Part 4 (1/2)
Under the faint beams of the stars How beautiful appeared the flowers, Light scarlet, flecked with golden bars Of the palasas,[1] in the bowers That Nature there herself had made Without the aid of man. At times Trees on their path cast densest shade, And nightingales sang mystic rhymes Their fears and sorrows to a.s.suage.
Where two paths met, the north they chose, As leading to the hermitage, And soon before them, dim it rose.
Here let us end. For all may guess The blind old king received his sight, And ruled again with gentleness The country that was his by right; And that Savitri's royal sire Was blest with many sons,--a race Whom poets praised for martial fire, And every peaceful gift and grace.
As for Savitri, to this day Her name is named, when couples wed, And to the bride the parents say, Be thou like her, in heart and head.
[1] _Butea frondosa._
II.
LAKSHMAN.
”Hark! Lakshman! Hark, again that cry!
It is,--it is my husband's voice!
Oh hasten, to his succour fly, No more hast thou, dear friend, a choice.
He calls on thee, perhaps his foes Environ him on all sides round, That wail,--it means death's final throes!
Why standest thou, as magic-bound?
”Is this a time for thought,--oh gird Thy bright sword on, and take thy bow!
He heeds not, hears not any word, Evil hangs over us, I know!
Swift in decision, prompt in deed, Brave unto rashness, can this be, The man to whom all looked at need?
Is it my brother, that I see!
”Ah no, and I must run alone, For further here I cannot stay; Art thou transformed to blind dumb stone!
Wherefore this impious, strange delay!
That cry,--that cry,--it seems to ring Still in my ears,--I cannot bear Suspense; if help we fail to bring His death at least we both can share.”
”Oh calm thyself, Videhan Queen, No cause is there for any fear, Hast thou his prowess never seen?
Wipe off for shame that dastard tear!
What being of demonian birth Could ever brave his mighty arm?
Is there a creature on the earth That dares to work our hero harm?
”The lion and the grisly bear Cower when they see his royal look, Sun-staring eagles of the air His glance of anger cannot brook, Pythons and cobras at his tread To their most secret coverts glide, Bowed to the dust each serpent head Erect before in hooded pride.
”Rakshases, Danavs, demons, ghosts, Acknowledge in their hearts his might, And slink to their remotest coasts, In terror at his very sight.
Evil to him! Oh fear it not, Whatever foes against him rise!
Banish for aye, the foolish thought, And be thyself,--bold, great, and wise.
”He call for help! Canst thou believe He like a child would shriek for aid Or pray for respite or reprieve-- Not of such metal is he made!
Delusive was that piercing cry,-- Some trick of magic by the foe; He has a work,--he cannot die, Beseech me not from hence to go.
”For here beside thee, as a guard 'Twas he commanded me to stay, And dangers with my life to ward If they should come across thy way.
Send me not hence, for in this wood Bands scattered of the giants lurk, Who on their wrongs and vengeance brood, And wait the hour their will to work.”
”Oh shame! And canst thou make my weal A plea for lingering! Now I know What thou art Lakshman! And I feel Far better were an open foe.
Art thou a coward? I have seen Thy bearing in the battle-fray Where flew the death-fraught arrows keen, Else had I judged thee so to-day.