Ramayan, Book 3, The

<SPAN name="toc439" id="toc439"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf440" id="pdf440"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoIII-XXII" id="CantoIII-XXII" 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 XXII. Khara's Wrath.</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">Roused by the taunting words she spoke,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The mighty Khara's wrath awoke,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And there, while giants girt him round,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In these fierce words an utterance found:</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">“I cannot, peerless one, contain</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Mine anger at this high disdain,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Galling as salt when sprinkled o'er</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The rawness of a bleeding sore.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma in little count I hold,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Weak man whose days are quickly told.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The caitiff with his life to-day</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For all his evil deeds shall pay.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dry, sister, dry each needless tear,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stint thy lament and banish fear,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For Ráma and his brother go</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This day to Yáma's realm below.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My warrior's axe shall stretch him slain,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ere set of sun, upon the plain,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then shall thy sated lips be red</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">With his warm blood in torrents shed.”</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">As Khara's speech the demon heard,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With sudden joy her heart was stirred:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She fondly praised him as the boast</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And glory of the giant host.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">First moved to ire by taunts and stings,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now soothed by gentle flatterings,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Dúshaṇ, who his armies led,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The demon Khara spoke, and said:</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">“Friend, from the host of giants call</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Full fourteen thousand, best of all,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Slaves of my will, of fearful might,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who never turn their backs in fight:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fiends who rejoice to slay and mar,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dark as the clouds of autumn are:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Make ready quickly, O my friend,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My chariot and the bows I bend.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My swords, my shafts of brilliant sheen,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My divers lances long and keen.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On to the battle will I lead</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These heroes of Pulastya's seed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus, O famed for warlike skill,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Ráma my wicked foeman kill.”</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 ere his speech was done,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His chariot glittering like the sun,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Yoked and announced, by Dúshan's care,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With dappled steeds was ready there.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">High as a peak from Meru rent</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">It burned with golden ornament:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The pole of lazulite, of gold</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Were the bright wheels whereon it rolled.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With gold and moonstone blazoned o'er,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fish, flowers, trees, rocks, the panels bore;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Auspicious birds embossed thereon,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And stars in costly emblem shone.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O'er flashing swords his banner hung,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And sweet bells, ever tinkling, swung.</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page255"></span><SPAN name="Pg255" id="Pg255" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That mighty host with sword and shield</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And oar was ready for the field:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Khara saw, and Dúshan cried,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Forth to the fight, ye giants, ride.”</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then banners waved, and shield and sword</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Flashed as the host obeyed its lord.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From Janasthán they sallied out</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With eager speed, and din, and shout,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Armed with the mace for close attacks,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The bill, the spear, the battle-axe,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Steel quoit and club that flashed afar,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Huge bow and sword and scimitar,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The dart to pierce, the bolt to strike,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The murderous bludgeon, lance, and pike.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So forth from Janasthán, intent</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On Khara's will, the monsters went.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He saw their awful march: not far</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Behind the host he drove his car.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ware of his master's will, to speed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The driver urged each gold-decked steed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then forth the warrior's coursers sprang,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And with tumultuous murmur rang</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each distant quarter of the sky</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And realms that intermediate lie.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">High and more high within his breast</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">His pride triumphant rose,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While terrible as Death he pressed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Onward to slay his foes,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“More swiftly yet,”</span> as on they fled,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">He cried in thundering tones</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Loud as a cloud that overhead</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Hails down a flood of stones.</div> </div></div> <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> <SPAN name="toc441" id="toc441"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf442" id="pdf442"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoIII-XXIII" id="CantoIII-XXIII" 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 XXIII. The Omens.</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">As forth upon its errand went</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That huge ferocious armament,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">An awful cloud, in dust and gloom,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With threatening thunders from its womb</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Poured in sad augury a flood</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of rushing water mixt with blood.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The monarch's steeds, though strong and fleet,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stumbled and fell: and yet their feet</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Passed o'er the bed of flowers that lay</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fresh gathered on the royal way.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No gleam of sunlight struggled through</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The sombre pall of midnight hue,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Edged with a line of bloody red,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like whirling torches overhead.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A vulture, fierce, of mighty size.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Terrific with his cruel eyes,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Perched on the staff enriched with gold,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whence hung the flag in many a fold.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each ravening bird, each beast of prey</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where Janasthán's wild thickets lay,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rose with a long discordant cry</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And gathered as the host went by.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And from the south long, wild, and shrill,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Came spirit voices boding ill.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like elephants in frantic mood,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Vast clouds terrific, sable-hued,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hid all the sky where'er they bore</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their load of water mixt with gore.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Above, below, around were spread</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thick shades of darkness strange and dread,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor could the wildered glance descry</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A point or quarter of the sky.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then came o'er heaven a sanguine hue,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Though evening's flush not yet was due,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While each ill-omened bird that flies</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Assailed the king with harshest cries.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There screamed the vulture and the crane,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And the loud jackal shrieked again.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each hideous thing that bodes aright</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Disaster in the coming fight,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With gaping mouth that hissed and flamed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The ruin of the host proclaimed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Eclipse untimely reft away</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The brightness of the Lord of Day,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And near his side was seen to glow</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A mace-like comet boding woe.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then while the sun was lost to view</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A mighty wind arose and blew,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And stars like fireflies shed their light,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor waited for the distant night.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lilies drooped, the brooks were dried,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fish and birds that swam them died,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And every tree that was so fair</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With flower and fruit was stripped and bare.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The wild wind ceased, yet, raised on high,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dark clouds of dust involved the sky.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In doleful twitter long sustained</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The restless Sárikás<SPAN id="noteref_462" name="noteref_462" href="#note_462"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">462</span></span></SPAN> complained,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And from the heavens with flash and flame</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Terrific meteors roaring came.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Earth to her deep foundation shook</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With rock and tree and plain and brook,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As Khara with triumphant shout,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Borne in his chariot, sallied out.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His left arm throbbed: he knew full well</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That omen, and his visage fell.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each awful sign the giant viewed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And sudden tears his eye bedewed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Care on his brow sat chill and black,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Yet mad with wrath he turned not back.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon each fearful sight that raised</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The shuddering hair the chieftain gazed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And laughing in his senseless pride</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus to his giant legions cried:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“By sense of mightiest strength upborne,</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These feeble signs I laugh to scorn.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I could bring down the stars that shine</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In heaven with these keen shafts of mine.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Impelled by warlike fury I</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Could cause e'en Death himself to die.</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page256"></span><SPAN name="Pg256" id="Pg256" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I will not seek my home again</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Until my pointed shafts have slain</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This Raghu's son so fierce in pride,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Lakshmaṇ by his brother's side.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And she, my sister, she for whom</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These sons of Raghu meet their doom,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She with delighted lips shall drain</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lifeblood of her foemen slain.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fear not for me: I ne'er have known</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Defeat, in battle overthrown.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fear not for me, O giants; true</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Are the proud words I speak to you.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The king of Gods who rules on high,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If wild Airávat bore him nigh,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Should fall before me bolt in hand:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And shall these two my wrath withstand!”</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 ended and the giant host</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who heard their chief's triumphant boast,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rejoiced with equal pride elate,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Entangled in the noose of Fate.</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">Then met on high in bright array,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With eyes that longed to see the fray,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">God and Gandharva, sage and saint,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With beings pure from earthly taint.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Blest for good works aforetime wrought,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus each to other spake his thought:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Now joy to Bráhmans, joy to kine,</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And all whom world count half divine!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">May Raghu's offspring slay in fight</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Pulastya's sons who roam by night!”</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In words like these and more, the best</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of high-souled saints their hopes expressed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bending their eager eyes from where</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Car-borne with Gods they rode in air.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beneath them stretching far, they viewed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giants' death-doomed multitude.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They saw where, urged with fury, far</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Before the host rolled Khara's car,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And close beside their leader came</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Twelve giant peers of might and fame.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Four other chiefs<SPAN id="noteref_463" name="noteref_463" href="#note_463"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">463</span></span></SPAN> before the rest</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Behind their leader Dúshaṇ pressed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Impetuous, cruel, dark, and dread,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">All thirsting for the fray,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The hosts of giant warriors sped</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Onward upon their way.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">With eager speed they reached the spot</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Where dwelt the princely two,—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Like planets in a league to blot</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">The sun and moon from view.</div> </div></div> <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> <SPAN name="toc443" id="toc443"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf444" id="pdf444"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoIII-XXIV" id="CantoIII-XXIV" 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 XXIV. The Host In Sight.</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">While Khara, urged by valiant rage,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Drew near that little hermitage,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Those wondrous signs in earth and sky</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Smote on each prince's watchful eye.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When Ráma saw those signs of woe</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fraught with destruction to the foe,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With bold impatience scarce repressed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His brother chief he thus addressed:</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">“These fearful signs, my brother bold,</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Which threaten all our foes, behold:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">All laden, as they strike the view,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With ruin to the fiendish crew.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The angry clouds are gathering fast,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their skirts with dusty gloom o'ercast,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And harsh with loud-voiced thunder, rain</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thick drops of blood upon the plain.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">See, burning for the coming fight,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My shafts with wreaths of smoke are white,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And my great bow embossed with gold</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Throbs eager for the master's hold.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each bird that through the forest flies</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sends out its melancholy cries.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">All signs foretell the dangerous strife,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The jeopardy of limb and life.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each sight, each sound gives warning clear</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That foemen meet and death is near.