Page:Stories of India's Gods & Heroes.djvu/65

Rh on the cold ground, in the midst of tangled thickets, full of snakes and scorpions. Be wise, therefore, love, and abide in the city!"

But Sita, with tears, replied—

"With thee beside me, such trials will be no trials. I married thee to be thy wife and helper, and faithful attendance on thee is my surest path to bliss, both here and hereafter. But know, if thou refuse my plea, I shall by drowning, fire, or poison, end the life I may not spend by my husband's side."

To these and other entreaties Rama at length gave ear, and promised that she should go with him. She was bidden to distribute her wealth to Brahmans and servants; so the twain made ready to depart. Then Lakshman, when his talk of resistance found no favour, said he would in any case go with them; and Rama, at first unwilling to take his brother from home, at length consented, and gave Lakshman command concerning the weapons that should be taken.

It would take long to tell with any fullness of the arrangements that had to be made; of the many messages that passed between the royal parents and their children, between the departing ones and Vasishtha, Sumantra, and others; of the universal lamentation in the city, and the expressions of sorrow that rose from all save Kaikeyi, whose unblushing joy and triumph drew on her the sternest rebuke of the august Vasishtha.