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

70 THE RAMJ^VAN Booh lU.
A spot witli every charm most fair.
He stood within that calm retreat,
^ shade for hermits' home most meet,
And thus Sumitrd's son addressed,
While his dear hand in his he pressed
'See, see this smooth and lovely gl9,de
Which flowery trees encircling shade
Do tlioii, beloved Lakshmaij rear
A pleasant cot to lodge us here.
I see beyond that feathery brake
The gleaming of a lilied lake,
Where flowers in sunlike glory throw
Fresh odours from the wave below-
Agastya's words now find we true,
He told the charms which here we view
Here are the trees that blossom o'er
Godavarl's most lovely shore,
Whose pleasant flood from side to side
With swans and geese is beautified.
And fair banks crowded with the deer
That steal from every covert near.
The peacock's cry is loud and shrill
From many a tall and lovely hill,
Green-belted by the trees that wave
Full blossoms o'er the rock and cave,
liike elephants whose huge fronts glow
With painted streaks, the mountains show
Long lines of gold and silver sheen
With copper's darker hues between.
With every tree each hill is graced.
Where creepers blossom interlaced.
Look where the Sdl's long branches sway.
And palms their fanlike leaves display
The date-tree and the Jak are near.