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Book V. Canto Xii. The Search Renewed

Canto Xii.: The Search Renewed.


Again the Vnar chief began

Each chamber, bower, and hall to scan.

In vain: he found not her he sought,

And pondered thus in bitter thought:

'Ah me the Maithil queen is slain:

She, ever true and free from stain,

The fiend's entreaty has denied.

And by his cruel hand has died.

Or has she sunk, by terror killed,

When first she saw the palace filled

With female monsters evil miened

Who wait upon the robber fiend?

No battle fought, no might displayed,

In vain this anxious search is made;

Nor shall my steps, made slow by shame,

Because I failed to find the dame,

Back to our lord the king be bent,

For he is swift to punishment.

In every bower my feet have been,

The dames of Rvan I seen;

But Rma's spouse I seek in vain,

And all my toil is fruitless pain.

How shall I meet the Vnar

I left upon the ocean strand?

How, when they bid me speak, proclaim

These tidings of defeat and shame?

How shall I look on Angad's eye?

What words will Jmbavn

Yet dauntless hearts will never fail

To win success though foes assail,

And I this sorrow will subdue

And search the palace through and through,

Exploring with my cautious tread

Each spot as yet unvisited.'

Again he turned him to explore

Each chamber, hall, and corridor,

And arbour bright with scented bloom.

And lodge and cell and picture-room.

p. 403

With eager eye and noiseless feet

He passed through many a cool retreat

Where women lay in slumber drowned;

But St nowhere found.

parva mahabharata| mahabharata parva
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