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<SPAN name="CantoIII-XLVI" id="CantoIII-XLVI" 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 XLVI. The Guest.</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 angry Lakshmaṇ scarce could brook</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her bitter words, her furious look.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With dark forebodings in his breast</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Ráma's side he quickly pressed.</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Then ten necked Rávaṇ saw the time</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Propitious for his purposed crime.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A mendicant in guise he came</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And stood before the Maithil dame.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His garb was red, with tufted hair</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And sandalled feet a shade he bare,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And from the fiend's left shoulder slung</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A staff and water-vessel hung.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Near to the lovely dame he drew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While both the chiefs were far from view,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As darkness takes the evening air</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When neither sun nor moon is there.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He bent his eye upon the dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A princess fair, of spotless fame:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So might some baleful planet be</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Near Moon-forsaken Rohiṇí.<SPAN id="noteref_495" name="noteref_495" href="#note_495"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">495</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As the fierce tyrant nearer drew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The trees in Janasthán that grew</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Waved not a leaf for fear and woe,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And the hushed wind forbore to blow.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Godávarí's waters as they fled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Saw his fierce eye-balls flashing red,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And from each swiftly-gliding wave</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A melancholy murmur gave.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Rávaṇ, when his eager eye</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beheld the longed-for moment nigh,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In mendicant's apparel dressed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Near to the Maithil lady pressed.</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page283"></span><SPAN name="Pg283" id="Pg283" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In holy guise, a fiend abhorred,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He found her mourning for her lord.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus threatening draws Śaniśchar<SPAN id="noteref_496" name="noteref_496" href="#note_496"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">496</span></span></SPAN> nigh</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Chitrá<SPAN id="noteref_497" name="noteref_497" href="#note_497"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">497</span></span></SPAN> in the evening sky;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus the deep well by grass concealed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Yawns treacherous in the verdant field.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He stood and looked upon the dame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Ráma, queen of spotless fame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With her bright teeth and each fair limb</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like the full moon she seemed to him,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sitting within her leafy cot,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Weeping for woe that left her not.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus, while with joy his pulses beat,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He saw her in her lone retreat,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Eyed like the lotus, fair to view</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In silken robes of amber hue.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Pierced to the core by Káma's dart</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He murmured texts with lying art,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And questioned with a soft address</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lady in her loneliness.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fiend essayed with gentle speech</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The heart of that fair dame to reach,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Pride of the worlds, like Beauty's Queen</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Without her darling lotus seen:</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 thou whose silken robes enfold</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A form more fair than finest gold,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With lotus garland on thy head,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like a sweet spring with bloom o'erspread,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who art thou, fair one, what thy name,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beauty, or Honour, Fortune, Fame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Spirit, or nymph, or Queen of love</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Descended from thy home above?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bright as the dazzling jasmine shine</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy small square teeth in level line.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like two black stars aglow with light</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thine eyes are large and pure and bright.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy charms of smile and teeth and hair</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And winning eyes, O thou most fair,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Steal all my spirit, as the flow</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of rivers mines the bank below.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">How bright, how fine each flowing tress!</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">How firm those orbs beneath thy dress!</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That dainty waist with ease were spanned,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sweet lady, by a lover's hand.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Mine eyes, O beauty, ne'er have seen</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Goddess or nymph so fair of mien,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or bright Gandharva's heavenly dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or woman of so perfect frame.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In youth's soft prime thy years are few,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And earth has naught so fair to view.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I marvel one like thee in face</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Should make the woods her dwelling-place.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Leave, lady, leave this lone retreat</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In forest wilds for thee unmeet,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where giants fierce and strong assume</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">All shapes and wander in the gloom.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These dainty feet were formed to tread</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Some palace floor with carpets spread,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or wander in trim gardens where</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each opening bud perfumes the air.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The richest robe thy form should deck,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The rarest gems adorn thy neck,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The sweetest wreath should bind thy hair,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The noblest lord thy bed should share.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Art thou akin, O fair of form,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Rudras,<SPAN id="noteref_498" name="noteref_498" href="#note_498"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">498</span></span></SPAN>
or the Gods of storm,<SPAN id="noteref_499" name="noteref_499" href="#note_499"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">499</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or to the glorious Vasus<SPAN id="noteref_500" name="noteref_500" href="#note_500"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">500</span></span></SPAN>? How</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Can less than these be bright as thou?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But never nymph or heavenly maid</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or Goddess haunts this gloomy shade.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here giants roam, a savage race;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What led thee to so dire a place?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here monkeys leap from tree to tree,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And bears and tigers wander free;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here ravening lions prowl, and fell</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hyenas in the thickets yell,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And elephants infuriate roam,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Mighty and fierce, their woodland home.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dost thou not dread, so soft and fair,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Tiger and lion, wolf and bear?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hast thou, O beauteous dame, no fear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In the wild wood so lone and drear?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose and who art thou? whence and why</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sweet lady, with no guardian nigh,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dost thou this awful forest tread</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">By giant bands 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">The praise the high-souled Rávaṇ spoke</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No doubt within her bosom woke.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His saintly look and Bráhman guise</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Deceived the lady's trusting eyes.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With due attention on the guest</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her hospitable rites she pressed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She bade the stranger to a seat,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And gave him water for his feet.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The bowl and water-pot he bare,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And garb which wandering Bráhmans wear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Forbade a doubt to rise.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Won by his holy look she deemed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The stranger even as he seemed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">To her deluded eyes.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Intent on hospitable care,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She brought her best of woodland fare,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">And showed her guest a seat.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She bade the saintly stranger lave</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His feet in water which she gave,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">And sit and rest and eat.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He kept his eager glances bent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On her so kindly eloquent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wife of the noblest king;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And longed in heart to steal her thence,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Preparing by the dire offence,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Death on his head to bring.</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page284"></span><SPAN name="Pg284" id="Pg284" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lady watched with anxious face</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For Ráma coming from the chase</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">With Lakshmaṇ by his side:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But nothing met her wandering glance</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Save the wild forest's green expanse</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Extending far and wide.</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 XLVII. Rávan's Wooing.</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">As, clad in mendicant's disguise,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He questioned thus his destined prize,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She to the seeming saintly man</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The story of her life began.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“My guest is he,”</span> she thought, <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“and I,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">To 'scape his curse, must needs reply:”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Child of a noble sire I spring</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From Janak, fair Videha's king.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">May every good be thine! my name</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Is Sítá, Ráma's cherished dame.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Twelve winters with my lord I spent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Most happily with sweet content</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In the rich home of Raghu's line,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And every earthly joy was mine.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Twelve pleasant years flew by, and then</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His peers advised the king of men,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma, my lord, to consecrate</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Joint ruler of his ancient state.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But when the rites were scarce begun,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To consecrate Ikshváku's son,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The queen Kaikeyí, honoured dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sought of her lord an ancient claim.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her plea of former service pressed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And made him grant her new request,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To banish Ráma to the wild</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And consecrate instead her child.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This double prayer on him, the best</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And truest king, she strongly pressed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Mine eyes in sleep I will not close,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor eat, nor drink, nor take repose.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This very day my death shall bring</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">If Ráma be anointed king.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As thus she spake in envious ire,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The aged king, my husband's sire,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Besought with fitting words; but she</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Was cold and deaf to every plea.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As yet my days are few; eighteen</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The years of life that I have seen;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Ráma, best of all alive,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Has passed of years a score and five—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma the great and gentle, through</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">All region famed as pure and true,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Large-eyed and mighty-armed and tall,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With tender heart that cares for all.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But Daśaratha, led astray</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By woman's wile and passion's sway,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By his strong love of her impelled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The consecrating rites withheld.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When, hopeful of the promised grace,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My Ráma sought his father's face,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The queen Kaikeyí, ill at ease,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Spoke to my lord brief words like these:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Hear, son of Raghu, hear from me</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The words thy father says to thee:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“I yield this day to Bharat's hand,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Free from all foes, this ancient land.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fly from this home no longer thine,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And dwell in woods five years and nine.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Live in the forest and maintain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Mine honour pure from falsehood's stain.’</span> ”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Ráma spoke, untouched by dread:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Yea, it shall be as thou hast said.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And answered, faithful to his vows,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Obeying Daśaratha's spouse:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“The offered realm I would not take,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">But still keep true the words he spake.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus, gentle Bráhman, Ráma still</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Clung to his vow with firmest will.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And valiant Lakshmaṇ, dear to fame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His brother by a younger dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bold victor in the deadly fray,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Would follow Ráma on his way.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On sternest vows his heart was set,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And he, a youthful anchoret,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bound up in twisted coil his hair</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And took the garb which hermits wear;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then with his bow to guard us, he</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Went forth with Ráma and with me.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By Queen Kaikeyí's art bereft</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The kingdom and our home we left,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And bound by stern religious vows</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">We sought this shade of forest boughs.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now, best of Bráhmans, here we tread</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These pathless regions dark and dread.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But come, refresh thy soul, and rest</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here for a while an honoured guest,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For he, my lord, will soon be here</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With fresh supply of woodland cheer,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Large store of venison of the buck,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or some great boar his hand has struck.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Meanwhile, O stranger, grant my prayer:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy name, thy race, thy birth declare,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And why with no companion thou</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Roamest in Daṇḍak forest now.”</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 questioned Sítá, Ráma's dame.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then fierce the stranger's answer came:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Lord of the giant legions, he</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From whom celestial armies flee,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The dread of hell and earth and sky,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rávaṇ the Rákshas king am I.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now when thy gold-like form I view</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Arrayed in silks of amber hue,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My love, O thou of perfect mould,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For all my dames is dead and cold.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A thousand fairest women, torn</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From many a land my home adorn.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But come, loveliest lady, be</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The queen of every dame and me.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My city Lanká, glorious town,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Looks from a mountain's forehead down</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page285"></span><SPAN name="Pg285" id="Pg285" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where ocean with his flash and foam</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beats madly on mine island home.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With me, O Sítá, shalt thou rove</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Delighted through each shady grove,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor shall thy happy breast retain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fond memory of this life of pain.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In gay attire, a glittering band,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Five thousand maids shall round thee stand,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And serve thee at thy beck and sign,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">If thou, fair Sítá, wilt be mine.”</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 forth her noble passion broke</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As thus in turn the lady spoke:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Me, me the wife of Ráma, him</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lion lord with lion's limb,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Strong as the sea, firm as the rock,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like Indra in the battle shock.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lord of each auspicious sign,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The glory of his princely line,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like some fair Bodh tree strong and tall,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The noblest and the best of all,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma, the heir of happy fate</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who keeps his word inviolate,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lord of the lion gait, possessed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of mighty arm and ample chest,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma the lion-warrior, him</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose moon bright face no fear can dim,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma, his bridled passions' lord,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The darling whom his sire adored,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Me, me the true and loving dame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Ráma, prince of deathless fame—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Me wouldst thou vainly woo and press?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A jackal woo a lioness!</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Steal from the sun his glory! such</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy hope Lord Ráma's wife to touch.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ha! Thou hast seen the trees of gold,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The sign which dying eyes behold,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus seeking, weary of thy life,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To win the love of Ráma's wife.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fool! wilt thou dare to rend away</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The famished lion's bleeding prey,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or from the threatening jaws to take</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fang of some envenomed snake?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What, wouldst thou shake with puny hand</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Mount Mandar,<SPAN id="noteref_501" name="noteref_501" href="#note_501"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">501</span></span></SPAN> towering o'er the land,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Put poison to thy lips and think</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The deadly cup a harmless drink?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With pointed needle touch thine eye,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A razor to thy tongue apply,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who wouldst pollute with impious touch</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The wife whom Ráma loves so much?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Be round thy neck a millstone tied,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And swim the sea from side to side;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or raising both thy hands on high</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Pluck sun and moon from yonder sky;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or let the kindled flame be pressed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wrapt in thy garment, to thy breast;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">More wild the thought that seeks to win</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma's dear wife who knows not sin.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fool who thinks with idle aim</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To gain the love of Ráma's dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With dark and desperate footing makes</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His way o'er points of iron stakes.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As Ocean to a bubbling spring,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lion to a fox, the king</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of all the birds that ply the wing</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">To an ignoble crow</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As gold to lead of little price,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As to the drainings of the rice</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The drink they quaff in Paradise,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The Amrit's heavenly flow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As sandal dust with perfume sweet</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Is to the mire that soils our feet,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">A tiger to a cat,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As the white swan is to the owl,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The peacock to the waterfowl,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">An eagle to a bat,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Such is my lord compared with thee;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And when with bow and arrows he,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Mighty as Indra's self shall see</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">His foeman, armed to slay,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou, death-doomed like the fly that sips</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The oil that on the altar drips,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Shalt cast the morsel from thy lips</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And lose thy half-won prey.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus in high scorn the lady flung</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The biting arrows of her tongue</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In bitter words that pierced and stung</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The rover of the night.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She ceased. Her gentle cheek grew pale,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her loosened limbs began to fail,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And like a plantain in the gale</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">She trembled with affright.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He terrible as Death stood nigh,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And watched with fierce exulting eye</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The fear that shook her frame.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To terrify the lady more,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He counted all his triumphs o'er,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Proclaimed the titles that he bore,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">His pedigree and name.</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 XLVIII. Rávan's Speech.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With knitted brow and furious eye</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The stranger made his fierce reply:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“In me O fairest dame, behold</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The brother of the King of Gold.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Lord of Ten Necks my title, named</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rávaṇ, for might and valour famed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Gods and Gandharva hosts I scare;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Snakes, spirits, birds that roam the air</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fly from my coming, wild with fear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Trembling like men when Death is near.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Vaiśravaṇ once, my brother, wrought</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To ire, encountered me and fought,</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page286"></span><SPAN name="Pg286" id="Pg286" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But yielding to superior might</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fled from his home in sore affright.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lord of the man-drawn chariot, still</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He dwells on famed Kailása's hill.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I made the vanquished king resign</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The glorious car which now is mine,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Pushpak, the far-renowned, that flies</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Will-guided through the buxom skies.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Celestial hosts by Indra led</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Flee from my face disquieted,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And where my dreaded feet appear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The wind is hushed or breathless is fear.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where'er I stand, where'er I go</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The troubled waters cease to flow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each spell-bound wave is mute and still</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And the fierce sun himself is chill.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beyond the sea my Lanká stands</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Filled with fierce forms and giant bands,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A glorious city fair to see</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As Indra's Amarávatí.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A towering height of solid wall,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Flashing afar, surrounds it all,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Its golden courts enchant the sight,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And gates aglow with lazulite.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Steeds, elephants, and cars are there,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And drums' loud music fills the air,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fair trees in lovely gardens grow</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose boughs with varied fruitage glow.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou, beauteous Queen, with me shalt dwell</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In halls that suit a princess well,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy former fellows shall forget</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor think of women with regret,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No earthly joy thy soul shall miss,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And take its fill of heavenly bliss.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of mortal Ráma think no more,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose terms of days will soon be o'er.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">King Daśaratha looked in scorn</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On Ráma though the eldest born,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sent to the woods the weakling fool,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And set his darling son to rule.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What, O thou large-eyed dame, hast thou</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To do with fallen Ráma now,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From home and kingdom forced to fly,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A wretched hermit soon to die?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Accept thy lover, nor refuse</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giant king who fondly woos.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O listen, nor reject in scorn</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A heart by Káma's arrows torn.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If thou refuse to hear my prayer,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of grief and coming woe beware;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For the sad fate will fall on thee</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Which came on hapless Urvaśí,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When with her foot she chanced to touch</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Purúravas, and sorrowed much.<SPAN id="noteref_502" name="noteref_502" href="#note_502"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">502</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My little finger raised in fight</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Were more than match for Ráma's might.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O fairest, blithe and happy be</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">With him whom fortune sends to thee.”</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">Such were the words the giant said,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Sítá's angry eyes were red.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She answered in that lonely place</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The monarch of the giant race:</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">“Art thou the brother of the Lord</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Gold by all the world adored,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And sprung of that illustrious seed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wouldst now attempt this evil deed?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I tell thee, impious Monarch, all</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giants by thy sin will fall,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose reckless lord and king thou art,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With foolish mind and lawless heart.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Yea, one may hope to steal the wife</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Indra and escape with life.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But he who Ráma's dame would tear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From his loved side must needs despair.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Yea, one may steal fair Śachí, dame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Him who shoots the thunder flame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">May live successful in his aim</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">And length of day may see;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But hope, O giant King, in vain,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Though cups of Amrit thou may drain,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To shun the penalty and pain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Of wronging one like me.”</span></div>
</div></div>
<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em">
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