Sugriva spoke inflamed with ire, Scanned Rama with a glance of fire, Pondered a while in silent mood. And thus again his speech renewed: 'All lands with Bali's glories ring, A valiant, strong, and mighty king; In conscious power unused to yield, A hero first in every field. His wondrous deeds his might declare, Deeds Gods might scarcely do or dare; And on this power reflecting still 1 roam on Rishyarnuka's hill. Awed by my brother's might I rove, In doubt and fear, from grove to grove, While Hanuman, my chosen friend, And faithful lords my steps attend; And now, O true to friendship's tie, I hail in thee my best ally. My surest refuge from my foes, And steadfast as the Lord of Snows. Still, when I muse how strong and bold Is cruel Bali, evil-souled, But ne'er, O chief of Raghu's line, Have seen what strength in war is thine, Though in my heart I may not dare Doubt thy great might, despise, compare, Thoughts of his fearful deeds will rise And fill my soul with sad surmise. Speech, form, and trust which naught may move THE RAM AY AN.
Book IV.
Thy secret strength and glory prove, As smouldering ashes dimly show The dormant fires that live below.'
He ceased: and Rama answered, while Played o'er his lips a gracious smile: *Not yet convinced? This clear assay Shall drive each lingering doubt away.' Thus Rama spoke his heart to cheer, To Dundubhi s vast frame drew near; Be touched it with his foot in play And sent it twenty leagues away. tfiigfiva marked what easy force Hurled through the air that demon"s corse Whose mighty bones were white and dried, And to the son of Raghu cried: 'My brother Bali, when his might "Was drunk and weary from the fight, Hurled forth the monster body, fresh With skin and sine\ys, blood and flesh. Now flesh and blood are dried away, The crumbling bones are light a;s hay, Which thou, O Raghu's son, hast sent Flying through air in merrimect. This test alone is weak to show If thou be stronger or the foe. By thee a heap of mouldering bone, By him the recent ctorse was thrown. Thy strength, O Prince, is yet untried: Come, pierce one tree: let thfa decide. Prepare thy ponderous bow and bring Close to thine ear the straining string. On yonder Sal tree fix thine eye, And let the mighty arrow fly, I doubt not, chief,- that I shall see I'hy pointed shaft transfix tbe tree. Then come, assay the easy task, And do for love the thing I ask. Best of all lights, the Day-God fills With glory e'arth and sky: Himalaya is the lord of hills That heave their heads on high. The royal lion is the best Of beasts that tread the earth j And thou, 0 hero, art confessed First in heroic worth.'
CANTO Xlt PALM TRfcES.
Then Mma, that h!s friend might kn6w His strength unrivalled, grasped his bow, That mighty bow the foe's dismay,— And on the string an arrow lay. Next on the tree his eye he bent, Arid forth the hurtling weapon went. Loosed from the matchless hero's hold, That arrow, decked with burning gold, Cleft the seven palms in line, and through The hill that rose behind them flew: Six subterranean realms it passed, And reached the lowest depth at last, Whence speeding back through earth and aii- lt sought the quiver, and rested there.1 Upon the cloven trees, amazed. The sovereign of the Vanars gazed. With all his chains and gold outspread Prostrate on earth he laid his head. Then, rising, palm to palm he laid In reverent act, obeisance made, And joyously to Rama, best Of war-trained cliiefs, these words ad- dressed: * What champion, Raghu's son, may hop* With thee in deadly fight to cope, Whose arrow, leaping f roin the bow, * Cleaves tree and hill £nd earth below? Scarce might the Gods, arrayed for strife By Indra's self, escape, with life Assailed by thy victorious hand: And hqw may Bali hope to stand? All grief and care are past away, And joyous thoughts my bosom sway, tVho have in thee a f rietadj renowned, As Varna2 or as Indra, found. Then on! subdue,— 'tisf riendship'sclaim,— My foe who bears a brothers name. Strike Bali down ben'eath thy feet: With suppliant hands I thus entreat.' Sugriva ceased, and Rama pressed The grateful Ifanar to his breast; And thoughts of kindred feeling woke In Lakshman's bosom, as he spoke: < On to Kishkindha, on with speed! •thou, Vanar King, our way shalt lead, Then challenge Bali forth to fight Thy fere who scorns a brother's right.'
