Page:Valmiki - Ramayana, Griffith, 1895.djvu/32

6 There pensive 'neath Aśoka boughs He found poor Sitá, Ráma's spouse. He gave the hapless girl a ring, A token from, her lord and king, A pledge from her fair hand he bore ; Then battered down the garden door. Five captains of the host he slew, Seven sons of councillors o'erthrew ; Crushed youthful Aksha on the field, Then to his captors chose to yield. Soon from their bonds his limbs were free, But honouring the high decree Which Brahmáa had pronounced of yore, He calmly all their insults bore, The town he burnt with hostile flame, And spoke again with Ráma's dame, Then swiftly back to Ráma flew With tidings of the interview. Then with Sugriva for his guide, Came Ráma to the ocean side. He smote the sea with shafts as bright As sunbeams in their summer height, And quick appeared the Rivers' King Obedient to the summoning. A bridge was thrown by Nala o'er The narrow sea from shore to shore. They crossed to Lanká's golden town, Where Ráma's hand smote Ravan down. Vibhishan there was left to reign Over his brother's wide domain. To meet her husband Sitá came ; But Ráma, stung with ire and shame, With bitter words his wife addressed Before the crowd that round her pressed. But Sitá, touched with noble ire, Gave her fair body to the fire. Then straight the God of Wind appeared, And words from heaven her honour cleared. And Ráma clasped his wife again, Uninjured, pure from spot and stain, Obedient to the Lord of Fire And the high mandate of his sire. Led by the Lord who rules the sky, The Gods and heavenly saints drew nigh, And honoured him with worthy meed, Rejoicing in each glorious deed. His task achieved, his foe removed,

He triumphed, by the Gods approved, By grace of Heaven he raised to life The chieftains slain in mortal strife ; Then in the magic chariot through The clouds to Nandigráma flew. Met by his faithful brothers there, He loosed his votive coil of hair : Thence fair Ayodhyá's town he gained, And o'er his father's kingdom reigned. Disease or famine ne'er oppressed His happy people, richly blest With all the joys of ample wealth, Of sweet content and perfect health. No widow mourned her well -loved mate, No sire his son's untimely fate. They feared not storm or robber's hand : No fire or flood laid waste the land ; The Golden Age had come again To bless the days of Ráma's reign. From him, the great and glorious king, Shall many a princely scion spring. And he shall rule, beloved by men, Ten thousand years and hundreds ten, And when his life on earth is past To Brahmá's world shall go at last.' Whoe'er this noble poem reads That tells the tale of Ráma's deeds, Good as the Scriptures, he shall be From every sin and blemish free. Whoever reads the saving strain, With all his kin the heavens shall gain. Bráhmans who read shall gather hence The highest praise for eloquence. The warrior, o'er the land shall reign, The merchant, luck in trade obtain ; And Śudras listening ne'er shall fail To reap advantage from the tale.