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

Canto LIV. THE RjfMJiYAN, 25S
Speeding o'er lands that lay below^
Sublime in air bis course he took
O'er wood and rock and lake and brook.
He passed at length the sounding sea
Where monstrous creatures wander free,
Seat of Lord Varun's ancient reign,
Controller of the eternal main.
The angry waves were raised and tossed
As Ravan with the lady crossed,
And fish and snake in wild unrest
Showed flashing fin and gleaming crest.
Then from the blessed troops who dwell
In air celestial voices fell
' ten-necked King,' they cried, ' attend
This guilty deed will bring thine end.'
Then Rdvan speeding like the storm,
Bearing his death in human form.
The struggling SItS, lighted down
In royal Lanka's glorious town
A city bright and rich, that showed
Well-ordered street and noble road
Arranged with just division, fair
With multitudes in court and square.
Thus, all his journey done, he passed
Within his royal home at last.
There in a queenly bower he placed
The black-eyed dame with dainty waist
Thus in her chamber Maya laid
The lovely Maya, demon maid.
Then Ravan gave command to all
The dread she-fiends who filled the hall
'
This captive lady watch and guard
From sight of man and woman barred.
But all the fair one asks beside