And bliss in heaven and glory gam. Pound by a solemn vow 1 svyare That all my saving help should share Who sought me in distress and cried, 4 Thou art my hope, and none beside.' Then go, I pray thee, Vanar King, Vibhishan to my presence bring. Yea, were he Ravan's self, my vow Forbids me to reject him now.'
He ceased: the Vanar king approved And Rama toward Vibhishan moved. So move?, a brother God to gVeet, Lord Indra from his heavenly seat.
In Book II. Canto XXI, Kandu is mi tioned by Rama as an example of fil obedience. At the command of his fatJ he is said to have killed a cow, Canto XX.
THE RAM AY AN.
CANTO XIX.
VIBHISHAN'S COUNSEL.
When Raghu's son had o.wned his claim Down from the air Vibhishan came, And with his four attendants bent At Rama's feet most reverent.
' 0 Rama,' thus he cried, 'in me Vibhishan Ravan'a brother see. By him disgraced thine aid I seek, Sure refuge of the ppor and weak. From Lanka, friends; and wealth I fly. And reft of all on thee rely." On.thee, the wretch's firmest friend, y kingdom, joys, and life depend.'
With glance of favour Rama eyed The Rakshas chief and thus replied: ' First from thy lips I fain would hear Each brighter hope, each. darker fear. Speak, stranger, that I well may know The strength and weakness of the foe.'
He ceased: the Rakshas chief obeyed, And thus in turn his answer made: 'O Prince, the Self-existent gave This boon to Ravan; he may brave All foes in fight; no fiend or snake, Gandharva. God, his life may take. His brother Kunibhakarna vies In might with him who rules the skies. The captain of his armies — fame Perhaps has taught the warrior's name — Is terrible Prahasta, who King Manibhadra's1 self o'erthrew. Where is the warrior found to face Young Indrajit, when armed with brace And zuattt? and bow-he stands in mail And laughs at spear and arrowy hail? Within his city Lanka dwell Ten million giants fierce and fell, Who wear each varied shape at will And eat the flesh of those they kill. These hosts against the Gods he led. And heavenly might discomfited.'
Then Rama cried: 'I little heed Gigantic strength or doughty deed. In spite of all their might has- done The king, the captain, and the son Shall fall beneath my fury dead, :And thou shalt reign in Ravan's stead, He, though in depths of earlh he dwell, Or seek protection down in hell, 1 A King of the Yakshas, or Kuvera himself, the God of Gold.
54 The brace protects the left arm from injury from the bow-string, and the guard protects the fingers of the right hand, Or kneel before the Sire supreme, His forfeit life shall ne'er redeem. Yea, by my brothers' lives I swear, I will not to my home repair Till Ravan and his kith and kin Have paid in death the price of sin.'
Vibhishan bowed his head and cried: * Thy conquering army will I guide To storm the city of the foe, And aid the tyrant's overthrow.' Thus spake Vibhishan: Rama pressed The Rakshas chieftain to his breast, And cried to Lakshman: ' Haste and bring Sea-water for the new-made king.' He sp9ke, and o'er Vibkishan's head The consecrating drops were'shed Mid shouts that hailed with one accord The giants' king and Lanka's lord.
*Is there no way,' Hanuman cried, ' No passage o'er the boisterous tide I How may we lead the Vanar host In triumph to the farther coast?' 'Thus,' said Vibhishan, « I advise: Let Raghu's son in suppliant guise Entreat the mighty Sea to lend His succour and this cause befriend, His channels, as the wise have told, By Sagar's sons were dug of old,1 Nor will high-thoughted Ocean scorn A prince of Sagar's lineage born.'
He ceased; the prudent counsel won The glad assent of Raghu's son. Then on the ocean shore a bed Of tender sacred grass was spread, Where Rama at the close of day Like fire upon an altar lay.
CANTO XX.
THE SPIES.
l^ardula, Ravan's spy, surveyed The legions on the strand arrayed, And bore, his bosom racked with fear, These tidings to the monarch's ear: ' They come, they come. A rushing tide, Ten leagues they spread from side to side, And on to storm thy city press, Fierce rovers of the wilderness. Rich in.each princely power and grace, The pride of Das?mitha's'tace, Rama and Lakshman lead their bands, And halt them on the ocean sands. O Monarch, rise, this peril meet; Risk not the danger of defeat.
