Page:Valmiki - Ramayana, Griffith, 1895.djvu/27



Praise to Válmiki, bird of charming song,
 * Who mounts on Poesy's sublimest spray,

And sweetly sings with accent clear and strong
 * Ráma, aye Ráma, in his deathless lay.

Where breathes the man can listen to the strain
 * That flows in music from Válmíki's tongue,

Nor feel his feet the path of bliss attain
 * When Ráma's glory by the saint is sung!

The stream Rámáyan leaves its sacred fount
 * The whole wide world from sin and stain to free.

The Prince of Hermits is the parent mount, :The lordly Ráma is the darling sea. Glory to him whose fame is ever bright! :Glory to him, Prachetas holy son! Whose pure lips quaff with ever new delight
 * The nectar-sea of deeds by Rama done.

Hail, arch-ascetic, pious, good, and kind!
 * Hail, Saint Válmíki, lord of every lore!

Hail, holy Hermit, calm and pure of mind!
 * Hail, First of Bards, Válmíki, hail once more!


 * To sainted Nárad, prince of those

Whose lore in words of wisdom flows, Whose constant care and chief delight Were Scripture and ascetic rite, The good Válmíki, first and best