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

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CANTO XXIV.
THE HOST I^ SIGHT.
While Khara, urged by valiant rage,
Drew near that little hermitage,
Those wondrous signs in earth and sky-
Smote on each prince's watchful eye.
When Rama saw those signs of woe
Fraught with destruction to the foe.
With bold impatience scarce repressed
His brother chief he thus addressed
'These fearful signs, my brother bold.
Which threaten all our foes, behold :
All laden, as they strike the view.
With ruin to the fiendish crew.
The angry clouds are gathering fast.
Their skirts with dusty gloom o'ercast,
And harsh with loud-voiced thunder, rain
Thick drops of blood upon the plain.
See, burning for the coming fight.
My shafts with wreaths of smoke are white.
And my great bow embossed with gold
Throbs eager for the master's hold.
Each bird that through the forest flies
Sends out its melancholy cries.
All signs foretell the dangerous strife.
The jeopardy of limb and life.
Each sight, each sound gives warning clear
That foemen meet and death is near.
But courage, valiant brother ! well