With heavy hand the giant smote Hanuman on the chest and throat, Who reeled and staggered to and fro, Stunned for a moment by the blow, Till, mustering strength, his hand he reared And struck the foe whom Indra feared. His huge limbs bent beneath the shock, As mountains, in an earthquake, rock, And from the Gods and sages pealed Shouts of loud triumph as he reeled. But strength returning nerved his frame: His eyeballs flashed with fiercer flame. No living creature might resist That blow of his tremendous fist Which fell upon Hanuman's flank: And to the ground the Vanar sank, No sign of life his body showed: And Ravan in his chariot rode At Nila; and his arrowy rain Eell on the captain and his train. Fierce Nila stayed his Vanar band, And, heaving with his single hand A mountain peak, with vigorous swing Hurled the huge missile at the king.
Hanuman life and strength regained, Burned for the fight and thus complained: ' Why, coward giant, didst thou flee And leave the doubtful fight with me?' Seven mighty arrows keen and fleet The giant launched, the hill to meet; And, all its force and fury stayed, The harmless mass on earth was laid. Enraged the Vanar chief beheld The mountain peak by force repelled, And rained upon the foe a shower Of trees uptorn with branch and flower. Still his keen shafts which pierced andrent Each flying tree the giant sent: Still was the Vanar doomed to feel The tempest of the winged steel. Then, smarting from that arrowy storm, The Vanar chief condensed his form,2 And lightly leaping from the ground On Ra van's standard footing found; Then springing unimpeded down Stood on his bow and golden crown. The Vauar's nimble leaps amazed Ikshv&ku's son who stood a.nd gazed. The giant, raging in his heart, 1 Ravan's son, whom Hanuman killed when he first visited Lanka.
2 Nila was the sou of Agni the God of Fire, and possessed, like* Milton's demons, the power of dilating and condensing his form at pleasure, Laid on his bow a fiery dart; The Vanar on his flagstaff eyed, And thus in tones of fury cried: ' Well skilled in magic lore art thou: But will thine art avail thee now?
See if thy magic will defend Thy life against the dart 1 send.'
Thus Ravan spake, the giant king, And loosed th'e arrow from the string. It pierced, with direst fury sped, The Vanar with its flaming head. His father's might, his power innate Preserved him from the threatened fate. Upon his knees he fell, distained With streams of blood, but life remained.
Still Ravan for the battle burned: At Lakshman next his car he turned, And charged'amain with furious show, Straining in mighty hands his bow. ' Come,' Lakshman cried, * assay the fight: Leave foes unworthy of thy might.' Thus Lakshman spoke: and Lanka's lord Heard the dread thunder of the cord, And mad with burning rage and pride In hasty words like these replied: ' Joy, joy is mine, O Raghu's son: Thy fate to-day thou canst not shun. Slain by mine arrows thou shalt tread The gloomy pathway of the dead.'
Thus as he spoke his bow he drew, And seven keen shafts at Lakshman flew. But Raghu's son with surest aim Cleft everv arrow as it came. Thus with fleet shafts each warrior shot Against his foe, and rested not. ^ Then one choice weapon from his store, By Brahma's self bestowed of yore, Fierce as the flames that end the world, The giant king at Lakshman hurled. The hero fell, and racked with pain, Scarce could his hand his bow retain. But sense and strength resumed their seat And, lightly springing to his feet, He struck with one Tremendous stroke And lid van's bow in splinters broke. From Lakshmans's cord three arrows flew And pierced the* giant monarch through. Sore wounded Ravan closed, and round Ikshvaku's son his strong arms wound. With strength unrivalled, Brahma's gift, He strove from earth his foe to lift. ' Shall I,' he cried, * who overthrow Mount Meru and the Lord of Snow, And heaven and all who dwell therein, Be foiled by one of Rama's kin? ' But though he heaved, and toiled, and strained, Unmoved Ikshvaku's son remained. His frame by those huge arms compressed The giant's God-given force confessed, But conscious that himself was part THE RAM A? AN.
Book VI.
Of Vishnu, he was firm in heart.
The Wind-God's son the fight beheld, And rushed at Ravan, rage-impelled. Down crashed his mighty hand: the foe Full in the chest received the blow. His eyes grew dim, his knees gave way, Arid senseless on the earth he lay.
The Wind-God's son to Rama bore Deep-wounded Lakshman stained with gore.
