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

228 THE RjtMAYAN. Book III.
As love's hot fire inflamed his breast.
The leader of the giant crew
His arm around the lady threw
Thus Budha' with ill-omened might
Steals Rohini's delicious light.
One hand her glorious tresses grasped,
One with its ruthless pressure clasped
The body of his lovely prize,
The Maithil dame with lotus eyes.
The silvan Gods' in wild alarm
Marked his huge teeth and ponderou,s arm.
And from that Death-like presence fled.
Of mountain size and towering head.
Then seen was Rdva'n's magic car
Aglow with gold. which blazed afar,
The mighty car which asses drew
Thundering as it onward flew.
He spared not harsh rebuke to chide
The lady as she moaned and cried,
Then with his arm about her waist
His captive in the car he placed.
In vain he threatened :
Rang out her lamentation still,.
O Rama !
long and shrill
which no fear could stay
But her dear lord was far away.
Then rose the fiend, and toward the skies
Bore his poor helpless struggling prize
Hurrying through the air above
The dame who loathed his proffered love.
So might a soaring eagle bear
A serpent's consort through the air.
As on he bore her through the sky
She shrieked aloud her bitter cry,
' Mercury : to be (JarefuUy distioguiahed from Buddha.