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<SPAN name="CantoIII-XXXVII" id="CantoIII-XXXVII" 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 XXXVII. Márícha'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">Márícha gave attentive ear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The ruler of the fiends to hear:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then, trained in all the rules that teach</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The eloquent, began his speech:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“'Tis easy task, O King, to find</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Smooth speakers who delight the mind.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But they who urge and they who do</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Distasteful things and wise, are few.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou hast not learnt, by proof untaught,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And borne away by eager thought,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That Ráma, formed for high emprise,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With Varuṇ or with Indra vies.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still let thy people live in peace,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor let their name and lineage cease,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For Ráma with his vengeful hand</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Can sweep the giants from the land.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O, let not Janak's daughter bring</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Destruction on the giant king.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Let not the lady Sítá wake</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A tempest, on thy head to break.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still let the dame, by care untried,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Be happy by her husband's side,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lest swift avenging ruin fall</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On glorious Lanká, thee, and all.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Men such as thou with wills unchained,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Advised by sin and unrestrained,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Destroy themselves, the king, the state,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And leave the people desolate.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma, in bonds of duty held,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Was never by his sire expelled.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He is no wretch of greedy mind,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dishonour of his Warrior kind.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Free from all touch of rancorous spite,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">All creatures' good is his delight.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He saw his sire of truthful heart</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Deceived by Queen Kaikeyí's art,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And said, a true and duteous son,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“What thou hast promised shall be done.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To gratify the lady's will,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His father's promise to fulfil,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He left his realm and all delight</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For Daṇḍak wood, an anchorite.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No cruel wretch, no senseless fool</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Is Ráma, unrestrained by rule.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This groundless charge has ne'er been heard,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor shouldst thou speak the slanderous word.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma in truth and goodness bold</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Is Virtue's self in human mould,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The sovereign of the world confessed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As Indra rules among the Blest.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And dost thou plot from him to rend</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The darling whom his arms defend?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Less vain the hope to steal away</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The glory of the Lord of Day.</div>
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<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O Rávaṇ, guard thee from the fire</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of vengeful Ráma's kindled ire,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each spark a shaft with deadly aim,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While bow and falchion feed the flame.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Cast not away in hopeless strife</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy realm, thy bliss, thine own dear life.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O Rávaṇ of his might beware,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A God of Death who will not spare.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That bow he knows so well to draw</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Is the destroyer's flaming jaw,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And with his shafts which flash and glow</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He slays the armies of the foe.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou ne'er canst win—the thought forego—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From the safe guard of shaft and bow</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">King Janak's child, the dear delight</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Ráma unapproached in might.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The spouse of Raghu's son, confessed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lion of men with lion chest,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dearer than life, through good and ill</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Devoted to her husband's will,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The slender-waisted, still must be</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From thy polluting touches free.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Far better grasp with venturous hand</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The flame to wildest fury fanned.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What, King of giants, canst thou gain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From this attempt so wild and vain?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If in the fight his eye he bend</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon thee, Lord, thy days must end,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So life and bliss and royal sway,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lost beyond hope, will pass away.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Summon each lord of high estate,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And chief, Vibhishaṇ<SPAN id="noteref_490" name="noteref_490" href="#note_490"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">490</span></span></SPAN> to debate.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With peers in lore of counsel tried</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Consider, reason, and decide</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Scan strength and weakness, count the cost,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What may be gained and what be lost.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Examine and compare aright</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy proper power and Ráma's might,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then if thy weal be still thy care,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou wilt be prudent and forbear.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O giant King, the contest shun,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Thy force is all too weak</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lord of Kosál's mighty son</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">In deadly fray to seek.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">King of the hosts that rove at night,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">O hear what I advise:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My prudent counsel do not slight;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Be patient and be wise.”</span></div>
</div></div>
