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<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">BOOK III.</span></h1>
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<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto I. The Hermitage.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When Ráma, valiant hero, stood</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In the vast shade of Daṇḍak wood,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His eyes on every side he bent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And saw a hermit settlement,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where coats of bark were hung around,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And holy grass bestrewed the ground.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bright with Bráhmanic lustre glowed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That circle where the saints abode:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like the hot sun in heaven it shone,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Too dazzling to be looked upon.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wild creatures found a refuge where</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The court, well-swept, was bright and fair,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And countless birds and roedeer made</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their dwelling in the friendly shade.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beneath the boughs of well-loved trees</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Oft danced the gay Apsarases.<SPAN id="noteref_401" name="noteref_401" href="#note_401"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">401</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Around was many an ample shed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wherein the holy fire was fed;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With sacred grass and skins of deer,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ladles and sacrificial gear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And roots and fruit, and wood to burn,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And many a brimming water-urn.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Tall trees their hallowed branches spread,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Laden with pleasant fruit, o'erhead;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And gifts which holy laws require,<SPAN id="noteref_402" name="noteref_402" href="#note_402"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">402</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And solemn offerings burnt with fire,<SPAN id="noteref_403" name="noteref_403" href="#note_403"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">403</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Veda chants on every side</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That home of hermits sanctified.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There many a flower its odour shed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And lotus blooms the lake o'erspred.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There, clad in coats of bark and hide,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their food by roots and fruit supplied,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dwelt many an old and reverend sire</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bright as the sun or Lord of Fire,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">All with each worldly sense subdued,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A pure and saintly multitude.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Veda chants, the saints who trod</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The sacred ground and mused on God,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Made that delightful grove appear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like Brahmá's own most glorious sphere.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As Raghu's splendid son surveyed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That hermit home and tranquil shade,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He loosed his mighty bow-string, then</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Drew nearer to the holy men.</div>
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<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With keen celestial sight endued</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Those mighty saints the chieftain viewed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With joy to meet the prince they came,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And gentle Sítá dear to fame.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They looked on virtuous Ráma, fair</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As Soma<SPAN id="noteref_404" name="noteref_404" href="#note_404"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">404</span></span></SPAN> in the evening air,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Lakshmaṇ by his brother's side,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Sítá long in duty tried,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And with glad blessings every sage</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Received them in the hermitage.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Ráma's form and stature tall</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Entranced the wondering eyes of all,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His youthful grace, his strength of limb,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And garb that nobly sat on him.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Lakshmaṇ too their looks they raised,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And upon Sítá's beauty gazed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With eyes that closed not lest their sight</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Should miss the vision of delight.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then the pure hermits of the wood,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rejoicing in all creatures' good,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their guest, the glorious Ráma, led</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Within a cot with leaves o'erhead.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With highest honour all the best</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of radiant saints received their guest,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With kind observance, as is meet,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And gave him water for his feet.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To highest pitch of rapture wrought</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their stores of roots and fruit they brought.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They poured their blessings on his head,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“All we have is thine,”</span> they said.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then, reverent hand to hand applied,<SPAN id="noteref_405" name="noteref_405" href="#note_405"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">405</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each duty-loving hermit cried:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“The king is our protector, bright</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In fame, maintainer of the right.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He bears the awful sword, and hence</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Deserves an elder's reverence.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">One fourth of Indra's essence, he</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Preserves his realm from danger free,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hence honoured by the world of right</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The king enjoys each choice delight.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou shouldst to us protection give,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For in thy realm, dear lord, we live:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whether in town or wood thou be,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou art our king, thy people we.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Our wordly aims are laid aside,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Our hearts are tamed and purified.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To thee our guardian, we who earn</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Our only wealth by penance turn.”</span></div>
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<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Then the pure dwellers in the shade</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Raghu's son due honour paid,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Lakshmaṇ, bringing store of roots,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And many a flower, and woodland fruits.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And others strove the prince to please</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With all attentive courtesies.</div>
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<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto II. Virádha.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus entertained he passed the night,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then, with the morning's early light,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To all the hermits bade adieu</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And sought his onward way anew.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He pierced the mighty forest where</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Roamed many a deer and pard and bear:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Its ruined pools he scarce could see.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For creeper rent and prostrate tree,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where shrill cicada's cries were heard,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And plaintive notes of many a bird.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Deep in the thickets of the wood</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With Lakshmaṇ and his spouse he stood,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There in the horrid shade he saw</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A giant passing nature's law:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Vast as some mountain-peak in size,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With mighty voice and sunken eyes,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Huge, hideous, tall, with monstrous face,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Most ghastly of his giant race.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A tiger's hide the Rákshas wore</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still reeking with the fat and gore:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Huge-faced, like Him who rules the dead,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">All living things he struck with dread.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Three lions, tigers four, ten deer</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He carried on his iron spear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Two wolves, an elephant's head beside</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With mighty tusks which blood-drops dyed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When on the three his fierce eye fell,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He charged them with a roar and yell</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As furious as the grisly King</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When stricken worlds are perishing.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then with a mighty roar that shook</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The earth beneath their feet, he took</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The trembling Sítá to his side.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Withdrew a little space, and cried:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Ha, short lived wretches, ye who dare,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In hermit dress with matted hair,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Armed each with arrows, sword, and bow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Through Daṇḍak's pathless wood to go:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">How with one dame, I bid you tell,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Can you among ascetics dwell?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who are ye, sinners, who despise</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The right, in holy men's disguise?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The great Virádha, day by day</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Through this deep-tangled wood I stray,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And ever, armed with trusty steel,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I seize a saint to make my meal.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This woman young and fair of frame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Shall be the conquering giant's dame:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Your blood, ye things of evil life,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">My lips shall quaff in battle strife.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">He spoke: and Janak's hapless child,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Scared by his speech so fierce and wild,</div>
