The shrill cry pierced through Rama's et And his sad eyes o'erflowed with tears, When lo, transported through the sky A glorious band of Gods was nigh. Ancestral shades, ' by men revered, In venerable state appeared, And he from whom all riches flow,2 And Yama Lord who reigns below: King Indra, thousand-eyed, and he Who wields the sceptre of the sea.3 The God who shows the blazoned, bull,' And Brahma Lord most bountiful By whose command the worlds were ma< All these on radiant cars conveyed, 1 The Pitris or Manes, the spirits of t dead. * Kuvera, the God of Wealth.
3 Varun, God of the sea.
4 Mahadeva or giva whose ensign i: hull CXX.
THE RAM AY AN.
Brighter than sun-beams, sought the place Where stood the prince of R-aghu's race, .And from their glittering seats the best Of blessed Gods the chief addressed: Couldst thou, the Lord of all, couldst thou, Creator of the worlds, allow Thy queen, thy spouse to brave the fire And give her body to the pyre? Dost thou not yet, supremely wise, Thy heavenly nature recognize 2 They ceased: and Rama thus began: "I deem myself a mortal man. Of old Ikshvaku's line, I spring From Dasaratha Kosal's king.' He ceased: and Brahma's self replied: " () cast the idle thought aside. Thou art the Lord Narayan, thou The God to whom all creatures bow. Thou art the saviour God who wore Of old the' semblance of a boar; Thou he whose discus overthrows All present, past and future foes; Thou Brahma, That whose days extend Without beginning, growth or end; The God, who, 'bears the bow of horn, Whom four majestic* arms adorn; Thou art the God who rules the sense And sways with gentle influence; Thou all-pervading Vishnu Lord Who wears the ever-conquering sword; Thou art the Guide who leads aright, Thou Krishna of unequalled might. Thy hand, 6 Lord, the hills and plains, And earth with all her life sustains; Thou wilt appear in serpent form When sinks the earth in fire and storm, Queen Sit£ of the lovely brows Is Lakshmi thy celestial spouse. To free the worlds from Ravan thou Wouldst take the form thou wearest now. Rejoice: the mighty task is done: Rejoice, thou great and glorious one.
The tyrant, slain, thy labours end: Triumphant now to heaven ascend. High bliss awaits the devotee Who clings in loving faith to thee, Who celebrates with solemn praise The Lord of ne'er beginning days. On earth below, in heaven above Great joy shall crown his faith and love, And he who loves the tale divine Which tells each glorious deed of thine Through life's fair course shall never know The fierce assault of pain and woe.'1 CANTO CXX, SITA RESTORED.
Thus spoke the Self -existent Sire: Then swiftly from the blazing pyre The circling flames were back ward rolled, And, raising in his gentle hold Alive unharmed the Maithil dame, The Lord of Fire embodied came. Fair as the morning was her sheen, And gold and gems adorned the queen. Her form in crimson robes arrayed, Her hair was bound in glossy braid. Her wreath was fresh and sweet of scent, Undimmed was every ornament. Then, standing close to Rama's side, The universal witness cried: ' From every blot and blemish free Thy faithful queen returns to thee. In word or deed, in look or mind Her heart from thee has ne'er declined. By force the giant bore away From thy lone cot his helpless prey; And in his bowers securely kept She still has longed for thee and wept. With soft temptation, bribe and threat, He bade the dame her love forget: But, nobly faithful to her lord, Her soul the giant's suit abhorred. Receive, O King, thy queen again, Pure, ever pure from spot and stain/ Still stoocithe king in thoughtful mood And tears of joy his eyes bedewed. Then to the best of Gods the best Of warrior chiefs his mind expressed: ' 'T was meet that mid the thousands here The searching fire my queen should clear; For long within the giant's bower She dwelt the vassal of his power. For else had many a slanderous tongue Reproaches on mine honour flung, And scorned the king who, love-impelled, His consort from the proof withheld. No doubt had I, but surely knew That Janak's child was pure and true, That, come what might, in good and ill Her faithful heart was with me still. I knew that Ravan could not wrong My queen whom virtue made so strong. I knew his heart would sink and fail, Nor dare her honour to assail, As Ocean, when he raves and roars, Fears to o'erleap his bounding shores. Now to the worlds her truth is shown, And Sita is again mine own. Thus proved before unnumbered eyes, On her pure fame no shadow lies. As heroes to their glory cleave, THE RAMAYAN.
