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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 XL. Rávan's Speech.</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">But Rávaṇ scorned the rede he gave</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In timely words to warn and save,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">E'en as the wretch who hates to live</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rejects the herb the leeches give.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By fate to sin and ruin spurred,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That sage advice the giant heard,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then in reproaches hard and stern</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus to Márícha spoke in turn:</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">“Is this thy counsel, weak and base,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Unworthy of thy giant race?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy speech is fruitless, vain, thy toil</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like casting seed on barren soil.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No words of thine shall drive me back</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From Ráma and the swift attack.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A fool is he, inured to sin,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And more, of human origin.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The craven, at a woman's call</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To leave his sire, his mother, all</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The friends he loved, the power and sway,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And hasten to the woods away!</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But now his anger will I rouse,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stealing away his darling spouse.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I in thy sight will ravish her</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From Khara's cruel murderer.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon this plan my soul is bent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And naught shall move my firm intent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Not if the way through demons led</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Gods with Indra at their head.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">'Tis thine, when questioned, to explain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hope and fear, the loss and gain,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And, when thy king thy thoughts would know,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The triumph or the danger show.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A prudent counsellor should wait,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And speak when ordered in debate,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With hands uplifted, calm and meek,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If honour and reward he seek.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or, when some prudent course he sees</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Which, spoken, may his king displease</div>
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<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He should by hints of dexterous art</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His counsel to his lord impart.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But prudent words are said in vain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When the blunt speech brings grief and pain.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A high-souled king will scarcely thank</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The man who shames his royal rank.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Five are the shapes that kings assume,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of majesty, of grace, and gloom:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like Indra now, or Agni, now</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like the dear Moon, with placid brow:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like mighty Varuṇ now they show,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now fierce as He who rules below.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O giant, monarchs lofty-souled</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Are kind and gentle, stern and bold,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With gracious love their gifts dispense</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And swiftly punish each offence.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus subjects should their rulers view</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With all respect and honour due.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But folly leads thy heart to slight</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy monarch and neglect his right.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou hast in lawless pride addressed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With bitter words thy royal guest.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I asked thee not my strength to scan,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or loss and profit in the plan.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I only spoke to tell the deed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O mighty one, by me decreed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And bid thee in the peril lend</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy succour to support thy friend.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hear me again, and I will tell</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">How thou canst aid my venture well.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In semblance of a golden deer</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Adorned with silver drops, appear:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And near the cottage in the way</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Ráma and his consort stray.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Draw nigh, and wandering through the brake</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With thy strange form her fancy take.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Maithil dame with wondering eyes</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Will took upon thy fair disguise,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And quickly bid her husband go</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And bring the deer that charms her so,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When Raghu's son has left the place,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still pressing onward in the chase,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Cry out, <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O Lakshmaṇ! Ah, mine own!”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With voice resembling Ráma's tone.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When Lakshmaṇ hears his brother's cry,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Impelled by Sítá he will fly,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Restless with eager love, to aid</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hunter in the distant shade.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When both her guards have left her side,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Even as Indra, thousand-eyed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Clasps Śachí, will I bear away</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Maithil dame an easy prey.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When thou, my friend, this aid hast lent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Go where thou wilt and live content.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">True servant, faithful to thy vow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With half my realm I thee endow.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Go forth, may luck thy way attend</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That leads thee to the happy end.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I in my car will quickly be</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In Daṇḍak wood, and follow thee.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So will I cheat this Ráma's eyes</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And win without a blow the prize;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And safe return to Lanká's town</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With thee, my friend, this day shall crown.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But if thou wilt not aid my will,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My hand this day thy blood shall spill.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Yea, thou must share the destined task,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For force will take the help I ask.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No bliss that rebel's life attends</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose stubborn will his lord offends.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Thy life, if thou the task assay,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">In jeopardy may stand;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Oppose me, and this very day</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Thou diest by this hand.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Now ponder all that thou hast heard</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Within thy prudent breast:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Reflect with care on every word,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And do what seems the best.”</span></div>
