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<SPAN name="CantoII-XVI" id="CantoII-XVI" 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 XVI. Ráma Summoned.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div>So through the crowded inner door</div>
<div>Sumantra, skilled in ancient lore,</div>
<div>On to the private chambers pressed</div>
<div>Which stood apart from all the rest.</div>
<div>There youthful warriors, true and bold,</div>
<div>Whose ears were ringed with polished gold,</div>
<div>All armed with trusty bows and darts,</div>
<div>Watched with devoted eyes and hearts.</div>
<div>And hoary men, a faithful train,</div>
<div>Whose aged hands held staves of cane,</div>
<div>The ladies' guard, apparelled fair</div>
<div>In red attire, were stationed there.</div>
<div>Soon as they saw Sumantra nigh,</div>
<div>Each longed his lord to gratify,</div>
<div>And from his seat beside the door</div>
<div>Up sprang each ancient servitor.</div>
<div>Then to the warders quickly cried</div>
<div>The skilled Sumantra, void of pride:</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Tell Ráma that the charioteer</span></div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >Sumantra waits for audience here.”</span></div>
<div>The ancient men with one accord</div>
<div>Seeking the pleasure of their lord,</div>
<div>Passing with speed the chamber door</div>
<div>To Ráma's ear the message bore.</div>
<div>Forthwith the prince with duteous heed</div>
<div>Called in the messenger with speed,</div>
<div>For 'twas his sire's command, he knew,</div>
<div>That sent him for the interview.</div>
<div>Like Lord Kuvera, well arrayed,</div>
<div>He pressed a couch of gold,</div>
<div>Wherefrom a covering of brocade</div>
<div>Hung down in many a fold.</div>
<div>Oil and the sandal's fragrant dust</div>
<div>Had tinged his body o'er</div>
<div>Dark as the stream the spearman's thrust</div>
<div>Drains from the wounded boar.</div>
<div>Him Sítá watched with tender care,</div>
<div>A chouri in her hand,</div>
<div>As Chitrá,<SPAN id="noteref_281" name="noteref_281" href="#note_281"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">281</span></span></SPAN> ever fond in fair,</div>
<div>Beside the Moon will stand.</div>
<div>Him glorious with unborrowed light,</div>
<div>A liberal lord, of sunlike might,</div>
<div>Sumantra hailed in words like these,</div>
<div>Well skilled in gentle courtesies,</div>
<div>As, with joined hands in reverence raised,</div>
<div>Upon the beauteous prince he gazed:</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Happy Kauśalyá! Blest is she,</span></div>
<div>The Mother of a son like thee.</div>
<div>Now rise, O Ráma, speed away.</div>
<div>Go to thy sire without delay:</div>
<div>For he and Queen Kaikeyí seek</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >An interview with thee to speak.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div>The lion-lord of men, the best</div>
<div>Of splendid heroes, thus addressed,</div>
<div>To Sítá spake with joyful cheer:</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >“The king and queen, my lady dear,</span></div>
<div>Touching the throning, for my sake</div>
<div>Some salutary counsel take.</div>
<div>The lady of the full black eye</div>
<div>Would fain her husband gratify,</div>
<div>And, all his purpose understood,</div>
<div>Counsels the monarch to my good.</div>
<div>A happy fate is mine, I ween,</div>
<div>When he, consulting with his queen,</div>
<div>Sumantra on this charge, intent</div>
<div>Upon my gain and good, has sent.</div>
<div>An envoy of so noble sort</div>
<div>Well suits the splendour of the court.</div>
<div>The consecration rite this day</div>
<div>Will join me in imperial sway.</div>
<div>To meet the lord of earth, for so</div>
<div>His order bids me, I will go.</div>
<div>Thou, lady, here in comfort stay,</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >And with thy maidens rest or play.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div>Thus Ráma spake. For meet reply</div>
<div>The lady of the large black eye</div>
<div>Attended to the door her lord,</div>
<div>And blessings on his head implored:</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >“The majesty and royal state</span></div>
<div>Which holy Bráhmans venerate,</div>
