1839.] 



Essay on Telugu Literature, 



371 



" Thus thought he, but the deer caught a glimpse of him from afar — 

 it let him dr&xv near; but as he stretched to seize it, it bounded from 

 him and fled. Alas cried he in anger, as it stood to gaze at Rama. 

 Then it fled to the horizon while the foam flowed from the corners of 

 its mouth — it .seemed out of heart; then looking at the huntsman it 

 sprung ur> elastic and fled at speed, while the skies seemed to flash with 

 its brightness ; then it vaulted* away ; its tongue flashing like light- 

 ning bright as a waving torch ; for it moved as rapid as a potter's wheel 

 circling at speed. Then it paused as though faint, it seemed to drop 

 close to him — then like a goshawk it flew up to heaven. Rama was 

 now wearied as well as astonished: he piused, he looked around — but 

 now 7 the creature to cajole him stood still — but as he formed the idea 

 of shooting it, again it vanished'! then as he gave up the hope and turn- 

 ed homewards, behold it was again at his side, like a vision ; and car- 

 ried the son of Cacustha who wlas now wearying, further and further, 

 for deluding his glance, it fled in tcv inaccessible hil's (112 — 150). 



Seeing this Rama perceived thai, this was a fairy hind — he exclaimed 

 Where, O my foe, wilt thou hide fr^m me ? *'* * * * #* 



So saying he levelled the celesti al a: row at the prey — which in- 

 stantly rolled over and now laying aside the fairy form, uttering a de- 

 lusive shriek, cried " 0 Lacshmana! & Sita!" (155-165). 



Then stretching his prodigious giant corpse on the soil, the wretch 

 gave up his life — it seemed as though all the giants and their prince 

 Ravana fell : as though their capital, Lanea, perished. 



When this fairy deer fell on the earth, the lord of Sita was w r ell pleas- 

 ed : for he clearly saw it was indeed Marichi : he remembered with 

 approbation the words of his brother. How deeply, thought he, will 

 he and the bright eyed daughter of Janaca grieve at hearing their names 

 uttered in the dying shriek of this deluder : for he imitated my voice 

 exactly: I marvel where they are and what has become of them. 



So saying he mournfully pondered. But the dreadful cry reached the 

 ears of Sita, and struck her with horror to the earth: then when she 

 recovered her senses, she gazed wildly around and was utterly downcast. 



Then in her agitation she raised the weeping cry, and gazing on 

 Laxmana, she exclaimed. Alas! son of Sumitra, what may this be 

 that has befallen us this day : surely Rama cries on thee with weep- 

 ing voice. O hero, listen to that voice! wilt not thou give ear to it ? 

 or does it not reach thy ear ? thou shrinkest not — thou shewest no ter- 



* (I use various English words to convey the various Telugu synonymes employed, 

 The phrase here is cvppinchij 