JBoolc He ceased t and clasped in fond embrace On his dear breast she hid her face, CANTO CXXI.
DA&ARATHA.
To him Mahesvar thus replied: ' O strong-armed hero, lotus-eyed, Thou, best of those who love the right, Hast nobly fought the wondrous fight. Dispelled by thee the gloom that spread Through trembling earth and heaven is fled The worlds exult in light and bliss, And praise thy name, O chief, for thia. Now peace to Bharat's heart restore, And bid Kausalya weep no more. Thy face let Queen Kaikeyi see, Let fond Sumitra gaze on thee. The longing of thy friends relieve, The kingdom of thy sires receive. Let sons of gentle Sit& born Ikshvaku's ancient line adorn. Then from all care and foemen freed Perform the offering of the steed. In pious gifts thy wealth expend, Then to the home of Gods ascend, Thy sire, this glorious king, behold. Among the blest in heaven enrolled. He comes from where the Immortals dwell: Salute him, for he loves thee well.'
His mandate Ltaghu's sons obeyed, And to their sire obeisance made, Where high he stood above the car In wondrous light that shone afar, His limbs in radiant garments dressed Whereon no spot of dust might rest. When on the son he loved so well The eyes of Dasaratha fell, He strained the hero to his breast And thus with gentle words addressed: * No joy to me is heavenly bliss, For there these eyes my Bama miss, Enrolled on high with saint and sage, Thy woes, dear son, my thoughts engage. Kaikeyi's guile I ne'er forget: Her cruel words will haunt me yet, Which sent thee forth, my son, 'to roam The forest far from me and home. Now when I look on each dear face, And hold you both in fond embrace, My heart is full of joy to see The sons I love from danger free. Now know I what the Gods designed, And how in llama's form enshrined The might of Purushottam lay, The tyrant of the worlds to slay. Ah. how Kausalya will rejoice To hear again her darling's voice, Aud, all thy weary wanderings o'er, To gaze upon thy face once more. Ah blest, for ever blest are they Whose eyes shall see the glorious day Of thy return in joy at last, Thy term of toil and exile past. Ayodhya's lord, begin thy reign, And day by day new glory gain,' He ceased: and Rama thus replied: * Be not this grace, O sire, denied. Those hasty words, that curse revoke Which from thy lips in anger broke: ' Kaikeyi, be no longer mine: I cast thee off, both thee and thine.' O father, let no sorrow fall On her or hers: thy curse recall/ ' Yea, she shall live, if so thou wilt,' The sire replied, * absolved from guilt.' Bound Lakshman then his arms he thrc And moved by love began anew: ' Great store of merit shall be thine, And brightly shall thy glory shine; Secure on earth thy brother's grace, And high in heaven shall be thy place. Thy glorious king obey and fear: To him the triple world is dear. God, saint, ana sage, by Indra led, To Rama bow the reverent head, Nor from the Lord, the lofty -souled, Their worship or their praise withhold, Heart of the Gods, supreme is he, The One who ne'er shall cease to be.' On Sita then he looked and smiled; * List to my words' he said, 4 dear child, Let not thy gentle breast retain Ope lingering trace of wrath or pain. W\ien by the fire thy truth he proved, By love for thee his will was moved. The furious flame thy faith confessed Which shrank not from the awful test: And thou, in every heart enshrined, Shalt live the best of womankind.'
He ceased: he bade the three adieu, And home" to heaven exulting flew.
CANTO CXXII. INDRA'S BOON.
Then Indra, he whose fiery stroke Slew furious Paka, turned and spoke: * A glorious day, O chief, is this, Rich with the fruit of lasting bliss. Well pleased are we: we love thee well Now speak, thy secret wishes tell.'
