With that reply and bold consent The giant king was well content. He strained Maricha to his breast And thus with joyful words addressed: ' There spoke a hero dauntless still, Obedient to his master's will, Mariclia's proper self once more: Some other took thy shape before. Come, mount my jewelled car that flies, Will -governed, through the yielding skies. These asses, goblin-faced, shall bear Us quickly through the fields of air. Attract the lady with thy shape, Then through the wood, at will, escape. And I, when she has no defence, Will seize the dame and bear her thence.
Again Maricha made reply, Consent and will to signify. With rapid speed the giants two From the calm hermit dwelling flew, Borne in that wondrous chariot, meet For some great God's celestial seat. They from their airy path looked down On many a wood and many a town, On lake and river, brook and rill, City and realm and towering hill. Soon he whom giant hosts obeyed. Maricha by his side, surveyed The dark expanse of Dandak wood Where Rarna's hermit cottage stood. They left the flying car, whereon The wealth of gold and jewels shone, And thus the giant king addressed Maricha as his hand he pressed: ' Maricha, look! before our eyes Round Rama's home the plantains rise. His hermitage is now in view: Quick to the work we came to do! ' Thus Ravan spoke, Maricha heard Obedient to his master's word, Threw off his giant shape and near The cottage strayed a beauteous deer. With magic power, by rapid change. His borrowed form was fair and strange, A sapphire tipped each horn with light; His face was black relieved with white. The turkis and the ruby shed A glory from his ears and head. His arching neck was proudly raised, And lazulites beneath it blazed. With roseate bloom his flanks were dyed, And lotus tints adorned his hide. His shape was fair, compact, and slight; THE RAM AY AX.
Bool III.
His hoofs were carven lazulite. His tail with every changing glow Displayed the hues of Indra's bow. With glossy skin so strangely flecked, With tints of every gem bedecked. A light o'er Kama's home he sent, And through the wood, where'er he went. The giant clad in that strange dress That took the soul with loveliness, To charm the fair Videhan's eyes With mingled wealth of mineral dyes, Moved onward, cropping in his way, The grass and grain and tender spray. His coat with drops of silver bright, A form to gaze on with delight, He raised his fair neck as he went To browse on bud and filament. Now in the Cassia grove he strayed, Now by the cot in plantains' shade. Slowly and slowly on he came To catch the glances of the dame, And the tall deer of splendid hue Shone full at length in Sita's view. He roamed where'er his fancy chose Where Kama's leafy cottage rose. Now near, now far, in careless ease, He came and went among the trees. Now with light feet he turned to fly, Now, reassured, again drew nigh: Now gambolled close with leap and bound, Now lay upon the grassy ground: Now sought the door, devoid of fear, And mingled with the troop- of deer; Led them a little way, and thence Again returned with conh'dence. Now flying far, now turning back Emboldened on his former track, Seeking to win the lady's glance He wandered through the green expanse. Then thronging round, the woodland deer Gazed on his form with wondering fear; A while they followed where he led, Then snuffed the tainted gale and fled. The giant, though he longed to slay The startled quarry, spared the prey, .And mindful of the shape he wore To veil his nature, still forbore. Then Siia of the giorious eye, Returning from her task drew nigh: For she had sought the wood to bring Each loveliest flower of early spring. Now would the bright-eyed lady choose Some gorgeous bud with blending hues, Now plucked the mango's spray, and now The bloom from an Asoka bough. She with her beauteous form, unmeet For woodland life and lone retreat, That wondrous dappled deer beheld Gemmed with rich pearls, unparalleled. His silver hair the lady saw, His radiant teeth and lips and jaw, And gazed with rapture as her eyes Expanded in their glad surprise. And when the false deer's glances fell On her whom Rama loved so well, He wandered here and there, and cast A luminous beauty as lie passed; And Janak's child with strange delight Kept gazing on the unwonted sight.
CANTO XLIII.
THE WONDROUS DEER.