<div>The consecration and the rite</div>
<div>Which sanctifies the ruler's might,</div>
<div>And all imperial powers should be</div>
<div>Thine by thy father's high decree,</div>
<div>As He, the worlds who formed and planned,</div>
<div>The kingship gave to Indra's hand.</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page112"></span><SPAN name="Pg112" id="Pg112" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div>Then shall mine eyes my king adore</div>
<div>When lustral rites and fast are o'er,</div>
<div>And black deer's skin and roebuck's horn</div>
<div>Thy lordly limbs and hand adorn.</div>
<div>May He whose hands the thunder wield</div>
<div>Be in the east thy guard and shield;</div>
<div>May Yáma's care the south befriend,</div>
<div>And Varuṇ's arm the west defend;</div>
<div>And let Kuvera, Lord of Gold,</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >The north with firm protection hold.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div>Then Ráma spoke a kind farewell,</div>
<div>And hailed the blessings as they fell</div>
<div>From Sítá's gentle lips; and then,</div>
<div>As a young lion from his den</div>
<div>Descends the mountain's stony side,</div>
<div>So from the hall the hero hied.</div>
<div>First Lakshmaṇ at the door he viewed</div>
<div>Who stood in reverent attitude,</div>
<div>Then to the central court he pressed</div>
<div>Where watched the friends who loved him best.</div>
<div>To all his dear companions there</div>
<div>He gave kind looks and greeting fair.</div>
<div>On to the lofty car that glowed</div>
<div>Like fire the royal tiger strode.</div>
<div>Bright as himself its silver shone:</div>
<div>A tiger's skin was laid thereon.</div>
<div>With cloudlike thunder, as it rolled,</div>
<div>It flashed with gems and burnished gold,</div>
<div>And, like the sun's meridian blaze,</div>
<div>Blinded the eye that none could gaze.</div>
<div>Like youthful elephants, tall and strong,</div>
<div>Fleet coursers whirled the car along:</div>
<div>In such a car the Thousand-eyed</div>
<div>Borne by swift horses loves to ride.</div>
<div>So like Parjanya,<SPAN id="noteref_282" name="noteref_282" href="#note_282"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">282</span></span></SPAN> when he flies</div>
<div>Thundering through the autumn skies,</div>
<div>The hero from the palace sped,</div>
<div>As leaves the moon some cloud o'erhead.</div>
<div>Still close to Ráma Lakshmaṇ kept,</div>
<div>Behind him to the car he leapt,</div>
<div>And, watching with fraternal care,</div>
<div>Waved the long chouri's silver hair,</div>
<div>As from the palace gate he came</div>
<div>Up rose the tumult of acclaim.</div>
<div>While loud huzza and jubilant shout</div>
<div>Pealed from the gathered myriads out.</div>
<div>Then elephants, like mountains vast,</div>
<div>And steeds who all their kind surpassed,</div>
<div>Followed their lord by hundreds, nay</div>
<div>By thousands, led in long array.</div>
<div>First marched a band of warriors trained,</div>
<div>With sandal dust and aloe stained;</div>
<div>Well armed was each with sword and bow,</div>
<div>And every breast with hope aglow,</div>
<div>And ever, as they onward went,</div>
<div>Shouts from the warrior train,</div>
<div>And every sweet-toned instrument</div>
<div>Prolonged the minstrel strain.</div>
<div>On passed the tamer of his foes,</div>
<div>While well clad dames, in crowded rows,</div>
<div>Each chamber lattice thronged to view,</div>
<div>And chaplets on the hero threw.</div>
<div>Then all, of peerless face and limb,</div>
<div>Sang Ráma's praise for love of him,</div>
<div>And blent their voices, soft and sweet,</div>
<div>From palace high and crowded street:</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Now, sure, Kauśalyá's heart must swell</span></div>
<div>To see the son she loves so well,</div>
<div>Thee Ráma, thee, her joy and pride,</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >Triumphant o'er the realm preside.”</span></div>
<div>Then—for they knew his bride most fair</div>
<div>Of all who part the soft dark hair,</div>
<div>His love, his life, possessed the whole</div>
<div>Of her young hero's heart and soul:—</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Be sure the lady's fate repays</span></div>
