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

Vanto LIX. THE RA'M^VAN. 275
And thou without me homeward wend J
O, let hot good JH&niaiyi. shed
Her bitter tears to mourn me dead,
Nor her proud rival's hest obey.
Strong in her son and queenly sway
Back to my cot will I repair
If Si'tA live to greet me there.
But if my wife have perished, I
Reft of my love will surely die.
Lakshman, if I seek my cot,
Look for my love and find her not
Sweet welcome with her smile to give,
1 tell thee, I will cease to live.
O answer,—let thy words be plain,
Lives Sita yet, or is she slain ?
Didst thou thy sacred trust betray
Till ravening giants seized the prey?
Ah me, so young, so soft and fair.
Lapped in all bliss, untried by care.
Rent from her own dear husband, how^
Will she support her misery now ?
That voice, Lakshman, smote thine ear.
And filled, I ween, thy heart with fear.
When on thy name for succour cried
The treacherous giant ere he died.
That voice too like mine own, I ween.
Was heard by the Videhan queen.
She bade thee seek my side to aid,
And quickly was the hest obeyed.
But, ah, thy fault I needs must blame.
To leave alone the helpless dame,
And let the cruel giants sate
The fury of their murderous hate.
Those blood-devouring demons all