She stooped, her hands with flowers to fill, But gazed upon the marvel still: Gazed on its back and sparkling side Where silver hues with golden vied. Joyous was she of faultless mould, With glossy skin like polished gold, And loudly to her husband cried And bow-armed Lakshman by his side: Again, again she called in glee: ' U come this glorious creature see; Quick, quick, my lord, this deer to view, And bring thy brother Lakshman too.' As through the wood her clear tones rang, Swift to her side the brothers sprang. With eager eyes the grove they scanned, And saw the deer before them stand. But doubt was strong in Lakshman's breast, Who thus his thought and fear expressed: ' Stay, for the wondrous deer we see The h'end Marie ha's self may be. Ere now have kings who sought this place To take their pastime in the ohase, Met from his wicked art defeat, And fallen slain by like deceit. He wears, well trained in magic guile, The figure of a deer a while, Bright as the very sun, or place Where dwell the gay Ganuharva race. No deer, O Rama, e'er was seen Thus decked with gold and jewels' sheen. Tis magic, for the world has ne'er, Lord of the world, shown aught so fair.'
But Sita of the lovely smile, A captive to the giant's wile, Turned Lakshmun's prudent speech aside And thus with eager words replied: Mv honoured lord, this deer I see With beauty rare enraptures me. Go, chief of mighty arm, and bring For my delight this precious thing. Fair creatures of the woodland roam Untroubled near our hermit home. The forest cow and stag are there, The fawn, the monkey, and the bear, Where spotted deer delight to play, Canto XLlff.
THE RAM AY AN.
And strong and beauteous Kinnars1 stray. But never, as they wandered by, Has such a beauty charmed mine eye As this with limbs so fair and slight, So gentle, beautiful and bright. O see, how fair it is to view With jewels of each varied hue: Bright as the rising moon it glows, Lighting the wood where'er it goes. Ah me. what form and grace are there! Its limbs how fine, its hues how fair! Transcending all that words express, It takes my soul with loveliness. O, if thou would, to please me, strive To take the beauteous thing alive, How thou wouldst gaze with wondering eyes eyes Delighted on the lovely prize! And when our woodland life is o'er, And we enjoy our realm once more, The wondrous animal will grace The chambers of my dwelling-place, And a dear treasure will it be T<> Bharat and the queens and me, And all with rapture and amaze Upon its heavenly form will gaze. But if the beauteous deer, pursued, Thine arts to take it still elude, Strike it, O chieftain, and the skin Will be a treasure, laid within. O, how I long my time to pass Sitting upon the tender grass, With that soft fell beneath me spread Bright with its hair of golden thread! This strong desire, this eager will, Befits a gentle lady ill; But when I first beheld, its look My breast with fascination took. See, golden hair its flank adorns, And sapphires tip its branching horns. Resplendent as the lunar way, Or the first blush of opening day, With graceful form and radiant hue It charmed thy heart, O chieftain, too.
He heard her speech with willing ear, He looked again upon the deer. Its lovely shape his breast beguiled Moved by the prayer of Janak's child, And yielding for her pleasure's sake, To Lakshman Rama turned and spake: ' Mark, Lakshman, mark how Sita's breast With eager longing is possessed. To-day this deer of wondrous breed Must for his passing beauty bleed, Brighter than e'er in Nandan strayed, Or Uhaitraratha's heavenly shade.
1 A race of beings of human shape but with the heads of horses, like centaurs reversed.
19 How should the groves of earth possess Such all-surpassing loveliness! The hair lies smooth and bright and fine, Or waves upon each curving line, And drops of living gold bedeck The beauty of his side and neck. O look, his crimson tongue between His teeth like flaming fire is seen, Flashing, whene'er his lips he parts, As from a cloud the lightning darts. O see his sunlike forehead shine With emerald tints and almandine. While pearly light and roseate glow Of shells adorn his neck below. No eye on such a deer can rest But soft enchantment takes the breast: No man so fair a thing behold Ablaze with light of radiant gold, Celestial, bright with jewels' sheen, Nor marvel when his eyes have seen. A king equipped with bow and shaft Delights in gentle forest craft, And as in boundless woods he strays The quarry for the venison slays. There as he wanders with his train A store of wealth he oft may gain. He claims by right the precious ore, He claims the jewels' sparkling store. Such gains are dearer in his eyes Than wealth that in his chamber lies, The dearest things his spirit knows, Dear as the bliss which Sukra chose. But oft the rich expected gain Which heedless men pursue in vain, The sage, who prudent counsels know, Explain and in a moment show.
This best of deer, this gem of all, To yield his precious spoils must fall, And tender Sita by my side Shall sit upon trie golden hide. Ne'er could I find so rich a coat On spotted deer or sheep or goat. No buck or antelope has such, So bright t-> view, so soft to touch. This radiant deer and one on high That moves in glory through the sky, Alike in heavenly beauty are, One on the earth and one a star. But, brother, if thy fears be true, And this bright creature that we view Be fierce Maricha in disguise, Then by this hand he surely dies. For that dire fiend who spurns control With bloody hand and cruel soul, Has roamed this forest and dismayed The holiest saints who haunt the shade. Great archers, sprung of royal race, Pursuing in the wood the chase, Have fallen by his wicked art, And now my shaft shall strike his heart. Vatapi, by his magic power THE RAM AY AN.
Boole III.
Made heedless saints his flesh devi ur, Then, from within, their frames lie rent Forth bursting from imprisonment. But once his art in senseless pride Upon the mightiest saint he tried, Agastya's self, and caused him taste The baited meal before him placed. Vatapi, when the rite was o'er, Would take the giant form he wore, But Saint Agastya knew his wile, And checked the giant with a smile: * Vatapi, thou with cruel spite Hast conquered many an anchorite. The noblest of the Brahman caste, — And now thy ruin comes at last.' Kow if my power he thus defies, This giant, like Vatapi, dies, Daring to scorn a man like me, A self-subduing devotee. Yea, as Agastya slew the foe, My hand shall lay Maricha low. Clad in thine aims, thy bow in hand, To guard the Maithil Ijidy stand, With watchful eye and thoughtful breast Keeping each word of my behest. I go, and hunting through the brake This wondrous deer will bring or take. Yea. surely I will bring the spoil Returning from my hunter's toil. See, Lakshman. how my consort's eyes Are longing for the lovely prize. This day it falls, that I may win The treasure of so fair a skin. Do thou and Sita watch with care Lest danger seize you unaware. Swift from my bow one shaft will fly; The stricken deer will fall and die.
Then quickly will I strip the game And bring the trophy to my dame.
Jatayus, guardian good and wise, Our old and faithful friend, The best and strongest bird that flies, His willing aid will lend.
The Maithi) lady well protect, For every chance provide, And in thy tender care su.-pect A foe on every side.'
CANTO XLIV.
MARTCHA'S DEATH.
Thus having warned his brother bold He grasped his sword with haft of gold, And bow with triple flexure bent, His own delight and ornament; Then bound two quivers to his side, And hurried forth with eager stride. Soon as the antlered monarch saw The lord of monarchs near him draw, A while with trembling heart he fled, Then turned and showed his stately head. With sword and bow the chief pursued Where'er the flying deer he viewed lending from dell and lone recess The splendour cf his loveliness. Now full in view the creature stood, Now vanished in the depth of wood; Now luring with a languid flight, Now like a meteor lost to sight. With trembling limbs away he sped; Then like the moon with clouds o'erspread Gleamed for a moment bright between The trees, and was again unseen. Thus in the magic deer's disguise Mitricha lured him to the prize, And seen a while, then lost to view, Far from his cot the hero drew. Still by the flying game deceived 1 he hunter's heart was wroth and grieved, And wearied with the fruitless chase He stayed him in a shady place. Again the rover of the night Enraged the chieftain, full in sight, Slow moving in the coppice near, Surrounded l>y the woodland deer. Again the hunter sought the game That seemed a while to court his aim: But seized again with sudden dread, Beyond his sight the creature fled. Again the hero left the shade, Again the deer before him strayed. With surer hope and stronger will The hunter longed his prey to kill. Then, as his soul impatient grew, An arrow from his side he drew, Resplendent at the sunbeam's glow, The crusher of the smitten foe. With skilful heed the mighty lord Fixed well the shaft and strained the cord. Upon the deer his eyes he bent, And like a fiery serpent went The arrow Brahma's self had framed, Alive with sparks that hissed and flamed, Like Indra's flashing levin, true To the false deer the missile flew. Cleaving his flesh, that wondrous dart Stood quivering in Maricha's heart. Scarce from the ground one foot he sprang, Then stricken fell with deadly pang. Half lifeless, as he pressed the ground, He gave a roar of awful sound. And ere the wounded giant died He threw his borrowed form aside. Remembering still his lord's behest He pondered in his heart how best Sita might send her guard away, And Ravan seize the helpless prey. The monster knew the time was nigh, And called aloud with eager cry, 'Ho, Sita, Lakshman! ' and the tone Canto XLV.
THE RAMA TAN.
He borrowed was like Rfima's own. So by that matchless arrow cleft, The deer's bright form Marie li a left, Resumed his giant shape and size And closed in death his languid eyes. When Rarna saw his awful foe Gasp, smeared with blood, in deadly throe, His anxious thoughts to Sita sped, And the wise words that Lakshman said, That this was false Marie ha's art, * Returned again upon his heart, He knew the foe he triumphed o'er The name of great Maricha bore. 4 The fiend,' he pondered, 'ere lie died, • Ho, Lakshman! ho, my Sita! ' cried. A!i, if that cry lias reached her ear, How dire must be my darling's fear! Arid Lakshman of the mighty arm, What thinks he in his wild alarm? As thus he thought in sad surmise, Each startled hair began to rise; And when he saw the giant slain And thought upon that cry again, His spirit sank and terror pressed Full sorely on the hero's breast. Another deer he chased and struck: He bore away the fallen buck, To Janasthan then turned his face Aud hastened to his dwelling-place.
CANTO XLV. LAKSHMAN'S DEPARTURE.
But Sita hearing, as she thought, Her husband's cry with anguish fraught, Called to her guardian, ' Lakshman, run And in the wood seek Raghu's son. * Scarce can my heart retain its throne, Scarce can my life be called mine own, As all my powers and senses fail At that long, loud and bitter wail. Haste to the wood with all thy speed And save thy brother in his need. Go, save him in the distant shade Where loud he calls for timely aid. He falls beneath some giant foe-- A bull whom lions overthrow.'
Deaf to her prayer, no step he stirred Obedient to his brother's word. Then Janak's child, with ire inflamed, In words of bitter scorn exclaimed: 'Sumiira's son, a friend in show, Thou art in truth thy brother's foe, Who canst at such an hour deny Thy succour and neglect his cry. Yes, Lakshman, smit with love of me Thy brother's death thou fain wouldst see. This guilty love thy heart has swayed, Aud makes thy feet so loth to aid, Thou hast no love for Kama, no: Thy joy is vice, thy thoughts are low. Hence thus unmoved thou yet canst stay While my dear lord is far away, If aught of ill my lord betide Who led thee here, thy chief and guide Ah, what will be my hapless fate Left in the wild wood desolate 1 J Thus spoke the lady sad with fear. With many a sigh and many a tear, Still trembling like a captured doe: And Lakshman spoke to calm her woe: ' Videhan Queen, be sure of this,— And at the thought thy fear dismiss,— Thy husband's mightier power defies All Gods and angels of the skies, Gandharvas, and the sons of light, Serpents, and rovers of the night. I tell thee, of the sons of earth, Of Gods who boast celestial birth, Of beasts and birds and giant hosts, Of demigods, Gandharvas. ghosts, Of awful fiends, O thou most fair, There lives not one whose heart would dare To meet thy Rama in the fight, Like Indra's self unmatched in might. Such idle words thou must not say: Thy Rama lives whom none may slay. I will not. cannot leave thee here In the wild wood till he be near. The mightiest strength can ne'er withstand His eager force, his vigorous hand: No, not the triple world allied With all the immortal Gods beside. Dismiss thy fear., again take heart, Let all thy doubt and woe depart. Thy lord, be sure, will soon be here And bring thee back that best of deer. Not his, not his that mournful cry, Nor haply came it from the sky: Some giant's art was busy there And framed a castle based on air. A precious pledge art thou, consigned To me by him of noblest mind; Nor can I, fairest dame, forsake The pledge which Rama bade me take. Upon pur heads, O Queen, we drew The giants' hate when Rama slew I Their chieftain Khara, and the shade Of Janasthan in ruin laid. Through all this mighty wood they rove With varied cries from grove to grove. On rapine bent they wander here: But O, dismiss thy causeless fear.'
