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

CANTO Lll.
RA VA^'S FLIGHT*,
Fair as the lord of silvery fayS
Wiiora every star in heaven obeys,
The Maithil danie her plaint renewed
O'er him by Ravau's might subdued .'
' Dreams, omens, auguries foreshow
Our coming lot of weal and woe
But thou, my R^ma, couldst not see
The grievous bloW wich falls on thee.
The birds and deer desert the brakes
And show the path my captor takes,
And thus e'en now this royal bird
Flew to mine aid by pity stirred.
Slain for tny sake in death he lies,
The broad-winged rover of the skies.
R^ma, haste, thine aid I crave
O Lakshma^, why delay to save 1
Brave sons of old Ikshv^ku, hear
And rescue in this hour of fear.'
Her flowery wreath was torn and rent.
Crushed was each sparkling ornament.
She with weak arms and trembling knees
Clung like a creeper to the trees,
A'nd like some poor deserted thing
With wild shrieks made the forest ring.
But swift the giant reached her side.
As loud on Rama's name she cried.
Fierce as grim Death one hand he laid