim and joyful shout;</div> <div>And when the tumult slowly ceased</div> <div>The king addressed the holy priest:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Give order, Saint, with watchful heed</span></div> <div>For what the coming rite will need.</div> <div>This day let all things ready wait</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >Mine eldest son to consecrate.”</span></div> <div>Best of all men of second birth</div> <div>Vaśishṭha heard the lord of earth,</div> <div>And gave commandment to the bands</div> <div>Of servitors with lifted hands</div> <div>Who waited on their master's eye:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Now by to-morrow's dawn supply</span></div> <div>Rich gold and herbs and gems of price</div> <div>And offerings for the sacrifice,</div> <div>Wreaths of white flowers and roasted rice,</div> <div>And oil and honey, separate;</div> <div>New garments and a car of state,</div> <div>An elephant with lucky signs,</div> <div>A fourfold host in ordered lines,</div> <div>The white umbrella, and a pair</div> <div>Of chowries,<SPAN id="noteref_261" name="noteref_261" href="#note_261"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">261</span></span></SPAN> and a banner fair;</div> <div>A hundred vases, row on row,</div> <div>To shine like fire in splendid glow,</div> <div>A tiger's mighty skin, a bull</div> <div>With gilded horns most beautiful.</div> <div>All these, at dawn of coming day,</div> <div>Around the royal shrine array,</div> <div>Where burns the fire's undying ray.</div> <div>Each palace door, each city gate</div> <div>With wreaths of sandal decorate.</div> <div>And with the garlands' fragrant scent</div> <div>Let clouds of incense-smoke be blent.</div> <div>Let food of noble kind and taste</div> <div>Be for a hundred thousand placed;</div> <div>Fresh curds with streams of milk bedewed</div> <div>To feed the Bráhman multitude.</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page092"></span><SPAN name="Pg092" id="Pg092" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div>With care be all their wants supplied.</div> <div>And mid the twice-born chiefs divide</div> <div>Rich largess, with the early morn,</div> <div>And oil and curds and roasted corn.</div> <div>Soon as the sun has shown his light</div> <div>Pronounce the prayer to bless the rite,</div> <div>And then be all the Bráhmans called</div> <div>And in their ordered seats installed.</div> <div>Let all musicians skilled to play,</div> <div>And dancing-girls in bright array</div> <div>Stand ready in the second ring</div> <div>Within the palace of the king.</div> <div>Each honoured tree, each holy shrine</div> <div>With leaves and flowery wreaths entwine,</div> <div>And here and there beneath the shade</div> <div>Be food prepared and presents laid.</div> <div>Then brightly clad, in warlike guise,</div> <div>With long swords girt upon their thighs,</div> <div>Let soldiers of the nobler sort</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >March to the monarch's splendid court.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Thus gave command the twice-born pair</div> <div>To active servants stationed there.</div> <div>Then hastened to the king and said</div> <div>That all their task was duly sped,</div> <div>The king to wise Sumantra spake:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Now quick, my lord, thy chariot take,</span></div> <div>And hither with thy swiftest speed</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >My son, my noble Ráma lead.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Sumantra, ere the word was given,</div> <div>His chariot from the court had driven,</div> <div>And Ráma, best of all who ride</div> <div>In cars, came sitting by his side.</div> <div>The lords of men had hastened forth</div> <div>From east and west and south and north,</div> <div>Áryan and stranger, those who dwell</div> <div>In the wild wood and on the fell,</div> <div>And as the Gods to Indra, they</div> <div>Showed honour to the king that day.</div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Like Vásav, when his glorious form</div> <div>Is circled by the Gods of storm,</div> <div>Girt in his hall by kings he saw</div> <div>His car-borne Ráma near him draw,</div> <div>Like him who rules the minstrel band</div> <div>Of heaven;<SPAN id="noteref_262" name="noteref_262" href="#note_262"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">262</span></span></SPAN> whose valour filled the land,</div> <div>Of mighty arm and stately pride</div> <div>Like a wild elephant in stride,</div> <div>As fair in face as that fair stone</div> <div>Dear to the moon, of moonbeams grown,<SPAN id="noteref_263" name="noteref_263" href="#note_263"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">263</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>With noble gifts and grace that took</div> <div>The hearts of all, and chained each look,</div> <div>World-cheering as the Lord of Rain</div> <div>When floods relieve the parching plain.