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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 LVIII. The Brothers' Meeting.</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">When Ráma's deadly shaft had struck</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giant in the seeming buck,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The chieftain turned him from the place</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His homeward way again to trace.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then as he hastened onward, fain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To look upon his spouse again,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Behind him from a thicket nigh</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rang out a jackal's piercing cry.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Alarmed he heard the startling shriek</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That raised his hair and dimmed his cheek,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And all his heart was filled with doubt</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As the shrill jackal's cry rang out:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Alas, some dire disaster seems</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Portended by the jackal's screams.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O may the Maithil dame be screened</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From outrage of each hungry fiend!</div>
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<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Alas, if Lakshmaṇ chanced to hear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That bitter cry of woe and fear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What time Márícha, as he died,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With voice that mocked my accents cried,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Swift to my side the prince would flee</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And quit the dame to succour me.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Too well I see the demon band</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The slaughter of my love have planned.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Me far from home and Sítá's view</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The seeming deer Márícha drew.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He led me far through brake and dell</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Till wounded by my shaft he fell,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And as he sank rang out his cry,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O save me, Lakshmaṇ, or I die.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">May it be well with both who stayed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In the great wood with none to aid,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For every fiend is now my foe</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For Janasthán's great overthrow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And many an omen seen to-day</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Has filled my heart with sore dismay.”</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">Such were the thoughts and sad surmise</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Ráma at the jackal's cries,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And all his heart within him burned</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As to his cot his steps he turned.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He pondered on the deer that led</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His feet to follow where it fled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And sad with many a bitter thought</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His home in Janasthán he sought.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His soul was dark with woe and fear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When flocks of birds and troops of deer</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Move round him from the left, and raised</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Discordant voices as they gazed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The omens which the chieftain viewed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The terror of his soul renewed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When lo, to meet him Lakshmaṇ sped</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With brows whence all the light had fled.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Near and more near the princes came,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each brother's heart and look the same;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Alike on each sad visage lay</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The signs of misery and dismay,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Ráma by his terror moved</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His brother for his fault reproved</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In leaving Sítá far from aid</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In the wild wood where giants strayed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lakshmaṇ's left hand he took, and then</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In gentle tones the prince of men,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Though sharp and fierce their tenour ran,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus to his brother chief began:</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">“O Lakshmaṇ, thou art much to blame</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Leaving alone the Maithil dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And flying hither to my side:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O, may no ill my spouse betide!</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But ah, I know my wife is dead,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And giants on her limbs have fed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So strange, so terrible are all</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The omens which my heart appal.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O Lakshmaṇ, may we yet return</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The safety of my love to learn.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To find the child of Janak still</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Alive and free from scathe and ill!</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each bird with notes of warning screams,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Though the hot sun still darts his beams.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The moan of deer, the jackal's yell</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of some o'erwhelming misery tell.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O mighty brother, still may she,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My princess, live from danger free!</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">That semblance of a golden deer</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Allured me far away,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">I followed nearer and more near,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">And longed to take the prey.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">I followed where the quarry fled:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">My deadly arrow flew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">And as the dying creature bled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">The giant met my view.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Great fear and pain oppress my heart</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">That dreads the coming blow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">And through my left eye keenly dart</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">The throbs that herald woe.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Ah Lakshmaṇ, all these signs dismay,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">My soul that sinks with dread,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">I know my love is torn away,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Or, haply, she is dead.”</span></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 LIX. Ráma's Return.</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">When Ráma saw his brother stand</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With none beside him, all unmanned,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Eager he questioned why he came</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So far without the Maithil dame:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Where is my wife, my darling, she</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who to the wild wood followed me?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where hast thou left my lady, where</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The dame who chose my lot to share?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where is my love who balms my woe</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As through the forest wilds I go,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Unkinged and banished and disgraced,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My darling of the dainty waist?