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

182
CANTO XL.
EAVAN'S SPEECH.
But Ravan scorned the rede he gave
In timely words to warn and save,
E'en as the wretch who hates to live
Rejects the herb the leeches give.
By fate to sin and ruin spunsed,
That sage advice the giant heard,
Then in reproaches hard and stern
Thus to Marfcha spoke in turn :
.
' Is this thy counsel, weak and base,
Unworthy of thy giant race ?
Thy speech is fruitless, vain thy toil
Like casting seed on barren soil.
No words of thine shall drive me back
From Rama and the swift attack.
A fool is he, inured to sin,
And more, of human origin.
The craven, at a woman's call
To leave his sire, his mother, all
The friends he loved, the power and sway.
And hasten to the woods away
But now his anger will I rouse.
Stealing away his darling spouse.
I in thy sight will ravish her
From Khara's cruel murderer.
Upon this plan my soul is bent.
And naught shall move my firm intent,
Not if the way through demons^led