Thus spake the sovereign of the sky, And this was Rama's glad reply: * If I have won your grace, incline To grant this one request of mine. Restore, O King: the Vanar dead Whose blood for me was nobly shed.
into CXXHI.
THE RAM AY AN.
o life and strength mv friends recall, nd bring them back from Yama's hall. Hien. fresh in might the warriors rise, repare a feast to glad th$ir eyes, et fruits of every season' glow, nd streams of purest water flow.' Thus Raghu's son, great-hearted, prayed nd Indra thus his answer made: ligh is the boon thou seekest: none lould win this grace but Raghu's son. t, faithful to the word I spake, rant the prayer for tl>y dear sake. le Vanars whom the giants slew leir life and vigour shall renew. ieir strength repaired, their gashes healed hose torrents dyed the battle field, te warrior hosts from death shall ke sleepers when their slumber flies.' 'Restored from Yama's dark domain le Vanar legions filled the plain, nd, round the royal chief arrayed, ith wondering hearts obeisance paid, ich God the son of Raghu praised, id cried as loud his voice he raised: urn, King, to fair Ayodhya speed, id leave thy friends of Vanar breed. y true devoted consort cheer ter long days of woe and fear, iirat, thy loyal brother, see, hermit now for love of tbee. e tears of Queen Kausalya dry, d light with joy each stepdame's eye; en consecrated king of men ike glad each faithful citizen.' ['hey ceased: and borne on radiant cars ught their bright home amid the stars.
CANTO CXXIII.
THE MAGIC CAR, Far is Ayodhya: long, alas, The dreary road and hard to pass.'
' One day,' Vibhishan cried, 'one day Shall bear thee o'er that length of way. Is not the wondrous chariot mine, Named Pushpak, wrought by hands divine, The prize which Ravan seized of old Victorious o'er the God of Gold? This chariot, kept with utmost care, Will waft thee through the fields of air, And thou shalt light unwearied down In fair Ayodhya's royal town. But yet if aught that I have done Has pleased thee well, O Raghu's son; If still thou carest for thy friend, Some little time in Lanka spend; There after toil of battle rest Within my halls an honoured guest.' Again the son of Raghu spake: • Thy life was perilled for my sake. Thy counsel gave me priceless aid: All honours have been richly paid. Scarce can my love refuse, O begt Of giant kind, thy last request. But still I yearn once more to see My home and all most dear to me; Nor can 1 brook one hour's delay: Forgive me, speed me on my way.'
He ceased: the magic car was brought, Of yore by Visvakarina wrought. In sunlike sheen it flashed and blazed; And Raghu's sons in wonder gazed.
CANTO CXXIV.
THE DEPARTURE.
The giant lord the chariot viewed, And humbly thus his speech renewed: * Behold, O King, the car prepared: Now be thy further will declared.' He ceased: and Rama spake once more: 'These hosts who thronged to Lanka's shore Their faith and might have nobly shown, And set thee on the giants' throne. Let pearls and gems and gold repay The feats of many a desperate day, That all may go triumphant hence Proud of their noble recompense.' Vibhishan, ready at his call, With gold and gems enriched them all. Then Rama clomb the glorious car That shone like day's resplendent star, There in his lap he held his dame failing her eyes in modest shame. Reside him Lakshman took his stand. Whose mighty bow still armed his hand, O King Vibnishan,' Rama cried, O Vanar chiefs, so long allied, THE RAM AY AN.
Boole My comrades till the foemen fell, List, for I speak a long farewell. The task, in doubt and fear begun, With your good aid is nobly done. Leave Lanka's shore, your steps retrace, Brave warriors of the Vanar race. Thou, King Sugriva, true, through all, To friendship's bond and duty's call, Seek far Kishkindha with thy train And o'er thy realm in glory reign. Farewell, Vibhishan, LanM's throne Won by pur arms is now thine own, Thou, mighty lord, hast nought to dread tfrom heavenly Gods by Indra led. My last farewell, 0 King, receive, For Lanka's isle this hour I leave.' Loud rose their cry in answer: ' We, 0 Raghu's son, would go with thee. With thee delighted would we stray Where sweet Ayodhya's groves are gay, Then in the joyous synod view King-making balm thy brows bedew; Our homage to Kausalya pa}', And hasten on our homeward way.'
Their prayer the son of Raghu heard, And spoke, his heart with rapture stirred: ' Sugriva, O my faithful friend, Vibhishan and ye chiefs, ascend. A joy beyond all joys the best Will fill my overflowing breast, If girt by you, O noble band, 1 seek again my native land.' With Vanar lords in danger tried Bugriva sprang to Rama's side, And girt by chiefs of giant kind Vibhishan's step was close behind. Swift through the air, as Rama chose, The wondrous car from earth arose, And decked with swans and silver wings Bore through the clouds its freight of kings.
CANTO CXXV. THE RETURN.
Then Rama, speeding through the skies, Bent on the earth his ea.ger eyes: ' Look, Sita, see,^divinely planned And built by Visvakarma's hand, Lanka the lovely city rest Enthroned on Mount Trikuta's crest. Behold those fields, ensanguined yet, Where Vanar hosts and giants met. There, vainly screened by charm and spell, The robber Ravan fought and fell. There knelt Man'dodari J and shed Her tears in floods for Ravan dead. And every dame who loved liim sent Raran'a queen.
From her sad heart her wild lament. There gleams the margin of the deep, Where, worn with toil, we sank to sleep, Look, love, the unconquerd sea behold, King Varun's home ordained of old, Whose boundless waters roar and swell Rich with their store of pearl and shell. O see, the morning sun is bright On fair Hiranyanabha's1 height, Who rose from Ocean's sheltering breast That Hanuman might stay and rest. There stretches, famed for evermore, The wondrous bridge from shore to shon The worlds, to life's remotest day, Due reverence to the work shall pay, Which holier for the laps of time Shall give release from sin and crime. Now thither bend, dear love, thine eyes Where green with groves Kishkindha He The seat of King Sugriva's reign, Where Bali by this hand was slain.2 There Rishya'muka's hill behold Bright gleaming with embedded gold. There too my wandering foot I set, There King Sugriva first I met, And, where yon trees their branches wav My promise of assistance gave. There, flushed with lilies, Fampa shines With banks which greenest foliage lines Where melancholy steps I bent And mourned thee with a mad lament. There fierce Kabandha, spreading wide His giant arms, in battle died. Turn, Sita, turn thine eyes and see In Janasthan that glorious tree: There Ravan, lord of giants, slew Our friend Jatayus brave and true, Thy champion in the hopless strife, Who gave for thee his noble life. Now mark that glade amid the trees Where once we lived as devotees. See, see our leafy cot between Those waving boughs of densest green, Where Ravan seized his prize and stole My love the darling of my soul. O,'look again: beneath thee gleams Godavari the best of streams, Whose lucid waters sweetly glide By lilies that adorn her side. There dwelt Agastya, holy sage. In plantain-sheltered hermitage. See fSarabhanga's humble shed 1 Or Mainaka.
2 Here, in the North-west recensic Sita expresses a wish that TarA and t wives of the Vanar chiefs should be invit to accompany her to Ayodhya. The c decends, and the Vanar matrons are a ded to the party. The Bengal recensi i ignores this palpable iateiTuptiou, Canto CXXVIL THE RAM AY AN.
Which sovereign Indra visited. See where the gentle hermits dwell Neath Atri's rule who loved us well; Where once thine eyes were blest to see His sainted dame who talked with thee. Now rest thine eyes with new delight On Chitrakuta's woody height, See Jumna flashing in the sun Through groves of brilliant foliage run. Screened by the shade of spreading boughs There Bharadv&ja keeps his vows, There Ganga, river of the skies, Rolls the sweet wave that purifies, There &ringavera's towers ascend Where Guha reigns, mine ancient friend, I see, I see thy glittering spires, Ayodhya, city of my sires. Bow down, bow down thy head, my sweet, Our home, our long-lost home to greet.'
CANTO CXXVI.