</div></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 XLI. Márícha's Reply.</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">Against his judgment sorely pressed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By his imperious lord's behest,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Márícha threats of death defied</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus with bitter words replied:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Ah, who, my King, with sinful thought</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This wild and wicked counsel taught,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By which destruction soon will fall</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On thee, thy sons, thy realm and all?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who is the guilty wretch who sees</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With envious eye thy blissful ease,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And by this plan, so falsely shown,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Death's gate for thee has open thrown?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With souls impelled by mean desire</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy foes against thy life conspire.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They urge thee to destruction's brink,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And gladly would they see thee sink.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who with base thought to work thee woe</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This fatal road has dared to show,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And, triumph in his wicked eye,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Would see thee enter in and die?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To all thy counsellors, untrue,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The punishment of death is due,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who see thee tempt the dangerous way,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor strain each nerve thy foot to stay.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wise lords, whose king, by passion led,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The path of sin begins to tread,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Restrain him while there yet is time:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But thine,—they see nor heed the crime.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These by their master's will obtain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Merit and fame and joy and gain.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">'Tis only by their master's grace</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That servants hold their lofty place.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But when the monarch stoops to sin</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They lose each joy they strive to win,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And all the people people high and low</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fall in the common overthrow.</div>
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<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Merit and fame and honour spring,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Best of the mighty, from the king.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So all should strive with heart and will</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To keep the king from every ill.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Pride, violence, and sullen hate</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Will ne'er maintain a monarch's state,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And those who cruel deeds advise</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Must perish when their master dies,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like drivers with their cars o'erthrown</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In places rough with root and stone.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The good whose holy lives were spent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On duty's highest laws intent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With wives and children many a time</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Have perished for another's crime.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hapless are they whose sovereign lord,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Opposed to all, by all abhorred,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Is cruel-hearted, harsh, severe:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus might a jackal tend the deer.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now all the giant race await,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Destroyed by thee, a speedy fate,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ruled by a king so cruel-souled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Foolish in heart and uncontrolled.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Think not I fear the sudden blow</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That threatens now to lay me low:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I mourn the ruin that I see</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Impending o'er thy host and thee.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Me first perchance will Ráma kill,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But soon his hand thy blood will spill.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I die, and if by Ráma slain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And not by thee, I count it gain.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Soon as the hero's face I see</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His angry eyes will murder me,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And if on her thy hands thou lay</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy friends and thou are dead this day.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If with my help thou still must dare</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lady from her lord to tear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Farewell to all our days are o'er,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lanká and giants are no more.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">In vain, in vain, an earnest friend,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">I warn thee, King, and pray.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Thou wilt not to my prayers attend,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Or heed the words I say</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">So men, when life is fleeting fast</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">And death's sad hour is nigh,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Heedless and blinded to the last</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Reject advice and die.”</span></div>
</div></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 XLII. Márícha Transformed.</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">Márícha thus in wild unrest</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With bitter words the king addressed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then to his giant lord in dread,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Arise, and let us go,”</span> he said.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Ah, I have met that mighty lord</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Armed with his shafts and bow and sword,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And if again that bow he bend</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Our lives that very hour will end.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For none that warrior can provoke</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And think to fly his deadly stroke.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like Yáma with his staff is he,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And his dread hand will slaughter thee.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What can I more? My words can find</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No passage to thy stubborn mind.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I go, great King, thy task to share,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And may success attend thee there.”</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">With that reply and bold consent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giant king was well content.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He strained Márícha to his breast</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus with joyful words addressed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“There spoke a hero dauntless still,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Obedient to his master's will,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Márícha's proper self once more:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Some other took thy shape before.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Come, mount my jewelled car that flies.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Will-governed, through the yielding skies.