Ramayan, Book 3, The

<SPAN name="toc493" id="toc493"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf494" id="pdf494"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoIII-XLIX" id="CantoIII-XLIX" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto XLIX. The Rape Of Sítá.</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">The Rákshas monarch, thus addressed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His hands a while together pressed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And straight before her startled eyes</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stood monstrous in his giant size.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then to the lady, with the lore</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of eloquence, he spoke once more:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Thou scarce,”</span> he cried, <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“hast heard aright</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The glories of my power and might.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I borne sublime in air can stand</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And with these arms upheave the land,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Drink the deep flood of Ocean dry</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Death with conquering force defy,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Pierce the great sun with furious dart</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And to her depths cleave earth apart.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">See, thou whom love and beauty blind,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">I wear each form as wills my mind.”</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">As thus he spake in burning ire</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His glowing eyes were red with fire.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His gentle garb aside was thrown</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And all his native shape was shown.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Terrific, monstrous, wild, and 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">His fiery eyes in fury rolled,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His limbs were decked with glittering gold.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like some dark cloud the monster showed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And his fierce breast with fury glowed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The ten-faced rover of the night,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With twenty arms exposed to sight,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His saintly guise aside had laid</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And all his giant height displayed.</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page287"></span><SPAN name="Pg287" id="Pg287" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Attired in robes of crimson dye</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He stood and watched with angry eye</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lady in her bright array</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Resplendent as the dawn of day</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When from the east the sunbeams break,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And to the dark-haired lady spake:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“If thou would call that lord thine own</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose fame in every world is known,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Look kindly on my love, and be</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bride of a consort meet for thee.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With me let blissful years be spent,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For ne'er thy choice shalt thou repent.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No deed of mine shall e'er displease</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My darling as she lives at ease.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy love for mortal man resign,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And to a worthier lord incline.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah foolish lady, seeming wise</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In thine own weak and partial eyes,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By what fair graces art thou held</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Ráma from his realm expelled?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Misfortunes all his life attend,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And his brief days are near their end.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Unworthy prince, infirm of mind!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A woman spoke and he resigned</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His home and kingdom and withdrew</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From troops of friends and retinue.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And sought this forest dark and dread</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">By savage beasts inhabited.”</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 urged the lady meet</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For love, whose words were soft and sweet.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Near and more near the giant pressed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As love's hot fire inflamed his breast.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The leader of the giant crew</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His arm around the lady threw:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus Budha<SPAN id="noteref_503" name="noteref_503" href="#note_503"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">503</span></span></SPAN> with ill-omened might</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Steals Rohiṇí's delicious light.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">One hand her glorious tresses grasped,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">One with its ruthless pressure clasped</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The body of his lovely prize,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Maithil dame with lotus eyes.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The silvan Gods in wild alarm</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Marked his huge teeth and ponderous arm,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And from that Death-like presence fled,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of mountain size and towering head.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then seen was Rávaṇ's magic car</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Aglow with gold which blazed afar,—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The mighty car which asses drew</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thundering as it onward flew.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He spared not harsh rebuke to chide</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lady as she moaned and cried,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then with his arm about her waist</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His captive in the car he placed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In vain he threatened: long and shrill</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rang out her lamentation still,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O Ráma! which no fear could stay:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But her dear lord was far away.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then rose the fiend, and toward the skies</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bore his poor helpless struggling prize:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hurrying through the air above</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The dame who loathed his proffered love.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So might a soaring eagle bear</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A serpent's consort through the air.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As on he bore her through the sky</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She shrieked aloud her bitter cry.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As when some wretch's lips complain</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In agony of maddening pain;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O Lakshmaṇ, thou whose joy is still</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To do thine elder brother's will,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This fiend, who all disguises wears,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From Ráma's side his darling tears.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou who couldst leave bliss, fortune, all,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Yea life itself at duty's call,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dost thou not see this outrage done</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To hapless me, O Raghu's son?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">'Tis thine, O victor of the foe,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To bring the haughtiest spirit low,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">How canst thou such an outrage see</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And let the guilty fiend go free?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah, seldom in a moment's time</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Comes bitter fruit of sin and crime,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But in the day of harvest pain</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Comes like the ripening of the grain.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So thou whom fate and folly lead</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To ruin for this guilty deed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Shalt die by Ráma's arm ere long</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A dreadful death for hideous wrong.