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<SPAN name="CantoIII-VII" id="CantoIII-VII" 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 VII. Sutíkshna.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So Raghu's son, his foemen's dread,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With Sítá and his brother sped,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Girt round by many a twice-born sage,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To good Sutíkshṇa's hermitage.<SPAN id="noteref_420" name="noteref_420" href="#note_420"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">420</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Through woods for many a league he passed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O'er rushing rivers full and fast,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Until a mountain fair and bright</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As lofty Meru rose in sight.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Within its belt of varied wood</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ikshváku's sons and Sítá stood,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where trees of every foliage bore</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Blossom and fruit in endless store.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There coats of bark, like garlands strung,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Before a lonely cottage hung,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And there a hermit, dust-besmeared,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A lotus on his breast, appeared.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Ráma with obeisance due</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Addressed the sage, as near he drew:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“My name is Ráma, lord; I seek</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy presence, saint, with thee to speak.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O sage, whose merits ne'er decay,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Some word unto thy servant say.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The sage his eyes on Ráma bent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of virtue's friends preëminent;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then words like these he spoke, and pressed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The son of Raghu to his breast:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Welcome to thee, illustrious youth,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Best champion of the rights of truth!</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By thine approach this holy ground</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A worthy lord this day has found.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I could not quit this mortal frame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Till thou shouldst come, O dear to fame:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To heavenly spheres I would not rise,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Expecting thee with eager eyes.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I knew that thou, unkinged, hadst made</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy home in Chitrakúṭa's shade.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">E'en now, O Ráma, Indra, lord</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Supreme by all the Gods adored,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">King of the Hundred Offerings,<SPAN id="noteref_421" name="noteref_421" href="#note_421"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">421</span></span></SPAN> said,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When he my dwelling visited,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That the good works that I have done</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My choice of all the worlds have won.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Accept this meed of holy vows,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And with thy brother and thy spouse,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Roam, through my favour, in the sky</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Which saints celestial glorify.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">To that bright sage, of penance stern,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The high-souled Ráma spake in turn,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As Vásava<SPAN id="noteref_422" name="noteref_422" href="#note_422"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">422</span></span></SPAN> who rules the skies</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Brahmá's gracious speech replies:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“I of myself those worlds will win,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O mighty hermit pure from sin:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But now, O saint, I pray thee tell</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where I within this wood may dwell:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For I by Śarabhanga old,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The son of Gautama, was told</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That thou in every lore art wise,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And seest all with loving eyes.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Thus to the saint, whose glories high</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Filled all the world, he made reply:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus again the holy man</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His pleasant speech with joy began:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“This calm retreat, O Prince, is blest</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With many a charm: here take thy rest.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here roots and kindly fruits abound,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And hermits love the holy ground.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fair silvan beasts and gentle deer</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In herds unnumbered wander here:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And as they roam, secure from harm,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Our eyes with grace and beauty charm:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Except the beasts in thickets bred,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">This grove of ours has naught to dread.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The hermit's speech when Ráma heard,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hero ne'er by terror stirred,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On his great bow his hand he laid,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus in turn his answer made:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O saint, my darts of keenest steel,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Armed with their murderous barbs, would deal</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Destruction mid the silvan race</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That flocks around thy dwelling-place.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Most wretched then my fate would be</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For such dishonour shown to thee:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And only for the briefest stay</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Would I within this grove delay.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">He spoke and ceased. With pious care</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He turned him to his evening prayer,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Performed each customary rite,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And sought his lodging for the night,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With Sítá and his brother laid</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page237"></span><SPAN name="Pg237" id="Pg237" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beneath the grove's delightful shade,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">First good Sutíkshṇa, as elsewhere, when he saw</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The shades of night around them draw,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">With hospitable care</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The princely chieftains entertained</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With store of choicest food ordained</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">For holy hermit's fare.</div>
</div></div>
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<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto VIII. The Hermitage.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So Ráma and Sumitrá's son,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When every honour due was done,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Slept through the night. When morning broke,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The heroes from their rest awoke.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Betimes the son of Raghu rose,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With gentle Sítá, from repose,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And sipped the cool delicious wave</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sweet with the scent the lotus gave,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then to the Gods and sacred flame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The heroes and the lady came,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And bent their heads in honour meet</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Within the hermit's pure retreat.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When every stain was purged away,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They saw the rising Lord of Day:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then to Sutíkshṇa's side they went,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And softly spoke, most reverent:</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Well have we slept, O holy lord,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Honoured of thee by all adored:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now leave to journey forth we pray:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These hermits urge us on our way.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">We haste to visit, wandering by,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The ascetics' homes that round you lie,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And roaming Daṇḍak's mighty wood</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To view each saintly brotherhood,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For thy permission now we sue,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With these high saints to duty true,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By penance taught each sense to tame,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In lustre like the smokeless flame.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ere on our brows the sun can beat</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With fierce intolerable heat.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like some unworthy lord who wins</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His power by tyranny and sins,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">O saint, we fain would part.”</span> The three</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bent humbly to the devotee.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He raised the princes as they pressed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His feet, and strained them to his breast;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And then the chief of devotees</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bespake them both in words like these:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Go with thy brother, Ráma, go,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Pursue thy path untouched by woe:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Go with thy faithful Sítá, she</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still like a shadow follows thee.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Roam Daṇḍak wood observing well</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The pleasant homes where hermits dwell,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Pure saints whose ordered souls adhere</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To penance rites and vows austere.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There plenteous roots and berries grow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And noble trees their blossoms show,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And gentle deer and birds of air</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In peaceful troops are gathered there.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There see the full-blown lotus stud</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The bosom of the lucid flood,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And watch the joyous mallard shake</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The reeds that fringe the pool and lake.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">See with delighted eye the rill</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Leap sparkling from her parent hill,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And hear the woods that round thee lie</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Reëcho to the peacock's cry.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And as I bid thy brother, so,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sumitrá's child, I bid thee go.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Go forth, these varied beauties see,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And then once more return to me.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Thus spake the sage Sutíkshṇa: both</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The chiefs assented, nothing loth,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Round him with circling steps they paced,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then for the road prepared with haste.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There Sítá stood, the dame long-eyed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fair quivers round their waists she tied,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And gave each prince his trusty bow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And sword which ne'er a spot might know.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each took his quiver from her hand.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And clanging bow and gleaming brand:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then from the hermits' home the two</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Went forth each woodland scene to view.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each beauteous in the bloom of age,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dismissed by that illustrious sage,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With bow and sword accoutred, hied</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Away, and Sítá by their side.</div>
</div></div>
<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em">
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<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto IX. Sítá's Speech.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Blest by the sage, when Raghu's son</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His onward journey had begun,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus in her soft tone Sítá, meek</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With modest fear, began to speak:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“One little slip the great may lead</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To shame that follows lawless deed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Such shame, my lord, as still must cling</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To faults from low desire that spring.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Three several sins defile the soul,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Born of desire that spurns control:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">First, utterance of a lying word,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then, viler both, the next, and third:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lawless love of other's wife,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The thirst of blood uncaused by strife.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The first, O Raghu's son, in thee</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">None yet has found, none e'er shall see.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Love of another's dame destroys</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">All merit, lost for guilty joys:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma, such crime in thee, I ween,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Has ne'er been found, shall ne'er be seen:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The very thought, my princely lord,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Is in thy secret soul abhorred.</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page238"></span><SPAN name="Pg238" id="Pg238" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For thou hast ever been the same</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fond lover of thine own dear dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Content with faithful heart to do</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy father's will, most just and true:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Justice, and faith, and many a grace</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In thee have found a resting-place.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Such virtues, Prince, the good may gain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who empire o'er each sense retain;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And well canst thou, with loving view</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Regarding all, each sense subdue.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But for the third, the lust that strives,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Insatiate still, for others' lives,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fond thirst of blood where hate is none,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This, O my lord, thou wilt not shun.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou hast but now a promise made,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The saints of Daṇḍak wood to aid:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And to protect their lives from ill</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giants' blood in tight wilt spill:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And from thy promise lasting fame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Will glorify the forest's name.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Armed with thy bow and arrows thou</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Forth with thy brother journeyest now,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While as I think how true thou art</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fears for thy bliss assail my heart,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And all my spirit at the sight</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Is troubled with a strange affright.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I like it not—it seems not good—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy going thus to Daṇḍak wood:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And I, if thou wilt mark me well,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The reason of my fear will tell.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou with thy brother, bow in hand,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beneath those ancient trees wilt stand,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thy keen arrows will not spare</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wood-rovers who will meet thee there.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For as the fuel food supplies</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That bids the dormant flame arise,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus when the warrior grasps his bow</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He feels his breast with ardour glow.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Deep in a holy grove, of yore,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where bird and beast from strife forbore,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Śuchi beneath the sheltering boughs,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A truthful hermit kept his vows.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Indra, Śachí's heavenly lord,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Armed like a warrior with a sword,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Came to his tranquil home to spoil</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hermit of his holy toil,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And left the glorious weapon there</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Entrusted to the hermit's care,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A pledge for him to keep, whose mind</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To fervent zeal was all resigned.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He took the brand: with utmost heed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He kept it for the warrior's need:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To keep his trust he fondly strove</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When roaming in the neighbouring grove:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whene'er for roots and fruit he strayed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still by his side he bore the blade:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still on his sacred charge intent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He took his treasure when he went.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As day by day that brand he wore,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hermit, rich in merit's store</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From penance rites each thought withdrew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And fierce and wild his spirit grew.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With heedless soul he spurned the right,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And found in cruel deeds delight.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So, living with the sword, he fell,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A ruined hermit, down to hell.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This tale applies to those who deal</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Too closely with the warrior's steel:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The steel to warriors is the same</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As fuel to the smouldering flame.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sincere affection prompts my speech:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I honour where I fain would teach.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Mayst thou, thus armed with shaft and bow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So dire a longing never know</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As, when no hatred prompts the fray,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These giants of the wood to slay:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For he who kills without offence</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Shall win but little glory thence.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The bow the warrior joys to bend</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Is lent him for a nobler end,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That he may save and succour those</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who watch in woods when pressed by foes.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What, matched with woods, is bow or steel?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What, warrior's arm with hermit's zeal?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">We with such might have naught to do:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The forest rule should guide us too.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But when Ayodhyá hails thee lord,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Be then thy warrior life restored:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So shall thy sire<SPAN id="noteref_423" name="noteref_423" href="#note_423"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">423</span></span></SPAN> and mother joy</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In bliss that naught may e'er destroy.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And if, resigning empire, thou</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Submit thee to the hermit's vow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The noblest gain from virtue springs,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And virtue joy unending brings.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">All earthly blessings virtue sends:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On virtue all the world depends.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Those who with vow and fasting tame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To due restraint the mind and frame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Win by their labour, nobly wise,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The highest virtue for their prize.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Pure in the hermit's grove remain,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">True to thy duty, free from stain.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But the three worlds are open thrown</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To thee, by whom all things are known.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who gave me power that I should dare</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His duty to my lord declare?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">'Tis woman's fancy, light as air,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">That moves my foolish breast.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now with thy brother counsel take,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Reflect, thy choice with judgment make,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And do what seems the best.”</span></div>
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