Bright flashed her eye as La?kshman spoke, And forth her words of fury broke* Upon her truthful guardian, flung With bitter taunts that pierced and stung; ' Shame on such false compassion, base Defiler of thy glorious race!. 'Twere joyous sight, I ween, to thee < THE RAM AY AN.
Bool 111 My lord in direst strait to see.
Thou knowest Rama sore bested, Or word like this thou ne'er hadst said.
No marvel if we find such sin In rivals false to kith and kin.
"Wretches like thee of evil kind, Concealing crime with crafty mind.
Thou, wretch, thine aid wilt still deny, And leave rny lord alone to die.
Has love of me unnerved thy hand, Or Bbarat's art this ruin planned?
•But be the treachery his or thine, In vain, in vain the base design.
For how shall I, the chosen bride Of -dark'hued Rama, lotus-eyed, The queen who once called Rama mine, To love of other men decline?
Believe me, Lakshman, Kama's wife Before thine eyes will quit this life, And not a moment will she stay If her dear lord have passed away.'
The lady's bitter speech, that stirred Each hair upon his frame, he heard. With lifted hands together laid, His calm reply he gently made: ' No words have I to answer now: My deity, 0 Queen, art thou. But 'tis no marvel, dame, to find Such lack of sense in womankind. Throughout this world, O Maithil dame, Weak women's hearts are still the same. Inconstant, urged by envious spite, They sever friends and hate the right. 1 cannot brook, Videhan Queen, Thy words intolerably keen. Mine ears thy fierce reproaches paiu As boiling water seethes the brain. And now to bear me witness all The dwellers in the wood I call, That, when with words of truth 1 plead, This harsh reply is all my meed. Ah, woe is thee! Ah, grief, that still Eager to do my brother's will, Mourning thy woman's nature, I Must see thee doubt my truth and die. I fly to Rama's side, and Oh, May bliss attend thee while I go! May all attendant wood-gods screen Thy head from harm, O large-eyed Queen And though dire omens meet my sight And till my soul with wild affright, May I return in peace and see The son of Raghu safe with thee! ' The child of Janak heard him speak, And the hot tear-drops down her cheek, Increasing to a torrent, ran, As thus once more the dame began: ' O Lakshman, if I widowed be Godavari's flood shall cover me, Or I will die by cord, or leap, y, from yon rocky steep; Or deadly poison will I drink, 3r 'neath the kindled flames will sink, 3ut never, reft of Rama, can Consent to touch a meaner man.'
The Maithil dame with many sighs, And torrents pouring from her eyes, The faithful Lakshman thus adressed, And smote her hands upon her breast. Sumitra's son, o'erwhelmed by fears, Looked on the large-eyed queen: He saw that flood of burning tears, He saw that piteous mien. He yearned sweet comfort to afford.
He strove to soothe her pain: But to the brother of her lord She spoke no word again. His reverent hands maoa more he raised His head he slightly bent, Upon her face he sadly gazed, And then toward Kama went.
CANTO XLVI.
THE GUEST.
The angry Lakshman scarce could brook Her bitter words, her furious look. With dark forebodings in his breast To Rama's side he quickly pressed.
Then ten-necked Kavan saw the time Propitious for his purposed crime. A mendicant in guise he came And stood before the Maithil dame. His garb was red, with tufted hair And sandalled feet a shade he bare, And from the fiend's left shoulder slung A staff and water- vessel hung. Near to the lovely dame he drew, While both the chiefs were far from vie\ As darkness takes the evening air When neither sun nor moon is there. He bent his eye upon the dame, A princess fair, of spotless fame: So might some baleful planet be Near Moon-forsaken Rohini.1 As the fierce tyrant nearer* drew, The trees in Janasthdn that grew Waved not a leaf for fear and woe, And the hushed wind forbore to blow. Godavari's waters as they fled, Saw his fierce eye-balls flashing red, And from each swiftly-gliding wave A melancholy murmur gave. Then Ravan. when his eager eye Beheld the longed-for moment nigh, In mendicant's apparel dressed Near to the Maithil lady pressed.
