Book Vi. Canto Xli. R'ama's Envoy Canto Xli.: Rma 'S Envoy. When Rma saw each bloody trace On King Sugrva's limbs and face, He cried, while, sorrowing at the view,His arms about his friend he threw: 'Too venturous chieftain, kings like us Bring not their lives in peril thus; Nor, save when counsel shows the need, Attempt so bold, so rash a deed. Remember. I, Vibhshan all Have sorrowed fearing for thy fall.O do not--for us all I speak-- These desperate adventures seek, 'I could not,' cried Sugrva, 'brook Upon the giant king to look, p. 458Nor challenge to the deadly strife The fiend who robbed thee of thy wife.' 'Now Lakshman, marshal,' Rma cried, 'Our legions where the woods are wide,And stand we ready to oppose The fury of our giant foes.This day our armies shall ascend The walls which Rvan's powers defend,And floods of Rkshas blood shall stain The streets encumbered with the slain.' Down from the peak he came, and viewed The Vnars' ordered multitude. Each captain there for battle burned, Each fiery eye to Lank turned. On, where the royal brothers led To Lank's walls the legions sped. The northern gate, where giant foes Swarmed round their monarch, Rma choseWhere he in person might direct The battle, and his troops protect.What arm but his the post might keep Where, strong as he who sways the deep, 1 Mid thousands armed with bow and mace, Stood Rvan mightiest of his race? The eastern gate was Nla's post. Where marshalled stood his Vnar host, And Mainda with his troops arrayed, And Dwivid stood to lend him aid. The southern gate was Angad's care, Who ranged his bold battalions there.Hanmn by the port that faced The setting sun his legions placed,And King Sugrva held the wood East of the gate where Rvan stood. On every side the myriads met,And Lank's walls of close beset That scarce the roving gale could win A passage to the hosts within.Loud as the angry ocean's roar When wild waves lash the rocky shore,Ten thousand thousand throats upsent A shout that tore the firmament,And Lank with each grove and brook And tower and wall and rampart shook.The giants heard, and were appalled: Then Raghu's son to Angad called, And, led by kingly duty, 2 gaveThis order merciful as brave: 'Go, Angad, Rvan's presence seek,And thus my words of warning speak: 'How art thou changed and fallen now, O Monarch of the giants, thouWhose impious fury would not spare Saint, nymph, or spirit of the air; Whose foot in haughty triumph trodOn Yaksha, king, and Serpent God: How art thou fallen from thy pride Which Brahm's favour fortified!With myriads at thy Lank's gate I stand my righteous ire to sate, And punish thee with sword and flame, The tyrant fiend who stole my dame. Now show the might, employ the guile, O Monarch of the giants' isle,Which stole a helpless dame away: Call up thy power and strength to-day. Once more I warn thee, Rkshas King, This hour the Maithil lady bring, And, yielding while there yet is time, Seek, suppliant, pardon for the crime,Or I will leave beneath the sun No living Rkshas, no, not one. In vain from battle wilt thou fly, Or borne on pinions seek the sky; The hand of Rma shall not spare; His fiery shaft shall smite thee there.' He ceased: and Angad bowed his head; Thence like embodied flame be sped,And lighted from his airy road Within the Rkshas king's abode. There sate, the centre of a ring Of counsellors, the giant king. Swift through the circle Angad pressed,And spoke with fury in his breast: 'Sent by the lord of Kosal's land, His envoy here, O King, I stand, Angad the son of Bli: fame Has haply taught thine ears my name. Thus in the words of Rma IAm come to warn thee or defy: Come forth, and fighting in the van Display the spirit of a man. This arm shall slay thee, tyrant: allThy nobles, kith and kin shall fall: And earth and heaven, from terror freed, Shall joy to see the oppressor bleed, Vibhshan, when his foe is slain, Anointed king in peace shall reign. Once more I counsel thee: repent, Avoid the mortal punishment, With honour due the dame restore, And pardon for thy sin implore.'Loud rose the king's infuriate cry: 'Seize, seize the Vnar, let him lie.' Four of his band their lord obeyed, And eager hands on Angad laid.He purposing his strength to show Gave no resistance to the foe,But swiftly round his captors cast His mighty arms and held them fast.Fierce shout and cry around him rang: Light to the palace roof he sprang, There his detaining arms unwound. And hurled the giants to the ground, Then, smiting with a fearful stroke, A turret from the roof he broke,--As when the fiery levin sent p. 459By Indra from the clouds has rent The proud peak of the Lord of Snow,- And flung the stony mass below.Again with loud terrific cry He sprang exulting to the sky, And, joyous for his errand done, Stood by the side of Raghu's son.Footnotes 457:1 The Rusuk * also called Palas'a, is Bruten Frondosa, a tree that bears beautiful red crescent shaped blossoms and is deservedly a favorite with poets. * ? Seekal the silk cotton * ? bush also bears red blossoms. 458:1 Varuna. 458:2 The duty of a king to save the lives of his people and avoid bloodshed until milder methods have been tried in vain.
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