BHARAT CONSOLED, Thy virtues, best of chiefs, I know, And now a boon would fain bestow. This hospitable gift1 receive: Then with the dawn my dwelling leave. The bended head of Rama showed His reverence for the grace bestowed; Then for each brave companion's sake He sought a further boon and spake: ' O let that mighty power of thine The road to fair Ayodhy& line With trees where fruit of every hue The Vanars' eye and taste may woo, And flowers of every season, sweet With stores of honeyed juice, may meet,' The hero ceased: the hermit bent His reverend head in glad assent; And swift, as Bharadvaja willed, The prayer of Rama was fulfilled. For many a league the lengthening road Trees thick with fruit and blossom showed With luscious beauty to entice The taste like trees of Paradise. The Vanars passed beneath the shade Of that delightful colonnade, Still tasting with unbounded glee The treasures of each wondrous tree.
CANTO CXXVIL RAMA'S MESSAGE.
But Rama, when he first looked down And saw afar Ayodhya's town, Had called Hanuman to his side.
The chief on whom his heart relied, And said: ' Brave Vauar, good at need, Haste onward, to Ayodhya speed, And learn, I pray, if all be well With those who in the palace dwell.
But as thou speedest on thy way Awhile at Sringavera stay.
Tell Guha the Nishadas' lord, That victor, with my queen restored, In health and strength with many a friend Homeward again my steps I bend.
Thence by the road that he will show On to Ayodhyd swiftly go.
There with my love my brother greet, And all our wondrous tale repeat.
Say that victorious in the strife I come with Lakshman and my wife.
Then mark with keenest eye each trace Of joy or grief on Bharat's face.
Be all his gestures closely viewed, 1 The arghya, a respectful offering to Gods and venerable men consisting of rice, duiva grass, flowers etc., with water.
THE RAM AY AN.
Boole VI.
Each change of look and attitude.
Where breathes the man who will not cling To all that glorifies a king?
Where heats the heart that can resign An ancient kingdom, nor repine To lose a land renowned for breeds Of elephants and warrior steeds?
If, won by custom day by day, >ly brother Bharat thirsts for sway, Still let him rule the nations, still The throne of old Ikshvaku till.
Go, mark him well: his feelings learn, And, ere we yet be near return.'
He ceased: and, garbed in human form, Forth sped Hanuman swift as storm. Sublime in air he rose, and through The region of his father flew. He saw far far beneath his feet Where Ganga's flood and Jumna meet. Descending from the upper air He entered &ringavera, where King Guha's heart was well content To hear the message Kama sent. Then, with his mighty strength renewed, The Vanar chief his way pursued. Valukini was far behind, And Gomati with forests lined, And golden fields and pastures gay With flocks and herds beneath him lay. Then >Jandigrama charmed his eye Where flowers were bright with every dye, And trees of lovely foliage made With meeting boughs delightful shade, Where women watched in trim array Their little sons' and grandsons' play. His eager eye on Bharat fell Who sat be'fore his lonely cell. In hermit weed, with tangled hair, Pale, weak, and worn with ceaseless care. His royal pomp and state resigned For Rama still he watched and pined. SStill to his dreary vows adhered, And royal Rama's shoes revered. Yet still the terror of his arm Preserved the land from fear and harm.
The Wind-God's son, in form a man, Raised reverent hands and thus began: ' Fond greeting, Prince, I bring to thee, And Rama's self has sent it: he For whom thy spirit sorrows yet As for a hapless anchoret In Dandak wood, in dire distress, With matted hair and hermit dress. This sorrow from thy bosom fling, And hear the tale of joy I bring. This day thy brother shalt thou meet Exulting in his foe's defeat. Freed from his toil and lengthened vow, The light of victory on his brow, With Kita, Lakshman and his friends Homeward at last his steps he bends,' Then joy, too mighty for control, Rushed in full flood o'er Bharat's soul; His reeling sense and strength gave way, And fainting on the earth he lay. At length upspringing from the ground, His arms about Hanuman wound, With tender tears of rapture sprung, He dewed the neck to which he clung: ' Art thou a God or man,' he cried, 1 Whom love and pity hither guide? For this a hundred thousand kine, A hundred villages be thine. A score of maids of spotless lives To thee 1 give to be thy wives, Of golden hue and bright of face, Each lovely for her tender grace.'
