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

Canto XLII. THE RJ^MJ^YAN. 191
His face was black relieved with white.
The turkis and the ruby shed
A glory from his ears and head.
His arching neck was proudly raised,
And lazulites beneath it blazed.
With roseate bloom his flanks were dyed.
And lotus tints adorned his hide.
His shape was fair, compact, and slight
His hoofs were carven lazulite.
His tail with every changing glow
Displayed the hues of Indra's bow.
With glossy skin so strangely flecked.
With tints of every gem bedecked,
A light o'er Rama's home he sent.
And through the wood, where'er he went.
The giant clad in that strange dress
That took the soul with loveliness,
To charm the fair Videhan's eyes
With mingled wealth of mineral dyes,
Moved onward, cropping in his way,
The grass and grain and tender spray.
His coat with drops of silver bright,
A form to gaze on with delight.
He raised his fair neck ajs he went
To browse on bud and filament.
Now in the Cassia grove he strayed^
Now by the cot in plantains' shade.
Slowly and slowly on he came
To catch the glances of the dame.
And the tall deer of splendid hue
Shone full at length in Sita's view.
He roamed where'er his fancy chose^
Where Rama's leafy cottage rose.
Now near, now far, in careless ease.