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Book Iv. Canto Xv. Tar'a

Canto Xv.: Tar.


That shout, which shook the land with fear,

In thunder smote on Bli's ear,

Where in the chamber barred and closed

The sovereign with his dame reposed.

Each amorous thought was rudely stilled,

And pride and rage his bosom filled.

His angry eyes flashed darkly red,

And all his native brightness fled,

As when, by swift eclipse assailed,

The glory of the sun has failed.

While in his fury uncontrolled

He ground his teeth, his eyeballs rolled,

He seemed a lake wherein no gem

Of blossom decks the lotus stem.

He heard, and with indignant pride

Forth from the bower the Vnar hied.

And the earth trembled at the beat

And fury of hit hastening feet.

But Tra to her consort flew,

Her loving arms around him threw.

And trembling and bewildered, gave

Wise counsel that might heal and save:

'O dear my lord, this rage control

That like a torrent floods thy soul,

And cant these idle thoughts away

Like faded wreath of yesterday,

O tarry till the morning light,

Then, if thou wilt, go forth and fight.

p. 342

Think not I doubt thy valour, no;

Or deem thee weaker than thy foe,

Yet for a while would have thee stay

Nor see thee tempt the fight to-day.

Now list, my loving lord, and learn

The reason why I bid thee turn.

Thy foeman came in wrath and pride,

And thee to deadly fight defied,

Thou wentest out: he fought, and fled

Sore wounded and discomfited.

But yet, untaught by late defeat,

He comes his conquering foe to meet.

And calls thee forth with cry and shout:

Hence spring, my lord, this fear and doubt.

A heart so bold that will not yield,

But yearns to tempt the desperate field,

Such loud defiance, fiercely pressed,

On no uncertain hope can rest.

So lately by thine arm o'erthrown,

He comes not back, I ween, alone.

Some mightier comrade guards his side,

And spurs him to this burst of pride.

For nature made the Vnar wise:

On arms of might his hope relies;

And never will Sugrva seek

A friend whose power to save is weak.

Now listen while my lips unfold

The wondrous tale my Angad told.

Our child the distant forest sought,

Aud, learnt from spies, the tidings brought.

Two sons of Das'arathu, sprung

From old Ikshvku, brave and young,

Renowned in arms, in war untamed--

Rma and Lakshman are they named--

Have with thy foe Sugrva made

A league of love and friendly aid.

Now Rma, famed for exploit high,

Is bound thy brother's firm ally,

Like fires of doom 1 that ruin all

He makes each foe before him fall.

He is the suppliant's sure defence,

The tree that shelters innocence.

The poor and wretched seek his feet:

In him the noblest glories meet.

With skill and knowledge vast and deep

His sire's commands he loved to keep;

With princely gifts and graces stored

As metals deck the Mountains' Lord. 2

Thou canst not, O my hero, stand

Before the might of Rma's hand;

For none may match his powers or dare

With him in deeds of war compare.

Hear, I entreat, the words I say,

Nor lightly turn my rede away.

O let fraternal discord cease,

And link you in the bonds of peace.

Let consecrating rites ordain

Sugrva partner of thy reign.

Let war and thoughts of conflict end,

And be thou his and Rma's friend,

Each soft approach of love begin.

And to thy soul thy brother win;

for whether here or there he be,

Thy brother still, dear lord, is he.

Though far and wide these eyes I strain

A friend like him I seek in vain.

Let gentle words his heart incline,

And gifts and honours make him thine,

Till, foes no more, in love allied,

You stand as brothers side by side.

Thou in high rank wast wont to hold

Sugrva, formed in massive mould;

Then come, thy brother's love regain,

For other aids are weak and vain.

If thou would please my soul, and still

Preserve me from all fear and ill,

I pray thee by thy love be wise

And do the thing which I advise.

Assuage thy fruitless wrath, and shun

The mightier arms of Raghu's son;

For Indra's peer in might is he,

A foe too strong, my lord, for thee.'

Footnotes

341:1
The store of merit accumulated by a holy or austere life secures only a temporary seat in the mansion of bliss. When the lapse of time this store is exhausted, return to earth is unavoidable.

342:1
The conflagration which destroys the world at the end of a Yuga or age

342:2 Himalaya.

etruscan remains umbria| roman etruscan art
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