The Ramayana Part 134

Thus be the Vanar king addressed, Then add thyself what seems the best."

Canto x.x.xI. The Envoy.

Thus Rama spoke, and Lakshma? then Made answer to the prince of men: "Yea, if the Vanar, undeterred By fear of vengeance, break his word, Loss of his royal power ere long Shall pay the traitor for the wrong.

Nor deem I him so void of sense To brave the bitter consequence.

But if enslaved to joy he lie, And scorn thy grace with blinded eye, Then let him join his brother slain: Unmeet were such a wretch to reign.

Quick rises, kindling in my breast, The wrath that will not be repressed, And bids me in my fury slay The breaker of his faith to-day.

Let Bali's son thy consort trace With bravest chiefs of Vanar race."

Thus spoke the hero, and aglow With rage of battle seized his bow.

But Rama thus in gentler mood With fitting words his speech renewed: "No hero with a soul like thine To paths of sin will e'er incline, He who his angry heart can tame Is worthiest of a hero's name.

Not thine, my brother, be the part So alien from the tender heart, Nor let thy feet by wrath misled Forsake the path they loved to tread.

From harsh and angry words abstain: With gentle speech a hearing gain, And tax Sugriva with the crime Of failing faith and wasted time."

Then Lakshma?, bravest of the brave, Obeyed the hest that Rama gave, To whom devoting every thought The Vanar's royal town he sought.

As Mandar's mountain heaves on high His curved peak soaring to the sky, So Lakshma? showed, his dread bow bent Like Indra's(634) in the firmament.

His brother's wrath, his brother's woe Inflamed his soul to fiercest glow.

The tallest trees to earth were cast As furious on his way he pa.s.sed, And where he stepped, so fiercely fleet, The stones were shivered by his feet.

He reached Kishkindha's city deep Embosomed where the hills were steep, Where street and open square were lined With legions of the Vanar kind.

Then, as his lips with fury swelled, The lord of Raghu's line beheld A stream of Vanar chiefs outpoured To do obeisance to their lord.

But when the mighty prince in view Of the thick coming Vanars drew, They turned them in amaze to seize Crags of the rock and giant trees.

He saw, and fiercer waxed his ire, As oil lends fury to the fire.

Scarce had the Vanar chieftains seen That wrathful eye, that troubled mien Fierce as the G.o.d's who rules the dead, When, turned in wild affright, they fled.

Speeding in breathless terror all Sought King Sugriva's council hall, And there made known their tale of fear, That Lakshma? wild with rage, was near.

The king, untroubled by alarms, Held Tara in his amorous arms, And in the distant bower with her Heard not each clamorous messenger.

Then, summoned at the lords' behest Forth from the city portals pressed, Each like some elephant or cloud, The Vanars in a trembling crowd: Fierce warriors all with ma.s.sive jaws And terrors of their tiger claws, Some matched ten elephants, and some A hundred's strength could overcome.

Some chieftains, mightier than the rest, Ten times a hundred's force possessed.

With eyes of fury Lakshma? viewed The Vanars' tree-armed mult.i.tude.

Thus garrisoned from side to side The city walls a.s.sault defied.

Beyond the moat that girt the wall Advanced the Vanar chiefs; and all Upon the plain in firm brigade, Impetuous warriors, stood arrayed.

Red at the sight flashed Lakshma?'s eyes, His bosom heaved tumultuous sighs, And forth the fire of fury broke Like flame that flashes through the smoke.

Like some fierce snake the hero stood: His bow recalled the expanded hood, And in his shaft-head bright and keen The flickering of its tongue was seen: And in his own all-conquering might The venom of its deadly bite.

Prince Angad marked his angry look, And every hope his heart forsook.

Then, his large eyes with fury red, To Angad Lakshma? turned and said:

"Go tell the king that Lakshma? waits For audience at the city gates, Whose heart, O tamer of thy foes, Is heavy with his brother's woes.

Bid him to Rama's word attend, And ask if he will aid his friend.

Go, let the king my message learn: Then hither with all speed return."

Prince Angad heard and wild with grief Cried as he looked upon the chief: "'Tis Lakshma?'s self: impelled by ire He seeks the city of my sire."

At the fierce words and furious look Of Raghu's son he quailed and shook.

Back through the city gates he sped, And, laden with the tale of dread, Sought King Sugriva, filled his ears And Ruma's with his doubts and fears.

To Ruma and the king he bent, And clasped their feet most reverent, Clasped the dear feet of Tara, too, And told the startling tale anew.

But King Sugriva's ear was dulled, By love and wine and languor lulled, Nor did the words that Angad spake The slumberer from his trance awake.

But soon as Raghu's son came nigh The startled Vanars raised a cry, And strove to win his grace, while dread Each anxious heart disquieted.

They saw, and, as they gathered round, Rose from the mighty throng a sound Like torrents when they downward dash, Or thunder with the lightning's flash.

The shouting of the Vanars broke Sugriva's slumber, and he woke: Still with the wine his eyes were red, His neck with flowers was garlanded.

Roused at the voice of Angad came Two Vanar lords of rank and fame; One Yaksha, one Prabhava hight,- Wise counsellors of gain and right.

They came and raised their voices high, And told that Raghu's son was nigh: "Two brothers steadfast in their truth, Each glorious in the bloom of youth, Worthy of rule, have left the skies, And clothed their forms in men's disguise.

One at thy gates, in warlike hands Holding his mighty weapon, stands.

His message is the charioteer That brings the eager envoy near, Urged onward by his bold intent, And by the hest of Rama sent."

The gathered Vanars saw and fled, And raised aloud their cry of dread.

Son of Queen Tara, Angad ran To parley with the G.o.dlike man.

Still fiery-eyed with rage and hate Stands Lakshma? at the city gate, And trembling Vanars scarce can fly Scathed by the lightning of his eye.

"Go with thy son, thy kith and kin, The favour of the prince to win, And bow thy reverent head that so His fiery wrath may cease to glow.

What righteous Rama bids thee, do, And to thy plighted word be true."

Canto x.x.xII. Hanuman's Counsel.

Sugriva heard, and, trained and tried In counsel, to his lords replied: "No deed of mine, no hasty word The anger of the prince has stirred.

But haply some who hate me still And watch their time to work me ill, Have slandered me to Raghu's son, Accused of deeds I ne'er have done.

Now, O my lords-for you are wise- Speak truly what your hearts advise, And, pondering each event, inquire The reason of the prince's ire.

No fear have I of Lakshma?: none: No dread of Raghu's mightier son.

But wrath, that fires a friendly breast Without due cause, disturbs my rest.

With labour light is friendship gained, But with severest toil maintained.

And doubt is strong, and faith is weak, And friendship dies when traitors speak.

Hence is my troubled bosom cold With fear of Rama lofty-souled; For heavy on my spirit weigh His favours I can ne'er repay."

He ceased: and Hanuman of all The Vanars in the council hall In wisdom first, and rank, expressed The thoughts that filled his prudent breast: "No marvel thou rememberest yet The service thou shouldst ne'er forget, How the brave prince of Raghu's seed Thy days from fear and peril freed; And Bali for thy sake o'erthrew, Whom Indra's self might scarce subdue.

I doubt not Rama's anger burns For the scant love thy heart returns.

For this he sends his brother, him Whose glory never waxes dim.

Sunk in repose thy careless eye Marks not the seasons as they fly, Nor sees that autumn has begun With dark blooms opening to the sun.

Clear is the sky: no cloudlet mars The splendour of the shining stars.

The balmy air is soft and still, And clear and bright are lake and rill.

Thou heedest not with blinded eyes The hour for warlike enterprise.

Hence Lakshma? hither comes to break Thy slothful trance and bid thee wake.

Then, Monarch, with a patient ear The high-souled Rama's message hear, Which, reft of wife and realm and friends, Thus by another's mouth he sends.

Thou, Vanar King, hast done amiss: And now I see no way but this: Before his envoy humbly stand And sue for peace with suppliant hand.

High duty bids a courtier seek His master's weal, and freely speak.

So by no thought of fear controlled My speech, O King, is free and bold, For Rama, if his anger glow, Can, with the terrors of his bow This earth with all the G.o.ds subdue, Gandharvas,(635) and the demon crew.

Unwise to stir his wrathful mood Whose favour must again be wooed.

And, most of all, unwise for one Grateful like thee for service done.

Go with thy son and kinsmen: bend Thy humble head and greet thy friend.

And, like a fond obedient spouse, Be faithful to thy plighted vows."

Canto x.x.xIII. Lakshman's Entry.