  The king a while had senseless lain, When care brought memory back again. Then straight he called, the news to hear Of RÁma, for the charioteer, With reverent hand to hand applied He waited by the old man's side, Whose mind with anguish was distraught Like a great elephant newly caught. The king with bitter pain distressed The faithful charioteer addressed, Who, sad of mien, with flooded eye, And dust upon his limbs, stood by: “Where will be RÁma's dwelling now At some tree's foot, beneath the bough; Ah, what will be the exile's food, Bred up with kind solicitude? Can he, long lapped in pleasant rest, Unmeet for pain, by pain oppressed, Son of earth's king, his sad night spend Earth-couched, as one that has no friend? Behind him, when abroad he sped, Cars, elephant, and foot were led: Then how shall RÁma dwell afar In the wild woods where no men are? How, tell me, did the princes there, With SÍtÁ good and soft and fair, Alighting from the chariot, tread The forest wilds around them spread? A happy lot is thine, I ween, Whose eyes my two dear sons have seen Seeking on foot the forest shade, Like the bright Twins to view displayed, The heavenly A?vins, when they seek The woods that hang 'neath Mandar's peak. What words, Sumantra, quickly tell, From RÁma, Lakshma?, SÍtÁ fell? How in the wood did RÁma eat? What was his bed, and what his seat? Full answer to my questions give, For I on thy replies shall live, As with the saints YayÁti held Sweet converse, from the skies expelled.” Urged by the lord of men to speak, Whose sobbing voice came faint and weak, Thus he, while tears his utterance broke, In answer to the monarch spoke: “Hear then the words that RÁma said, Resolved in duty's path to tread. Joining his hands, his head he bent, And gave this message, reverent: “Sumantra, to my father go, Whose lofty mind all people know: Bow down before him, as is meet, And in my stead salute his feet. Then to the queen my mother bend, And give the greeting that I send: Ne'er may her steps from duty err, And may it still be well with her. And add this word: “O Queen, pursue Thy vows with faithful heart and true; And ever at due season turn Where holy fires of worship burn. And, lady, on our lord bestow [pg 164]Such honour as to Gods we owe. Be kind to every queen: let pride And thought of self be cast aside. In the king's fond opinion raise KaikeyÍ, by respect and praise. Let the young Bharat ever be Loved, honoured as the king by thee: Thy king-ward duty ne'er forget: High over all are monarchs set.” And Bharat, too, for me address: Pray that all health his life may bless. Let every royal lady share, As justice bids, his love and care. Say to the strong-armed chief who brings Joy to IksvÁku's line of kings: “As ruling prince thy care be shown Of him, our sire, who holds the throne. Stricken in years he feels their weight; But leave him in his royal state. As regent heir content thee still, Submissive to thy father's will.’?” RÁma again his charge renewed, As the hot flood his cheek bedewed: “Hold as thine own my mother dear Who drops for me the longing tear.” |
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