He whom no foe might lift or bend Was light as air to such a friend. The dart that Lakshman's side had cleft, Untouched, the hero's body left, And flashing through the air afar Resumed its place in Ravan's car; And, waxing well though wounded sore, He felt the deadly pain no more. And Ravan, though with deep wounds pained,* Slowly his sense and strength regained, And furious still and undismayed On bow and shaft his hand he laid.
Then Hanuman to Rama cried: 'Ascend my back, great chief, and ride Like Vishnu borne on Garud's wing, To battle with the giant king.' So, burning for the dire attack, Rode Kama on the Vaaar's back, And with tierce accents loud and slow Thus gave defiance to the foe, While his strained bowstring made a sound sound Like thunder when it shakes the ground; ' Stay, Monarch of the giants, stay, The penalty of sin to pay. Stay: whither wilt thou fly, and how Escape the death that waits thee now?'
No word the giant king returned; His eyes with flames of fury burned. His arm was stretched, his bow was bent, And swift his fiery shafts were sent. Red torrents from the Vanar flowed: Then Rama near to Ravan strode, And, with keen darts that never failed, The chariot of the king assailed. With surest aim his arrows flew: The driver and the steeds he slew, And shattered with the pointed steel Car, flag and pole and yoke and wheel. As Indra hurls his bolt to smite Mount Meru's heaven-ascending height, So Rama with a flaming dart Struck Lanka's monarch near the heart, Who reeled and -fell beneath the blow And from loose fingers dropped his bow. Bright as the sun, with crescent head, From Rama's bow an arrow sped, And from his forehead, proud no more, Cleft the bright coronet he wore.
Then Rama stood by Rdvan's side And to the conquered giant cried: ' Well hast thou fought: thine arm has slain Strong heroes of the Vanar train. I will not strike or slay thee now, For weary, faint with fight art thou. To Lanka's town thy footsteps bend, And there the night securely spend. To-morrow come with car and bow, And then my prowess shalt thou know.' He ceased: the king in humbled pride Rose from the earth and naught replied. With wounded limbs and shattered crown He sought again his royal town.
CANTO LX.
KUMBHAKARNA ROUSED.
With humbled heart and broken pride Through Lanka's gate the giant hied, Crushed, like an elephant beneath A lion's spring and murderous teeth, Or like a serpent neath the wing And talons of the Feathered King. Such was the giant's wild alarm At arrows shot by Rama's arm; Shafts with red lightning round them curled, Like Brahma's bolts that end the world, Supported on his golden throne, With failing eye and humbled tone, ' Giants,' he cried, ' the toil is vain, Fruitless the penance and the pain, If I whom Indra owned his peer, Secure from Gods, a mortal fear. My soul remembers, now too late, Lord Brahma's words which spoke my fate: * Tremble, proud Giant,' thus they ran, * And dread thy death from slighted man. Secure from Gods and demons live, And serpents, by the boon I give. Against their power thy life is charmed, But against man is still unarmed.' This Rama is the man foretold By Anaranya's1 lips of old: 4 Fear, Ravan, basest of the base: For of mine own imperial race A prince in after time shall spring Arid thee and thine to ruin bring. And Vedavati, 2 ere she died Slain by my ruthless insult, cried: 1 An ancient king of Ayodhya said by some to have been Prithu's father.
2 The daughter of King Kusadhwaja. She became an ascetic, and being insulted by Ravan in the woods where she was Canto LX.
THE RAM AY AN.
' A scion of my royal line Shall slay, vile wretch, both thee and thine.'
She in a later birth became King Janak's child, now Rama's dame. Naudisvara1 foretold this fate, And Uma2 when I moved her hate, And Ram b ha,3 and the lovely child Of Varun4 by my touch denied. I know the fated hour is nigh: Hence, captains, to your stations fly. Let warders on the rampart stand: Place at each gate a watchful baud; And, terror of immortal eyes, Let mightiest Kumbhakarnna rise. He, slumbering, free from care and pain, By Brahma's curse, for months has lain. But when Prahasta's death he hears, Mine own defeat and doubts and fears, The chief will rise to smite the foe And his unrivalled valour show. Then Raghu's royal sons and all The Vanars neath his might will fall.'
The giant lords his best obeyed, They left him. trembling and afraid, And from the royal palace strode To Kumbhakarna's vast abode. They carried garlands sweet and fresh, Arid reeking loads of blood and flesh. They reached the dwelling where he lay, A cave that stretched a league each way, Sweet with fair blooms of lovely scent And bright with golden ornament. His breathings came so tierce and fast, Scarce could the giants brook the blast. They found him on a golden bed With his huge limbs at length outspread.
performing penance, destroyed herself by entering tire, but was born again as Sita to'be in turn the destruction of him who had insulted her.
