Page:Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan.djvu/56

20 What is my duty? It is clear,
 * My husband I must follow; so,

While he collects his forest gear
 * Let me permission get to go."

His sire she seeks,—the blind old king,
 * And asks from him permission straight.

"My daughter, night with ebon wing
 * Hovers above; the hour is late.

My son is active, brave, and strong,
 * Conversant with the woods, he knows

Each path; methinks it would be wrong
 * For thee to venture where he goes,

Weak and defenceless as thou art,
 * At such a time. If thou wert near

Thou might'st embarrass him, dear heart,
 * Alone, he would not have a fear."

So spake the hermit-monarch blind,
 * His wife too, entering in, exprest

The self-same thoughts in words as kind,
 * And begged Savitri hard, to rest.

"Thy recent fasts and vigils, child,
 * Make thee unfit to undertake

This journey to the forest wild."
 * But nothing could her purpose shake.