<div>Some mighty vow of ancient days,<SPAN id="noteref_283" name="noteref_283" href="#note_283"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">283</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div>For blest with Ráma's love is she</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >As, with the Moon's, sweet Rohiní.”</span><SPAN id="noteref_284" name="noteref_284" href="#note_284"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">284</span></span></SPAN></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div>Such were the witching words that came</div>
<div>From lips of many a peerless dame</div>
<div>Crowding the palace roofs to greet</div>
<div>The hero as he gained the street.</div>
</div>
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<SPAN name="CantoII-XVII" id="CantoII-XVII" 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 XVII. Ráma's Approach.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div>As Ráma, rendering blithe and gay</div>
<div>His loving friends, pursued his way,</div>
<div>He saw on either hand a press</div>
<div>Of mingled people numberless.</div>
<div>The royal street he traversed, where</div>
<div>Incense of aloe filled the air,</div>
<div>Where rose high palaces, that vied</div>
<div>With paly clouds, on either side;</div>
<div>With flowers of myriad colours graced.</div>
<div>And food for every varied taste,</div>
<div>Bright as the glowing path o'erhead</div>
<div>Which feet of Gods celestial tread,</div>
<div>Loud benedictions, sweet to hear,</div>
<div>From countless voices soothed his ear.</div>
<div>While he to each gave due salute</div>
<div>His place and dignity to suit:</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Be thou,”</span> the joyful people cried,</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Be thou our guardian, lord and guide.</span></div>
<div>Throned and anointed king to-day,</div>
<div>Thy feet set forth upon the way</div>
<div>Wherein, each honoured as a God,</div>
<div>Thy fathers and forefathers trod.</div>
<div>Thy sire and his have graced the throne,</div>
<div>And loving care to us have shown:</div>
<div>Thus blest shall we and ours remain,</div>
<div>Yea still more blest in Ráma's reign.</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page113"></span><SPAN name="Pg113" id="Pg113" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div>No more of dainty fare we need,</div>
<div>And but one cherished object heed,</div>
<div>That we may see our prince today</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >Invested with imperial sway.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div>Such were the words and pleasant speech</div>
<div>That Ráma heard, unmoved, from each</div>
<div>Of the dear friends around him spread,</div>
<div>As onward through the street he sped,</div>
<div>For none could turn his eye or thought</div>
<div>From the dear form his glances sought,</div>
<div>With fruitless ardour forward cast</div>
<div>Even when Raghu's son had past.</div>
<div>And he who saw not Ráma nigh,</div>
<div>Nor caught a look from Ráma's eye,</div>
<div>A mark for scorn and general blame,</div>
<div>Reproached himself in bitter shame.</div>
<div>For to each class his equal mind</div>
<div>With sympathy and love inclined</div>
<div>Most fully of the princely four,</div>
<div>So greatest love to him they bore.</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div>His circling course the hero bent</div>
<div>Round shrine and altar, reverent,</div>
<div>Round homes of Gods, where cross-roads met,</div>
<div>Where many a sacred tree was set.</div>
<div>Near to his father's house he drew</div>
<div>Like Indra's beautiful to view,</div>
<div>And with the light his glory gave</div>
<div>Within the royal palace drave.</div>
<div>Through three broad courts, where bowmen kept</div>
<div>Their watch and ward, his coursers swept,</div>
<div>Then through the two remaining went</div>
<div>On foot the prince preëminent.</div>
<div>Through all the courts the hero passed,</div>
<div>And gained the ladies' bower at last;</div>
<div>Then through the door alone withdrew,</div>
<div>And left without his retinue.</div>
<div>When thus the monarch's noble boy</div>
<div>Had gone his sire to meet,</div>
<div>The multitude, elate with joy,</div>
<div>Stood watching in the street,</div>