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These asses, goblin-faced, shall bear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Us quickly through the fields of air.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Attract the lady with thy shape,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then through the wood, at will, escape.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And I, when she has no defence,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Will seize the dame and bear her thence.”</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">Again Márícha made reply,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Consent and will to signify.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With rapid speed the giants two</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From the calm hermit dwelling flew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Borne in that wondrous chariot, meet</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For some great God's celestial seat.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They from their airy path looked down</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On many a wood and many a town,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On lake and river, brook and rill,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">City and realm and towering hill.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Soon he whom giant hosts obeyed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Márícha by his side, surveyed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The dark expanse of Daṇḍak wood</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where Ráma's hermit cottage stood.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They left the flying car, whereon</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The wealth of gold and jewels shone,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus the giant king addressed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Márícha as his hand he pressed:</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">“Márícha, look! before our eyes</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Round Ráma's home the plantains rise.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His hermitage is now in view:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Quick to the work we came to do!”</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 Rávaṇ spoke, Márícha heard</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Obedient to his master's word,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Threw off his giant shape and near</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The cottage strayed a beauteous deer.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With magic power, by rapid change,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His borrowed form was fair and strange.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A sapphire tipped each horn with light;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His face was black relieved with white.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The turkis and the ruby shed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A glory from his ears and head.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His arching neck was proudly raised,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And lazulites beneath it blazed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With roseate bloom his flanks were dyed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And lotus tints adorned his hide.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His shape was fair, compact, and slight;</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page278"></span><SPAN name="Pg278" id="Pg278" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His hoofs were carven lazulite.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His tail with every changing glow</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Displayed the hues of Indra's bow.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With glossy skin so strangely flecked,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With tints of every gem bedecked.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A light o'er Ráma's home he sent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And through the wood, where'er he went.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giant clad in that strange dress</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That took the soul with loveliness,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To charm the fair Videhan's eyes</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With mingled wealth of mineral dyes,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Moved onward, cropping in his way,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The grass and grain and tender spray.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His coat with drops of silver bright,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A form to gaze on with delight,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He raised his fair neck as he went</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To browse on bud and filament.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now in the Cassia grove he strayed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now by the cot in plantains' shade.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Slowly and slowly on he came</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To catch the glances of the dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And the tall deer of splendid hue</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Shone full at length in Sítá's view.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He roamed where'er his fancy chose</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where Ráma's leafy cottage rose.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now near, now far, in careless ease,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He came and went among the trees.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now with light feet he turned to fly,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now, reassured, again drew nigh:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now gambolled close with leap and bound,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now lay upon the grassy ground:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now sought the door, devoid of fear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And mingled with the troop of deer;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Led them a little way, and thence</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Again returned with confidence.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now flying far, now turning back</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Emboldened on his former track,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Seeking to win the lady's glance</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He wandered through the green expanse.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then thronging round, the woodland deer</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Gazed on his form with wondering fear;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A while they followed where he led,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then snuffed the tainted gale and fled.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giant, though he longed to slay</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The startled quarry, spared the prey,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And mindful of the shape he wore</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To veil his nature, still forbore.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Sítá of the glorious eye,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Returning from her task drew nigh;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For she had sought the wood to bring</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each loveliest flower of early spring.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now would the bright-eyed lady choose</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Some gorgeous bud with blending hues,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now plucked the mango's spray, and now</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The bloom from an Aśoka bough.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She with her beauteous form, unmeet</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For woodland life and lone retreat,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That wondrous dappled deer beheld</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Gemmed with rich pearls, unparalleled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His silver hair the lady saw,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His radiant teeth and lips and jaw,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And gazed with rapture as her eyes</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Expanded in their glad surprise.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And when the false deer's glances fell</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On her whom Ráma loved so well,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He wandered here and there, and cast</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A luminous beauty as he passed;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Janak's child with strange delight</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Kept gazing on the unwonted sight.</div>
</div></div>
<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em">
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