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

297
CANTO LXV. .
eAma's wbatu.
With piteous voice, by woe subdued,
Thus Raghu's son his speech renewed
' Thy steps, my brother, quickly turn
To bright Godavari and learn
If Sitd to the stream have hied
To cull the lilies on its side.'
Obedient to the words lie said,
His brother to the river sped.
The shelving banks he searched in vain,
And then to R^ma turned again.
' I searched, but found her not,' he cried
' I called aloud, but none replied.
Where can the Maithil lady stray,
Whose sight would chase our cares away ?
I know not where, her steps untraced.
Roams Sitd of the dainty waist.'
When R^ma heard the words he spoke
Again he sank beneath the stroke.
And with a bosom anguish-fraught
Himself the lovely river sought.
There standing on the shelving side,
' Sita, where art thou ?' he cried.
No spirit voice an answer gave.
No murmur from the trembling wave
Of sweet Godavari declared
The outrage which the fiend had dared.
' speak ! ' the pitying spirits cried.