Ramayan, Book 3, The

<SPAN name="toc499" id="toc499"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf500" id="pdf500"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoIII-LII" id="CantoIII-LII" 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 LII. Rávan's Flight.</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">Fair as the lord of silvery rays</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whom every star in heaven obeys,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Maithil dame her plaint renewed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O'er him by Rávaṇ's might subdued:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Dreams, omens, auguries foreshow</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Our coming lot of weal and woe:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But thou, my Ráma, couldst not see</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The grievous blow which falls on thee.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The birds and deer desert the brakes</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And show the path my captor takes,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus e'en now this royal bird</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Flew to mine aid by pity stirred.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Slain for my sake in death he lies,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The broad-winged rover of the skies.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O Ráma, haste, thine aid I crave:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O Lakshmaṇ, why delay to save?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Brave sons of old Ikshváku, hear</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And rescue in this hour of fear.”</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">Her flowery wreath was torn and rent,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Crushed was each sparkling ornament.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She with weak arms and trembling knees</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Clung like a creeper to the trees,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And like some poor deserted thing</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With wild shrieks made the forest ring.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But swift the giant reached her side,</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page291"></span><SPAN name="Pg291" id="Pg291" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As loud on Ráma's name she cried.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fierce as grim Death one hand he laid</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon her tresses' lovely braid.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“That touch, thou impious King, shall be</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">The ruin of thy race and thee.”</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The universal world in awe</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That outrage on the lady saw,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">All nature shook convulsed with dread,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And darkness o'er the land was spread.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Lord of Day grew dark and chill,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And every breath of air was still.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Eternal Father of the sky</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beheld the crime with heavenly eye,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And spake with solemn voice, <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“The deed,</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">The deed is done, of old decreed.”</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sad were the saints within the grove,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But triumph with their sorrow strove.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They wept to see the Maithil dame</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Endure the outrage, scorn, and shame:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They joyed because his life should pay</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The penalty incurred that day.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Rávaṇ raised her up, and bare</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His captive through the fields of air,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Calling with accents loud and shrill</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On Ráma and on Lakshmaṇ still.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With sparkling gems on arm and breast,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In silk of paly amber dressed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">High in the air the Maithil dame</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Gleamed like the lightning's flashing flame.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giant, as the breezes blew</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon her robes of amber hue,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And round him twined that gay attire,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Showed like a mountain girt with fire.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lady, fairest of the fair,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Had wreathed a garland round her hair;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Its lotus petals bright and sweet</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rained down about the giant's feet.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her vesture, bright as burning gold,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Gave to the wind each glittering fold,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fair as a gilded cloud that gleams</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Touched by the Day-God's tempered beams.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Yet struggling in the fiend's embrace,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lady with her sweet pure face,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Far from her lord, no longer wore</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The light of joy that shone before.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like some sad lily by the side</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of waters which the sun has dried;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like the pale moon uprising through</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">An autumn cloud of darkest hue,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So was her perfect face between</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The arms of giant Rávaṇ seen:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fair with the charm of braided tress</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And forehead's finished loveliness;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fair with the ivory teeth that shed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">White lustre through the lips' fine red,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fair as the lotus when the bud</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Is rising from the parent flood.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With faultless lip and nose and eye,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dear as the moon that floods the sky</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With gentle light, of perfect mould,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She seemed a thing of burnished gold,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Though on her cheek the traces lay</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of tears her hand had brushed away.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But as the moon-beams swiftly fade</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ere the great Day-God shines displayed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So in that form of perfect grace</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still trembling in the fiend's embrace,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From her beloved Ráma reft,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No light of pride or joy was left.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lady with her golden hue</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O'er the swart fiend a lustre threw,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As when embroidered girths enfold</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">An elephant with gleams of gold.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fair as the lily's bending stem,—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her arms adorned with many a gem,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A lustre to the fiend she lent</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Gleaming from every ornament,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As when the cloud-shot flashes light</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The shadows of a mountain height.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whene'er the breezes earthward bore</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The tinkling of the zone she wore,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He seemed a cloud of darkness hue</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sending forth murmurs as it flew.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As on her way the dame was sped</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From her sweet neck fair flowers were shed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The swift wind caught the flowery rain</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And poured it o'er the fiend again.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The wind-stirred blossoms, sweet to smell,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On the dark brows of Rávaṇ fell,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like lunar constellations set</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On Meru for a coronet.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From her small foot an anklet fair</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With jewels slipped, and through the air,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like a bright circlet of the flame</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of thunder, to the valley came.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Maithil lady, fair to see</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As the young leaflet of a tree</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Clad in the tender hues of spring,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Flashed glory on the giant king,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As when a gold-embroidered zone</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Around an elephant is thrown.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While, bearing far the lady, through</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The realms of sky the giant flew,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She like a gleaming meteor cast</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A glory round her as she passed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then from each limb in swift descent</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dropped many a sparkling ornament:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On earth they rested dim and pale</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like fallen stars when virtues fail.<SPAN id="noteref_504" name="noteref_504" href="#note_504"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">504</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Around her neck a garland lay</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bright as the Star-God's silvery ray:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">It fell and flashed like Gangá sent</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From heaven above the firmament.<SPAN id="noteref_505" name="noteref_505" href="#note_505"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">505</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The birds of every wing had flocked</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To stately trees by breezes rocked:</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page292"></span><SPAN name="Pg292" id="Pg292" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These bowed their wind-swept heads and said:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“My lady sweet, be comforted.”</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With faded blooms each brook within</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose waters moved no gleamy fin,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stole sadly through the forest dell</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Mourning the dame it loved so well.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From every woodland region near</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Came lions, tigers, birds, and deer,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And followed, each with furious look,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The way her flying shadow took.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For Sítá's loss each lofty hill</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose tears were waterfall, and rill,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lifting on high each arm-like steep,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Seemed in the general woe to weep.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When the great sun, the lord of day,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Saw Rávaṇ tear the dame away,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His glorious light began to fail</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And all his disk grew cold and pale.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“If Rávaṇ from the forest flies</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With Ráma's Sítá as his prize,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Justice and truth have vanished hence,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Honour and right and innocence.”</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus rose the cry of wild despair</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From spirits as they gathered there.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In trembling troops in open lawns</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wept, wild with woe, the startled fawns,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And a strange terror changed the eyes</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They lifted to the distant skies.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On silvan Gods who love the dell</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A sudden fear and trembling fell,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As in the deepest woe they viewed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lady by the fiend subdued.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still in loud shrieks was heard afar</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That voice whose sweetness naught could mar,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While eager looks of fear and woe</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She bent upon the earth below.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lady of each winning wile</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With pearly teeth and lovely smile,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Seized by the lord of Lanká's isle,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Looked down for friends in vain.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She saw no friend to aid her, none,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Not Ráma nor the younger son</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Daśaratha, and undone</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">She swooned with fear and pain.</div> </div></div> <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> <SPAN name="toc501" id="toc501"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf502" id="pdf502"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoIII-LIII" id="CantoIII-LIII" 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 LIII. Sítá's Threats.</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">Soon as the Maithil lady knew</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That high through air the giant flew,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Distressed with grief and sore afraid</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her troubled spirit sank dismayed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then, as anew the waters welled</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From those red eyes which sorrow swelled,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Forth in keen words her passion broke,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And to the fierce-eyed fiend she spoke:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Canst thou attempt a deed so base,</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Untroubled by the deep disgrace,—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To steal me from my home and fly,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When friend or guardian none was nigh?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy craven soul that longed to steal,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fearing the blows that warriors deal,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon a magic deer relied</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To lure my husband from my side,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Friend of his sire, the vulture king</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lies low on earth with mangled wing,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who gave his aged life for me</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And died for her he sought to free.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah, glorious strength indeed is thine,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou meanest of thy giant line,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose courage dared to tell thy name</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And conquer in the fight a dame.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Does the vile deed that thou hast done</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Cause thee no shame, thou wicked one—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A woman from her home to rend</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When none was near his aid to lend?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Through all the worlds, O giant King,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The tidings of this deed will ring,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This deed in law and honour's spite</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By one who claims a hero's might.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Shame on thy boasted valour, shame!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy prowess is an empty name.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Shame, giant, on this cursed deed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For which thy race is doomed to bleed!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou fliest swifter than the gale,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For what can strength like thine avail?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stay for one hour, O Rávaṇ, stay;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou shalt not flee with life away.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Soon as the royal chieftains' sight</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Falls on the thief who roams by night,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou wilt not, tyrant, live one hour</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Though backed by all thy legions' power.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ne'er can thy puny strength sustain</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The tempest of their arrowy rain:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Have e'er the trembling birds withstood</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The wild flames raging in the wood?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hear me, O Rávaṇ, let me go,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And save thy soul from coming woe.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or if thou wilt not set me free,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wroth for this insult done to me.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With his brave brother's aid my lord</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Against thy life will raise his sword.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A guilty hope inflames thy breast</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His wife from Ráma's home to wrest.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah fool, the hope thou hast is vain;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy dreams of bliss shall end in pain.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If torn from all I love by thee</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My godlike lord no more I see,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Soon will I die and end my woes,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor live the captive of my foes.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah fool, with blinded eyes to choose</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The evil and the good refuse!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So the sick wretch with stubborn will</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Turns fondly to the cates that kill,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And madly draws his lips away</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From medicine that would check decay.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">About thy neck securely wound</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page293"></span><SPAN name="Pg293" id="Pg293" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The deadly coil of Fate is bound,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thou, O Rávaṇ, dost not fear</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Although the hour of death is near.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With death-doomed sight thine eyes behold</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The gleaming of the trees of gold,—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">See dread Vaitaraṇi, the flood</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That rolls a stream of foamy blood,—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">See the dark wood by all abhorred—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Its every leaf a threatening sword.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The tangled thickets thou shall tread</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where thorns with iron points are spread.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For never can thy days be long,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Base plotter of this shame and wrong</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Ráma of the lofty soul:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He dies who drinks the poisoned bowl.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The coils of death around thee lie:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They hold thee and thou canst not fly.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah whither, tyrant, wouldst thou run</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The vengeance of my lord to shun?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By his unaided arm alone</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Were twice seven thousand fiends o'erthrown:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Yes, in the twinkling of an eye</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He forced thy mightiest fiends to die.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And shall that lord of lion heart,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Skilled in the bow and spear and dart,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Spare thee, O fiend, in battle strife,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">The robber of his darling wife?”</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">These were her words, and more beside,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By wrath and bitter hate supplied.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then by her woe and fear o'erthrown</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She wept again and made her moan.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As long she wept in grief and dread,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Scarce conscious of the words she said,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The wicked giant onward fled</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">And bore her through the air.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As firm he held the Maithil dame,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still wildly struggling, o'er her frame</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With grief and bitter misery came</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The trembling of despair.</div> </div></div> <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />