THE RÁMÁYAN OF VÁLMÍKI, VOL. III - Gujarat Knowledge Centre

95
CANTO XXI.
THE BOUSING OF KHARA.
Low in the dust he saw her lie,
And Khara's wrath grew fierce and high.
Aloud he cried to her who came
Disgracefully with baffled aim
* I sent with Hiee at thy request
The bravest of my giants, best
Of ali who feed.upon the slain
Why art thou weeping here again ?
Still to their master's interest true,
My faithful, noble, loyal crew.
Though slaughtered in the bloody fray,
Would yet their monarch's word obey.
Now I, my sister, fain would know
The cause of this thy fear and woe,
Why like a snake thou writhest there.
Calling for aid in wild despair.
Nay, lie not thus in lowly guise
Cast off thy weakness and arise !'
With soothing words the giant chief
Assuaged the fury of her grief.
Her weeping eyes she slowly dried
And to her brother thus replied
'I sought tbee in my shame and fear
With severed nose and mangled ear
My gashes like a river bled,
I sought thee and was comforted.
Those twice seven giants, brave and strong,