374 



Essay on Tehtgu Literature. 



[Oct. 



Rama hath come to this wilderness, with me and Laxmana : we three 

 have taken up our abode in this retreat as steadfast recluses. But 

 a golden hind appeared to me, and looking at the prince I requested 

 its hide— he is gone to seek it : after which I heard a dreadful cry of " O 

 Laxmana," which pierced and dwelt in my ear. In my grief I revil- 

 ed Laxmana and bade him begone : he is gone : andreturneth not; I 

 know not which way to turn. 



She spoke, and looking at the hermit said Reverend Sir tell me your 

 name and why you are come to this place. 



The prince of Lanca scrupled not to lay aside for awhile his humble 

 guise and thus replied (320 334). 



Lady of the gentle eyes hear! I am the ruler of Lanca in the midst 

 of rolling ocean. I am the chief of ghwits, the son of Visravas, and 

 brother of Cuvera (PI at us), lord of Yai.as (Gnomes) and universally 

 victorious : by name, Ravana [or Bria/eus] he who in battle faces and 

 vanquishes both deities and giants, iady ! I heard of the riches of 

 thy blooming f;ice, and am come, full/ of eagerness to behold it. Why 

 O dame shouldst thou thus pining d/Vell with a paltry fellow in the wil- 

 derness ? all my realm, O bright eyed lady shall be at thy command 

 with its wealth — fur thy comfort .and pom.'* there are bright chariots, 

 and all other princely vehicle-^: a(nd in the palaces thou shalt be waited 

 upon by the wives and daughter^ of fairies and demigods, genies and 

 giants. When the light of thy/footsteps shines on my realm it shall 

 blaze as with a wall of rubies. O Lady, the lilies of thine eyes shall 

 shed their radiance like a triumphal wreath over my gates. Thy sweet 

 smiles shall shine as the summer moon over the ocean of my happiness. 

 Come come to my city of Lanca (335-362). 



He said: at these words Sita was indeed filled with alarm, but like 

 a spirited woman she looked upon him with scorn, and plucking up a 

 blade of grass,* she turned her heart to Rama and bending her eves 

 on the grass she thus spoke, without even looking at the enemy of gods. 



Fellow! is it fit for thee to address me thus ? surely ambrosia was 

 created for deities and not for dogs ! what face hast thou to dare to 

 speak to me who appertain to the god-like Rama? be decent and be 

 gone to thy noble town. If thou wilt not go away by fair means, and if 

 thou ponderest on any iniquity, know thai my noble lord is matchless 

 in archery : it was he who burst the bow of Siva and who smote the 

 heads of the giants. He will reduce thee and thine to nothing ! thou 

 art to him no more than a fox is to a lion, or a fly to an elephant, or 



* A common action, expressing, I do not care fer these words* 