1 The story is told in Book I. Cantos XL.^XLL, XLII, THE RAMAYAX.
Boole First let each wiser art be tried: Bribe them, or win them, or divide.'
Such was the counsel of the spy: And Ravan called to $ukn: * Fly, Sugriva lord of V&nars seek, And thus my kindly message speak: * Great power and might and fame are thine, Brave scion of a royal line, King Riksharajas' son, in thee A brother and a friend I see. How wronged by me canst thou complain? What profit here pretend to gain? 'If from the wood the wife I stole Of Kama of the prudent soul, What cause hast thou to mourn the theft? Thou art not injured or bereft. Return, O King, thy steps retrace And seek thy mountain dwelling-place. No, never may thy hosts within My Lanka's walls a footing win, A mighty town whose strength defies The gathered armies of the skies.'
He ceased: obedient Suka heard; With wings and plumage of a bird He rose in eager speed and through The air upon his errand flew. Borne o'er the sea with rapid wing He stood above the Vanar king, And spoke aloud, sublime in air, The message he was charged to bear. The Vanars heard the words he spoke, And quick redoubling stroke on stroke On head and pinions hemmed him round And 'bore him struggling to the ground. The Rakshas wounded and distressed These words to Raghu's son addressed: 4 Quick, quick! his Vanar host restrain, For heralds never must be slain. To him alone, a wretch untrue, The punishment of death is due. Who leaves his master's speech unsaid And speaks another in its stead.' ' Moved by the suppliant's speech and prayer Up sprang the prince and cried, forbear. Saved from his wild assailants' blows Again the Rakshas herald rose, And borne on light wings to the sky Addressed Sugriva from on high: ' 'O Vanar Monarch, chief endued With power and wondrous fortitude. What answer is my king, the fear And scourge of weeping worlds, to hear?' ' Go tell thy lord,' Sugriva cried. ' Thou, Rama's foe, art thus defied. His arm the guilty Bali slew; Thus, tyrant, shalt thou perish too. Thy sons, thy friends, proud King, and all Thy kith and kin with thee shall fall; And, emptied of the giants' brood, Tinrnt Lanka be a solitude.
Fly to the Sun-God's pathway, go And hide thee deep in hell below: In vain from Kama shalt thou flee Though heavenly warriors fight for thee, Thine arm subdued, securely bold, The Vulture- king infirm and old: But will thy puny strength avail When Raghu's wrathful sons assail? A captive in thy palace lies The lady of the lotus eyes: Thou knowest not how fierce and strong Is he whom thou hast dared to wrong. The best of Raghu's lineage, he Whose conquering hand shall punish thee He ceased: and Angad raised a cry; 4 This is no herald but a spy. Above thee from his airy post His rapid eye surveyed our host, Where with advantage he might scan Our gathered strength from rear to van. Bind him. Vanars, bind the spy, Nor let him back to Lanka fly.'
They hurled the Riikshas to thegrouiu They grasped his neck, his pinions bound And firmly held him while in vain His voice was lifted to complain. P>ut Rama's heart inclined to spare, He listened to his plaint and prayer, And cried aloud: ' p Vanars cease; The captive from his bonds release.'
CANTO XXI.
OCEAN THREATENED.