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<SPAN name="CantoIII-XXXVIII" id="CantoIII-XXXVIII" 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 XXXVIII. Márícha'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"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Once in my strength and vigour's pride</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I roamed this earth from side to side,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And towering like a mountain's crest,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A thousand Nágas'<SPAN id="noteref_491" name="noteref_491" href="#note_491"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">491</span></span></SPAN> might possessed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like some vast sable cloud I showed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My golden armlets flashed and glowed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A crown I wore, an axe I swayed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And all I met were sore afraid.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I roved where Daṇḍak wood is spread;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On flesh of slaughtered saints I fed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Viśvámitra, sage revered,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Holy of heart, my fury feared.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Daśaratha's court he sped</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And went before the king and said:<SPAN id="noteref_492" name="noteref_492" href="#note_492"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">492</span></span></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"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“With me, my lord, thy Ráma send</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On holy days his aid to lend.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Márícha fills my soul with dread</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And keeps me sore disquieted.”</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 monarch heard the saint's request</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus the glorious sage 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">“My boy as yet in arms untrained</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The age of twelve has scarce attained.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But I myself a host will lead</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To guard thee in the hour of need.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My host with fourfold troops complete,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The rover of the night shall meet,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And I, O best of saints, will kill</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Thy foeman and thy prayer fulfil.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The king vouchsafed his willing aid:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The saint again this answer made:</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">“By Ráma's might, and his alone,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Can this great fiend be overthrown.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I know in days of yore the Blest</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy saving help in fight confessed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still of thy famous deeds they tell</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In heaven above, in earth, and hell,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A mighty host obeys thy hest:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here let it still, I pray thee, rest.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy glorious son, though yet a boy,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Will in the fight that fiend destroy.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma alone with me shall go:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Be happy, victor of the foe.”</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: the monarch gave assent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Ráma to the hermit lent.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So to his woodland home in joy</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Went Viśvámitra with the boy.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With ready bow the champion stood</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To guard the rites in Daṇḍak wood.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With glorious eyes, most bright to view,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beardless as yet and dark of hue;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A single robe his only wear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His temples veiled with waving hair,</div>
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<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Around his neck a chain of gold,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He grasped the bow he loved to hold;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And the young hero's presence made</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A glory in the forest shade.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus Ráma with his beauteous mien,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like the young rising moon was seen,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I, like a cloud which tempest brings,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My arms adorned with golden rings,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Proud of the boon which lent me might,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Approached where dwelt the anchorite.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But Ráma saw me venturing nigh,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Raising my murderous axe on high;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He saw, and fearless of the foe,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Strung with calm hand his trusty bow.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By pride of conscious strength beguiled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I scorned him as a feeble child,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And rushed with an impetuous bound</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On Viśvámitra's holy ground.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A keen swift shaft he pointed well,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The foeman's rage to check and quell,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And hurled a hundred leagues away</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Deep in the ocean waves I lay.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He would not kill, but, nobly brave,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My forfeit life he chose to save.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So there I lay with wandering sense</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dazed by that arrow's violence.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Long in the sea I lay: at length</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Slowly returned my sense and strength,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And rising from my watery bed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Lanká's town again I sped.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus was I spared, but all my band</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fell slain by Ráma's conquering hand,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A boy, untrained in warrior's skill,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of iron arm and dauntless will.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If thou with Ráma still, in spite</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of warning and of prayer, wilt fight,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I see terrific woes impend,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And dire defeat thy days will end.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy giants all will feel the blow</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And share the fatal overthrow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who love the taste of joy and play,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The banquet and the festal day.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thine eyes will see destruction take</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy Lanká, lost for Sítá's sake,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And stately pile and palace fall</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With terrace, dome, and jewelled wall.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The good will die: the crime of kings</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Destruction on the people brings:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The sinless die, as in the lake</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fish must perish with the snake.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The prostrate giants thou wilt see</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Slain for this folly wrought by thee,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their bodies bright with precious scent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And sheen of heavenly ornament;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or see the remnant of thy train</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Seek refuge far, when help is vain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And with their wives, or widowed, fly</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To every quarter of the sky;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy mournful eyes, where'er they turn,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Will see thy stately city burn,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When royal homes with fire are red,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And arrowy nets around are spread.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A sin that tops all sins in shame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Is outrage to another's dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A thousand wives thy palace fill,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And countless beauties wait thy will.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O rest contented with thine own,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor let thy race be overthrown.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If thou, O King, hast still delight</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In rank and wealth and power and might,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In noble wives, in troops of friends,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In all that royal state attends,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I warn thee, cast not all away,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor challenge Ráma to the fray.