They sought Kishkindha's gate and stood Concealed by trees in densest wood, Sugriva, to the fight addressed, More closely dfew his cinctured vest, And raised a wild sky-piercing shout > The Bengal recension makes it returri in1 the form of a swan.
2 Varunais one of the oldest of the Vedic Gods, corresponding in^name^and partly in character to the Qvpavo£ of the Greeks and is often regarded as the supreme deity. He upholds heaven and earth, possesses extraordinary power and wisdom, sends his messengers through both worlds, numbers the very winkings of men's eyes, punishes transgressors whom he seizes with his deadly noose, and pard- ons the sins of those who are penitent. In later mythology he has become the God of the sea.
Canto XII.
THE RAM AY AN.
To call the foeman Bali out.
Forth came impetuous Bali, stirred To fury by the shout he heard. So the great sun, ere night has ceased, Springs up impatient to the east. Then fierce and wilcj the conflict raged As hand to hand ttye foes engage4, As though in battle mid the stars Fought Mercury and $ery Mars.1 To highest pitch of frenzy wrought Wjtla fists like thunderbolts they foughfc, While near them Rania took his stand, And viewed the battle, bow in hand. Alike they stood in form and might, Like heayenly AsvinsV paired in fight, Nor might the son of Raghu know Where f ought the jEriend and where the £oe; 3o, while his bow was ready bent, No life-destroying shaft he sent. jCrushecjl down by Bali's might jer stroke Sugriva's force now sank and broke, Who, hoping naught from Kama's aid, To Rishyamuka fled dismayed. Weary, and faint, and wounded sore, His body bruised and dyed with gore, From Bali's blows, in rage and dread, Afar to sheltering woods he fled.
Nor Bali farther chared pursue, The curbing curse too well he knew. * Fled from thy death! ' the victor cried, And home the mighty warrior hied. Hanuman, Lakshman, Raghu's son Beheld the conquered Vanar run, And followed to the sheltering shade Where yet Sugriya stood dismayed. Near and more near the chieftains came, Then, for intolerable shame, Not daring yejb to lift his eyes, fcugriva spoke with burning sighs: ' Thy matchjjess strength I first beheld, And dared my foe, by thee impelled. Why hast thou tried me with deceijb And urged me to a sure defeat?
1 Budha, not to be confounded with the great reformer Buddha, is the son of JSoma .or the Moon, and regent of the planet Mercury. Angara is the regent of Mars who is called the red or the fiery planet. The encounter between Michael and fcjatan js similarly said to have been as if "Two planets rushing from aspect malign Of fiercest opposition in miclsky Should combat, and their jarring spheres compound."
Paradise Lost, Book VI.
* The Asvins or Heavenly Twins, the Pioskuri or Castor and Pollux of the Hindus, have frequently been mentioned.
bee p, 06, Note, Thou shouldst have said, ' I will not slay Thy foeman in the coming fray.' For had I then thy purpose known I had not waged the fight alone.'
The Vanar sovereign, lofty-souled, Jn plaintive voice his sorrows told. Then Rama spake: ' Sugriva, list, All anger from thy heart dismissed, And I will tell the cause that stayed Mine arrow, and withheld the aid. In dress, adornment, port, and height, In splendour, battle-shout, and might, No shade of difference could I see Between thy foe, O King, and thee. So like was each, I stood at gaze, My senses lost in withering maze, Nor loosened from ray straining bow A deadly arrow at the foe, Lest in my doubt the shaft should sen4 To sudden death our surest friend. O, if this hand in Ijeedless guilt And rash resolve thy blood had spilt, Through every land, O Vanar King, My wild and foolish act would ring, Sore weight of sin Qn him must lie By whom a friend is made to die; And Lakshman. I, and Sita, best Of dames, on thy protection rest. On, warrior 1 for the fight prepare; Nor fear again thy foe to dare. Within one hour thine eye shall view My arrow strike thy foeinan through; Shall see the stricken Bali lie I/ow on the earth, and gasp and die. £ut come, a badge about thee bind, O monarch of the Vanar kind, That in the battle shock mine eyes The friend and foe may recognize. Come, Lakshman f let that creeper deck With brightest bloom Sugriva's neck, And be a happy token, twined Around the chief of lofty mind.'