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She nerves my spirit for the strife,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She, only she gives zest to life,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dear as my breath is she who vies</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In charms with daughters of the skies.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If Janak's child be mine no more,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In splendour fair as virgin ore,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lordship of the skies and earth</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To me were prize of little worth.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah, lives she yet, the Maithil dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dear as the soul within this frame?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O, let not all my toil be vain,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The banishment, the woe and pain!</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O, let not dark Kaikeyí win</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The guerdon of her treacherous sin,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If, Sítá lost, my days I end,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thou without me homeward wend!</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O, let not good Kauśalyá shed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her bitter tears to mourn me dead,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor her proud rival's hest obey,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Strong in her son and queenly sway!</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Back to my cot will I repair</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If Sítá live to greet me there,</div>
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<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But if my wife have perished, I</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Reft of my love will surely die.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O Lakshmaṇ, if I seek my cot,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Look for my love and find her not</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sweet welcome with her smile to give,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I tell thee, I will cease to live.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O answer,—let thy words be plain,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lives Sítá yet, or is she slain?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Didst thou thy sacred trust betray</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Till ravening giants seized the prey?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah me, so young, so soft and fair,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lapped in all bliss, untried by care,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rent from her own dear husband, how</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Will she support her misery now?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That voice, O Lakshmaṇ smote thine ear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And filled, I ween, thy heart with fear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When on thy name for succour cried</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The treacherous giant ere he died.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That voice too like mine own, I ween,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Was heard by the Videhan queen.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She bade thee seek my side to aid,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And quickly was the hest obeyed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But ah, thy fault I needs must blame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To leave alone the helpless dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And let the cruel giants sate</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fury of their murderous hate.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Those blood-devouring demons all</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Grieve in their souls for Khara's fall,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Sítá, none to guard her side,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Torn by their cruel hands has died.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I sink, O tamer of thy foes,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Deep in the sea of whelming woes.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What can I now? I must endure</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">The mighty grief that mocks at cure.”</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, all his thoughts on Sítá bent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Janasthán the chieftain went,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hastening on with eager stride,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Lakshmaṇ hurried by his side.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With toil and thirst and hunger worn,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His breast with doubt and anguish torn,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">He sought the well-known spot.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Again, again he turned to chide</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With quivering lips which terror dried:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">He looked, and found her not.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Within his leafy home he sped,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each pleasant spot he visited</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Where oft his darling strayed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“'Tis as I feared,”</span> he cried, and there,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Yielding to pangs too great to bear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">He sank by grief dismayed.</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 LX. Lakshman Reproved.</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">But Ráma ceased not to upbraid,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His brother for untimely aid,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus, while anguish wrung his breast,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The chief with eager question pressed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Why, Lakshmaṇ, didst thou hurry hence</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And leave my wife without defence?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I left her in the wood with thee,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And deemed her safe from jeopardy.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When first thy form appeared in view,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I marked that Sítá came not too.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With woe my troubled soul was rent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Prophetic of the dire event.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy coming steps afar I spied,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I saw no Sítá by thy side,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And felt a sudden throbbing dart</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Through my left eye, and arm, and heart.”</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">Lakshmaṇ, with Fortune's marks impressed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His brother mournfully addressed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Not by my heart's free impulse led,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Leaving thy wife to thee I sped;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But by her keen reproaches sent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O Ráma, to thine aid I went.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She heard afar a mournful cry,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O save me, Lakshmaṇ, or I die.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The voice that spoke in moving tone</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Smote on her ear and seemed thine own.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Soon as those accents reached her ear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She yielded to her woe and fear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She wept o'ercome by grief, and cried,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Fly, Lakshmaṇ, fly to Ráma's side.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Though many a time she bade me speed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her urgent prayer I would not heed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I bade her in thy strength confide,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus with tender words replied:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“No giant roams the forest shade</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From whom thy lord need shrink dismayed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No human voice, believe me, spoke</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Those words thy causeless fear that woke.