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<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Trembled for terror, as a frail</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Young plantain shivers in the gale.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When Ráma saw Virádha clasp</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fair Sítá in his mighty grasp,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus with pale lips that terror dried</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hero to his brother cried:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O see Virádha's arm enfold</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My darling in its cursed hold,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The child of Janak best of kings,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My spouse whose soul to virtue clings,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sweet princess, with pure glory bright,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nursed in the lap of soft delight.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now falls the blow Kaikeyí meant,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Successful in her dark intent:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This day her cruel soul will be</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Triumphant over thee and me.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Though Bharat on the throne is set,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her greedy eyes look farther yet:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Me from my home she dared expel,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Me whom all creatures loved so well.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This fatal day at length, I ween,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Brings triumph to the younger queen.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I see with bitterest grief and shame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Another touch the Maithil dame.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Not loss of sire and royal power</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">So grieves me as this mournful hour.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Thus in his anguish cried the chief:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then drowned in tears, o'erwhelmed by grief,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus Lakshmaṇ in his anger spake,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Quick panting like a spell-bound snake:</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Canst thou, my brother, Indra's peer,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When I thy minister am near,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus grieve like some forsaken thing,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou, every creature's lord and king?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My vengeful shaft the fiend shall slay,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And earth shall drink his blood to-day.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fury which my soul at first</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon usurping Bharat nursed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On this Virádha will I wreak</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As Indra splits the mountain peak.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Winged by this arm's impetuous might</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">My shaft with deadly force</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The monster in the chest shall smite,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And fell his shattered corse.”</span></div>
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<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto III. Virádha Attacked.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Virádha with a fearful shout</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That echoed through the wood, cried out:</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“What men are ye, I bid you say,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And whither would ye bend your way?”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">To him whose mouth shot fiery flame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hero told his race and name:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Two Warriors, nobly bred, are we,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And through this wood we wander free.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But who art thou, how born and styled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Who roamest here in Daṇḍak's wild?”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">To Ráma, bravest of the brave,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His answer thus Virádha gave:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Hear, Raghu's son, and mark me well,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And I my name and race will tell.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Śatahradá born, I spring</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From Java as my sire, O King:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Me, of this lofty lineage, all</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Giants on earth Virádha call.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The rites austere I long maintained</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From Brahmá's grace the boon have gained</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To bear a charmed frame which ne'er</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Weapon or shaft may pierce or tear.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Go as ye came, untouched by fear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And leave with me this woman here:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Go, swiftly from my presence fly,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Or by this hand ye both shall die.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Then Ráma with his fierce eyes red</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With fury to the giant said:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Woe to thee, sinner, fond and weak,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who madly thus thy death wilt seek!</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stand, for it waits thee in the fray:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">With life thou ne'er shalt flee away.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">He spoke, and raised the cord whereon</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A pointed arrow flashed and shone,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then, wild with anger, from his bow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He launched the weapon on the foe.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Seven times the fatal cord he drew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And forth seven rapid arrows flew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Shafts winged with gold that left the wind</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And e'en Suparṇa's<SPAN id="noteref_406" name="noteref_406" href="#note_406"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">406</span></span></SPAN> self behind.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Full on the giant's breast they smote,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And purpled like the peacock's throat,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Passed through his mighty bulk and came</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To earth again like flakes of flame.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fiend the Maithil dame unclasped;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In his fierce hand his spear he grasped,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And wild with rage, pierced through and through,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">At Ráma and his brother flew.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So loud the roar which chilled with fear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So massy was the monster's spear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He seemed, like Indra's flagstaff, dread</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As the dark God who rules the dead.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On huge Virádha fierce as He<SPAN id="noteref_407" name="noteref_407" href="#note_407"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">407</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who smites, and worlds have ceased to be,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The princely brothers poured amain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their fiery flood of arrowy rain.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Unmoved he stood, and opening wide</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His dire mouth laughed unterrified,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And ever as the monster gaped</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Those arrows from his jaws escaped.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Preserving still his life unharmed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By Brahmá's saving promise charmed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His mighty spear aloft in air</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He raised, and rushed upon the pair.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From Ráma's bow two arrows flew</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And cleft that massive spear in two,</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page232"></span><SPAN name="Pg232" id="Pg232" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dire as the flaming levin sent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From out the cloudy firmament.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Cut by the shafts he guided well</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To earth the giant's weapon fell:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As when from Meru's summit, riven</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By fiery bolts, a rock is driven.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then swift his sword each warrior drew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like a dread serpent black of hue,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And gathering fury for the blow</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rushed fiercely on the giant foe.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Around each prince an arm he cast,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And held the dauntless heroes fast:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then, though his gashes gaped and bled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bearing the twain he turned and fled.</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Then Ráma saw the giant's plan,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And to his brother thus began:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O Lakshmaṇ, let Virádha still</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hurry us onward as he will,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For look, Sumitrá's son, he goes</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Along the path we freely chose.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">He spoke: the rover of the night</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upraised them with terrific might,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Till, to his lofty shoulders swung,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like children to his neck they clung.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then sending far his fearful roar,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The princes through the wood he bore,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A wood like some vast cloud to view,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where birds of every plumage flew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And mighty trees o'erarching threw</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Dark shadows on the ground;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where snakes and silvan creatures made</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their dwelling, and the jackal strayed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Through tangled brakes around.</div>
</div></div>
<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em">
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