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But courage, valiant brother! well</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The throbbings of mine arm foretell</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That ruin waits the hostile powers,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And triumph in the fight is ours.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I hail the welcome omen: thou</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Art bright of face and clear of brow.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For Lakshmaṇ, when the eye can trace</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A cloud upon the warrior's face</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stealing the cheerful light away,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His life is doomed in battle fray.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">List, brother, to that awful cry:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With shout and roar the fiends draw nigh.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With thundering beat of many a drum</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The savage-hearted giants come.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The wise who value safety know</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To meet, prepared, the coming blow:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In paths of prudence trained aright</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They watch the stroke before it smite.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Take thou thine arrows and thy bow,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And with the Maithil lady go</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For shelter to the mountain cave</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where thickest trees their branches wave.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I will not have thee, Lakshmaṇ, say</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">One word in answer, but obey.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By all thy honour for these feet</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of mine, dear brother, I entreat.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy warlike arm, I know could, smite</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To death these rovers of the night;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But I this day would fight alone</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Till all the fiends be overthrown.”</span></div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page257"></span><SPAN name="Pg257" id="Pg257" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He spake: and Lakshmaṇ answered naught:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His arrows and his bow he brought,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And then with Sítá following hied</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For shelter to the mountain side.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As Lakshmaṇ and the lady through</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The forest to the cave withdrew,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“'Tis well,”</span> cried Ráma. Then he braced</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His coat of mail around his waist.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When, bright as blazing fire, upon</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His mighty limbs that armour shone,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hero stood like some great light</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Uprising in the dark of night.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His dreadful shafts were by his side;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His trusty bow he bent and plied,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Prepared he stood: the bowstring rang,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Filling the welkin with the clang.</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 high-souled Gods together drew</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The wonder of the fight to view,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The saints made free from spot and stain,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And bright Gandharvas' heavenly train.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each glorious sage the assembly sought,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each saint divine of loftiest thought,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And filled with zeal for Ráma's sake.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus they whose deeds were holy spake:</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">“Now be it well with Bráhmans, now</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Well with the worlds and every cow!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Let Ráma in the deadly fray</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fiends who walk in darkness slay,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As He who bears the discus<SPAN id="noteref_464" name="noteref_464" href="#note_464"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">464</span></span></SPAN> slew</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">The chieftains of the Asur crew.”</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">Then each with anxious glances viewed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His fellow and his speech renewed:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“There twice seven thousand giants stand</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With impious heart and cruel hand:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here Ráma stands, by virtue known:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">How can the hero fight alone?”</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 royal sage and Bráhman saint,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Spirit, and Virtue free from taint,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And all the Gods of heaven who rode</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On golden cars, their longing showed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their hearts with doubt and terror rent,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They saw the giants' armament,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Ráma clothed in warrior might,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Forth standing in the front of fight.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lord of the arm no toil might tire,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He stood majestic in his ire,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Matchless in form as Rudra<SPAN id="noteref_465" name="noteref_465" href="#note_465"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">465</span></span></SPAN> when</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His wrath is fierce on Gods or men.</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">While Gods and saints in close array</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Held converse of the coming fray,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The army of the fiends drew near</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With sight and sound that counselled fear.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Long, loud and deep their war-cry pealed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As on they rushed with flag and shield,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each, of his proper valour proud,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Urging to fight the demon crowd.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His ponderous bow each warrior tried,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And swelled his bulk with martial pride.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">'Mid shout and roar and trampling feet,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thunder of the drums they beat,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Loud and more loud the tumult went</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Throughout the forest's vast extent,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And all the life that moved within</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The woodland trembled at the din.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In eager haste all fled to find</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Some tranquil spot, nor looked behind.</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">With every arm of war supplied,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On-rushing wildly like the tide</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of some deep sea, the giant host</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Approached where Ráma kept his post.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then he, in battle skilled and tried,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bent his keen eye on every side,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And viewed the host of Khara face</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To face before his dwelling-place.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He drew his arrows forth, and reared</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And strained that bow which foemen feared,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And yielded to the vengeful sway</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of fierce desire that host to slay.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Terrific as the ruinous fire</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That ends the worlds, he glowed in ire,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And his tremendous form dismayed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Gods who roam the forest shade.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For in the furious wrath that glowed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Within his soul the hero showed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like Śiva when his angry might</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stayed Daksha's sacrificial rite.<SPAN id="noteref_466" name="noteref_466" href="#note_466"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">466</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like some great cloud at dawn of day</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">When first the sun upsprings,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And o'er the gloomy mass each ray</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">A golden radiance flings:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus showed the children of the night,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Whose mail and chariots threw,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With gleam of bows and armlets bright,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Flashes of flamy hue.</div> </div></div> <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />