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<SPAN name="CantoIII-LXX" id="CantoIII-LXX" 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 LXX. Kabandha.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When every rite was duly paid</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The princely brothers onward strayed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And eager in the lady's quest</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They turned their footsteps to the west.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Through lonely woods that round them lay</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ikshváku's children made their way,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And armed with bow and shaft and brand</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Pressed onward to the southern land.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thick trees and shrubs and creepers grew</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In the wild grove they hurried through.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">'Twas dark and drear and hard to pass</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For tangled thorns and matted grass.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still onward with a southern course</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They made their way with vigorous force,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And passing through the mazes stood</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beyond that vast and fearful wood.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With toil and hardship yet unspent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Three leagues from Janasthán they went,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And speeding on their way at last</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Within the wood of Krauncha<SPAN id="noteref_515" name="noteref_515" href="#note_515"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">515</span></span></SPAN> passed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A fearful forest wild and black</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As some huge pile of cloudy rack,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Filled with all birds and beasts, where grew</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bright blooms of every varied hue.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On Sítá bending every thought</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Through all the mighty wood they sought,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And at the lady's loss dismayed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here for a while and there they stayed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then turning farther eastward they</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Pursued three leagues their weary way,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Passed Krauncha's wood and reached the grove</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where elephants rejoiced to rove.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The chiefs that awful wood surveyed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where deer and wild birds filled each glade,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where scarce a step the foot could take</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For tangled shrub and tree and brake.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There in a mountain's woody side</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A cave the royal brothers spied,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With dread abysses deep as hell,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where darkness never ceased to dwell.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When, pressing on, the lords of men</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stood near the entrance of the den,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They saw within the dark recess</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A huge misshapen giantess;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A thing the timid heart that shook</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With fearful shape and savage look.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Terrific fiend, her voice was fierce,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Long were her teeth to rend and pierce.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The monster gorged her horrid feast</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of flesh of many a savage beast,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While her long locks, at random flung,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dishevelled o'er her shoulders hung.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their eyes the royal brothers raised,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And on the fearful monster gazed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Forth from her den she came and glanced</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">At Lakshmaṇ as he first advanced,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her eager arms to hold him spread,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Come and be my love”</span> she said,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then as she held him to her breast,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The prince in words like these addressed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Behold thy treasure fond and fair:</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ayomukhi<SPAN id="noteref_516" name="noteref_516" href="#note_516"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">516</span></span></SPAN> the name I bear.</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page311"></span><SPAN name="Pg311" id="Pg311" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In thickets of each lofty hill,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On islets of each brook and rill,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With me delighted shalt thou play,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And live for many a lengthened day.”</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">Enraged he heard the monster woo;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His ready sword he swiftly drew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And the sharp steel that quelled his foes</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Cut through her breast and ear and nose.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus mangled by his vengeful sword</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In rage and pain the demon roared,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And hideous with her awful face</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sped to her secret dwelling place.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Soon as the fiend had fled from sight,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The brothers, dauntless in their might,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Reached a wild forest dark and dread</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose tangled ways were hard to tread.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then bravest Lakshmaṇ, virtuous youth,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The friend of purity and truth,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With reverent palm to palm applied</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus to his glorious brother cried:</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">“My arm presaging throbs amain,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My troubled heart is sick with pain,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And cheerless omens ill portend</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where'er my anxious eyes I bend.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dear brother, hear my words: advance</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Resolved and armed for every chance,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For every sign I mark to-day</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Foretells a peril in the way.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This bird of most ill-omened note,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Loud screaming with discordant throat,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Announces with a warning cry</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">That strife and victory are nigh.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Then as the chiefs their search pursued</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Throughout the dreary solitude,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They heard amazed a mighty sound</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That broke the very trees around,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As though a furious tempest passed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Crushing the wood beneath its blast.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Ráma raised his trusty sword,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And both the hidden cause explored.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There stood before their wondering eyes</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A fiend broad-chested, huge of size.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A vast misshapen trunk they saw</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In height surpassing nature's law.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">It stood before them dire and dread</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Without a neck, without a head.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Tall as some hill aloft in air,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Its limbs were clothed with bristling hair,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And deep below the monster's waist</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His vast misshapen mouth was placed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His form was huge, his voice was loud</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As some dark-tinted thunder cloud.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Forth from his ample chest there came</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A brilliance as of gushing flame.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beneath long lashes, dark and keen</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The monster's single eye was seen.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Deep in his chest, long, fiercely bright,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">It glittered with terrific light.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He swallowed down his savage fare</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of lion, bird, and slaughtered bear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And with huge teeth exposed to view</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O'er his great lips his tongue he drew.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His arms unshapely, vast and dread,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A league in length, he raised and spread.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He seized with monstrous hands a herd</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of deer and many a bear and bird.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Among them all he picked and chose,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Drew forward these, rejected those.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Before the princely pair he stood</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Barring their passage through the wood.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A league of shade the chiefs had passed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When on the fiend their eyes they cast.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A monstrous shape without a head</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With mighty arms before him spread,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They saw that hideous trunk appear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That struck the trembling eye with fear.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then, stretching to their full extent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His awful arms with fingers bent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Round Raghu's princely sons he cast</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each grasping limb and held them fast.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Though strong of arm and fierce in fight,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each armed with bow and sword to smite,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The royal brothers, brave and bold,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Were helpless in the giant's hold.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Raghu's son, heroic still,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Felt not a pang his bosom thrill;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But young, with no protection near,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His brother's heart was sad with fear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus with trembling tongue he said</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Ráma, sore disquieted:</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">“Ah me, ah me, my days are told:</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O see me in the giant's hold.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fly, son of Raghu, swiftly flee,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thy dear self from danger free.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Me to the fiend an offering give;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fly at thine ease thyself and live.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou, great Kakutstha's son, I ween,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wilt find ere long thy Maithil queen,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And when thou holdest, throned again,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thine old hereditary reign,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With servants prompt to do thy will,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">O think upon thy brother still.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As thus the trembling Lakshmaṇ cried,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The dauntless Ráma thus replied:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Brother, from causeless dread forbear.</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">A chief like thee should scorn despair.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He spoke to soothe his wild alarm:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then fierce Kabandha<SPAN id="noteref_517" name="noteref_517" href="#note_517"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">517</span></span></SPAN> long of arm,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Among the Dánavs<SPAN id="noteref_518" name="noteref_518" href="#note_518"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">518</span></span></SPAN>
first and best,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The sons of Raghu thus addressed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“What men are you, whose shoulders show</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Broad as a bull's, with sword and bow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who roam this dark and horrid place,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Brought by your fate before my face?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Declare by what occasion led</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These solitary wilds you tread,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With swords and bows and shafts to pierce,</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page312"></span><SPAN name="Pg312" id="Pg312" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like bulls whose horns are strong and fierce.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Why have you sought this forest land</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where wild with hunger's pangs I stand?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now as your steps my path have crossed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Esteem your lives already lost.”</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">The royal brothers heard with dread</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The words which fierce Kabandha said.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Ráma to his brother cried,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose cheek by blanching fear was dried:</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">“Alas, we fall, O valiant chief,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From sorrow into direr grief,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still mourning her I hold so dear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">We see our own destruction near.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Mark, brother, mark what power has time</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O'er all that live, in every clime.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now, lord of men, thyself and me</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Involved in fatal danger see.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">'Tis not, be sure, the might of Fate</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That crushes all with deadly weight.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ne'er can the brave and strong, who know</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The use of spear and sword and bow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The force of conquering time withstand,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">But fall like barriers built of sand.”</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">Thus in calm strength which naught could shake</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The son of Daśaratha spake,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">With glory yet unstained</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon Sumitrá's son he bent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His eyes, and firm in his intent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">His dauntless heart maintained.</div>
</div></div>
<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em">
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<SPAN name="CantoIII-LXXI" id="CantoIII-LXXI" 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 LXXI. Kabandha'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">Kabandha saw each chieftain stand</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Imprisoned by his mighty hand,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Which like a snare around him pressed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus the royal pair addressed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Why, warriors, are your glances bent</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On me whom hungry pangs torment?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Why stand with wildered senses? Fate</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Has brought you now my maw to sate.”</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">When Lakshmaṇ heard, a while appalled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His ancient courage he recalled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And to his brother by his side</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With seasonable counsel cried:</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">“This vilest of the giant race</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Will draw us to his side apace.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Come, rouse thee; let the vengeful sword</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Smite off his arms, my honoured lord.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This awful giant, vast of size,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On his huge strength of arm relies,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And o'er the world victorious, thus</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With mighty force would slaughter us.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But in cold blood to slay, O King,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Discredit on the brave would bring,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As when some victim in the rite</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Shuns not the hand upraised to smite.”</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">The monstrous fiend, to anger stirred,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The converse of the brothers heard.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His horrid mouth he opened wide</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And drew the princes to his side.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They, skilled due time and place to note</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Unsheathed their glittering swords and smote,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Till from the giant's shoulders they</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Had hewn the mighty arms away.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His trenchant falchion Ráma plied</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And smote him on the better side,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While valiant Lakshmaṇ on the left</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The arm that held him prisoned cleft.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then to the earth dismembered fell</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The monster with a hideous yell,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And like a cloud's his deep roar went</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Through earth and air and firmament.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then as the giant's blood flowed fast,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On his cleft limbs his eye he cast,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And called upon the princely pair</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their names and lineage to declare.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Him then the noble Lakshmaṇ, blest</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With fortune's favouring marks, addressed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And told the fiend his brother's name</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And the high blood of which he came:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Ikshváku's heir here Ráma stands,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Illustrious through a hundred lands.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I, younger brother of the heir,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O fiend, the name of Lakshmaṇ bear.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His mother stole his realm away</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And drove him forth in woods to stray.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus through the mighty forest he</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Roamed with his royal wife and me.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While glorious as a God he made</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His dwelling in the greenwood shade,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Some giant stole away his dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And seeking her we hither came.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But tell me who thou art, and why</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With headless trunk that towered so high,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With flaming face beneath thy chest,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Thou liest crushed in wild unrest.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">He heard the words that Lakshmaṇ spoke,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And memory in his breast awoke,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Recalling Indra's words to mind</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He spoke in gentle tones and kind:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O welcome best of men, are ye</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whom, blest by fate, this day I see.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A blessing on each trenchant blade</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That low on earth these arms has laid!</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou, lord of men, incline thine ear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The story of my woe to hear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While I the rebel pride declare</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Which doomed me to the form I wear.”</span></div>
</div></div>
<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em">
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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 LXXII. Kabandha's Tale.</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"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Lord of the mighty arm, of yore</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A shape transcending thought I wore,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And through the triple world's extent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My fame for might and valour went.</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page313"></span><SPAN name="Pg313" id="Pg313" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Scarce might the sun and moon on high,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Scarce Śakra, with my beauty vie.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then for a time this form I took,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And the great world with trembling shook.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The saints in forest shades who dwelt</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The terror of my presence felt.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But once I stirred to furious rage</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Great Sthúlaśiras, glorious sage.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Culling in woods his hermit food</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My hideous shape with fear he viewed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then forth his words of anger burst</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That bade me live a thing accursed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Thou, whose delight is others' pain,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">This grisly form shalt still retain.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Then when I prayed him to relent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And fix some term of punishment,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Prayed that the curse at length might cease,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He bade me thus expect release:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Let Ráma cleave thine arms away</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And on the pyre thy body lay,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And then shalt thou, set free from doom,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Thine own fair shape once more assume.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O Lakshmaṇ, hear my words: in me</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The world-illustrious Danu see.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By Indra's curse, subdued in fight,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I wear this form which scares the sight.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By sternest penance long maintained</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The mighty Father's grace I gained.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When length of days the God bestowed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With foolish pride my bosom glowed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My life, of lengthened years assured,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I deemed from Śakra's might secured.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Let by my senseless pride astray</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I challenged Indra to the fray.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A flaming bolt with many a knot</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With his terrific arm he shot,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And straight my head and thighs compressed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Were buried in my bulky chest.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Deaf to each prayer and piteous call</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He sent me not to Yáma's hall.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Thy prayers and cries,”</span> he said <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“are vain:</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">The Father's word must true remain.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“But how may lengthened life be spent</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By one the bolt has torn and rent?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">How can I live,”</span> I cried, <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“unfed,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">With shattered face and thighs and head?”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As thus I spoke his grace to crave,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Arms each a league in length he gave,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And opened in my chest beneath</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This mouth supplied with fearful teeth.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So my huge arms I used to cast</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Round woodland creatures as they passed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And fed within the forest here</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On lion, tiger, pard, and deer.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Indra spake to soothe my grief:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“When Ráma and his brother chief</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From thy huge bulk those arms shall cleave,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Then shall the skies thy soul receive.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Disguised in this terrific shape</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I let no woodland thing escape,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And still my longing soul was pleased</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whene'er my arms a victim seized,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For in these arms I fondly thought</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Would Ráma's self at last be caught.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus hoping, toiling many a day</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I yearned to cast my life away,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And here, my lord, thou standest now:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Blessings be thine! for none but thou</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Could cleave my arms with trenchant stroke:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">True are the words the hermit spoke.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now let me, best of warriors, lend</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My counsel, and thy plans befriend,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And aid thee with advice in turn</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">If thou with fire my corse wilt burn.”</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 the mighty Danu prayed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With offer of his friendly aid,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While Lakshmaṇ gazed with anxious eye,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The virtuous Ráma made reply:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Lakshmaṇ and I through forest shade</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From Janasthán a while had strayed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When none was near her, Rávaṇ came</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And bore away my glorious dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giant's form and size unknown,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I learn as yet his name alone.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Not yet the power and might we know</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or dwelling of the monstrous foe.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With none our helpless feet to guide</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">We wander here by sorrow tried.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Let pity move thee to requite</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Our service in the funeral rite.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Our hands shall bring the boughs that, dry</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where elephants have rent them, lie,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then dig a pit, and light the fire</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To burn thee as the laws require.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Do thou as meed of this declare</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who stole my spouse, his dwelling where.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O, if thou can, I pray thee say,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And let this grace our deeds repay.”</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">Danu had lent attentive ear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The words which Ráma spoke to hear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus, a speaker skilled and tried,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To that great orator replied:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“No heavenly lore my soul endows,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Naught know I of thy Maithil spouse.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Yet will I, when my shape I wear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Him who will tell thee all declare.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then, Ráma, will my lips disclose</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His name who well that giant knows.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But till the flames my corse devour</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This hidden knowledge mocks my power.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For through that curse's withering taint</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My knowledge now is small and faint.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Unknown the giant's very name</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who bore away the Maithil dame.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Cursed for my evil deeds I wore</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A shape which all the worlds abhor.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now ere with wearied steeds the sun</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Through western skies his course have run,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Deep in a pit my body lay</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page314"></span><SPAN name="Pg314" id="Pg314" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And burn it in the wonted way.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When in the grave my corse is placed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With fire and funeral honours graced,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then I, great chief, his name will tell</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who knows the giant robber well.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With him, who guides his life aright,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In league of trusting love unite,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And he, O valiant prince, will be</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A faithful friend and aid to thee.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For, Ráma, to his searching eyes</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The triple world uncovered lies.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For some dark cause of old, I ween,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Through all the spheres his ways have been.”</span></div>
</div></div>
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