Page:The Rámáyana of Tulsi Dás.djvu/459

Rh Take courage now and listen to Ráma's message." So saying, the monkey's voice failed him and his eyes filled with tears.

Then he proceeded to tell her of Ráma's forlorn condition. "Every thing—says he—is changed into its opposite. The fresh buds upon the trees burn like fire; night seems as the night of death, and the moon scorches like the sun. A bed of lotuses seems a prickly brake, and the rain-clouds drop boiling oil. The trees only add to my pain, and the softest and most fragrant breeze is like the breath of a serpent. Nothing relieves my torture, and to whom can I declare it? for there is no one who will understand. The essence of such love as yours and mine, my beloved, only my own soul can comprehend, and this my soul is always with you. Know such to be the profundity of my love." As the Videhan princess listened to Ráma's message, she became so absorbed in love as to have no thought for herself. Said the monkey: "Lady, compose yourself, remembering that Ráma is a benefactor to all who serve him. Reflect upon his might and, as you listen to my speech, discard all anxiety.

The demon crew are like moths and Raghupati's arrows as a flame; be stout of heart, madam, and rest assured that they will all be consumed.

If Raghubír only knew, he would make no delay. Ráma's shafts, like the rays of the rising sun, will scatter the darkling demon host. I would have carried you away at once myself, but, I swear to you by Ráma, that I have not received his order to do so. Wait patiently, madam, for a few days, and he will arrive with his monkeys, will slaughter the demons, and take you away, so that Nárad and the other seers will glorify him in all the three spheres of creation." "Are all the monkeys, my son, like you? the demon warriors are very powerful, and my soul is sorely disquieted." On hearing this, the monkey showed himself in his natural form, his body in bulk like a mountain of gold, terrible in battle, and of vast strength; then Síta took comfort at heart, and he again resumed a diminutive apppearance.

"Hearken, lady; the monkeys have no great strength or wit of their own, but by the Lord's favour even a snake, small as it is, might swallow Garúr."