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

Canto XXXVI. THE iJ^J/^F^i^. 167
For Keart and hand, without a peer.
For thou art skilled in art and wi'le,
A warrior brave and trained in guile.
With this one hope, this only aim,
O Rover of the Night, I came.
Now let me tell what aid I ask
To back me in my purposed task.
In semblance of a golden deer
Adorned with silver spots appear.
Go, seek his dwelling : in the way
Of Rama and bis cousort stray.
Doubt not the lady, when she sees
The wondrous deer amid the trees.
Will bid her lord and Lakshman take
The creature for its beauty's sake.
Then when the chiefs have parted thence.
And left her lone, without defence.
As Riihu storms the moonlight, I
Will seize the lovbly dame and fly.
IJer lord will waste away and weep
For her his valour could not keep.
Then boldly will I strike the blow
And wreak my vengeance on the foe.'
When wise Maricha heard the tale
His heart grew faint, his oheek was p^^le,
He stared with open orbs, and tried
To moisten lips which terror dried,
And grief, like death, his bosom rent
As on the king his look he bent.
The monarch's will he strove to stay,
Distrapted with alarm,
For well he knew the might that lay
In Riima'p n^atchless arm.
With suppliant hands Mfiricha stood