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah, too successful in their ends</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Are Queen Kaikeyí and her friends,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When virtuous Ráma, dear to fame,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Is mourning for his ravished dame.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah me, ah me! a long farewell</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To lawn and glade and forest dell</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In Janasthán's wild region, where</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Cassia trees are bright and fair</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With all your tongues to Ráma say</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That Rávaṇ bears his wife away.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Farewell, a long farewell to thee,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O pleasant stream Godávarí,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose rippling waves are ever stirred</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By many a glad wild water-bird!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">All ye to Ráma's ear relate</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giant's deed and Sítá's fate.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O all ye Gods who love this ground</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where trees of every leaf abound,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Tell Ráma I am stolen hence,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I pray you all with reverence.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On all the living things beside</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That these dark boughs and coverts hide,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ye flocks of birds, ye troops of deer,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I call on you my prayer to hear.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">All ye to Ráma's ear proclaim</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That Rávaṇ tears away his dame</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With forceful arms,—his darling wife,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dearer to Ráma than his life.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O, if he knew I dwelt in hell,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My mighty lord, I know full well,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Would bring me, conqueror, back to-day,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Though Yáma's self reclaimed his prey.”</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 from the air the lady sent</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page288"></span><SPAN name="Pg288" id="Pg288" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With piteous voice her last lament,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And as she wept she chanced to see</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The vulture on a lofty tree.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As Rávaṇ bore her swiftly by,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On the dear bird she bent her eye,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And with a voice which woe made faint</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Renewed to him her wild complaint:</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">“O see, the king who rules the race</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of giants, cruel, fierce and base,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rávaṇ the spoiler bears me hence</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The helpless prey of violence.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This fiend who roves in midnight shade</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By thee, dear bird, can ne'er be stayed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For he is armed and fierce and strong</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Triumphant in the power to wrong.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For thee remains one only task,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To do, kind friend, the thing I ask.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Ráma's ear by thee be borne</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">How Sítá from her home is torn,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And to the valiant Lakshmaṇ tell</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">The giant's deed and what befell.”</span></div> </div></div> <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> <SPAN name="toc495" id="toc495"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf496" id="pdf496"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoIII-L" id="CantoIII-L" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto L. Jatáyus.</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">The vulture from his slumber woke</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And heard the words which Sítá spoke</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He raised his eye and looked on her,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Looked on her giant ravisher.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That noblest bird with pointed beak,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Majestic as a mountain peak,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">High on the tree addressed the king</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of giants, wisely counselling:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O Ten-necked lord, I firmly hold</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To faith and laws ordained of old,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thou, my brother, shouldst refrain</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From guilty deeds that shame and stain.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The vulture king supreme in air,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Jaṭáyus is the name I bear.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy captive, known by Sítá's name,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Is the dear consort and the dame</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Ráma, Daśaratha's heir</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who makes the good of all his care.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lord of the world in might he vies</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With the great Gods of seas and skies.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The law he boasts to keep allows</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No king to touch another's spouse,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And, more than all, a prince's dame</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">High honour and respect may claim.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Back to the earth thy way incline,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor think of one who is not thine.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Heroic souls should hold it shame</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To stoop to deeds which others blame,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And all respect by them is shown</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To dames of others as their own.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Not every case of bliss and gain</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Scripture's holy texts explain,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And subjects, when that light is dim,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Look to their prince and follow him.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The king is bliss and profit, he</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Is store of treasures fair to see,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And all the people's fortunes spring,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their joy and misery, from the king.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If, lord of giant race, thy mind</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Be fickle, false, to sin inclined,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">How wilt thou kingly place retain?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">High thrones in heaven no sinners gain.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The soul which gentle passions sway</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ne'er throws its nobler part away,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor will the mansion of the base</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Long be the good man's dwelling-place.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Prince Ráma, chief of high renown,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Has wronged thee not in field or town.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ne'er has he sinned against thee: how</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Canst thou resolve to harm him now?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If moved by Śúrpaṇakhá's prayer</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giant Khara sought him there,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And fighting fell with baffled aim,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His and not Ráma's is the blame.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Say, mighty lord of giants, say</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What fault on Ráma canst thou lay?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What has the world's great master done</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That thou should steal his precious one?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Quick, quick the Maithil dame release;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Let Ráma's consort go in peace,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lest scorched by his terrific eye</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beneath his wrath thou fall and die</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like Vritra when Lord Indra threw</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lightning flame that smote and slew.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah fool, with blinded eyes to take</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Home to thy heart a venomed snake!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah foolish eyes, too blind to see</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That Death's dire coils entangle thee!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The prudent man his strength will spare,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor lift a load too great to bear.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Content is he with wholesome food</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Which gives him life and strength renewed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But who would dare the guilty deed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That brings no fame or glorious meed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where merit there is none to win</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And vengeance soon o'ertakes the sin?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My course of life, Pulastya's son,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For sixty thousand years has run.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lord of my kind I still maintain</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Mine old hereditary reign.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I, worn by years, am older far</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Than thou, young lord of bow and car,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In coat of glittering mail encased</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And armed with arrows at thy waist,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But not unchallenged shalt thou go,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or steal the dame without a blow.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou canst not, King, before mine eyes</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bear off unchecked thy lovely prize,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Safe as the truth of Scripture bent</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By no close logic's argument.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stay if thy courage let thee, stay</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And meet me in the battle fray,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thou shalt stain the earth with gore</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Falling as Khara fell before.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Soon Ráma, clothed in bark, shall smite</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page289"></span><SPAN name="Pg289" id="Pg289" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thee, his proud foe, in deadly fight,—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma, from whom have oft times fled</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Daitya hosts discomfited.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No power have I to kill or slay:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The princely youths are far away,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But soon shalt thou with fearful eye</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Struck down beneath their arrows lie.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But while I yet have life and sense,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou shalt not, tyrant, carry hence</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fair Sítá, Ramá's honoured queen,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With lotus eyes and lovely mien.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whate'er the pain, whate'er the cost,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Though in the struggle life be lost,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The will of Raghu's noblest son</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Daśaratha must be done.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stay for a while, O Rávaṇ, stay,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">One hour thy flying car delay,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And from that glorious chariot thou</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Shalt fall like fruit from shaken bough,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For I to thee, while yet I live,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">The welcome of a foe will give.”</span></div> </div></div> <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> <SPAN name="toc497" id="toc497"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf498" id="pdf498"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoIII-LI" id="CantoIII-LI" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto LI. The Combat.</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">Rávaṇ's red eyes in fury rolled:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bright with his armlets' flashing gold,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In high disdain, by passion stirred</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He rushed against the sovereign bird.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With clash and din and furious blows</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of murderous battle met the foes:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus urged by winds two clouds on high</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Meet warring in the stormy sky.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then fierce the dreadful combat raged</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As fiend and bird in war engaged,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As if two winged mountains sped</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To dire encounter overhead.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Keen pointed arrows thick and fast,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In never ceasing fury cast,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rained hurtling on the vulture king</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And smote him on the breast and wing.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But still that noblest bird sustained</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The cloud of shafts which Rávaṇ rained,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And with strong beak and talons bent</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The body of his foeman rent.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then wild with rage the ten-necked king</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Laid ten swift arrows on his string,—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dread as the staff of Death were they,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So terrible and keen to slay.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Straight to his ear the string he drew,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Straight to the mark the arrows flew,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And pierced by every iron head</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The vulture's mangled body bled.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">One glance upon the car he bent</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where Sítá wept with shrill lament,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then heedless of his wounds and pain</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rushed at the giant king again.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then the brave vulture with the stroke</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of his resistless talons broke</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giant's shafts and bow whereon</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fairest pearls and jewels shone.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The monster paused, by rage unmanned:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A second bow soon armed his hand,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whence pointed arrows swift and true</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In hundreds, yea in thousands, flew.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The monarch of the vultures, plied</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With ceaseless darts on every side,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Showed like a bird that turns to rest</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Close covered by the branch-built nest.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He shook his pinions to repel</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The storm of arrows as it fell;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then with his talons snapped in two</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The mighty bow which Rávaṇ drew.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Next with terrific wing he smote</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So fiercely on the giant's coat,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The harness, glittering with the glow</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of fire, gave way beneath the blow.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With storm of murderous strokes he beat</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The harnessed asses strong and fleet,—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each with a goblin's monstrous face</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And plates of gold his neck to grace.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then on the car he turned his ire,—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The will-moved car that shone like fire,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And broke the glorious chariot, broke</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The golden steps and pole and yoke.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The chouris and the silken shade</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like the full moon to view displayed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Together with the guards who held</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Those emblems, to the ground he felled.