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Can he whose might can save in woe</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The heavenly Gods e'er stoop so low,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And with those piteous accents call</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For succour like a caitiff thrall?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And why should wandering giants choose</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The accents of thy lord to use,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In alien tones my help to crave,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And cry aloud, O Lakshmaṇ, save?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now let my words thy spirit cheer,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Compose thy thoughts and banish fear.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In hell, in earth, or in the skies</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There is not, and there cannot rise</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A champion whose strong arm can slay</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy Ráma in the battle fray.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To heavenly hosts he ne'er would yield</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Though Indra led them to the field.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To soothe her thus I vainly sought:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her heart with woe was still distraught.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While from her eyes the waters ran</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her bitter speech she thus began:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Too well I see thy dark intent:</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy lawless thoughts on me are bent.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou hopest, but thy hope is vain,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To win my love, thy brother slain.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Not love, but Bharat's dark decree</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To share his exile counselled thee,</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page300"></span><SPAN name="Pg300" id="Pg300" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or hearing now his bitter cry</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou surely to his aid wouldst fly.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For love of me, a stealthy foe</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou choosest by his side to go,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And now thou longest that my lord</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Should die, and wilt no help afford.”</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">Such were the words the lady said:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With angry fire my eyes were red.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With pale lips quivering in my rage</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">I hastened from the hermitage.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He ceased; and frenzied by his pain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The son of Raghu spoke again:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O brother, for thy fault I grieve,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Maithil dame alone to leave.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou knowest that my arm is strong</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To save me from the giant throng,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And yet couldst leave the cottage, spurred</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To folly by her angry word.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For this thy deed I praise thee not,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To leave her helpless in the cot,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus thy sacred charge forsake</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For the wild words a woman spake.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Yea thou art all to blame herein,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And very grievous is thy sin.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That anger swayed thy faithless breast</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And made thee false to my behest.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">An arrow speeding from my bow</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Has laid the treacherous giant low,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who lured me eager for the chase</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Far from my hermit dwelling-place.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The string with easy hand I drew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The arrow as in pastime flew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The wounded quarry bled.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The borrowed form was cast away,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Before mine eye a giant lay</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">With bright gold braceleted.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My arrow smote him in the chest:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giant by the pain distressed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Raised his loud voice on high.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Far rang the mournful sound: mine own,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">It seemed, were accent, voice, and tone,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They made thee leave my spouse alone</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And to my rescue fly.”</span></div>
</div></div>
<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em">
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<SPAN name="CantoIII-LXI" id="CantoIII-LXI" 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 LXI. Ráma's Lament.</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 Ráma sought his leafy cot</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Through his left eye keen throbbings shot,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His wonted strength his frame forsook,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And all his body reeled and shook.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still on those dreadful signs he thought,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sad omens with disaster fraught,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And from his troubled heart he cried,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O, may no ill my spouse betide!”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Longing to gaze on Sítá's face</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He hastened to his dwelling-place,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then sinking neath his misery's weight,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He looked and found it desolate.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Tossing his mighty arms on high</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He sought her with an eager cry,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From spot to spot he wildly ran</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each corner of his home to scan.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He looked, but Sítá was not there;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His cot was disolate and bare,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like streamlet in the winter frost,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The glory of her lilies lost.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With leafy tears the sad trees wept</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As a wild wind their branches swept.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Mourned bird and deer, and every flower</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Drooped fainting round the lonely bower.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The silvan deities had fled</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The spot where all the light was dead,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where hermit coats of skin displayed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And piles of sacred grass were laid.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He saw, and maddened by his pain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Cried in lament again, again:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Where is she, dead or torn away,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lost, or some hungry giant's prey?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or did my darling chance to rove</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For fruit and blossoms though the grove?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or has she sought the pool or rill,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Her pitcher from the wave to fill?”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His eager eyes on fire with pain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He roamed about with maddened brain.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each grove and glade he searched with care,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He sought, but found no Sítá there.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He wildly rushed from hill to hill;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From tree to tree, from rill to rill,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As bitter woe his bosom rent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still Ráma roamed with fond lament:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O sweet Kadamba say has she</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who loved thy bloom been seen by thee?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If thou have seen her face most fair,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Say, gentle tree, I pray thee, where.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O Bel tree with thy golden fruit</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Round as her breast, no more be mute,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where is my radiant darling, gay</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In silk that mocks thy glossy spray?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O Arjun, say, where is she now</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who loved to touch thy scented bough?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Do not thy graceful friend forget,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But tell me, is she living yet?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Speak, Basil, thou must surely know,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For like her limbs thy branches show,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Most lovely in thy fair array</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of twining plant and tender spray.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sweet Tila, fairest of the trees,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Melodious with the hum of bees,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where is my darling Sítá, tell,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The dame who loved thy flowers so well?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Aśoka, act thy gentle part,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Named Heartsease,<SPAN id="noteref_507" name="noteref_507" href="#note_507"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">507</span></span></SPAN> give me what thou art,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To these sad eyes my darling show</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And free me from this load of woe.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O Palm, in rich ripe fruitage dressed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Round as the beauties of her breast,</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page301"></span><SPAN name="Pg301" id="Pg301" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If thou have heart to know and feel,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My peerless consort's fate reveal.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hast thou, Rose-apple, chanced to view</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My darling bright with golden hue?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If thou have seen her quickly speak,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where is the dame I wildly seek?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O glorious Cassia, thou art gay</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With all thy loveliest bloom to-day,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where is my dear who loved to hold</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">In her full lap thy flowery gold?”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To many a tree and plant beside,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Jasmin, Mango, Sál, he cried.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Say, hast thou seen, O gentle deer,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fawn-eyed Sítá wandering here?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">It may be that my love has strayed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To sport with fawns beneath the shade,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If thou, great elephant, have seen</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My darling of the lovely mien,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose rounded limbs are soft and fine</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As is that lissome trunk of thine,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O noblest of wild creatures, show</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where is the dame thou needs must know.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O tiger, hast thou chanced to see</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My darling? very fair is she,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Cast all thy fear away, declare,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where is my moon-faced darling, where?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There, darling of the lotus eye,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I see thee, and 'tis vain to fly,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wilt thou not speak, dear love? I see</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy form half hidden by the tree.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stay if thou love me, Sítá, stay</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In pity cease thy heartless play.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Why mock me now? thy gentle breast</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Was never prone to cruel jest.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">'Tis vain behind yon bush to steal:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy shimmering silks thy path reveal.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fly not, mine eyes pursue thy way;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For pity's sake, dear Sítá, stay.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah me, ah me, my words are vain;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My gentle love is lost or slain.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">How could her tender bosom spurn</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her husband on his home-return?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah no, my love is surely dead,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fierce giants on her flesh have fed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rending the soft limbs of their prey</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When I her lord was far away.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That moon-bright face, that polished brow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Red lips, bright teeth—what are they now?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Alas, my darling's shapely neck</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She loved with chains of gold to deck,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That neck that mocked the sandal scent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The ruthless fiends have grasped and rent.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Alas, 'twas vain those arms to raise</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Soft as the young tree's tender sprays.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah, dainty meal for giants' lips</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Were arms and quivering finger tips.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah, she who counted many a friend</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Was left for fiends to seize and rend,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Was left by me without defence</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From ravening giants' violence.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O Lakshmaṇ of the arm of might,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Say, is my darling love in sight?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O dearest Sítá. where art thou?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Where is my darling consort now?”</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 as he cried in wild lament</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From grove to grove the mourner went,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here for a moment sank to rest,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then started up and onward pressed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus roaming on like one distraught</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still for his vanished love he sought,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He searched in wood and hill and glade,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By rock and brook and wild cascade.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Through groves with restless step he sped</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And left no spot unvisited.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Through lawns and woods of vast extent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still searching for his love he went</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">With eager steps and fast.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For many a weary hour he toiled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still in his fond endeavour foiled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Yet hoping to the last.