Hark, lady, to the ringing steel, Hark to the rolling chariot wheel: Hark to the mettled courser's neigh And drums' loud thunder far away.

The Queen of Fortune holds thee dear, For Lanka's troops are struck with fear, And Rama with the lotus eyes, Like Indra monarch of the skies, With conquering arm will slay his foe And free his lady from her woe.

Soon will his breast support thy head, And tears of joy thine eyes will shed.

Soon by his mighty arm embraced The long-lost rapture wilt thou taste, And Rama, meet for highest bliss, Will gain his guerdon in thy kiss."

Canto x.x.xIV. Sarama's Tidings.

Thus Sarama her story told: And Sita's spirit was consoled, As when the first fresh rain is shed The parching earth is comforted.

Then, filled with zeal for Sita's sake, Again in gentle tones she spake, And, skilled in arts that soothe and please, Addressed the queen in words like these: "Thy husband, lady, will I seek, Say the fond words thy lips would speak, And then, unseen of any eye, Back to thy side will swiftly fly.

My airy flights are speedier far Than Garu?a's and the tempest are."

Then Sita spake: her former woe Still left her accents faint and low: "I know thy steps, which naught can stay, Can urge through heaven and h.e.l.l their way.

Then if thy love and changeless will Would serve the helpless captive still, Go forth and learn each plot and guile Planned by the lord of Lanka's isle.

With magic art like maddening wine He cheats these weeping eyes of mine, Torments me with his suit, nor spares Reproof or flattery, threats or prayers.

These guards surround me night and day; My heart is sad, my senses stray; And helpless in my woe I fear The tyrant Rava? even here."

Then Sarama replied: "I go To learn the purpose of thy foe, Soon by thy side again to stand And tell thee what the king has planned."

She sped, she heard with eager ears The tyrant speak his hopes and fears, Where, gathered at their master's call, The n.o.bles filled the council hall; Then swiftly, to her promise true, Back to the Asoka grove she flew.

The lady on the gra.s.sy ground, Longing for her return, she found; Who with a gentle smile, to greet The envoy, led her to a seat.

Through her worn frame a shiver ran As Sarama her tale began: "There stood the royal mother: she Besought her son to set thee free, And to her counsel, tears and prayers, The elder n.o.bles added theirs: "O be the Maithil queen restored With honour to her angry lord, Let Janasthan's unhappy fight Be witness of the hero's might.

Hanuman o'er the waters came And looked upon the guarded dame.

Let Lanka's chiefs who fought and fell The prowess of the leader tell."

In vain they sued, in vain she wept, His purpose still unchanged he kept, As clings the miser to his gold, He would not loose thee from his hold.

No, never till in death he lies, Will Lanka's lord release his prize.

Soon slain by Rama's arrows all The giants with their king will fall, And Rama to his home will lead His black-eyed queen from bondage freed."

An awful sound that moment rose From Lanka's fast-approaching foes, Where drum and sh.e.l.l in mingled peal Made earth in terror rock and reel.

The hosts within the walls arrayed Stood trembling, in their hearts dismayed; Thought of the tempest soon to burst, And Lanka's lord, their ruin, cursed.

Canto x.x.xV. Malyavan's Speech.

The fearful notes of drum and sh.e.l.l Upon the ear of Rava? fell.

One moment quailed his haughty look, One moment in his fear he shook, But soon recalling wonted pride, His counsellors he sternly eyed, And with a voice that thundered through The council hall began anew: "Lords, I have heard-your tongues have told- How Raghu's son is fierce and bold.

To Lanka's sh.o.r.e has bridged his way And hither leads his wild array.

I know your might, in battle tried, Fighting and conquering by my side.

Why now, when such a foe is near, Looks eye to eye in silent fear?"

He ceased, his mother's sire well known For wisdom in the council shown, Malyavan, sage and faithful guide.

Thus to the monarch's speech replied: "Long reigns the king in safe repose, Unmoved by fear of vanquished foes, Whose feet by saving knowledge led In justice path delight to tread: Who knows to sheath the sword or wield, To order peace, to strike or yield: Prefers, when foes are stronger, peace, And bids a doubtful conflict cease.

Now, King, the choice before thee lies, Make peace with Rama, and be wise.

This day the captive queen restore Who brings the foe to Lanka's sh.o.r.e.

The Sire by whom the worlds are swayed Of yore the G.o.ds and demons made.

With these Injustice sided; those Fair Justice for her champions chose.

Still Justice dwells with G.o.ds above; Injustice, fiends and giants love.

Thou, through the worlds that fear thee, long Hast scorned the right and loved the wrong, And Justice, with thy foes allied, Gives might resistless to their side.

Thou, guided by thy wicked will, Hast found delight in deeds of ill, And sages in their holy rest Have trembled, by thy power oppressed.

But they, who check each vain desire, Are clothed with might which burns like fire.

In them the power and glory live Which zeal and saintly fervour give.

Their constant task, their sole delight Is worship and each holy rite, To chant aloud the Veda hymn, Nor let the sacred fires grow dim.

Now through the air like thunder ring The echoes of the chants they sing.

The vapours of their incense rise And veil with cloudy pall the skies, And Rakshas might grows weak and faint Killed by the power of sage and saint.

By Brahma's boon thy life was screened From G.o.d, Gandharva, Yaksha, fiend; But Vanars, men, and bears, arrayed Against thee now, thy sh.o.r.es invade.

Red meteors, heralds of despair Flash frequent through the lurid air, Foretelling to my troubled mind The ruin of the Rakshas kind.

With awful thundering overhead Clouds black as night are densely spread, And oozing from the gloomy pall Great drops of blood on Lanka fall.

Dogs roam through house and shrine to steal The sacred oil and curd and meal, Cats pair with tigers, hounds with swine, And a.s.ses' foals are born of kine.

In these and countless signs I trace The ruin of the giant race.

'Tis Vish?u's self who comes to storm Thy city, clothed in Rama's form; For, well I ween, no mortal hand The ocean with a bridge has spanned.

O giant King, the dame release, And sue to Raghu's son for peace"

Canto x.x.xVI. Ravan's Reply.

But Rava?'s breast with fury swelled, And thus he spake by Death impelled, While, under brows in anger bent, Fierce glances from his eyes were sent: "The bitter words which thou, misled By friendly thought, hast fondly said, Which praise the foe and counsel fear, Unheeded fall upon mine ear.

How canst thou deem a mighty foe This Rama who, in stress of woe, Seeks, banished as his sire decreed, a.s.sistance from the Vanar breed?

Am I so feeble in thine eyes, Though feared by dwellers of the skies,- Whose might in many a battle shown The glorious race of giants own?

Shall I for fear of him restore The lady whom I hither bore, Exceeding fair like Beauty's Queen(944) Without her well-loved lotus seen?

Around the chief let Lakshma? stand, Sugriva, and each Vanar band, Soon, Malyavan, thine eyes will see This boasted Rama slain by me.

I in the brunt of war defy The mightiest warriors of the sky; And if I stoop to combat men, Shall I be weak and tremble then?

This mangled trunk the foe may rend, But Rava? ne'er can yield or bend, And be it vice or virtue, I This nature never will belie.

What marvel if he bridged the sea?

Why should this deed disquiet thee?

This, only this, I surely know, Back with his life he shall not go."

Thus in loud tones the king exclaimed, And mute stood Malyavan ashamed, His reverend head he humbly bent, And slowly to his mansion went.

But Rava? stayed, and deep in care Held counsel with his n.o.bles there, All entrance to secure and close, And guard the city from their foes.

He bade the chief Prahasta wait, Commander at the eastern gate, To fierce Mahodar, strong and brave, To keep the southern gate, he gave, Where Mahaparsva's might should aid The chieftain with his hosts arrayed.

To guard the west-no chief more fit- He placed the warrior Indrajit, His son, the giant's joy and boast, Surrounded by a Rakshas host: And mighty Sara? hastened forth With Suka to protect the north.(945) "I will myself," the monarch cried, "Be present on the northern side."

These orders for the walls' defence The tyrant gave, then parted thence, And, by the hope of victory fired, To chambers far within, retired.

Canto x.x.xVII. Preparations.

Lords of the legions of the wood, The chieftains with Vibhisha? stood, And, strangers in the foeman's land, Their hopes and fears in council scanned:

"See, see where Lanka's towers ascend, Which Rava?'s power and might defend, Which G.o.ds, Gandharvas, fiends would fail To conquer, if they durst a.s.sail.

How shall our legions pa.s.s within, The city of the foe to win, With ma.s.sive walls and portals barred Which Rava? keeps with surest guard?"