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If deaf to every friendly prayer,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Thou still wilt seek the strife,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And from the side of Ráma tear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">His lovely Maithil wife,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Soon will thy life and empire end</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Destroyed by Ráma's bow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thou, with kith and kin and friend,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">To Yáma's realm must go.”</span></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 XXXIX. Márícha'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"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“I told thee of that dreadful day</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When Ráma smote and spared to slay.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now hear me, Rávaṇ, while I tell</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What in the after time befell.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">At length, restored to strength and pride,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I and two mighty fiends beside</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Assumed the forms of deer and strayed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Through Daṇḍak wood in lawn and glade,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I reared terrific horns: beneath</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Were flaming tongue and pointed teeth.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I roamed where'er my fancy led,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And on the flesh of hermits fed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In sacred haunt, by hallowed tree,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where'er the ritual fires might be.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A fearful shape, I wandered through</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The wood, and many a hermit slew.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With ruthless rage the saints I killed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who in the grove their tasks fulfilled.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When smitten to the earth they sank,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their flesh I ate, their blood I drank,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And with my cruel deeds dismayed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">All dwellers in the forest shade,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Spoiling their rites in bitter hate,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With human blood inebriate.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Once in the wood I chanced to see</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma again, a devotee,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A hermit, fed on scanty fare,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who made the good of all his care.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His noble wife was by his side,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Lakshmaṇ in the battle tried.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In senseless pride I scorned the might</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of that illustrious anchorite,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And heedless of a hermit foe,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Recalled my earlier overthrow.</div>
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<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I charged him in my rage and scorn</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To slay him with my pointed horn,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In heedless haste, to fury wrought</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As on my former wounds I thought.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then from the mighty bow he drew</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Three foe-destroying arrows flew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Keen-pointed, leaping from the string,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Swift as the wind or feathered king.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dire shafts, on flesh of foemen fed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like rushing thunderbolts they sped,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With knots well smoothed and barbs well bent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Shot e'en as one, the arrows went.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But I who Ráma's might had felt,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And knew the blows the hero dealt,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Escaped by rapid flight. The two</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who lingered on the spot, he slew.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I fled from mortal danger, freed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From the dire shaft by timely speed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now to deep thought my days I give,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And as a humble hermit live.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In every shrub, in every tree</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I view that noblest devotee.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In every knotted trunk I mark</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His deerskin and his coat of bark,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And see the bow-armed Ráma stand</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like Yáma with his noose in hand.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I tell thee Rávaṇ, in my fright</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A thousand Rámas mock my sight,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This wood with every bush and bough</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Seems all one fearful Ráma now.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Throughout the grove there is no spot</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So lonely where I see him not.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He haunts me in my dreams by night,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And wakes me with the wild affright.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The letter that begins his name</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sends terror through my startled frame.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The rapid cars whereon we ride,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The rich rare jewels, once my pride,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Have names<SPAN id="noteref_493" name="noteref_493" href="#note_493"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">493</span></span></SPAN> that strike upon mine ear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With hated sound that counsels fear.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His mighty strength too well I know,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor art thou match for such a foe.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Too strong were Raghus's son in fight</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For Namuchi or Bali's might.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Ráma to the battle dare,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or else be patient and forbear;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But, wouldst thou see me live in peace,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Let mention of the hero cease.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The good whose holy lives were spent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In deepest thought, most innocent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With all their people many a time</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Have perished through another's crime.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So in the common ruin, I</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Must for another's folly die,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Do all thy strength and courage can,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But ne'er will I approve the plan.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For he, in might supremely great,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giant world could extirpate,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Since, when impetuous Khara sought</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The grove of Janasthán and fought</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For Śúrpaṇakhá's sake, he died</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By Ráma's hand in battle tried.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">How has he wronged thee? Soothly swear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Ráma's fault and sin declare.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">I warn thee, and my words are wise,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">I seek thy people's weal:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">But if this rede thou wilt despise,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Nor hear my last appeal,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Thou with thy kin and all thy friends</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">In fight this day wilt die,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">When his great bow the hero bends,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And shafts unerring fly.”</span></div>
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