Canto Lxxvii.: Bharat'S Departure.

Then Rma with a cheerful mind

The bow to Varun's hand resigned.

Due reverence to the saints he paid,

And thus addressed his sire dismayed:

'As Bhrigu's son is far from view,

Now let the host its march pursue,

And to Ayodhy's town proceed

In four-fold bands, with thee to lead.'

King Das'aratha thus addressed

His lips to Rma's forehead pressed,

And held him to his aged breast.

Rejoiced in sooth was he to know

That Bhrigu's son had parted so,

And hailed a second life begun

For him and his victorious son.

He urged the host to speed renewed,

And soon Ayodhy's gates he viewed.

High o'er the roofs gay pennons played;

Tabour and drum loud music made;

Fresh water cooled the royal road,

And flowers in bright profusion glowed.

Glad crowds with garlands thronged the ways

Rejoicing on their king to gaze

And all the town was bright and gay

Exalting in the festive day.

People and Brhmans flocked to meet

Their monarch ere he gained the street.

The glorious king amid the throng

Rode with his glorious sons along,

And passed within his dear abode

That like Himlaya's mountain showed.

And there Kausaly, noble queen,

Sumitr with her lovely mien,

Kaikey of the dainty waist,

And other dames his bowers who graced,

Stood in the palace side by side

And welcomed home each youthful bride:

Fair St, lofty-fated dame,

Urmil of the glorious fame,

And Kus'adhwaja's children fair,

With joyous greeting and with prayer,

As all in linen robes arrayed

With offerings at the altars prayed,

Due reverence paid to God above.

Each princess gave her soul to love,

And hidden in her inmost bower

Passed with her lord each blissful hour.

The royal youths, of spirit high,

With whom in valor none shall vie,

Lived each within his palace bounds

Bright as Kuvera's pleasure-grounds,

With riches, troops of faithful friends,

And bliss that wedded life attends:

Brave princes trained in warlike skill,

And duteous to their father's will.

At length the monarch called one morn

Prince Bharat, of Kaikey born,

And cried: 'My son, within our gates

Lord Yudhjit thine uncle waits.

The son of Kekaya's king is he,

And came, my child, to summon thee.'

Then Bharat for the road prepared,

And with S'atrughna forth he fared.

First to his sire he bade adieu,

Brave Rma, and his mothers too.

Lord Yudhjit with joyful pride

Went forth, the brothers by his side,

And reached the city where he dwelt:

And mighty joy his father felt.

Rma and Lakshman honoured still

Their godlike sire with duteous will.

Two constant guides for Rma stood,

His father's wish, the people's good.

Attentive to the general weal

He thought and wrought to please and heal,

His mothers too he strove to please

With love and sonly courtesies.

At every time, in every spot,

His holy guides he ne'er forgot.

So for his virtues kind and true

Dearer and dearer Rma grew

To Das'aratha, Brhmans, all

In town and country, great and small.

And Rma by his darling's side

Saw many a blissful season glide,

Lodged in her soul, each thought on her,

Lover, and friend, and worshipper.

He loved her for his father's voice

Had given her and approved the choice:

He loved her for each charm she wore

And her sweet virtues more and more.

So he her lord and second life

Dwelt in the bosom of his wife,

In double form, that, e'en apart,

Each heart could commune free with heart.

Still grew that child of Janak's race,

More goddess-fair in form and face,

The loveliest wife that e'er was seen,

In mortal mould sweet Beauty's Queen.

Then shone the son Kaus'aly bore,

With this bright dame allied,

Like Vishnu whom the Gods adore,

With Lakshmi by his side.

Book I. Canto Lxxvii. Bharat's Departure