The Ramayana Part 164

Then Mainda, wisest chief, who knew The wrong, the right, the false, the true, Pondered a while, then silence broke, And thus his sober counsel spoke:

"Let one with gracious speech draw near And gently charm Vibhisha?'s ear, Till he the soothing witchery feel And all his secret heart reveal.

So thou his aims and hopes shalt know, And hail the friend or shun the foe."

"Not he," Hanuman cried, "not he Who taught the G.o.ds(928) may rival thee, Supreme in power of quickest sense, First in the art of eloquence.

But hear me soothly speak, O King, And learn the hope to which I cling.

Vibhisha? comes no crafty spy: Urged by his brother's fault to fly.

With righteous soul that loathes the sin, He fled from Lanka and his kin.

If strangers question, doubt will rise And chill the heart of one so wise.

Marred by distrust the parle will end, And thou wilt lose a faithful friend.

Nor let it seem so light a thing To sound a stranger's heart, O King.

And he, I ween, whate'er he say, Will ne'er an evil thought betray.

He comes a friend in happy time, Loathing his brother for his crime.

His ear has heard thine old renown, The might that struck King Bali down, And set Sugriva on the throne.

And looking now to thee alone He comes thy matchless aid to win And punish Rava? for his sin.

Thus have I tried thy heart to move, And thus Vibhisha?'s truth to prove.

Still in his friendship I confide; But ponder, wisest, and decide."

Canto XVIII. Rama's Speech.

Then Rama's rising doubt was stilled, And friendly thoughts his bosom filled.

Thus, deep in Scripture's lore, he spake: "The suppliant will I ne'er forsake, Nor my protecting aid refuse When one in name of friendship sues.

Though faults and folly blot his fame, Pity and help he still may claim."

He ceased: Sugriva bowed his head And pondered for a while, and said:

"Past number be his faults or few, What think ye of the Rakshas who, When threatening clouds of danger rise, Deserts his brother's side and flies?

Say, Vanars, who may hope to find True friendship in his faithless kind?"

The son of Raghu heard his speech: He cast a hasty look on each Of those brave Vanar chiefs, and while Upon his lips there played a smile, To Lakshma? turned and thus expressed The thoughts that moved his gallant breast: "Well versed in Scripture's lore, and sage And duly reverent to age, Is he, with long experience stored, Who counsels like this Vanar lord.

Yet here, methinks, for searching eyes Some deeper, subtler matter lies.

To you and all the world are known The perils of a monarch's throne, While foe and stranger, kith and kin By his misfortune trust to win.

By hope of such advantage led, Vibhisha? o'er the sea has fled.

He in his brother's stead would reign, And our alliance seeks to gain; And we his offer may embrace, A stranger and of alien race.

But if he comes a spy and foe, What power has he to strike a blow In furtherance of his close design?

What is his strength compared with mine?

And can I, Vanar King, forget The great, the universal debt, Ever to aid and welcome those Who pray for shelter, friends or foes?

Hast thou not heard the deathless praise Won by the dove in olden days, Who conquering his fear and hate Welcomed the slayer of his mate, And gave a banquet, to refresh The weary fowler, of his flesh?

Now hear me, Vanar King, rehea.r.s.e What Ka?du(929) spoke in ancient verse, Saint Ka?va's son who loved the truth And clave to virtue from his youth: "Strike not the suppliant when he stands And asks thee with beseeching hands For shelter: strike him not although He were thy father's mortal foe.

No, yield him, be he proud or meek, The shelter which he comes to seek, And save thy foeman, if the deed Should cost thy life, in desperate need."

And shall I hear the wretched cry, And my protecting aid deny?

Shall I a suppliant's prayer refuse, And heaven and glory basely lose?

No, I will do for honour sake E'en as the holy Ka?du spake, Preserve a hero's name from stain, And bliss in heaven and glory gain.

Bound by a solemn vow I sware That all my saving help should share Who sought me in distress and cried, "Thou art my hope, and none beside."

Then go, I pray thee, Vanar King, Vibhisha? to my presence bring, Yea, were he Rava?'s self, my vow Forbids me to reject him now."

He ceased: the Vanar king approved; And Rama toward Vibhisha? moved.

So moves, a brother G.o.d to greet, Lord Indra from his heavenly seat.

Canto XIX. Vibhishan's Counsel.

When Raghu's son had owned his claim Down from the air Vibhisha? came, And with his four attendants bent At Rama's feet most reverent.

"O Rama," thus he cried, "in me Vibhisha?, Rava?'s brother see.

By him disgraced thine aid I seek, Sure refuge of the poor and weak.

From Lanka, friends, and wealth I fly, And reft of all on thee rely.

On thee, the wretch's firmest friend, My kingdom, joys, and life depend."

With glance of favour Rama eyed The Rakshas chief and thus replied:

"First from thy lips I fain would hear Each brighter hope, each darker fear.

Speak, stranger, that I well may know The strength and weakness of the foe."

He ceased: the Rakshas chief obeyed, And thus in turn his answer made:

"O Prince, the Self-existent gave This boon to Rava?; he may brave All foes in fight; no fiend or snake, Gandharva, G.o.d, his life may take.

His brother k.u.mbhakar?a vies In might with him who rules the skies.

The captain of his armies-fame Perhaps has taught the warrior's name- Is terrible Prahasta, who King Ma?ibhadra's(930) self o'erthrew.

Where is the warrior found to face Young Indrajit, when armed with brace And guard(931) and bow he stands in mail And laughs at spear and arrowy hail?

Within his city Lanka dwell Ten million giants fierce and fell, Who wear each varied shape at will And eat the flesh of those they kill.

These hosts against the G.o.ds he led, And heavenly might discomfited."

Then Rama cried: "I little heed Gigantic strength or doughty deed.

In spite of all their might has done The king, the captain, and the son Shall fall beneath my fury dead, And thou shalt reign in Rava?'s stead.

He, though in depths of earth he dwell, Or seek protection down in h.e.l.l, Or kneel before the Sire supreme, His forfeit life shall ne'er redeem.

Yea, by my brothers' lives I swear, I will not to my home repair Till Rava? and his kith and kin Have paid in death the price of sin."

Vibhisha? bowed his head and cried: "Thy conquering army will I guide To storm the city of the foe, And aid the tyrant's overthrow."

Thus spake Vibhisha?: Rama pressed The Rakshas chieftain to his breast, And cried to Lakshma?: "Haste and bring Sea-water for the new-made king."

He spoke, and o'er Vibhisha?'s head The consecrating drops were shed Mid shouts that hailed with one accord The giants' king and Lanka's lord.

"Is there no way," Hanuman cried, "No pa.s.sage o'er the boisterous tide?

How may we lead the Vanar host In triumph to the farther coast?"

"Thus," said Vibhisha?, "I advise: Let Raghu's son in suppliant guise Entreat the mighty Sea to lend His succour and this cause befriend.

His channels, as the wise have told, By Sagar's sons were dug of old,(932) Nor will high-thoughted Ocean scorn A prince of Sagar's lineage born."

He ceased; the prudent counsel won The glad a.s.sent of Raghu's son.

Then on the ocean sh.o.r.e a bed Of tender sacred gra.s.s was spread, Where Rama at the close of day Like fire upon an altar lay.