<div>And his return with eager eyes</div>
<div>Expected at the gates,</div>
<div>As for his darling moon to rise</div>
<div>The King of Rivers<SPAN id="noteref_285" name="noteref_285" href="#note_285"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">285</span></span></SPAN> waits.</div>
</div>
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<SPAN name="CantoII-XVIII" id="CantoII-XVIII" 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 XVIII. The Sentence.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div>With hopeless eye and pallid mien</div>
<div>There sat the monarch with the queen.</div>
<div>His father's feet with reverence due</div>
<div>He clasped, and touched Kaikeyí's too.</div>
<div>The king, with eyes still brimming o'er,</div>
<div>Cried Ráma! and could do no more.</div>
<div>His voice was choked, his eye was dim,</div>
<div>He could not speak or look on him.</div>
<div>Then sudden fear made Ráma shake</div>
<div>As though his foot had roused a snake,</div>
<div>Soon as his eyes had seen the change</div>
<div>So mournful, terrible, and strange.</div>
<div>For there his reason well-nigh fled,</div>
<div>Sighing, with soul disquieted,</div>
<div>To torturing pangs a prey,</div>
<div>Dismayed, despairing, and distraught,</div>
<div>In a fierce whirl of wildering thought</div>
<div>The hapless monarch lay,</div>
<div>Like Ocean wave-engarlanded</div>
<div>Storm-driven from his tranquil bed,</div>
<div>The Sun-God in eclipse,</div>
<div>Or like a holy seer, heart-stirred</div>
<div>With anguish, when a lying word</div>
<div>Has passed his heedless lips.</div>
<div>The sight of his dear father, pained</div>
<div>With woe and misery unexplained</div>
<div>Filled Ráma with unrest,</div>
<div>As Ocean's pulses rise and swell</div>
<div>When the great moon he loves so well</div>
<div>Shines full upon his breast.</div>
<div>So grieving for his father's sake,</div>
<div>To his own heart the hero spake:</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Why will the king my sire to-day</span></div>
<div>No kindly word of greeting say?</div>
<div>At other times, though wroth he be,</div>
<div>His eyes grow calm that look on me.</div>
<div>Then why does anguish wring his brow</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >To see his well-beloved now?”</span></div>
<div>Sick and perplexed, distraught with woe,</div>
<div>To Queen Kaikeyí bowing low,</div>
<div>While pallor o'er his bright cheek spread,</div>
<div>With humble reverence he said:</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >“What have I done, unknown, amiss</span></div>
<div>To make my father wroth like this?</div>
<div>Declare it, O dear Queen, and win</div>
<div>His pardon for my heedless sin.</div>
<div>Why is the sire I ever find</div>
<div>Filled with all love to-day unkind?</div>
<div>With eyes cast down and pallid cheek</div>
<div>This day alone he will not speak.</div>
<div>Or lies he prostrate neath the blow</div>
<div>Of fierce disease or sudden woe?</div>
<div>For all our bliss is dashed with pain,</div>
<div>And joy unmixt is hard to gain.</div>
<div>Does stroke of evil fortune smite</div>
<div>Dear Bharat, charming to the sight,</div>
<div>Or on the brave Śatrughna fall,</div>
<div>Or consorts, for he loves them all?</div>
<div>Against his words when I rebel,</div>
<div>Or fail to please the monarch well,</div>
<div>When deeds of mine his soul offend,</div>
<div>That hour I pray my life may end.</div>
<div>How should a man to him who gave</div>
<div>His being and his life behave?</div>
<div>The sire to whom he owes his birth</div>
<div>Should be his deity on earth.</div>
<div>Hast thou, by pride and folly moved,</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page114"></span><SPAN name="Pg114" id="Pg114" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div>With bitter taunt the king reproved?</div>
<div>Has scorn of thine or cruel jest</div>
<div>To passion stirred his gentle breast?</div>
<div>Speak truly, Queen, that I may know</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >What cause has changed the monarch so.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div>Thus by the high-souled prince addressed,</div>
<div>Of Raghu's sons the chief and best,</div>
<div>She cast all ruth and shame aside,</div>