He ceased a while by joy subdued, And then his eager speech renewed: CANTO CXXVIII.
HANUMAN'S STORY.
* In doubt and fear long years have passed, And glorious tidings come at last. True, true is now the ancient verse Which men in time of bliss rehearse: ' Once only in a hundred years Great joy to mortal men appears.' But now his woes and triumph tell, And loss and gain as each befell.' He ceased: Hanuman mighty-souled The tale of Kama's wanderings told From that first day on which he stood In the drear shade of Dandak wood. He told how fierce Viradha fell; He told of ^arabhanga's cell Where Kama saw with wondering eyes Indra descended from the skies. He told how SurpanakhYt came, Her soul aglow with amorous flame, And fled repulsed, with rage and tears, Reft of her nose and severed ears. He told how Kama's might subdued The giants' furious multitude; How Khara with the troops he led And Trisiras and Dushan bled: How Rama, tempted from his cot, The golden deer pursued and shot, And Ravan came and stole away The Maithil queen his hapless prey, When, as he fought, the dame to save, His noble life Jatayus gave: How Kama still the search renewed, The robber to his hold pursued, Bridging the sea from shore to shore, And found his queen to part no more.1 1 I have abridged Hanuman's outlineof Rama's adventures, with the details of which we are already sufficiently acquainted.
Canto CXXJX.
THE RAMA YAN.
CANTO CXXIX.
THE MEETING WITH BHARAT.
O'erwhelmed with rapture Bharat heard The tale that all his being stirred, And, heralding the glad event, This order to Satrughna sent: *\et every shrine with flowers be gay Let incense burn and music play. Go forth, go forth to meet your king, Let tabours sound and minstrels sing. Let bards swell high the note of praise Skilled in the lore of ancient days. Call forth the royal matrons: call Each noble from the council hall. Send all we love and honour most, Send Brahmans and the warrior host, A glorious company to bring In triumph home our lord the king.'
Great rapture filled Satrughna's breast, Obedient to his brother's hest. * Send forth ten thousand men' he cried, *Let brawny arms be stoutly plied, And, smoothing all with skilful care, The road for Kosal's king prepare. Then o'er the earth let thousands throw Fresh showers of water cool as snow, And others strew with garlands gay With loveliest blooms our monarch's way. On tower and temple porch and gate Let banners wave in royal state, And be each roof and terrace lined With blossoms loose and chaplets twined.'
The nobles hasting forth fulfilled His order as Satrughna willed. Sublime on elephants they rode Whose gilded girths with jewels glowed. Attended close by thousands more Gay with the gear arid flags they bore. A thousand chiefs their steeds bestrode, Their glittering cars a thousand showed, And countless hosts in rich array Pursued on foot their eager way. Veiled from the air with silken screens In Utters rode the widowed queens. Kausalya first, acknowledged head And sovereign of the household, led: Sumitra next, and after, dames Of lower rank and humbler names. Then compassed by a white-robed throng Of Brahmans, heralded with song, With shouts of joy from countless throats, And shells1 and tambours' mingled notes, And drums resounding long and loud, Kxulting Bharat joined the crowd. Still on his head, well -trained in lore Of duty, Llama's shoes he bore. The moon- white canopy was spread With llowery twine engarlanded, 33 And jewelled chorines, meet to hold O'er Rama's brow, shone bright with gold, Though Nandigrama's town they neareil, Of Kama yet no sign appeared. Then Bharat called the Vanar chief And questioned thus in doubt and grief: * Hast thou uncertain, like thy kind, A sweet delusive guile designed? Where, where is royal Rama? show The hero, victor of the foe. I gaze, but see no Vanars still Who wear each varied shape at will.'
