Ramayana, Epic of Rama, Prince of India

III. The Death of the King - 44
I. Woman’s Love
“Dearly loved, devoted Sita! daughter of a royal line,
Part we now, for years of wand’ring in the pathless woods is mine,
For my father, promise-fettered, to Kaikeyi yields the sway,
And she wills her son anointed, – fourteen years doth Rama stray,
But before I leave thee, Sita, in the wilderness to rove,
Yield me one more tender token of thy true and trustful love!
Serve my crowned brother, Sita, as a faithful, duteous dame,
Tell him not of Rama’s virtues, tell him not of Rama’s claim,
Since my royal father willeth, – Bharat shall be regent-heir,
Serve him with a loyal duty, serve him with obeisance fair,
Since my royal father willeth, – years of banishment be mine,
Brave in sorrow and in suffering, woman’s brightest fame be thine!
Keep thy fasts and vigils, Sita, while thy Rama is away,
Faith in Gods and faith in virtue on thy bosom hold their sway,
[40] In the early watch of morning to the Gods for blessings pray,
To my father Dasa-ratha honour and obeisance pay,
To my mother, Queen Kausalya, is thy dearest tendance due,
Offer her thy consolation, be a daughter fond and true!
Queen Kaikeyi and Sumitra equal love and honour claim,
With a soothing soft endearment sweetly serve each royal dame,
Cherish Bharat and Satrughna with a sister’s watchful love,
And a mother’s true affection and a mother’s kindness prove!
Listen, Sita, unto Bharat speak no heedless angry word,
He is monarch of Kosala and of Raghu’s race is lord,
Crowned kings our willing service and our faithful duty own,
Dearest sons they disinherit, cherish strangers near the throne!
Bharat’s will with deep devotion and with faultless faith obey,
Truth and virtue on thy bosom ever hold their gentle sway,