His hands in reverence Rama raised And southward o'er the ocean gazed; Then on the sacred grass that made His lowly couch his limbs he laid. His head on that strong arm reclined Which Sitfi, best of womankind, Had loved in happier days to hold With soft armsdecked with pearl andgok Then rising from his bed of grass, 'This day/ he cried, 'the host shall pass Triumphant to the southern shore, Or Ocean's self shall be no more.' Thus Vowing in his constant breast Again he turned him to his res% And there, his eyes in slumber closed, Silent beside the sea reposed. Thrice rose the Day-God, thrice he set, The lord of Ooean came not yet, Thrice came the night, but Raghu's sotj No answer by his service won. To Lakshman thus the hero crie ", His eyes aflame with wrath and t,iide: 4 In vain the softer gifts that grace The good are offered to the base. Loug-sufjerius:, patience, gentle speech Canto XXlt. i T* Their thankless hearts can never reach. The world to him its honour pays Whose ready tongue himself can praise, Who scorns the true, and hates the right, Whose hand is ever raised to smite. Each milder art is tried in vain: It wins no glory, but disdain. And victory owns no softer charm Than might which nerves a warrior's arm. My humble suit is still denied By Ocean's overweening pride. This day the monsters of the deep In throes of death shall wildly leap. My shafts shall rend the surpents curled In caverns of the watery world, Disclose each sunless depth and bare The tangled pearl and coral there. Away with mercy! at a time Like this compassion is a crime. Welcome, the battle and the foe! My bow! my arrows and my bow! This day the Vanars' feet shall tread The conquered Sea's exhausted bed, And he who never feared before Shall tremble to his farthest shore.'
Red flashed his eyes with angry glow: He stood and grasped his mighty bow, Terrific as the fire of doom Whose quenchless flames the world con- sume.
His clanging cord the archer drew, And swift the fiery arrows flew Fierce as the flashing levin sent By him who rules the firmament. Jown through the startled waters sped Cach missile with its flaming head, .'he foamy billows rose and sank, And dashed upon the trembling bank >ea monsters of tremendous form, With crash and roar of thunder storm. Still the wild waters rose and fell Jrowned with white foam and pearl and shell.
Sach serpent, startled from his rest, Raised his fierce eyes and glowing crest, And prisoned Diinavs1 where they dwelt n depths below the terror felt. Igain upon his string he laid A flaming shaft, but Lakshman stayed lis arm, with gentle reasoning tried Do soothe his angry mood, and cried: 'Brother, reflect: the wise control I? he rising passions of the soul. ^et Ocean grant, without thy threat, The boon on which thy heart is set. That gracious lord will ne'er refuse When Rama son of Raghu sues.' [le ceased: and voices from the air Pell clear and loud, Spare, Rama, spare.
Fiends and enemies of the Gods.
CANTO XXIT.
With angry menace Rama, best Of Raghu's sons, the Sea addressed:, * With fiery flood of arrowy rain Thy channels will I dry and drain. A nil I and all the Vanar host Will reach on foot the farther coast. Thou shalt not from destruction save The creatures of the teeming wave, And lapse of time shall ne'er efface The memory of the dire disgrace ' Thus spoke the warrior, and prepared The mortal shaft which never spared, Known, mystic weapon, by the name Of Brahma, red witn quenchless flame. Great terror, as he strained the bow, Struck heaven above and earth below, Through echoing skies the thunder pealed, Arid startled mountains rocked and reeled; The earth was black with sudden night, And heaven was blotted from the sight. Then ever and anon the glare Of meteors shot through murky air, And with a wild terrific sound Red lightnings struck the trembling ground.
In furious gusts the fierce wind blew: Tall trees it shattered and o'erthrew, And, smiting with a giant's stroke, Huge masses from the mountain broke. A cry of terror long and shrill Came from each valley, plain, and hill; Each ruined dale, each riven peak Re-echoed with a wail or shriek.
While Raghu's son undaunted gazed, The waters of the deep were raised, And, still uplifted more anji more, Leapt in wild flood upon the shore. Still Rama looked upon the tide And kept his post unterrified. Then from the seething flood upreared Majestic Ocean's form appeared, As rising from his eastern height Springs thro ugh the sky the Lord of Light. Attendant on their monarch came Sea serpents with their eyes aflame. Like lazulite and burning gold His form was wondrous to behold. Bright with each fairest precious stone A chain about his neck was thrown. Calm shone his lotus eyes beneath The blossoms of his heavenly wreath, And many a pearl and sea born gem Flashed in the monarch's diadem. There Ganga, tributary queen, And Sindhu1 by his lord, were seen, i The Indus.
THE RAM AY AN.
Boole VI.
And every stream and brook renowned In ancient story girt him round. Then, as the waters rose and swelled. The king with suppliant hands upheld, His glorious head to Rama bent And thus addressed him reverent: * Air, ether, fire, earth, water, true To nature's will, their course pursue; And I. as ancient laws ordain, Unfordable must still remain. Yet, Raghu's son, my counsel hear: I ne'er for love or hope or fear Will pile my waters in a heap And leave a pathway through the deep. Still shall my care for thee provide An easy passage o'er the tide, And like a city's paven street Shall be the road beneath thy feet.' He ceased: and Rama spoke again: 'This spell is ne'er invoked in vain. Where shall the magic shaft, to spend The fury of its might, descend?' 'Shoot,' Ocean cried, 'thine arrow forth With all its fury to the north, Where sacred Drumakulya lies, Whose glory with thy glory vies. There dwells a wild Abhira1 race, As vile in act as foul of face, Fierce Dasyus1 who delight in ill, And drink my tributary rill. My soul no longer may endure Their neighbourhood and touch impure. At these, 0 son of Baghu, aim 'TBine arrow with the quenchless flame.1 Swift from the bow, as Rama drew His cord, the fiery arrow flew. Earth groaned to'feel the wound, and sent A rush of water through the rent; And famed for ever is the well Of Vrana3 where the arrow fell. Then every brook and lake beside Throughout the region Rama dried. But yet he gave a boon to bless And fertilize the wilderness: No fell disease should taint the air, And sheep and kine should prosper there: Earth should produce each pleasant root, The stately trees should bend with fruit; Oil, milk, and ho/iey should abound, And fragrant Serbs should clothe the ground.
Then spake th§ king of brooks and seas To Raghu's son in words like these: 4 Now let a wondrous task be done By Nala, Visvakarma's son, 1 Cowherds, sprung from a Brahman and a woman of the medical tribe, the modern Ahirs.
2 Barbarians or outcasts, s Vrana means wound or rent.
Who, born of one of Vanar race, Inherits by his father's grace A share of his celestial art.
Call Nala to perform his part, And he, divinely taught and skilled, A bridge athwart the sea shall build.'
He spoke and vanished Nala, best Of Vanar chiefs, the king addressed: 'O'er the deep sea wjiere monsters play A bridge, O Rama, will I lay; For, sharer of my father's skill, Mine is the power and mine the will. ' Tis vain to try each gentler art To bribe and soothe the thankless heart; In vain on such is mercy spent; It yields to naught but punishment. Through fear aluiie will Ocean now A passage o'er his waves allow. My mother, ere she bore her son, This boon from Visvakarma won: ' O Mandari, thy child shall be In skill and glory next to me.' But why unbidden should I till Thine ear with praises of my skill? Command the Vanar hosts to lay Foundations for the bridge to-day.'
He spoke: and swift at Rama's hest Up sprang the Vanars from their rest, The mandate of the king obeyed And sought the forest's mighty shade. Unrooted trees to earth they threw, And to the sea the timber drew. The stately palm was bowed and bent, Asokas from the ground were rent, And towering Sals and light bamboos, And trees with flowers of varied hues, With loveliest creepers wreathed and crowned, Shook, reeled, and fell upon the ground. With mighty engines piles of stone And seated hills were overthrown: Unprisoned waters sprang on high, In rain descending from the sky: And ocean with a roar and swell Heaved wildly when the mountains fell. Then the great bridge of wondrous strength Was built, a hundred leagues in length. Rocks huge as autumn clouds bound fast With cordage from the shore were cast, And fragments of each riven hill, And trees whose flowers adorned them still, Wild was the tumult, loud the din As ponderous rocks went thundering in. Ere set of sun, so toiled each crew, Ten leagues and four the structure grew; The labours of the second day Gave twenty more of ready way, And on the fifth, when sank the sun, The whole stupendous work was done. O'er the broad way the Vanars sped, Nor swayed it with their countless tread.
Canto XXIV.
THE RAM AY AN.
ExifUant on the ocean strand Yibhishan stood, and, mace in hand, Longed eager for the onward way, And chafed impatient at delay. Then thus to Kama trained and tried In battle King Sugriva cried: ' Come, Hanuman's broad back ascend; Let Angad help to Lakshman lend, These high above the sea shall bear ' Their burthen through the ways of air.'
So, with Sugriva, borne o'erhead Ikshvaku's sons the legions led. Behind, the Vanar hosts pursued Their march in endless multitude. 8orne skimmed the surface of the wave, To some the air a passage gave. Amid their ceaseless roar the sound Of Ocean's fearful voice was drowned, As o'er the bridge by Nala planned They hastened on to Lanka's strand, Where, by the pleasant brooks, mid trees Loaded with fruit, they took their ease.
CANTO XXIII.
THE OMENS.
Then Rama, peerless in the skill That marks each sign of good and ill, .Strained his dear brother to his breast, And thus with prudent words addressed: <! Now, Lakshman, by the water's side In fruitful groves the host divide, That warriors of each woodland race May keep their own appointed place. Dire is the danger: loss of friends, Of Vanars and of bears, impends. Distained with dust the breezes blow, And earth is shaken from below. The tall hills rock from foot to crown, And stately trees come toppling down. In threatening shape, with voice of fear, The clouds like cannibals appear, And rain in fitful torrents, red With sanguinary drops, is shed. Long streaks of lurid light invest The evening skies from east to west, And from the sun at times a ball Of angry fire is seen to fall. From every glen and brake is heard The boding voice of beast and bird: From den and lair night-prowlers run And shriek against the falling sun. Up springs the moon, but hot and red Kills the sad night with woe and dread; No gentle lustre, but the gloom That heralds universal doom. A cloud of dust and vapour mars The beauty of the evening stars, And wild and fearful is the sky As though the wreck of worlds' were nigh. Around our heads in boding flight Wheel hawk and vulture, crow and kite; And every bird of happy note Shrieks terror from his altered throat. Sword, spear and shaft shall strew the plain Dyed red with torrents of the slain. To-day the Vanar troops shall close Around the city of our foes.'
CANTO XXIV.
THE SPY'S RETURN.
As shine the heavens with autumn's moon Refulgent in the height of noon, So shone with light which Rama gave That army of the bold and brave, As from the sea it marched away In war's magnificent array, And earth was shaken by the beat And trampling of unnumbered feet.
Then to tne giants' ears were borne, The mingled notes of drum and horn, And clash of tambours smote the sky, And shouting and the battle cry.
The sound of martial strains inspired Each chieftain, and his bosom fired: While giants from their walls replied, And answering shouts the foe defied, Then Rama looked on Lanka where Bright banners floated in the air, Ana, pierced with anguish at the view, His loving thoughts to Sita flew.
' There, prisoned by the giant, lies My lady of the tender eyes, Like Rohinf the queen of stars Overpowered by the fiery Mars.'
Then turned he to his brother chief And cried in ag^ny of grief: * See on the hill, divin3ly planned And built by Visvakarrna's hand.^ The towers and domes of Lanka, rise In peerless beauty to the skies.
Bright from afar the city shines With gleam of palaces and shrines, Like pale clouds through the region spread By Vishnu's self inhabited.
Fair gardens grow, and woods between The stately domes are fresh and green, Where trees their bloom and fruit display, And sweet birds sing on every spray.
E ich bird is mad with joy, and bees Sing lab mring in the bloomy trees On branches by the breezes bowed, Where the gay Koil's voice is loud.'
This said, he ranged wibh warlike art Each body of the host apart.
THE RAM AY AN.
Boole VI ' There in the centre,' BSma cried, * Be Angad's place by Nila's side. Let Bishabh of impetuous might Be lord and leader on the right, And Gandhamadan, next in rank, Be captain of the farther flank. Lakshman and I the hosts will lead, And Jambavan of ursine breed, With bold Sushen unused to fear, And Vegadarsi, guide the rear.'
Thus Kama spoke: the chiefs obeyed; And all the Vanar hosts arrayed {Showed awful as the autumn sky When clouds embattled form on high. Their arms were mighty trees o'erthrown, And massy blocks of mountain stone. One hope in every warlike breast, One riini resolve, they onward pressed, To die in fight or batter down The walls and towers of Lanka's town.
Those marshalled legions Kama eyed, And thus to King Sugriva cried: * Now, Monarch, ere the hosts proceed, Let £uka, Bavan's spy, be freed.'
He spoke: the Vanar gave consent And loosed him from imprisonment: And.^uka, trembling and afraid, His homeward way to Bavan made. Loud laughed the lord of Lanka's isle: * Where hast thou stayed this weary while? Why is thy plumage marred, and why Do twisted cords thy pinions tie?
Say, comest thou in evil plight The victim of the Vanars' spite? * He ceased: the spy his fear controlled, And to the king his story told: * I reached the ocean's distant shore, Thy message to the king I bore.
In sudden wrath the Vanars rose, They struck me down with f uribus blows; They seized me helpless on the ground, My plumage rent, my pinions bound.
They would not. headlong in their ire, Consider, listen, or inquire; So tickle, wrathful, rough and rude Is the wild forest multitude.
There, marshalling the Vanar bands, King Bama with Sugriva stands, Rama the matchless warrior, who Viradha and Kabandha slew, Khara, and countless giants more, And tracks his queen to Lanka's shore.
A bridge athwart the sea was cast, And o'er it have his legions passed.
Hark! heralded by horns and drums The terrible avenger comes.
E'en now the giants' isle he fills With warriors huge as clouds and hills, And burning with vindictive hate Will thunder soon at Lanka's gate.
Yield or oppose him: choose between Thy safety and the Maithil queen.'
He ceased: the tyrant's eyeballs blazed With fury as his voice he raised: ' No, if the dwellers of the sky, Gandharvas, fiends assail me, I Will keep the Maithil lady still, Nor yield her back for fear of ill. When shall my shafts with iron hail My foeman, Raghu's son, assail, Thick as the bees with eager wing Beat on the flowery trees of spring? O, let me meet my foe at length, And strip him of his vaunted strength, Fierce as the sun who shines afar Stealing the light of every star. ^ Strong as the sea's impetuous might My ways are like the tempest's flight; But Rama knows not this, or he In terror from my face would flee.'
CANTO XXV.1 BAVAN'S SPIES.
When Rama and the host he led Across the sea had safely sped, Thus Ravan, moved by wrath and pride, To £uka and to Saran cried: * O counsellors, the Vanar host Has passed the sea from coast to coast, And Dasaratha's son has wrought A wondrous deed surpassing thought.
And now in truth I needs must know The strength and number of the foe.
Go ye, to Rama's host repair And count me all the legions there.
Learn well what power each captain leads His name and fame for warlike deeds.
Learn by what artist's wondrous aid That bridge athwart the sea was made; Learn how the Vanar host came o'er And halted on the island shore.
Mark Rama son of Kaghu well; His valour, strength, and weapons tell.
Watch his advisers one by one, And Lakshman, Baghu's younger son.
Learn with observant eyes, and bring Unerring tidings to your king.'
He ceased: then swift in Vanar guise Forth on their errand sped the spies. They reached the Vanars, and, dismay ec Their never-ending lines purvey d; Nor would they try. in mere despair, To count the countless legions there, 1 Here in the Bengal recension (Goi resio's edition), begins Book VI, Cant* XXVI.
THE RAM AY AN.
That crowded valley, plain and hill, That pressed about each cave and rill. Though sea-like o'er the land were spread The endless hosts which Rama led, The bridge by thousands yet was lined, And eager myriads pressed behind. But sage Vibhishairg watchful eyes Had marked the giants in disguise. He gave command the pair to seize, And told the tale in words like these: 4 O Rama these, well known erewhile, Are giant sons of Lanka's isle, Two counsellors of Ravan sent To watch the invading armament.'
Vibbishan ceased: at Rama's look The Rakshas envoys quailed and shook; Then suppliant hand to hand they pressed And thus Ikshvaku's son addressed: * O Rama, hear the truth we speak: Our monarch Ravan bade us seek The Vanar legions and survey Their numbers, strength, and vast array'.
Then Rama, friend and hope and guide Of suffering creatures, thus replied: ' Now giants, if your eyes have scanned Our armies, numbering every band, Marked lord and chief, and gazed their fill, Return to Ravan when ye will. If aught remain', if aught anew Ye fain would scan with closer view, Vibhishan, ready at your call, Will lead you forth and show you all. Think not of bonds and capture; fear No loss of life, no peril here: For, captive, helpless and unarmed, An envoy never should be harmed. Again to Lanka's town repair, Speed to the giant monarch there, And be these words to Ravan told, Fierce brother of the Lord of Gold: *Now, tyrant, tremble for thy sin: Call up thy friends, thy kith and kin, And let the power and might be seen Which made thee bold to steal my queen. To-morrow shall thy mournful eye Behold thy bravest warriors die, And Lanka's city, tower and wall, Struck by my tiery shafts, will fall. Then shall my vengeful blow descend Its rage on thee and thine to spend, Fierce as the fiery bolt that flew From heaven against the Danav crew, Mid those rebellious demons sent By him who rules the firmament.'
"Thus spake Ikshvaku's son, and ceased: The giants from their bonds released Lauded the king with glad accord, And hasted homeward to their lord. Before the tyrant side by side Suka and Suran stood and cried: Vibhishan seized us, King, and fain His helpless captives would have slain. But glorious Rama saw us; he, Great-hearted hero, made us free. There in one spot our eyes beheld Four chiefs on earth unparalleled, Who with the guardian Gods may vie Who rule the regions of the sky. There Rama stood, the boast and pride Of Raghu's race, by Lakshman's side. There stood the sage Vibhishan, there Sugriva strong beyond compare. These four alone can batter down Gate, rampart, wall, and Lanka's town. Nay, Rama matchless in hia form, A single foe, thy town would storm: So wondrous are his weapons, he Needs not the succour of the three. Why speak we of the countless train That fills the valley, hill and plain, The millions of the Vanar breed Whom Rama and Sugriva lead? O King, be wise, contend no more, And Sit& to her lord restore.'
CANTO XXVI.
THE VANAR CHIEFS.
1 Not if the Gods in heaven who dwell, Gandharvas, and the fiends of hell In banded opposition rise Against me, will I yield my prize. Still trembling from the ungentle touch Of Vanar hands ye fear too much, And bid me, heedless of the shame, Give to her lord the Maithil dame.'
Thus spoke the king in stern reproof; Then mounted to his palace roof Aloft o'er many a story raised, And on the lands beneath him gazed. There by his faithful spies he stood And looked on sea and hill and wood. There stretched before him far away The Vanars' numberless array: IScarce could the meadows' tender green Beneath their trampling feet be seen. He looked a while with furi< us eye, Then questioned thus the nearer spy: ' Bend, Saran, bend thy gaze, and show The leaders of the Vanar foe. Tell me their heroes' names, and teach The valour, power and might of each.'
Obedient Saran eyed the van, The leaders marked, and thus began: * That chief conspicuous at the head Of warriors in the forest bred, Who hither bends his ruthless eye And shouts his fearful battle cry: THE RAM AY AN.
Book VI.
Whose voice with periling thunder shakes All Lanka, with the groves and lakes And hills that tremble at the sound, Is Nila, for his might renowned: First of the Vanar lords controlled I5y King Sugriva lofty -souled. He who his mighty arm extends, And his fierce eye on I*ank& bends, In stature like a stately tower, In colour like a lotus flower. Who with his wild earth-shaking cries Thee, Havan, to the field defies, 3s Angad, by Sugriva's care Anointed his imperial heir: In wondrous strength, in martial fire Peer of King Bali's self, his sire; For Rama's sake in arms arrayed Like Varun called to £akra's aid. 3>ehind him, girt by warlike bands, Kala the mighty Vanar stands, The son of Vis/akarma, he Who built the bridge athwart the sea. Look farther yet, O King, and mark That chieftain clothed in Sandal bark. Tis Sweta, famed among his peers, A sage whom all his race reveres. See, in Sugriva's ear he speaks, Then, hasting back, his post reseeks, And turns his practised eye to view The squadrons he has formed anew. Next Kumud stands who roamed of yore On Gomati's1 delightful shore, Sheared where the waving woods invest His seat on Mount Sanrochan's crest. Next him, a chieftain strong and dread, Comes Chanda at his legions' head; Exulting in his warrior might