In eager love thus Bharat cried, And thus the Wind-God's son replied: 'Look, Bharat, on those laden trees That murmur with the song of bees, For Rama's sake the saint has made Untimely fruits, unwonted shade. Such power in ages long ago Could Indra's gracious boon bestow. O, hear the Vanars' voices, hear The shouting which proclaims them near E'en now about to cross they seem Sweet Gomati's delightful stream. I see, I see the car designed By Brahma's own creative mind, The car which, radiant as the moon, Moves at the will by Brahma's boon; The car which once was Ravan's pride, The victor's spoil when Ravan died. Look, there are Raghu's sons': between The brothers stands the rescued queen. There is Vibhishan full in view, Sugriva and his retinue.'
He ceased: then rapture loosed each tongue: From men and dames, from old and young, One long, one universal cry, 'Tis he. 'tis Rama, smote the sky, All lighted down with eager speed From elephant and car and steed, And every joyful eye intent On Rama's moonbright face was bent. Entranced a moment Bharat gazed: Then reverential hands he raised, And on his brother humbly pressed The honours due to welcome guest. Then Bharat clomb the car to greet His king and bowed him at his feet, Till Rama raised him face to face And held him in a close embrace. Then Lakshman and the Maithil dame He greeted as he spoke his name.1 He greeted next, supreme in place, The sovereign of the Vanar race, And Jambavan and Bali's son, 1 In these respectful salutations the person who salutes his superior mentions his own name even when it is well known to the person whom he salutes.
THE RAM AT AN.
fiook VI And lords and chiefs, omitting none.1 Sugriva to his heart he pressed And thus with grateful words addressed: ' Four brothers, Vanar king, were we, And now we boast a fifth in thee.
P>y kindly acts a friend we know: Offence and wrong proclaim the foe,' To King Yibhishan then he spake: * Well hast thou fo'ught for Rama's sake.'
Nor was the brave &atrughna slow His reverential love to show To both his brothers, as was meet, And venerate the lady's feet.
Then llama to his mother came, &aw her pale cheek and wasted frame, With gentle words her heart consoled, And clasped her feet with loving hold.
Then at Sumitra's feet he bent, And fair Kaikeyi's, reverent, Greeted each dame from chief to least, And bowed him to the household priest.
Up rose a shout from all the throng: ' O welcome, Kama, mourned so long, Welcome, Kausalya's joy and pride/ Ten hundred thousand voices cried.
Then Bharat placed, in duty taught, On Kama's feet the shoes he brought: 4 My king/ he cried, 'receive again The pledge preserved through years of pain, The rule and lordship of the land Kntrusted to my weaker hand.
No more I sigh o'er sorrow's past, My birth and life are blest at last In the glad sight this day has shown, When Bama comes to rule his own/ He ceased: the faithful love that moved The prince's soul each heart approved; Nor could the Vanar chiefs refrain Fr >m tender tears that fell like rain, Then Bama, stirred with joy anew, His arms about his brother threw, And to the grove his course he bent Where Bharat's hermit days were spent. Alighting in that pure retreat He pressed the earth with eager feet. Then, at his hest, the car rose high And sailing through the northern sky Sped homeward to the Lord of Gold Who owned the wondrous prize of old,2 1 I have omitted the chieftains' names as they could not be introduced without padding. They are Mainda, Dwivid, Nila Rtghabh, Sushen, Nala, Gavakshay Gan- dhamadan, £arabh, and Panas.
* The following addition is found in the Bengal recension: But Vaisravan (•Kuvera) when he beheld his chariot said unto it: 'Go, and carry Rama, and come unto me when my thought shall call thee, And the chariot returned unto Kama;' CANTO CXXX, THE CONSECBATION.
Then, reverent hand to hand applied, Thus Bharat to his brother cried: * Thy realm, O King, is now restored, Uninjured to the rightful lord. Tli is feeble arm with toil and pain, The weighty charge could scarce sustain, And the great burthen wellnigh broke The neck untrained to bear the yoke. The royal swan outapeeds the crow: The steed ia swift, the mule is slow, Nor can my feeble feet be led O'er the rough ways where thine should tread.
Now grant what all thy subjects ask; Begin, O King, thy roval task. Now let our longing eyes behold The glorious rite ordained of old, And on the new-found monarch's head Let consecrating drops be shed.'