1 Nandisvara was Diva's chief attendant. Ravan had despised and laughed at him for appearing in the form of a monkey, and the irritated Nandisvara cursed him and foretold his destruction by monkeys.
2 Ravan once upheaved and shook Mount K'ailasa the favourite dwelling place of &iva the consort of Uma, and was cursed in consequence by the offended Goddess.
3 Rambha, who has several times been mentioned in the course of the poem, was one of the nymplis of heaven, and had been insulted by Ravan.
4 Punjikasthala was the daughter of Varun. Ravan himself has mentioned in this book his insult to her, and the curse pronounced in cousequence by Brahma, They piled their heaps of venison near, Fab buffaloes and boars and deer.
With wreaths of flowers they fanned his face, And incense sweetened all the place. Each raised his mighty voice as loud As thunders of an angry cloud, And conclis their stirring summons gave Tnat echoed through the giant's cave. Tnen on his breast they rained their blows, And high the wild commotion rose When cymbal vied with drum and horn, And war cries on the gale upborne Through all the air loud discord spread, And. struck with fear, the birds fell dead. But still he slept and took his rest. Then dashed they on his shaggy chest Clubs, maces, fragments of the rock: He moved not once, nor felt the shock. The giants made one effort more With shell and drum arid shout and roar. Club, mallet, mace, in fury plied, Rained blows upon his breast and side. And elephants were urged to aid, And camels groaned and horses neighed. They drenched him with a hundred pails, They tore his ears with teeth and nails. They bound together many a mace And beat him on the head and face; And elephants with ponderous tread Stamped on his limbs arid chest and head. The unusual weight his slumber broke: He started, shook his sides, and woke; And, heedless of the wounds and blows, Yawning with thirst and hunger rose, His jaws like hell gaped fierce and wide, Dire as the flame neath ocean's tide. Red as the sun on Meru's crest The giant's face his wrath expressed, And every burning breath he drew Was like the blast that rushes through The mountain cedars. Up he raised His awful head with eyes that blazed Like comets, dire as Death in form Who threats the worlds with tire and storm. The giants pointed to their stores Of buffaloes and deer and boars, And straight he gorged him with a flood Of wine, with marrow, flesh, and blood. He ceased: the giants ventured near And bent their lowly heads in fear. Then Kumbhakarna glared with eyes Still heavy in their first surprise, Still drowsy from his troubled rest, And thus the giant band addressed. ' How have ye dared my sleep to break? No trifling cause should bid me wake. Say, is all well? or tell the need That drives you with unruly speed To wake me. Mark the words I say, The king shall tremble in dismay, THE RAM AY AN.
Boole VI.
The fire be quenched and Indra slain Ere ye shall break my rest in vain.'
Yupaksha answered: ' Chieftain, hear; No God or fiend excites our fear. But men in arms our walls assail: \Ve tremble lest their might prevail. For vengeful Kama vows to slay The foe who stole his queen away, And, matchless for his warlike deeds, A host of mighty Vanars leads. Ere now a monstrous Vanar came. Laid Lanka waste with ruthless flame, And Aksha, Ravan's offspring, slew "With all his warrior retinue. Our king who never trembled yet For heavenly hosts in battle met, At length the general dread has shared, O'erthrown by llama's arm and spared.'
He ceased: and Kumbhaksrna spake; '1 will go forth and vengeance take; Will tread their hosts beneath my feet, Then triumph-flushed our king will meet. Our giant bands shall eat their fill Of Vanars whom this arm shall kill. The princes' blood shall be my draught, The chieftains' shall by you be quaffed.' He spake, and, with an eager stride That shook the earth, to Ravan hied, CANTO LXI.
THE VANARS' ALARM, The son of Raghu near the wall Saw, proudly towering over all, The mighty giant stride along Attended by the warrior throng; Heard Kumbhakarna's heavy feet Awake the echoes of the street; And, with the lust of battle fired, Turned to Vibhishan and inquired: 'Vibhishan, tell that chieftain's name Who rears 'so high his mountain frame; With glittering helm and lion eyes, Preeminent in might and size Above the rest of giant birth, He towers the standard of the earth; And all the Vanars when they see The mighty warrior turn and flee.'