1 The favourite wife of the Moon, Canto XLVL THE RAM AY AN.
In holy guise, a fiend abhorred, He found her mourning for her lord- Thus threatening draws Saniachar1 nigh To Ohitra* in the evening sky; Thus the deep well by grass concealed Yawns treacherous in the verdant field. He stood and looked upon the dame Of Kama, queen of spotless fame. With her bright teeth and each fair limb Like the full moon she seemed to him, Sitting within her leafy cot, Weeping for woe that left her not. Thus, while with joy his pukes beat, He saw her in her lone retreat, Eyed like the lotus, fair to view In silken robes of amber hue. Pierced to the core by Kama's dart He murmured texts with lying art, And questioned with a soft address The lady in her loneliness. The fiend essayed with gentle speech The heart of that fair dame to reach, 1'ride of the worlds, like Beauty's Queen Without her darling lotus seen: ' O thou whose silken robes enfold A form more fare than finest gold, With lotus garland on thy head, Like a sweet spring with bloom o'erspread, Who art thou, fair one, what thy name, Beauty, or Honour, Fortune, Fame, Spirit, or nymph, or Queen of love Descended from thy home above? Bright as the dazzling jasmine shine Thy small square teeth in level line. Like two black stars aglow with light Thine eyes are large and pure and bright. Thy charms of smile and teeth and hair And winning eyes, O thou most fair, Steal all my spirit, as the flow Of rivers mines the bank below. How bright, how fine each flowing trees! How firm those orbs beneath thy dress 1 That dainty waist with ease were spanned, Sweet lady, by a lover's hand. Mine eyes, O beauty, ne'er have seen Goddess or nymph so fair of mien, Or bright Gandharva's heavenly dame, Or woman of so perfect frame. In youth's soft prime thy years are few, And earth has naught so fair to view. I marvel one like thee in face Should make the woods her dwelling-place. Leave, lady, leave this lone retreat In forest wilds for thee unmeet, Where giants fierce and strong assume All shapes and wander in the gloom. These dainty feet were formed to tread 1 The planet Saturn. * Another favourite of the Moon; one of the lunar mansions.
Some palace floor with carpets spread, Or wander in trim gardens where Each opening bud perfumes the air The richest robe thy form should deck, The rarest gems adorn thy neck.
The sweetest wreath should bind thy hair, The noblest lord thy bed should share.
Art thou akin, O fair of form, To Rudras,1 or the Gods of storm, » Or to the glorious Vasus 3? How Can less than these be bright as thou?
But never nymph or heavenly maid Or Goddess haunts this gloomy shade.
Here giants roam, a savage race; What led thee to so dire a place?
Here monkeys leap from tree to tree.
And bears and tigers wander free; Here ravening lions prowl, and fell Hyenas in the thickets yell, And elephants infuriate roam, Mighty and fierce, their woodland home.
Dost thou not dread, so soft and fair, Tiger and lion, wolf and bear?
Hast thou, 0 beauteous dame, no fear In the wild wood so lone and drear?
Whose and who art thou? whence and why, Sweet lady, with no guardian nigh, Dost thou this awful forest tread By giant bands inhabited? ' The praise the high-souled Ravan spoke No doubt within her bosom woke. His saintly look and Brahman guise Deceived the lady's trusting eyes. With due attention on the guest Her hospitable rites she pressed. She bade the stranger to a seat, And gave him water for his feet. The bowl and water-pot he bare, And garb which wandering Brahmans wear Forbade a doubt to rise. Won by his holy look she deemed The stranger even as he seemed To her deluded eyes. Intent on hospitable care, She brought her best of woodland fare.
And showed her guest a seat. She bade the saintly stranger lave His feet in water which she gave, And sit and rest and eat. He kept his eager glances bent On her so kindly eloquent, Wife of the noblest king; And longed in heart to steal her thence, Preparing by the dire offence, Death on his head to bring.
1 The Rudras, agents in creation, are eight in number; they sprang from the forehead of Brahma.
'*> Maruts, the attendants of Indra.
THE RAM AY AN.
Book III.