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

816
CANTO IXIX.
THE DH.iTH OF J.iTAYrS.
As Rama viewed with heart-felt yain
The vulture whom, the flend had slain,
In words with tender love impressed
His brother chief he thus addressed
' This royal bird with faithful thought
For my advantage strove and fought.
Slain by the fiend in mortal strife
For mS he yields his noble life.
See, Lakshman, how his wounds have bled ;
His struggling breath will soon have fled,
Faiot is his voice, and near to die,
He scarce can lift his trembling eye,
Jatayus, if thou still can speak,
Give, give the answer that I seek.
The fate of ravished Sit^ tell,
And how thy mournful chance befell.
Say why the giant stole my dame :
What have I done that he could blame ?
What fault in me has Ravan seen
That he should rob me of my queen ?
How looked the lady's moon-bright cheek ?
What were the words she found to speak ?
His strength, his might, his deeds declare
And tell the form he loves to wear.
To all my questions make reply
Where does the giant's dwelling lie ?'
The noble bird his glances bent