''In him,' Vibhishan answered, ' know Visravas' son, the Immortals' foe, Fierce Kumbhakarna, mightier far Than Gods and tieiids and giants are. He conquered Yama in the light, And Indra trembling owned his might. His arm the Gods and fiends subdued, Gandharvas and the serpent brood. The rest of his gigantic race Are wondrous strong by God-giving grace; But nature at his birth to him Gave matchless power and strength of limb, Scarce was he born, fierce monster, when He killed and ate a thousand men.
The trembling race of men, appalled, On Indra for protection called; And he, to save the suffering world, His bolt at Kumbhakarna hurled, So awful was the monster's yell That fear on all the nations fell, He, rushing on with furious roar, A tusk from huge Airavat tore, And dealt the God so dire a blow That Indra reeling left his foe, And with the Gods and mortals fled To Brahma's throne dispirited.
* O Brahma,' thus the suppliants cried, 'Some refuge for this woe provide.
If thus his maw the giant sate Soon will the world be desolate.' The Self -existent calmed their woe, And spake in anger to their foe: * As thou wast born, Paulastya's son, That worlds might weep by thee undone, Thou like the dead henceforth shalt be; Such is the curse I lay on thee.' Senseless he lay, nor spoke nor stirred; ISuch was the power of Brahma's word. But Kavan. troubled for his sake, Thus to the Self -existent spake: * Who lops the tree his care has reared When golden fruit has first appeared? Not thus, 0 Brahma, deal with one Descended from thine own dear son.1 JStill thou, O Lord, thy word must keep; He may not die, but let him sleep.
Yet fix a. time for him to break The chains of slumber and awake.' He ceased: and Brahma made reply: 'Six months in slumber shall he lie, And then arising for a day •Shall cast the numbing bonds away.' Now Ravan in his doubt and dread Has roused' the monster from his bed, Who comes in this the hour of need On slaughtered Vanars flesh to feed. Each Vanar, when his awe-struck eyes Behold the monstrous chieftain, flies. With hopeful words their minds deceive, And let our trembling hosts believe They see no giant, but, displayed, A lifeless engine deftly made.'
Then Rama called to Nila: 'Haste, Let troops near every gate be placed, And, armed with fragments of the rock And trees, each lane and alley block.'
1 Pulastya was the son of Brahma and father of Visravas or Paulastya thefathei of liavan and KambJiakfurna, Canto LXIIL THE RAM AY AN.
Tims Rama spoke: the chief obeyed, Aud swift the Vanars stood arrayed, As when black clouds their battle form, The summit of a hill to storm, CANTO LXII.
RA'VAN'S REQUEST.
Along: bright Lanka's royal road The giant, roused from slumber, strode, While from the houses on his head A rain of fragrant flowers was shed. He reached the monarch's gate whereon Rich gems and golden fretwork shone. Through court and corridor that shook Beneath his tread his way he took, And stood within the chamber where His brother sat in dark despair. Hut sudden, at the grateful sight The monarch's eye again grew bright. He started up, forgot his fear, And drew his giant brother near. The younger pressed the elder's feet And paid the King observance meet, Then cried: *O Monarch, speak thy will. And let my care thy word fulfil. "What sudden terror and dismay Have burst the bonds in which I lay?'
Fierce flashed the flame from liavan'seye As thus in wrath he made reply: ' Fair time, I ween, for sleep is this, To lull thy soul in tranquil bliss, Unheeding, in oblivion drowned, The dangers that our lives surround. Brave Rama, Dasaratha's son, A passage o'er the sea has won, And, with the Vanar monarch's aid, Round Lanka's walls his hosts arrayed. Though never in the deadly field My Rakshas troops were known to yield, The bravest of the giant train Have fallen by the Vanars slain. Hence comes my fear. O fierce and brave, Go forth, our threatened Lanka save. Go forth, a dreadful vengeance take: For this, O chief, I bade thee wake. The Gods and trembling fiends have felt The furious blows thine arm has dealt. Earth has no warrior, heaven lias none To match thy might, Paulastya's son,' CANTO LXIIL KUMBHAKARNA'S BOAST.
We warned thee. but thon wouldst not hear; And now the fruits of sin appear. We warned thee, I, thy nobles, all Who loved thee, in thy council hall. Those sovereigns who with blinded eyes Neglect the foe their hearts despise, " Soon, falling from the their high estate, JJring on themselves the stroke of fate. Accept at length, thy life to save, The counsel sage Vibhishan gave, The prudent counsel spurned before, And Sita to her lord restore.' l The monarch frowned, by passion moved And thus in angry words reproved: ' Wilt thoii thine elder brother school, Forgetful of the ancient rule That bids thee treat him as the sage Who guides thee with the lore of age? Think on the dangers of the day, Nor idly throw thy words away: If, led astray, by passion stirred, I in the pride of power have erred; If deeds of old were done amiss, No time for vain reproach is this. Uj>, brother; let thy loving care The errors of thy king repair.'