Upon the mountain slope there grew A spreading creeper fair to view. And Laksnman plucked the bloom aoc| round Sugriva's neck a garland wound. Graced with the flowery wreath he wore, The Vanar chief the semblance bore Of a darjv cloud at close of day Bngarlanded with cranes at play, In glorious light the Vanar glowed As by his comrade's side he strode, And, still on Rama's words intent, His steps to great I£ishkindh£ bernX THE Book IV.
CANTO XIII.
THE RETURN TO KISHKINDHA, Thus with Sugriva, from the side Of Rishyamuka, Rama hied, And stood before Kishkindha's gate Where Bali kept his regal state.
The hero in his warrior hold Raised his great bow adorned with gold, And drew his pointed arrow bright As sunbeams, finisher of fight.
Strong-necked Sugriva led the way With Lakshman mighty in the fray* Nala and Nila came behind With Hanuman of lofty mind, And valiant Tara, last in place, A leader of the Vanar race.
They gazed on many a tree that showed The glory of its pendent load, And brook and limpid rill that made Sweet murmurs as they seaward strayed.
They looked on caverns dark and deep, On bower and glen and mountain steep, And saw the opening lotus stud With roseate cup the crystal Hood, While crane and swan and coot and drake Wade pleasant music on the lake, And from the reedy bank was heard The note of many a happy bird.
In open lawns, in tangled ways, They saw the tall deer stand at gaze, Or marked them free and fearless roam, Fed with sweet grass, their woodland home.
At times two flashing tusks between The wavings of the wood were seen, And some mad elephant, alone, Like a huge moving hill, was shown.
And scarcely less in size appeared Great monkeys all with dust besmeared.
And various birds that roam the skies, And silvan creatures, met their eyes, As through the wood the chieftains sped, And followed where Sugriva led.
Then Rama, as their way they made, Saw near at hand a lovely shade, And, as he gazed upon the trees, Spake to Sugriva words like these: 'Those stately trees in beauty rise Fair as a cloud in autumn skies. I ffcin, my friend, would learn from thee What pleasant grove is that I see.'
Thus Rama spake, the mighty souled; And thus his tale Sugriva told: « That, Rama, is a wide retreat That brings repose to weary feet. Bright streams and fruitandr< ots are there And shadv gardens passing fair. There, neath the roof of banging boughs, The sacred Seven maintained their vows.
Their heads ill dust were lowly laid, "n streams their nightly beds were made. Cach seventh night they broke their fast, 3ut air was still their sole repast, And when seven hundred years were spent Do homes in heaven the hermits went. Their glory keeps the garden yet, With walls of stately trees beset. Scarce would the Gods and demons dare, By Indra led, to enter there. No beast that roams the wood is found, STo bird of air, within the bound; Or, thither if they idly stray, They tind no more their homeward way. You hear at times mid dulcet tones The chime of anklets, rings, and zones. You hear the sons; and music sound. And heavenly fragrance breathes around, There duly burn the triple fires1 Where mounts the smoke in curling spires, And, in a dun wreath, hangs above The tall trees, like a brooding dove. Round branch and crest the vapours close Till every tree enveloped shows A hill of lazulite when clouds Hang round it with their misty shrouds. With Lakshman, lord of Raghu's line, In reverent guise thine head incline, And with fixt heart and suppliant hand Give honour to the sainted band. They who with faithful hearts revere The holy Seven who harboured here, Shall never, son of Raghu, know In all their lives an hour of woe.'
Then Rama and his brother bent, And did obeisance reverent With suppliant hand and lowly head, Then with Sugriva onward sped. Beyond the sainted Seven's abode Far on their way the chieftains strode, And great Kishkindha's portal gained, The royal town where Bali reigned. Then by the gate they took their stand All ready armed a noble band, And burning every one To slay in battle, hand to hand, Their foeman, Indra's son, CANTO XIV.
THE CHALLENGE.
They stood where trees of densest green Wove round their forms a veiling screen. O'er all the garden's pleasant shade The eyes of King Sugriva strayed, 1 Called respectively Garhapatya. Aha- vaniya, and Dakshina, household, sacri- ficial, and southern.
Canto XV.
THE RAM AY AN.
And, as oft grass and tree he gazed, The fires of wrath within him blazed. Then like a mighty cloud on high, When roars the tempest through the sky,, Girt by his friends he" thundered out His dread sky-rending battle-shout. Like some proud Iron in his gait, Or as the sun begins his state, Stigriva let his quick glance rest On Rama whom he thus addressed: ' There is the seat of Bali's sway, Where flags on wall and turret play. Which mighty bands of Vanars hold; Rich in all arms and store of gold. Thy promise to thy mind recall That Bali by thy hand shall fall. As kindly fruits adorn the bough, So give my hopes their harvest n(iw.-r In suppliant tone the Vanar prated, And Raghu's son his answer made: 4 By Lakshman's hand this flowery twine Was wound about tbee for a sign. The wreath of giant creeper throws About thy form its brillant glows, As though about the sun were set The- bright stars for a coronet. One shaft of mine this day, dear friend, Thy sorrow and thy fear shall end. And, from the bowstring freed, shall be Giver of freedom, King, to thee. Then come, Sugriva, quickly show, Where'er he lie, thy bitter foe; And let my glance the wretch descry Whose deeds a brother's name belie. Yea, soon in dust and blood o'erthrown Shall Bali fall and gasp and groan. Once let this eye the foeman see, Then, if he live to turn and flee, Despise my puny strength, and shame With foul opprobrium Rama's name. Hast thou not seen this hand, O King, Through seven tall trees one arrow wing? Still in that strength securely trust, And deem thy foeman in the dust. In all my days, though sorely tried By grief and woe, I ne'er have lied; And still by duty's law restrained Will ne'er with falsehood's charge be stained.
stained.
Cast doubt away: the oatb I sware Its kindly fruit shall quickly bear, As smiles the land with golden grain By mercy of the Lord of rain. On, warrior, to the gute! defy Thy foe with shout and battle-cry, Till Bali with his chain of gold Come speeding from his royal hold. Proud hearts, with warlike fire aglow, Brook not the challenge of a foe; Each on his power and might relies, And most before his ladies' eyes, King Bali loves the fray too well To linger in his citadel, And, when he hears thy battle-shout, All wild for war will hasten out.' He spoke. Sugriva raised a cry That shook and rent the echoing sky, A shout so fierce and loud and dread That stately bulls in terror fled, Like dames who fly from threatened stairs In some ignoble monarch's reign. The deer in wild confusion ran Like horses turned in battle's van. Down fell the birds, like Gods who fall When merits fail,1 at that dread call. So fiercely, boldened for the fray, The offspring of the Lord of Day Sent forth his furious shout as loud As thunder from a labouring cloud, Or, where the gale blows fresh and free, The roaring of the troubled sea.
CANTO XV.
TARA.
That shout, which shook the land with fear, In thunder smote on Bali's ear, Where in the chamber barred and closed The sovereign with his dame reposed.
Each amorous thought was rudely stilled, And pride and rage his bosom filled, His angry eyes flashed darkly red, And all his native brightness fled, As when, by swift eclipse assailed, The glory of the sun has failed.
While in his fury uncontrolled He ground his teeth, his eyeballs rolled, He seemed a lake wherein no gem Of blossom decks the lotus stem.
He heard, and with indignant pride Forth from the bower the Vanar hied.
And the earth trembled at the beat And fury of his hastening feet.