<div>And bold with greedy words replied:</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Not wrath, O Ráma, stirs the king,</span></div>
<div>Nor misery stabs with sudden sting;</div>
<div>One thought that fills his soul has he,</div>
<div>But dares not speak for fear of thee.</div>
<div>Thou art so dear, his lips refrain</div>
<div>From words that might his darling pain.</div>
<div>But thou, as duty bids, must still</div>
<div>The promise of thy sire fulfil.</div>
<div>He who to me in days gone by</div>
<div>Vouchsafed a boon with honours high,</div>
<div>Dares now, a king, his word regret,</div>
<div>And caitiff-like disowns the debt.</div>
<div>The lord of men his promise gave</div>
<div>To grant the boon that I might crave,</div>
<div>And now a bridge would idly throw</div>
<div>When the dried stream has ceased to flow.</div>
<div>His faith the monarch must not break</div>
<div>In wrath, or e'en for thy dear sake.</div>
<div>From faith, as well the righteous know,</div>
<div>Our virtue and our merits flow.</div>
<div>Now, be they good or be they ill,</div>
<div>Do thou thy father's words fulfil:</div>
<div>Swear that his promise shall not fail,</div>
<div>And I will tell thee all the tale.</div>
<div>Yes, Ráma, when I hear that thou</div>
<div>Hast bound thee by thy father's vow,</div>
<div>Then, not till then, my lips shall speak,</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >Nor will he tell what boon I seek.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div>He heard, and with a troubled breast</div>
<div>This answer to the queen addressed:</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Ah me, dear lady, canst thou deem</span></div>
<div>That words like these thy lips beseem?</div>
<div>I, at the bidding of my sire,</div>
<div>Would cast my body to the fire,</div>
<div>A deadly draught of poison drink,</div>
<div>Or in the waves of ocean sink:</div>
<div>If he command, it shall be done,—</div>
<div>My father and my king in one.</div>
<div>Then speak and let me know the thing</div>
<div>So longed for by my lord the king.</div>
<div>It shall be done: let this suffice;</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >Ráma ne'er makes a promise twice.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div>He ended. To the princely youth</div>
<div>Who loved the right and spoke the truth,</div>
<div>Cruel, abominable came</div>
<div>The answer of the ruthless dame:</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >“When Gods and Titans fought of yore,</span></div>
<div>Transfixed with darts and bathed in gore</div>
<div>Two boons to me thy father gave</div>
<div>For the dear life 'twas mine to save.</div>
<div>Of him I claim the ancient debt,</div>
<div>That Bharat on the throne be set,</div>
<div>And thou, O Ráma, go this day</div>
<div>To Daṇḍak forest far away.</div>
<div>Now, Ráma, if thou wilt maintain</div>
<div>Thy father's faith without a stain,</div>
<div>And thine own truth and honour clear,</div>
<div>Then, best of men, my bidding hear.</div>
<div>Do thou thy father's word obey,</div>
<div>Nor from the pledge he gave me stray.</div>
<div>Thy life in Daṇḍak forest spend</div>
<div>Till nine long years and five shall end.</div>
<div>Upon my Bharat's princely head</div>
<div>Let consecrating drops be shed,</div>
<div>With all the royal pomp for thee</div>
<div>Made ready by the king's decree.</div>
<div>Seek Daṇḍak forest and resign</div>
<div>Rites that would make the empire thine,</div>
<div>For twice seven years of exile wear</div>
<div>The coat of bark and matted hair.</div>
<div>Then in thy stead let Bharat reign</div>
<div>Lord of his royal sire's domain,</div>
<div>Rich in the fairest gems that shine,</div>
<div>Cars, elephants, and steeds, and kine.</div>
<div>The monarch mourns thy altered fate</div>
<div>And vails his brow compassionate:</div>
<div>Bowed down by bitter grief he lies</div>
<div>And dares not lift to thine his eyes.</div>
<div>Obey his word: be firm and brave,</div>
<div><span class="tei tei-q" >And with great truth the monarch save.”</span></div>
<div>While thus with cruel words she spoke,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">No grief the noble youth betrayed;</div>
<div>But forth the father's anguish broke,</div>
<div>At his dear Ráma's lot dismayed.</div>
</div>
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