To calm his wrath, his soul to ease, The younger spake in words like these: ' Yea, from our bosoms let us cast All idle sorrow for the past. Let grief and anger be repressed: Again be h'rm and self-possessed. This day, O Monarch, shalt thou see The Vanar legions turn and flee, And Rama and his brother slain With their hearts' blood shall dye the plain. Yea, if the God who rules the dead, And Varun. their battalions led; If Indra w'ith the Stx>i«m-Gods came Against me, and the Lord of Flame, Still would I fight with all and slay Thy banded foes, ray King, to-day, If Raghu'a son this day withstand The blow of mine uplifted hand, Deep in his breast my darts shall sink, And torrents of his life-blood drink. O fear not, in my promise trust: This arm shall lay him in the dust, Shall leave the fierce Sugriva dyed With gore, and Lakshman by his side, And strike the great Hanuman down, The spoiler of our glorious town.' '* 1 I omit a tedious sermon on the danger of rashness and the advantages of pru- dence, sufficient to irritate a less pas- sionate hearer than Ravan.
2 The Bengal recension assigns a very different speech to Kumbhakarna and makes him say that Narad the messenger of the Gods had formerly told him that THE RAM AY AN.
BOOK CANTO LXIV.
MAHODARS SPEECH.
He ceased:. and when his lips were closed Mahodar thus his rede opposed: * Why wilt tljou. shame thy noble birth And speak like one of Tittle worth ( Why boast thee thus in youthful pride Kejecting wisdom for thy guide I How will thy single arm oppose The victor of a thousand foes, Who proved in Janasthan his might And slew the rovers of the night \ The remnant of those legions, they Who saw his power that fatal day.
Now in this Jeaguered city dread The mighty chief from whom they fled.
And wouhist thou meet the lord of men, Beard the great lion in his den, And, when thine eyes are open, break The slumber of a deadly snake?
Who may an equal battle wage With him,, «o awful in his rage, Fierce as the God of Death whom none May vanquish, Dasaratha's son?
But, Kavaii, shall the lady still Kef use compliance with thy will?
No, listen,, King, to this design Which soon shall make the captive thine.
Q'his day through Lanka's streets proclaim That four of us1 of highest fame With Kurobhakarna at our head Will strike the son of Eaghu dead.
Forth to the battle will we go And prove our prowess on the foe.
Then, if our bold attempt succeed, No further plans thy hopes will need.
But if in vain our warriors strive, And Ragh.u's son be left alive, We will return, and, wounded sore, Our armour stained with goats of gore, Will -show the.shafts that rent each frame, Keeli arr-iws marked with Kama's name, And say we giants have devoured The princes whom our might o'erpowered.
Then let the joyful tidings spread That Raghu's royal sons are dead.
To all around thy pleasure show, Gold, pearls, and precious robf s, bestow.
Gay garlands round the portals twine, Enjoy the banquet and the wine.
Then go, the scornful lady seek, .And woo her when her heart is weak.
Vishnu himself incarnate as Dasaratha's son feiiould come to destroy Ravan.
1 Mahodar, Dwijihva, Sanhrada, and Vitarda'n.
Rich robes and gold and gems display, And gently wile her grief away. Then will she feel her hopeless state, Widowed, forlorn, and desolate: Know that on thee her bliss depends, Far from her country and her friends f Then, her proud spirit overthrown, The lady will be all thine own,' CANTO LXV\ KUMBHAKARNA'S SPEECH, B-ut haughty Kumbhakarna spurned His counsel, and to ltd van turned: ' Tny life from peril will L free And slay the foe who threatens thee.
A hero never vaunts in vain, Like bellowing clouds devoid of raiB, Nor, Monarch, be thine ear inclined To counsellors of slavish kind, Who witli mean arts their king mislead And mav each gallant plan and deed.
O, let not words like his beguile The glorious king of Lanka's isle.'