</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 LXII. Ráma's Lament.</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">When all the toil and search was vain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He sought his leafy home again.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">'Twas empty still: all scattered lay</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The seats of grass in disarray.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He raised his shapely arms on high</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And spoke aloud with bitter cry:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Where is the Maithil dame?”</span> he said,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O, whither has my darling fled?</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who can have borne away my dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or feasted on her tender frame?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If, Sítá hidden by some tree,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou joyest still to mock at me,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Cease, cease thy cruel sport, and take</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Compassion, or my heart will break.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bethink thee, love, the gentle fawns</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With whom thou playest on the lawns,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Impatient for thy coming wait</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With streaming eyes disconsolate.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Reft of my love, I needs must go</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hence to the shades weighed down by woe.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The king our sire will see me there,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And cry, <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O perjured Ráma, where,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where is thy faith, that thou canst speed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">From exile ere the time decreed?”</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">Ah Sítá, whither hast thou fled</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And left me here disquieted,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A hapless mourner, reft of hope,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Too feeble with my woe to cope?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">E'en thus indignant Glory flies</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The wretch who stains his soul with lies.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If thou, my love, art lost to view,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">I in my woe must perish too.”</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 Ráma by his grief distraught</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wept for the wife he vainly sought,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Lakshmaṇ whose fraternal breast</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Longed for his weal, the chief addressed</div>
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<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose soul gave way beneath the pain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When all his eager search was vain,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like some great elephant who stands</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sinking upon the treacherous sands:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Not yet, O wisest chief, despair;</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Renew thy toil with utmost care.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This noble hill where trees are green</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Has many a cave and dark ravine.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Maithil lady day by day</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Delighted in the woods to stray,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Deep in the grove she wanders still,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or walks by blossom-covered rill,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or fish-loved river stealing through</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Tall clusters of the dark bamboo.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or else the dame with arch design</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To prove thy mood, O Prince, and mine,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Far in some sheltering thicket lies</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To frighten ere she meet our eyes.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then come, renew thy labour, trace</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lady to her lurking-place,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And search the wood from side to side</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To know where Sítá loves to bide.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Collect thy thoughts, O royal chief,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Nor yield to unavailing grief.”</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 Lakshmaṇ, by attention stirred,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To fresh attempts his brother spurred,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Ráma, as he ceased, began</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With Lakshmaṇ's aid each spot to scan.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In eager search their way they took</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Through wood, o'er hill, by pool and brook,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They roamed each mount, nor spared to seek</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On ridge and crag and towering peak.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They sought the dame in every spot;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But all in vain; they found her not.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Above, below, on every side</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They ranged the hill, and Ráma cried,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O Lakshmaṇ, O my brother still</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">No trace of Sítá on the hill!”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Lakshmaṇ as he roamed the wood</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beside his glorious brother stood,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And while fierce grief his bosom burned</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This answer to the chief returned:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Thou, Ráma, after toil and pain</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wilt meet the Maithil dame again,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As Vishṇu, Bali's might subdued,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">His empire of the earth renewed.”</span><SPAN id="noteref_508" name="noteref_508" href="#note_508"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">508</span></span></SPAN></div>
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<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 Ráma cried in mournful tone,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His spirit by his woe o'erthrown;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“The wood is searched from side to side,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No distant spot remains untried,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No lilied pool, no streamlet where</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lotus buds are fresh and fair.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Our eyes have searched the hill with all</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His caves and every waterfall,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But ah, not yet I find my wife,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">More precious than the breath of life.”</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 thus he mourned his vanished dame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A mighty trembling seized his frame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And by o'erpowering grief assailed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His troubled senses reeled and failed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Too great to bear his misery grew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And many a long hot sigh he drew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then as he wept and sobbed and sighed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O Sítá, O my love!”</span> he cried.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Lakshmaṇ, joining palm to palm,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Tried every art his woe to calm.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But Ráma in his anguish heard</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or heeded not one soothing word,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still for his spouse he mourned, and shrill</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rang out his lamentation still.</div>
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