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

Canto XLl V. THE RjOlAYJN. 203
He threw his borrowed form aside.
Remembering still his lord's behest
He pondered in his heart how besl^
Sitd might send- her guard away,
And Rdvan seize the helpless prey.
The monster knew the time was nigh,
And called aloud with eager cry,
' Ho, Sits, Lakshman !
' and the tone
He borrowed was like Rdma's own.
So by that matchless arrow cleft,
The deer's bright form Mdricha left,
iB^sumed his giant shape and size
And closed in death his languid eyes.
When Rdma saw his awful foe
Gasp, smeared with blood, in deadly throe,
His anxious thoughts to Sita sped.
And the wise words that Laksbman said,
Tbat this was false Mdricha's art.
Returned again upon his heart.
He knew the foe he triumphed o'er
The name of great Mdricha bore.
' The fiend,' he pondered, 'ere he died,
' Ho, Lakshman ! ho, my Sita !' cried.
Ah, if that cry has reached her ear.
How dire must be my darling's fear !
And Lakshman of the mighty arm.
What thinks he in his wild alarm 1
As thus he thought in sad surmise.
Each startled hair began to rise ;
And when he saw the giant slain
And thought upon that cry again,
His spirit sank and terror pressed
Full sorely on the hero's breast.
Anothef deer he chased and struck