Thus scornful Kumbhakarna cried,. And Ravan with a laugh replied: ' Alahodar fears and fain would shun The tattle with Ikshvaku's son. Of all my giant warriors, who Is strong as thou. and brave and true? Hide, conqueror? to the battle ride, And tame the foeman's senseless pride* Go forth like Yama to the fteld, And let thine arm thy trident wield. Scared by the lightning of thine eye The Vanar hosts will turn and fly; And Rama, when he sees thee near, With trembling heart will own his fear/ The champion heard, and, well content, Forth from the hall his footsteps bent. He grasped his spear, the foeman's dread, Hlack iron all, both shaft and head, Which, dyed in many a battle,, bore Great spots of slaughtered victims' gore. The king upon his neck had thrown The jewelled chain which graced his own,, And garlands of delicious scent About his limbs for ornament. Around his arms gay bracelets clung,. And pendants in his ears were hung. Adorned with gold, about his waist His coat of mail was firmly braced,. And like Narayan1 or the God Who rules the sky he proudly trod. Behind him went a mighty throng Of giant warriors tall and strong, 1 A name of Vishnu.
Canto LXVIL THE RAM AY AN.
On elephants of noblest breeds, With cars, with camels, and with steeds; Ami, armed with spear and axe and sword Wei*e fain to battle for their lord.1 CANTO LXVL KUMBHAKAUNA'S SALLY.
In pornp and pride of warlike state The giant passed the city gate. He raised his voice: the hills, the shore Of Lanka's sea returned the roar. The Vanars saw the chief draw nigh Whom not the ruler of the sky, Nor Yama, monarch of the dead, Might vanquish, and affrighted fled. "When royal Angad. Bali's son, Saw the scared Vanars turn and run, Undaunted still he kept his ground, And shouted as he gazed around: * O Nala, Nila, stay, nor let Your souls your generous worth forget. O Kumud and Gavaksha, why Like base-born Vanars will ye fly? Turn, turn, nor shame your order thus: This giant is no match for us.' They heard his voice: the flight was stayed; stayed; Again for war they stood arrayed, And hurled napon the foe a shower Of mountain peaks and trees in flower. Still on his limbs their missiles rained: Unmoved, their blows he still sustained, And seemed unconscious of the stroke When rocks against his body broke. Fierce.as the lilame when woods are dry He charged with fury hi his eye. Like trees consumed with fervent heat They fell beneath the giant's feet. Some o'er the ground, dyed red with gore, Fled wild with terror to the shore, And, deeming that all hope was lost, Ran to the bridge they erst had crossed. Some clomb the trees their lives to save. Some sought the mountain and the-eave; Some hid them in the bosky dell, And there in deathlike slumber fell.
1 There is so much commonplace repeti" tion in these Sallies of the Rakshas chief- tains that omissions are frequently neces- sary. The usual ill omens attend the sally of kumbhakarna, and the Canto ends with a description of the terrified Vanars' flight which is briefly repeated in different words at the beginning of the next Canto.
When Angad saw the chief bains fly He called them with a mighty cry: ' Once more, O Vunars, charge once more, On to the battle as before. In all her compass earth has not, To hide you safe, one secret spot. Whftt '! leave your arms? each nobler dame Will scorn her consort for the shame. This blot upon your names efface, And keep your valour from disgrace. Stay, chieftains * wherefore will ye run, A band of warriors scared by one? ' Scarce would they hear: they would not stay, And basely spoke in wild dismay: ' Have we wot fought, and fought in vaia Have we not seen our mightiest slain? The giant's matchless force w,e fear, And fly because our lives are d-ear.' But Bali's son with gentle art Dispelled their dread and cheered each heart.
They turned and formed and waited.still Obedient to the prince's will.
CANTO LXVIL KUMBHAKARNA'S DEATH.
Thus from their flight the Vanars turned* And every heart for battle burned, Determined on the spot to die Or gain a warrior's meed on high. Again the Vanars stooped to seize Their weapons, rocks and fallen trees; Again the deadly fight began, And fiercely at the giant ran. Unmoved the monster kept his place: He raised on high his awful mace, Whirled the huge weapon round hiis head And laid the foremost Vanars dead. Eight thousand fell bedewed with gore, Then sank and died seven hundred more. Then thirty, twenty, ten, or eight At each fierce onset met their fate, And fast the fallen were devoured Like snakes by Garud's beak o'erpo wered. Then Dwivid fi-om the Vanar van, Armed with an uptorn mountain, ran, Like a huge cloud whenifierce winds blow« And charged amain the mountain foe. With wondrous force the hill he threw: O'er Kumbhakarna's head it flew, An<d falling on his host afar ("rushed many a giant, steed, and car. Rocks, trees, by tierce Hanuman sped, Rained fast on Kumbhakrna's head, Whose spear each deadlier missile stopped, And harmless on thn i>lain it dronued.
THE RA MAYAN.
Bool VI.