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

Canto XL VI. THE RAMJiYA N. 215
Her hospitable rites she pressed.
She bade the stranger to a seat,
And gave him water for his feet.
The bowl and water-pot he bare,
And garb which wandering Brahmans wear
Forbade a doubt to rise.
Won by his holy look she deemed
' The stranger even as he seemed
To her deluded eyes,
Intent on hospitable care,
She brought her best of woodland fare,
And showed her guest a seat.
She bade the saintly stranger lave
His feet in water which she gave.
And sit and rest and eat.
He kept his eager glances bent
On her so kindly eloquent.
Wife of the noblest king
And longed in heart to steal her thence,
Preparing by the dire offence
Death on his head to bring.
The lady watched with anxious face
For Rama coming from the chase
With Lakshma^j by his side
But Hothing met her wandering glance
Save the wild forest's green expanse
Extending far and wide,