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

288 THE RyfMAYAN. Book III
To fresh attempts his brother spurred,
And R4ma, as he ceased, began
With Laksh man's aid each spot to scan.
In eager search their way they took
Through wood, o'er hill, by pool and brook.
They roamed eacb mount, nor spared to seek
On ridge and crag and towering peak.
They sought the dame in every spot
But all in vain ;
they found her not.
Above, below, on every side
They ranged the hill, and Rama cried,
' Lakshman, my brother, still
No trace oi Sita on the bill !'
Then Lakshman as he roamed the wood
Beside his glorious brother stood.
And while fierce grief his bosom burned
This answer to the chief returned
' Thou, Rama, after toil and pain
Wilt meet the Maithil dame again.
As Vishnu, Bali's might subdued,
His empire of the earth renewed."
Then Rama cried in mournful tone.
His spirit by his woe o'erthrown
' The wood is searched from aide to side.
No distant spot remains untried.
No lilied pool, no streamlet where
The lotus buds are fresh and fair.
Our eyes have searched the hill with all
His caves and every waterfall,
But ah, not yet I find my wife.
More precious than the breath of life.'
As thus he mourned his vanished dame
A mighty trembling seized his frame,
' See Book I. Canto XXXI.