</div> <div>The father, as the son came nigh,</div> <div>Gazed with an ever-thirstier eye.</div> <div>Sumantra helped the prince alight</div> <div>From the good chariot passing bright,</div> <div>And as to meet his sire he went</div> <div>Followed behind him reverent.</div> <div>Then Ráma clomb, the king to seek</div> <div>That terrace like Kailása's peak,</div> <div>And reached the presence of the king,</div> <div>Sumantra closely following.</div> <div>Before his father's face he came,</div> <div>Raised suppliant hands and named his name,<SPAN id="noteref_264" name="noteref_264" href="#note_264"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">264</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>And bowing lowly as is meet</div> <div>Paid reverence to the monarch's feet.</div> <div>But soon as Daśaratha viewed</div> <div>The prince in humble attitude,</div> <div>He raised him by the hand in haste</div> <div>And his beloved son embraced,</div> <div>Then signed him to a glorious throne,</div> <div>Gem-decked and golden, near his own.</div> <div>Then Ráma, best of Raghu's line,</div> <div>Made the fair seat with lustre shine</div> <div>As when the orient sun upsprings</div> <div>And his pure beam on Meru flings.</div> <div>The glory flashed on roof and wall,</div> <div>And with strange sheen suffused the hall,</div> <div>As when the moon's pure rays are sent</div> <div>Through autumn's star-lit firmament.</div> <div>Then swelled his breast with joy and pride</div> <div>As his dear son the father eyed,</div> <div>E'en as himself more fair arrayed</div> <div>In some clear mirror's face displayed.</div> <div>The aged monarch gazed awhile,</div> <div>Then thus addressed him with a smile,</div> <div>As Kaśyap, whom the worlds revere,</div> <div>Speaks for the Lord of Gods to hear:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“O thou of all my sons most dear,</span></div> <div>In virtue best, thy father's peer,</div> <div>Child of my consort first in place,</div> <div>Mine equal in her pride of race,</div> <div>Because the people's hearts are bound</div> <div>To thee by graces in thee found,</div> <div>Be thou in Pushya's favouring hour</div> <div>Made partner of my royal power.</div> <div>I know that thou by nature's bent</div> <div>Both modest art and excellent,</div> <div>But though thy gifts no counsel need</div> <div>My love suggests the friendly rede.</div> <div>Mine own dear son, be modest still,</div> <div>And rule each sense with earnest will.</div> <div>Keep thou the evils far away</div> <div>That spring from love and anger's sway.</div> <div>Thy noble course alike pursue</div> <div>In secret as in open view,</div> <div>And every nerve, the love to gain</div> <div>Of ministers and subjects, strain.</div> <div>The happy prince who sees with pride</div> <div>His thriving people satisfied;</div> <div>Whose arsenals with arms are stored,</div> <div>And treasury with golden hoard,—</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page093"></span><SPAN name="Pg093" id="Pg093" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div>His friends rejoice as joyed the Blest</div> <div>When Amrit crowned their eager quest.</div> <div>So well, my child, thy course maintain,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >And from all ill thy soul refrain.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>The friends of Ráma, gathered nigh,</div> <div>Longing their lord to gratify,</div> <div>Ran to Kauśalyá's bower to tell</div> <div>The tidings that would please her well.</div> <div>She, host of dames, with many a gem,</div> <div>And gold, and kine rewarded them.</div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Then Ráma paid the reverence due,</div> <div>Mounted the chariot, and withdrew,</div> <div>And to his splendid dwelling drove</div> <div>While crowds to show him honour strove.</div> <div>The people, when the monarch's speech</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Their willing ears had heard,</div> <div>Were wild with joy as though on each</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Great gifts had been conferred.</div> <div>With meek and low salute each man</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Turned to his home away,</div> <div>And there with happy heart began</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">To all the Gods to pray.</div> </div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />