He hastens, burning for the fight. And boasts that his unaided powers Shall cast to earth thy walls and towers. Mark, mark that chief of lion gait, Who views thee with a glance of hate As though his very eyes would burn The city walls to which they turn: Tis Rambha, Vanar king: he dwells In Krishnagiri'g tangled dells, Where Viudh ya^'s pleasant slopes are spread And fair Sudarsan lifts his head. There, listening with erected ears, jSarabha, mighty chief, appears. His soul is burning for the strife, Nor dreads the jeopardy of life. He trembles as he moves, for ire. And bends around his glance of fire. .Next, like a cloud that veils the skies, A chieftain of terrific size, Conspicuous mid the Vanars, comes With battle shout like rolling drums. 'Tis f'anas, trained in war and tried, 1 The Goomtee.
Who dwells on Pariy&tra's side.
He, far away, the chief who throws A glory cr'er the marshalled rows That ranged behind their captain stand Exulting on the ocean strana, Is Vinata the fierce in fight,,, Preeminent like Dardur's height.
That chieftain bending down to drink On lovely Vena's verdant brink, Is Krathan; now he lifts his eyes And thee to mortal fray denes.
Next Gavaya comes, whose haughty mind Scorns all the warriors of his kind.
He comes to trample — such his boast — On Lanka with his single host.'
CANTO XXVII.
THE VANAR CHIEFS.
4 Yet more remain, brave chiefs who stake Their noble lives for Rama's sake. See, glorious, golden-coated, one Who glisters like the morning sun, Whom thousands of his race surround, 'Tis Kara for his strength renowned, Next comes a mighty chieftain, he Whose legions, armed with rock and tree, Press on, in numbers passing tale, The ramparts of our town to scale. O Kavan, see the king advance Terrific "with his fiery glance, Girt by the bravest of his train, Majestic as the God of Rain, Parjanya, when his host of clouds About the king, embattled, crowds: On Rikshavan's high mountain nursed, In Narmada1 he slakes his thirst, Dhumra, proud ursine chief, who leads Wild warriors whom the forest breeds. His brother, next in strength and age, In Jambavan the famous sage. Of yore his might and skill he lent To him who rules the firmament, And Indra's liberal boons repaid The chieftain for the timely aid. There like a gloomy cloud that flies Borne by the tempest through the skies, Pramathi stands: he roamed of yore The forest wilds on Ganga's shore, Where elephants were struck with dread And trembling at his coming fled. There on his foes he loved to sate The old hereditary hate.2 1 The Anglicized Nerbudda.
2 According to a Pauranik legend Ke* sari Hanuman's putative father had killed an Asur or demon who appeared in the Canto XXIX.
THE RAMAYAN.
Look, Gaja and Gavaksha show Their lust of battle with the foe. See Nala burning for the fray, And Ni la chafing at delay. Behind the eager captains press Wild hosts in numbers numberless, And each for llama's sake would fall Or force his way through Lanka's wall.'
CANTO XXVIII.
THE CHIEFTAINS.
There Saran ceased: then Suka broke The silence and to Ravan spoke: ' O Monarch, yonder chiefs survey: Like elephants in size are they, And tower like stately trees that grow Where Ganga's nursing waters flow; Yea, tall as mountain pines that fling Long shadows o'er the snow-crowned king. They all in wild Kishkindha dwell And serve their lord Sugriva well. The Gods' and bright Gandharvas' seed, They take each form that suits their need. Now farther look, O Monarch, where Those chieftains stand, a glorious pair, Conspicuous for their godlike frames; Dwivid and Mainda are their names. Their lips the drink of heaven have known, And Brahm& claims them for his own. That chieftain whom thine eyes behold Refulgent like a hill of gold, Before whose wrathful might the s6a Boused from his rest would turn and flee, The peerless \7unar, he who came To Lanka for the Maithil dame, The Wind-God's son Hanuman; thou Hast seen him once, behold him now. Still nearer let thy glance be bent, And mark that prince preeminent Mid chieftains for his strength and size And splendour of his lotus eyes. Far through the worlds his virtues shine, The glory of Ikshvaku's line. The path of truth he never leaves, And still through all to duty cleaves. Deep in the Vedas, skilled to wield The mystic shafts to him revealed: Whose tlaming darts to heaven ascend, And through the earth a passage rend: In might like him who rules the sky; Like Yama, when his wrath grows high: Whose queen, the darling of his soul, Thy magic art deceived and stole: There royal Rama stands and longs For battle to avenge his wrongs.
Near on his right a prince, in hue Like pure gold freshly burnished, view: Broad is his chest, his eye is red, His black hair curls about his head: 'Tis Lakshman, faithful friend, who shares His brother's joys, his brother's cares. By Rama's side he loves to stand And serve him as his better hand, For whose dear sake without a sigh The warrior youth vvcmkj gladly die On R-tima's left Vibhishan view, With giants for his retinue: King-making drops have dewed his head, Appointed monarch in thy stead, Behold that chieftain sternly.still, High towering like a rooted hill, Supreme in power and pride of place, The monarch of the Vanar race, liaised high above his woodland kind, In might and glory, frame and mind, His head above his host he shows Conspicuous as the Lord of Snows. His home is far from hostile eyes Where deep in woods Kishkindha lies. A glistering chain which flowers bedeck With burnished gold adores his neck. Queen Fortune, loved by Gods and kings, To him her chosen favourite clings. That chain he owes to Rama's grace, And Tara and his kingly place. In him the great Sugriva know, Whom Kama rescued from his foe.'1 CANTO XXIX.
CAPTURED.
The giant viewed with earnest ken The Vanars and the lords of men; Then thus, with grief and anger moved, In bitter tone the spies reproved: * Can faithful servants hope to please Their master with such tales as these? Or hope ye with wild words to wring The bosom of your lord and king? Such words were better said by those Wli!) come arrayed our mortal foes. In vain your ears have heard the sage, And listened to the lore of age, Untaught, though lectured jmany a day, The first great lesson, to obey, 'Tis marvel Ravan reigns and rules Whose counsellors are blind and fools. Has death no terrors that ye dare To tempt your monarch to despair, form of an elephant, and hence arose the hostility between Vanars and elephants, ' thousand billions, 1 Here follows the enumeration of Su- griva's forces which I do not attempt to follow. It soon reaches a hundred • THE RAM AY AN.
Boole VI.
From whose imperial mandate flow Disgrace and honour, weal and woe? 1'ea, forest trees, when flames are fanned About their scorching trunks, may stand; But naught can set the sinner free When kings the punishment decree. I would not in mine anger spare The traitorous foe-praising pair, But years of faithful service plead For pardon, and they shall not bleed. Henceforth to me be dead: depart, Far from my presence and my heart.1 Thus spoke the angry king: the two Cried, Long live Ravan, and withdrew. The giant monarch turned and cried To strong Mahodar at his side: «Go thou, and spies more faithful bring. More duteous to their lord the king,' Swift at his word Mahodar shed, And came returning at the head Of long-tried messengers, who bent Before their monarch reverent. ' Go quickly hence,' said Ravan ' scan With keenest eyes the foeman's plan. Learn who. as nearest friends, advise And mould each secret enterprise. Learn when he wakes and goes to rest, Sound every purpose of his breast. Learn what the prince intends to-day: Watch keenly all, and come away.'
With joy they heard the words he said: Then with &ardula at their head About the giant king they went With circling paces reverent. By fair Suvela's grassy side The chiefs of Raghu's race they spied, Where, shaded by the waving wood, Vibhishan and Sugriva stood. A while they rested there and viewed The Vanars1 countless multitude. Vibhishan with observant eyes Knew at a glance the giant spies. And bade the warriors of his train Bind the rash foes with cord and chain: *6ardula's is the sin,' he cried, He neath the Vanars' hands had died, But Rama from their fury freed The captive in his utmost need, And, merciful at sight of woe, Loosed all the spies and bade them go. Then home to Lanka's monarch tied The giant chiefs discomfited, CANTO XXX.
SAKDU'LA'S SPEECH.
They told their lord that Rama still Lay waiting by Suvela's hill, TheHyrant, flushed with angry glow, Heard of the coming of the foe, And thus with close inquiry pressed Surdtila spokesman for the rest: ' Why art thou sad, night-rover? speak: Has grief or terror changed thy cheek? Have the wild Vanarg* hostile bands Assailed thee with their mighty hands?
Sardula heard, but scarce might speak; His trembling tones were faint and weak: ' O Giant King, in vain we try The purpose of the foe to spy. Their strength and number none may tell, And Rama" guards his legions well. He leaves no hope to prying eyes, And parley with the chiefs denies: Each road and path a Vanar guard, Of mountain size, has closed and barred. Soon as my feet an entrance found By giants was I seized and bound, And wounded sore I fell beneath Their fists and knees and hands and teeth. Then trembling, bleeding, wellnigh dead To Rama's presence was I led, He in his mercy stooped to save, And freedom to the captive gave. With rocks and shattered mountains he Has bridged his way athwart the sea, And he and all his legions wait Embattled close to Lanka's gate. Soon will the host thy wall assail, And, swarming on, the rampart scale. Now, O my King, his consort yield, Or arm thee with the sword and shield. This choice is left thee: choose between Thy safety and the Maithil queen.1 CANTO XXXI.
THE MAGIC HEAD.
The tyrant's troubled eye confessed The secret fear that filled his breast. With dread of coming woe dismayed He called his counsellors to aid; Then sternly silent, deep in thought, His chamber in the palace sought. Then, as the surest hope of all, The monarch bade^his servants call 1 I omit the rest of this canto, which is mere repetition. Ravan gives in the same words his former answer that the Gods, Gandharvas and fiends combined shall not force him to give up Sita. He then orders Sardula to tell him the names of the Vanar chieftains whom he has seen in Rama's army. These have already been mentioned by Suka and Suran, Canto XXXIL THE RAMAYAN.
Vidyujjihva, whom magic skill Made master of the means of ill. Then spake the lord of Lanka's isle: 4 Come, Sit:! with thine arts beguile. With magic skill and deftest care A head like Kama's own prepare. This head, long shafts and mighty bow, To Janak's daughter will we show.'
He ceased: Vidyujjihva obeyed, And wondrous magio skill displayed; And Ravan for the art he showed A a ornament of price bestowed. Then to the grove where Sit;i lay The lord of Lanka took his way. Pale, wasted, weeping, on the ground Tiie melancholy queen he found, Whose thoughts in utmost stress of ill Were fixed upon her husband still. The giant king approached the dame, Declared in tones of joy his name; Then iieeding naught her wild distress Bespake her, stern and pitiless: * The prince to whom thy fancies cling Though loved and wooed by Lanka's king, Who slew the noble Khara, — he Is slain by warriors sent by me. Thy living root is hewn away, Thy scornful pride is tamed to-day. Thy lord in battle's front has died, And Sita shall be Ravan's bride. Hence, idle thoughts: thy hope is fled; Whafc wilt thou, Sita, with the dead? Rise, child of Janak, rise and be The queen of all my queens and me. Incline thine ear, and I will tell, Pear lady, how thy husband fell. He bridged his way across the sea With countless troops to fight with me. The setting sun had flushed the west When on tne shore they took their rest. Weary with toil no watch they kept: Securely on the sands they slept. Prahasta's troops assailed our foes, And smote them in their deep repose.
Scarce could their bravest prove their might: They perished in the dark of night. Axe, spear, and sword, directed well, Upon the sleeping myriads fell. First in the fight Prahasta's sword Keft of his head thy slumbering lord. Roused at the din Vibhishan rose, The captive of surrounding foes, And Lakshman through the woods that spread Around him with his Vanars fled. Hanuman fell; one deadly stroke The neck of King Sugriva broke, And Mainda sank, and Dwivid lay Gasping in blood his life away. The Vanars died, or fled dispersed Like cloudlets when the storm his burst. Some rose alof c in air, and more Kan to the sea and tilled the shore. On shore, in woods, on hill and plain Our conquering giants left the slain. Thus my victorious host o'erthrew The Vanars, and thy husband slew: See, rudely stained with dust, and red With dropping blood, the severed head.1 Then, turning to a Rakshas slave, The ruthless king his mandate gave; And straight Vidyujjihva who bore The head still wet with dripping gore, The arrows and the mighty bow, Bent down before his master low. ' Vidyujjihva,' cried Kavan, ' place The head before the lady's face, And let her see with weeping eyes That low in death her husband lies.'
Before the queen the giant laid The beauteous head his art had made. And Ravan cried: ' Thine eyes will know These arrows and the mighty bow. With fame of this by Kama strung The earth and heaveu and hell have rung, Prahasta brought it hither when His hand had slain thy prince of men. Now, widowed Queen, thy hopes resign; Forget thy husband and be mine.'
CANTO XXXII. SITE'S LAMENT.
Again her eyes with tears o'erflowed: Sue gazed upon the head he showed, Gazed on the bow so famed of yore, The glorious bow which Rarna bore, bhe gazed upon his cheek and brows, The eyes of her beloved spouse; His lips, the lustre of his hair, The priceless gem that glitterel there. The features of her lord she knew, And, pierced wjth anguish at the view1, She lifted up her voice and cried: ' Kaikcyi, art thou satisfied? Now all thy longings are fulfilled; The joy of ffcighu's race is killed, And' ruined is the ancient line, JDestroyer, by that fraud of thine. Ah, what offence, O cruel dame, What fault in Rama couldst thou blame, To drive him clad in hern^itjdress With Sita to the wilderness? Great trembling seized tyer frame, and she Fell like a stricken plantain tree. As lie the dead she lay: at length Slovyly regaining sense and strength, On the dear head she n^ed her eye THE RAM AY AN.
Boole Vi Ard cried with very bitter cry: *JLh, when thy cold dead cheek I view, My hero, I am murdered too. Then first a faithful woman's eyes See sorrow, when her husband dies. When thou, my lord, wast nigh to save, Some stealthy hand thy death wound gave. Thou art not dead: rise, hero, rise; Long life was thine, as spake the wise Whose words, I ween, are ever true, For faith lies open to their view. Ah lord, and shall thy head recline On earth's cold breast, forsaking mine, Counting her chill lap dearer far Than 1 and my caresses are? Ah, is it thus these eyes behold Thy famous bow adorned with gold, Whereon of yore I loved to bind Sweet garlands that my hands had twined? And hast thou sought in heaven a place Amid the founders of thy race, Where in the home deserved so well Thy sires and Da.4aratha dwell? Or dost thou shine a brighter star In skies where blest immortals are, Forsaking in thy lofty scorn The race wherein thy sires were born? Turn to my gaze. 0 turn thine ey e: Why are thy cold lips silent, why? When first we met as youth and maid, When in thy hand my hand was laid, Thy promise was thy steps should be Through life in duty's path with me. Remember, faithful still, thy vow, And take me with thee even now. Is that broad bosom where I hung, That neck to which I fondly clung, Where flowery garlands breathed their scent, By hungry dogs and vultures rent? Shall no funereal honours grace The parted lord of Raghu's race, Whose bounty liberal fees bestowed, For whom the fires of worship glowed? Kausalya wild with grief will see One irole survivor of the three Who in their hermit garments went To the dark woods in banishment. Then at her cry shall Lakshman tell How, slain by night, the Vanar's fell; How to thy aide the giants crept, And slew the hero as he slept. Thy fate and mine the queen will know, And broken-hearted die of woe. For my unworthy sake, for mine, Rama, the glory of his line, Who bridged his way across the main, Is basely in a puddle slain; And I, the graceless wife he wed, Have brought this ruin on his head. Me, too, oil him, O JtUivan, slay: The wife beside herlmsband lay.
By his dear body let me rest, Cheek close to cheek and breast to breast; My happy eyes I then will close, And follow whither Rama goes.'
Thus cried the miserable dame; When'to the king a warder came, Before the giant monarch bowed And said that, followed by a crowd Of counsellors and lords of state, Prahasta stood before the gate, And, sent by some engrossing care, Craved audience of his master there. The anxious tyrant left his seat And hastened forth the chief to meet; Then summ< ning his nobles all, Took counsel in his regal hall.
When Lanka's lord had left the queen, The head and bow no more were seen. The giant king his nobles eyed, And, terrible as Yama, cried: ' O faithful lords, the time is come: Gather our hosts with beat of drum. Nigh to the town our foeman draws: Be prudent, nor reveal the cause.'
The nobles listened and obeyed: Swift were the gathered troops arrayed, And countless rovers of the night Stood burning for the hour of light.
CANTO XXXIII.
SARA MA'.
But Sarama, of gentler mood, With pitying eyes the mourner viewed, Stole to her side and softly told Glad tidings that her heart consoled, Revealing with sweet voice and smile The secret of the giant's guile. She, one of those who night and day Watching in turns by Sita lay, Though Kakshas born felt pity's touch, And loved the hapless lady much.
'I heard,' she said, 'thy bitter cry, Heard Ravan's speech and thy reply, For, hiding in the thicket near, No word or tone escaped mine ear. When Ravan hastened forth 1 bent My steps to follow as he went, And learnt the secret cause that drove The monarch from the Asoka grove. Believe rne, Queen, thou needst not weep For Rama slaughtered in his sleep. Thy lion lord of men defies By day attack, by night surprise. Can even giants slay with ease Vast hosts who fight with brandish For whom, with eye that never sleeps, His coiistant watch thy Rama keeps I Canto XXXIV.
TILE RAM AY AN.
Lord of the n?ighty arm and chest, Of earthly warriors tirst and best, Whose fame through all the regions rings, Proud scion of a hundred kings; 'Who guards his life and loves to lend Jiis saving succour to a friend: Whose bow no hand but his can strain,— Thy lord, thy Rama is not slain. Obedient to his master's will, A great magician, trained in ill, With deftest art surpassing thought That marvellous illusion wrought. Let rising hope thy grief dispel: Look up and smile, for all is well, And gentle Lakshrni, Fortune's Queen, Regards thee with a favouring mien.
* Thy Rama with his Vanar train Has thrown a bridge athwart the main, Has led his countless legions o'er, And ranged them on this southern sfcore. These eyes have seen the hero stand Girt by his hosts on Lanka's strand, And breathless spies each moment bring Fresh tidings to the giant king; And every peer and lord of state Is called to counsel and debate.' She ceased: the sound, long loud and clear, Of gathering armies smote her ear, Where call of drum and shell rang out, The tambour and the battle shout; Arid, while the din the echoes woke, Again to Janak's child she spoke: ' Hear, lady, hear the loud alarms That call the Rakshas droops to arms, • From stable and from stall they lead The elephant and neighing steed, Brace harness on with deftest care, A f)d chariots for the light prepare. Swift o'er the trembling ground career Mailed horsemen armed with axe and spear, And here and there in road and street The terrible battalions meet. I hear the gathering near and far, The snorting steed, the rattling car. Bold chieftains, leaders of the brave, Press deitsely on, like wave on wave, And bright the evening sunbeams glance On helm and shield, on sword and lance. Hark, lady, to the ringing steel, Hark to the rolling chariot wheel: Hark to the mettled courser's neigh And drums' loud thunder far away. • The Queen of Fortune holds thee dear, For Lanka's troops are struck with fear, And Rama with the lotus eyes, Like Indra monarch of the skies, With conquering arm will slay his foe And free his lady from her woe. Soon will his breast support thy head, And tears of joy thine eyes will shed. Soon by his mighty arm embraced The long-lost rapture wilt thou taste, And Rama, meet for highest bliss, Will gain his guerdon in thy kiss.'
CANTO XXXIV. SARAMA'S TIDINGS.
Thus Sarama her story told: And Sita's spirit was consoled, As when the first fresh rain is shed The parching earth is comforted.
Then, filled with zeal for Sita's sake, Again in gentle tones she spake, And, skilled in arts that soothe and please, Addressed the quieen in words like these: ' Thy husband, lady, will I seek, Say the fond words thy lips wo uld speak, And then, unseen of any eye, Back to thy side will swiftly fly.
My airv flights are speedier far Than Garuda's and the tempest are.'
Then Sita spake: her former woe Still left her accents faint and low: ' 1 know thy steps, which naught can stay, Can urge through heaven and hell their way.
Then if thy love and changeless will Would serve the helpless captive still, Go forth and learn each plot and guile Planned by the lord of Lanka's isle. With magic art like maddening wine He cheats these weeping eyes of mine, Torments me with his suit, nor spares Reproof or flattery, threats or prayers. These guards surround me night and day; My heart is sad, my senses stray; And helpless in my woe I fear The tyrant Ravan even here.'
Then Sarama replied: ' I go To learn the purpose of thy foe, Soon by thy side again to^tand And tell thee what the king has planned/ She sped, she heard with eager ears The tyrant speak hi* hopes and fears, Where, gathered at their master's call, The nobles filled the council hall; Then swiftly, to her promise true, Back to the Asoka grove she flew. The lady on the grassy ground, Longing for her return, she found; Who with a gentle smile, to greet The envoy, led her to a seat. Through her worn frame a shiver ran As Sarama her tale began: 4 There stood the royal mother: sho Besought her sou to set thee free, THE RAMAYAN.
Book VI.
And to her counsel, tears and prayers, The elder nobles added theirs: * O be the Maithil queen restored With honour to her angry lord.
Let Janasthan's unhappy fight Be witness of the hero's might.
Hanunian o'er the waters came And looked upon the guarded dame.
Let Lanka's chiefs who fought and fell The prowess of the leader tell.'
In vain they sued, in vain she wept, His purpose still unchanged he kept.
AS clings the miser to his gold, He would not loose thee from his hold.
No. never till in death he lies, Will Lanka's lord release his prize.
Soon slain by Hama's arrows all The giants with their king will fall, And Kama to his home will lead His black-eyed queen from bondage freed/ An awful sound that moment rose From Lanka's fast-approaching foes, Where drum and shell in mingled peal Made earth in terror rock and reel. The hosts within the walls arrayed Stood trembling, in their hearts dismayed; Thought of the tempest soon to burst, And Lanka's lord, their ruin, cursed, CANTO XXXV.
MALYAVAN'S SPEECH.
The fearful notes of drum and shell Upon the ear of R-avan fell.
One moment quailed his haughty look, One moment in his fear he shook.
But, soon recalling wonted pride, His counsellors- he sternly eyed, And with a voice that thundered through The council hall began anew: " Lords, I have heard^your tongues have told— How Baghti's son is fierce and bold, To Lanka's shore has bridged his way, And hither leads his wild array. I know your might, in battle tried, Fighting and conquering by my side. Why now, when such a foe is near, Looks eye to eye in silent fear I ' He ceased: his mother's sire, well known For wisdom in the council shown. Malyavan, sage and faithful guide, Thus to the monarch's speech replied: 'Long reigns the king in safe repose, Unmoved by fear of vanquished foes, Whose feet by saving knowledge led In justice path delight to tread: Who knows to sheath the sword or wield, To offer neace. to strike or vield: Prefers, when foes are stronger, peace, And bids a doubtful conflict cease. Now, King, the choice before thee lies, Make peace with Rama, and be wise. This day the captive queen restore Who brings the foe to Lanka's shore. The Sire by whom the worlds are swayed Of yore the Gods and demons made. With these Injustice sided; those Fair Justice for her champions chose. Still Justice dwells with Gods above; Injustice, fiends and giants love. Thou, through the worlds that fear thee, long Hast scorned the right and loved the wrong, And Justice, with thy foes allied, Gives might resistless to their side. Thou, guided by thy wicked will, Hast found delight in deeds of ill, And sages in their holy rest Have trembled, by thy power oppressed. But they, who check each vain desire, Are clothed with might which burns like fire.