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The royal vulture hovered o'er</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The driver's head, and pierced and tore</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With his strong beak and dreaded claws</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His mangled brow and cheek and jaws.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With broken car and sundered bow,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His charioteer and team laid low,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">One arm about the lady wound,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sprang the fierce giant to the ground.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Spectators of the combat, all</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The spirits viewed the monster's fall:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lauding the vulture every one</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Cried with glad voice, Well done! well done!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But weak with length of days, at last</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The vulture's strength was failing fast.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fiend again assayed to bear</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lady through the fields of air.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But when the vulture saw him rise</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Triumphant with his trembling prize,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bearing the sword that still was left</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When other arms were lost or cleft,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Once more, impatient of repose,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Swift from the earth her champion rose,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hung in the way the fiend would take,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus addressing Rávaṇ spake:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Thou, King of giants, rash and blind,</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wilt be the ruin of thy kind,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stealing the wife of Ráma, him</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With lightning scars on chest and limb.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A mighty host obeys his will</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And troops of slaves his palace fill;</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page290"></span><SPAN name="Pg290" id="Pg290" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His lords of state are wise and true,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Kinsmen has he and retinue.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As thirsty travellers drain the cup,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou drinkest deadly poison up.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The rash and careless fool who heeds</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No coming fruit of guilty deeds,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A few short years of life shall see,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And perish doomed to death like thee.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Say whither wilt thou fly to loose</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy neck from Death's entangling noose,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Caught like the fish that finds too late</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hook beneath the treacherous bait?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Never, O King—of this be sure—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Will Raghu's fiery sons endure,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Terrific in their vengeful rage,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This insult to their hermitage.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy guilty hands this day have done</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A deed which all reprove and shun,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Unworthly of a noble chief,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The pillage loved by coward thief.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stay, if thy heart allow thee, stay</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And meet me in the deadly fray.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Soon shall thou stain the earth with gore,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And fall as Khara fell before.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fruits of former deeds o'erpower</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The sinner in his dying hour:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And such a fate on thee, O King,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy tyranny and madness bring.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Not e'en the Self-existent Lord,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who reigns by all the worlds adored,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Would dare attempt a guilty deed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Which the dire fruits of crime succeed.”</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 brave Jaṭáyus, best of birds,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Addressed the fiend with moving words,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then ready for the swift attack</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Swooped down upon the giant's back.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Down to the bone the talons went;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With many a wound the flesh was rent:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Such blows infuriate drivers deal</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their elephants with pointed steel.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fixed in his back the strong beak lay,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The talons stripped the flesh away.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He fought with claws and beak and wing,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And tore the long hair of the king.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still as the royal vulture beat</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giant with his wings and feet,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Swelled the fiend's lips, his body shook</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With furious rage too great to brook.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">About the Maithil dame he cast</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">One huge left arm and held her fast.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In furious rage to frenzy fanned</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He struck the vulture with his hand.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Jatáyus mocked the vain assay,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And rent his ten left arms away.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Down dropped the severed limbs: anew</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ten others from his body grew:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus bright with pearly radiance glide</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dread serpents from the hillock side,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Again in wrath the giant pressed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lady closer to his breast,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And foot and fist sent blow on blow</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In ceaseless fury at the foe.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So fierce and dire the battle, waged</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Between those mighty champions, raged:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here was the lord of giants, there</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The noblest of the birds of air.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus, as his love of Ráma taught,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The faithful vulture strove and fought.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But Rávaṇ seized his sword and smote</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His wings and side and feet and throat.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">At mangled side and wing he bled;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He fell, and life was almost fled.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lady saw her champion lie,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His plumes distained with gory dye,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And hastened to the vulture's side</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Grieving as though a kinsman died.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The lord of Lanká's island viewed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">The vulture as he lay:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Whose back like some dark cloud was hued,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">His breast a paly grey,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Like ashes, when by none renewed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">The flame has died away.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The lady saw with mournful eye,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Her champion press the plain,—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The royal bird, her true ally</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Whom Rávaṇ's might had slain.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Her soft arms locked in strict embrace</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Around his neck she kept,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">And lovely with her moon-bright face</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Bent o'er her friend and wept.</div> </div></div> <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />