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

226
CANTO XLIX.
THE R.IPE OF sItA.
The Rakshas monarch, thus addressed,
His hauds a while together pressed,
Aud straight before hei" startled eyes
Stood monstrous in his giant size.
Then to the lady, with the lore
Of eloquence, he spoke once more
' Thou scarce,' he cried, ' hast heard aright
The glories of my power and might.
I borae sublime in air can stand
And with these arms upheave the land.
Drink the deep flood of Ocean dry
And Death with conquering force defy.
Pierce the great sun with furious dart
And to her depths cleave earth apart.
See, thou whom love and beauty blind,
I wear each form as wills my mind.'
As thus he spake in burning ire
His glowing eyes were red with fire.
His gentle garb aside was thrown
And all his native shape was shown.
Terrific, monstrous, wild, and dread
As the dark God who rules the dead.
His fiery eyes in fury rolled,
Hisiimbs were decked with glittering gold.
Like some dark cloud the monster showed.
And his fierce breast with fury glowed.
The ten-faced rover of the night,