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

Canto XVIII THE RJ^MJTYAN. 85
And look on me with scornful eyes ?
This aged crone this very hour
Before thy face will I devour
Then joyous, from all rivals free,
Through Dandak will I stray with thee.'
She spoke, and with a glance of flame
Rushed on the fawn-eyed Maithil dame
So would a horrid meteor mar
Fair Rohini's soft-beaming star.
But as the furious fiend drew near.
Like Death's dire noose which chills with fear,
The mighty chief her purpose stayed,
And spoke, his brother to upbraid
' Ne'er should we jest with creatures rude,
Of savage -race and wrathful mood.
Think, Lakshman, think how nearly slain
My dear Videhan breathes again.
Let not the hideous wretch escape
Without a mark to mar her shape.
Strike, lord of men, the monstrous fiend.
Deformed, and foul, and evil-miened.'
He spoke : then Lakshmau's wrath rose high
And there before his brother's eye.
He drew that sword which none could stay.
And cleft her nose and ears away.
Noseless and earless, torn and maimed,
With fearful shrieks the fiend exclaimed,
And frantic in her wild distress
Resought the distant wilderness.
Deformed, terrific, huge, and dread.
As on she moved, her gashes bled.
And groan succeeded groan as loud
As roars, ere rain, the thunder cloud.
Still on the fearful monster passed,