But Tara to her consort flew, Her loving arms around him threw, And, trembling and bewildered, gave Wise counsel that might heal and save: O dear my lord, this rage control That like a torrent floods thy soul, And cast these idle thoughts away Like faded wreaths of yesterday, O tarry till the morning light, Then, if thou wilt, go forth and fight.
1 The store of merit accumulated by a holy or austere life secures only a tempo- rary seat in the mansions of bliss. When by the lapse of time this store is exhausted, return to earth is unavoidable.
THE RAM AY AN.
Book IV.
not J doubt;thy valour, no; Or deem thee weaker than thy foe, Yet for a while would have thee stay Nor see thee tempt the tight jbo-day. Now list, my loving lord, and learn The reason why J bid thee turn. Thy f oeman came in wratfy and pri^e, And thee to deadly fight defied. Thou wentest out: he fought, and fled Sore wounded and discomfited. But yet, untaught by late defeat, He conies his conquering foe to meet, And calls $hee forth with cry and shout: Hence spring, my lord, this fear and doubjt. A heart so bold that will not yield, But yearns to tetnpt the desperate field. {Such loud defiance, fiercely pressed, On no uncertain hope can res^t. tSo lately by jthine arm o'erthrown, He comes pot back, I ween, alone. Some mightier comrade guards his side, And spurs him to this burst of pride. For nature made the V£nar wise: On arms of might his hope relies; And never will Sugriva seek A friend whose power to save is weak. Now listen while my lips unfold fhe wondrous tale my Angad tol4. Our child the distant forest sought, And, learnt from spies, the tidings brought. Two sons of Dasaratha, sprung From old Ikshv&ku, brave and young, Renowned in arms, in war untamed — Kama and Lakshman are they nained-r- Have with thy foe Sugriva maole A league of love and friendly aid.
Now Kama, famed for exploit high, Is bound thy brother's firm ally. jtke tires of doom1 that ruin all He makes each foe before tyim fall. He is the suppliant's sure defence, The tree that shelters innocence. The poor and wretched seek hjs feet: In him the noblest glories meet. With skill and knowledge vast and deep His sire's commands he loved to keep; With princely gifts and graces sjbored As metals deck the Mountains' I^ord.* Tbpu canst not, O my hero, stand Before th.e might of Kama's hand; For none may match his power? or dare With him in deeds of war compare. Hear, I entreat, tl^e words I say, 3£or lightly iturn my rede away. O let fraternal oljscord cease, And! link you in the bonds of peace. Let consecrating rites ordain Sugriva partner of thy reign. Let war and thoughts of conflict end, And be thou his and Kama's friend. Each soft approach of love begin, And to thy soul thy brother win; For whether here or there he be, Thy brother still, dear lord, is he. Though far antf wide these eyes I strain A friend like him I seek in vain. Let gentle wonjs his heart incline, 4-nd gifts and honours make him thine, Till, foes no more, in love allied, You stand as brothers side by side. Thou in high rank wast wont to hold Sugriva, formecj in massive mould: Then come, thy brother's loye regain, For other aids are weak and vain.
thou woulol please my soul, and still Preserve me frorn all fear and ill, I pray thee by tfry love be wise A$d do the jbhing which I advise. Assuage tqy fruitless wrath, and shun The mightier arms of Kaghu's son; For Indra's peer in might is he, A foe too strong, my lord, for thee.'
CANTO XVI.
THE FALL OF BALI.
Thus Tara with the starry eyes1 Her counsel gave with burning sighs, But Bali, by her prayers unmoved, Spurned her advice, and thus reproved: •* How may this insult, scathe, and scorn By me, dear love, be tamely born? My brother, yea my foe, comes nigh And dares ine forth with shout and cry. Learn, trembler! that the valiant, they Who yield no step in battle fray, Will die a thousand deaths but ne'er An unavenged dishonour bear. Nor, O my love, be thou dismayed Though Rama lend Sugriva aid; For one so pure and duteous, one Who loves the right, all sin will shun, Release me from thy soft embrace, And with thy dames thy steps retrace; Enough already, O mine own, Of love and sweet devotion shown. Drive all thy fear and doubt away; 1 seek Sugriva in the fray His boisterous rage and pride to still, And tame the foe I would not kill. My fury, armed with brandished trees, Shall strike Sugriva to his knees: 1 The conflagration which destroys the 1 Tara means 'star'. The poet plays world at the end of a Yuga or age.! upon the name by comparing her beauty 2 Himalaya. to that of the Lord of Stars, the Moon.
Canto XV 71.
THE RAM AY AN.
Nor shall the humbled foe withstand The blows of ray avenging hand, When, nerved by rage and pride, I beat The traitor down beneath my feet. Thou, love, hast lent thine own sweet aid, And all thy tender care displayed; Now by my life, by these who yearn To serve thee well, I pray thee turn. But for a while, dear dame, I go Tp come triumphant o'er the foe.'
Thus Bali spake in gentlest tone: Soft arms about his neck were thrown; Then round her lord the lady went With sad steps slow and reverent. She stood in solemn guise to bless With prayers for safety and success, Then with her train her chamber sought By grief and racking fear distraught.
With serpent's pantings fierce and fast King Bali from the city passed. His glance, as each quick breath he drew, Around to find the foe he threw, And saw where tierce Sugriva showed His form with golden hues that glowed, And, as a fire resplendent, stayed To meet his foe in arms arrayed. When Bali, long-armed chieftain, found Sugriva stationed on the ground, Impelled by warlike rage he braced His warrior garb about his waist, And with his mighty arm raised high Hushed at Sugriva with a cry. But when Sugriva, fierce and bold, Saw Bali with his chain of gold, His arm he heaved, his hand he closed, And face to face his foe opposed. To him whose eyes with fury shone, In charge impetuous rushing on, Skilled in each warlike art and plan, Bali with hasty words began: * My ponderous hand, to fight addressed, With fingers clenched and tinn compressed, Shall on thy death-doomed brow descend And, crashing down, thy life shall end.' He spoke; and, wild with rage and pride, The fierce Sugriva thus replied: * Thus let my "arm begin the strife And from thy body crush the life.'
Then Bali, wounded and enraged, With furious blows the battle waged, Sugriva seemed, with blood-streams dyed, A hill with fountains in his side. But with his native force unspent A Sal tree from the earth he rent, And like the bolt of Indra smote On Bali'g head and chest and throat. Bruised by the blows he could not shield, Half vanquished Bali sank and reeled, Ag sinks a vessel with her freight Borne down by overwhelming weight. 23 Swift as Suparna's1 swiftest flight In awful strength they rushed to fight: So might the sun and moon on high Encountering battle in the sky.
Fierce and more tierce, as fought the foes, The furious rage of combat rose.
They warred with feet and arms and knees, With nails and stones and boughs and trees, And blows descending fast as rain Dyed each dark form with crimson stain, While like two thunder-clouds they met With battle-cry and shout and threat, Then Rama saw Sugriva quail, Marked his worn strength grow weak and fail, Saw how he turned his wistful eye To every quarter of the sky. His friend's defeat he could not brook, Bent on his shaft an eager look, Then burned to slay the conquering foe, And laid his arrow on the bow. As to an orb the bow he drew Forth from the string the arrow flew Like Fate's tremendous discus hurled By Yama2 fortli to end the world. So loud the din that every bird The bow-string's clan? with terror heard, And wildly fled the affrighted deer As though the day of doom were near. So, deadly as the serpent's fang, Forth from the string the arrow sprang. Like the red lightning's flash and rfame It flew unerring to its aim, And, hissing murder through the air, Pierced Bali's breast, and quivered there. Struck by the shaft that flew so well The mighty Vanar reeled and fell, As earthward Indra's flag they pull When Asvini'd fair moon is full.3 CANTO XVII.
BALI'S SPEECH.
Like some proud tree before the blast Brave Bali to the ground was cast, Where prostrate in the dust he rolled Clad in the sheen of glistering gold, 1 Suparna, the Well-winged, is another name of Garuda the King of Birds. See 2 The God of Death.
3 The flag-staff erected in honour of the God Indra is lowered when the festival is over. Asvini in astronomy is the head of Aries or the first of the twenty-eight lunar mansions or THE RAMAYAN.
Book IV.
As when uptorn the standard lies Of the great God who rules the skies.
When low upon the earth was laid The lord whom Vanar tribes obeyed, Dark as a moonless sky no more His land her joyous aspect wore.
Though low in dust and mire was rolled The form of Bali lofty -scaled, Still life and valour, might and grace Clung to their well-loved dwelling-place.
That golden chain with rich gems set, The choicest gift of Sakra,1 yet Preserved his life nor let decay Steal strength and beauty's light away.
Still from that chain divinely wrought His dusky form a glory caught, As a dark cloud, when day is done, Made splendid by the dying sun.
As fell the hero, crushed in right, There beamed afar a triple light From limbs, from chain, from shaft that drank His life-blood as the warrior sank. The never-failing shaft, impelled By the great bow which Bam a held, Brought bliss supreme, and lit the way To Brahma's worlds which ne'er decay. * Rama and Lakshman nearer drew The mighty fallen foe to view, Mahendra's son. the brave and bold, The monarch with his chain of gold, With lustrous face and tawny eyes, Broad chi-st, and arms of wondrous size, Like Lord Mahendra tierce in fight, Or Vishnu's never-conquered might, Now fallen like Yayati3 sent From heaven, his store of merit spent, Like the bright flame that pales and dies, Like the great sun who fires the skies, Doomed in the general doom to fall When time shall end and ruin all.
The wounded Bali, when he saw Rama and Lakshman nearer draw. Keen words to Raghu's son, impressed With justice' holy stamp, addressed: * What fame, from one thou hast not slain 1 Indra the father of Bali.
* It is believed that every creature killed by Rama obtained in consequence imme- diate beatitude.
' And blessed the hand that gave se dear a death.'
3 " Yayati was invited to heaven by Indra, and conveyed on the way thither by Matali, Indra's charioteer. He after- wards returned to earth where, by his virtuous administration he rendered all his subjects exempt from passion and decay." GAKRETT'S C. D. OP INDIA.
In front of battle, canst thou gain, Whose secret hand has laid me low When madly lighting with my foe? From every tongue thy glory rings, A scion of a line of kings. True to thy vows, of noblest race, With every gentle gift and grace: Whose tender heart for woe can feel, And joy in every creature's weal: Whose breast with high ambition swells, Knows duty's claim and ne'er rebels. They praise thy valour, patience, ruth, Thy firmness, self -restrain, and truth: Thy hand prepared for sin's control, All virtues of a princely soul. ] thought of all these gifts of thine. And glories of an ancient line, I set my Tara's tears at naught, I met Sugriva and we fought.
0 Rama, till this fatal morn 1 held that thou wouldst surely scorn To strike me as I fought my foe And thought not of a stranger's blow. But now thine evil heart is shown, A yawning well with grass o'ergrown.
Thou wearest virtue's badge,1 but guile And meanest sin thy soul defile.
I took thee not for treacherous fire, A sinner clad in saint's attire; Nor deemed thou idly wouldst profess The show and garb of righteousness.
In fenced town, in open land, Ne'er hast thou suffered at this hand, Nor canst of proud contempt complain: Then wherefore is the guiltless slain?
My harmless life in woods I lead, On forest fruits and roots I feed.
My f oeman in the field I sought, And ne'er with thee, O Rama, fought.
Upon thy limbs, O King, I see The raiment of a devotee; And how can one like thee, who springs From a proud line of ancient kings, Beneath fair virtue's mask, disgrace His lineage by a deed so base?
From Raghu is thy long descoit, For duteous deeds'preeminent: Why, sinner clad in saintly dress, Roamest thou through the wilderness f Truth, valour, justice free from spot, The hand that gives and grudges not, The might that strikes the sinner down, These bring a prince his best renown.
Here in the woods, 0 King, we live