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

50 THE RAMAYAN. Book HI.
His soul on fire with vengeful rage.
Rushed the night-rover at the sage.
One lightning glance of fury, hot
As fire, the glorious hermit shot,
As the fiend neared him in his stride,
And straight, consumed to dust, he died.
In pity for the Brahmans' plight
Agastya wrought this deed of might
This grove which lakes and fair trees grace
In his great brother's dwelling place.'
As Rama thus the tale rehearsed,
And with Sumitra's son conversed,
The setting sun his last rays shed.
And evening o'er the land was spread.
A while the princely brothers stayed
And even rites in order paid,
Then to the holy grove they drew
And hailed the saint with honour due.
With courtesy was Rdma met
By that illustrious anchoret,
And for one night he rested there
Regaled with fruit and hermit fare;
But when the night had reached its close.
And the sun's glorious circle rose,
The son of Raghu left his bed
And to the hermit's brother said
' Well rested in thy hermit cell,
I stand, saint, to bid farewell
For with thy leave I journey hence
Thy brother saint to reverence.'
' Go, Rdma go,' the sage replied
Then from the cot the chieftain hied,
And while the pleasant grove he viewed
The path the hermit showed, pursued.