Soon as the shades of night had fled,

Thus to the wise Sumantra said

The happy king, while priest and peer,

Each in his place, were standing near:

Set foremost in the long array,

With gold and precious gems supplied

In bounteous store, together ride.

And send you out a mighty force,

Foot, chariot, elephant, and horse.

Besides, let many a car of state,

And noblest steeds, my will await.

Va?ish?ha, VÁmadeva sage,

And MÁrka?deya's reverend age,

JÁvÁli, Ka?yap's godlike seed,

And wise KÁtyÁyana, shall lead.

Thy care, Sumantra, let it be

To yoke a chariot now for me,

That so we part without delay:

So fared he forth. That host, with speed,

Quadruple, as the king decreed,

With priests to head the bright array,

Followed the monarch on his way.

Four days they travelled on the road,

And eve Videha's kingdom showed.

Janak had left his royal seat

The venerable king to greet,

And, noblest, with these words addressed

That noblest lord, his happy guest:

Has led thee, Monarch, to my state.

Thy sons, supreme in high emprise,

Will gladden now their father's eyes.

And high my fate, that hither leads

Va?ish?ha, bright with holy deeds,

Girt with these sages far-renowned,

Like Indra with the Gods around.

Joy! joy! for vanquished are my foes:

Joy! for my house in glory grows,

With Raghu's noblest sons allied,

Supreme in strength and valour's pride.

To-morrow with its early light

Will shine on my completed rite.

Then, sanctioned by the saints and thee,

Then Da?aratha, best of those

Whose speech in graceful order flows,

With gathered saints on every side,

Thus to the lord of earth replied:

A favour is the giver's own.

What thou shalt bid, O good and true,

That answer of the truthful lord,

With virtuous worth and honour stored,

Janak, Videha's noble king,

Heard gladly, greatly marvelling.

With bosoms filled with pleasure met

Long-parted saint and anchoret,

And linked in friendship's tie they spent

The peaceful night in great content.

RÁma and Lakshma? thither sped,

By sainted Vi?vÁmitra led,

And bent in filial love to greet

Their father, and embraced his feet.

The aged king, rejoiced to hear

And see again his children dear,

Honoured by Janak's thoughtful care,

With great enjoyment rested there.

King Janak, with attentive heed,

Consulted first his daughters' need,

And ordered all to speed the rite;

Then rested also for the night.