  While thus he spoke, the envoys borne On horses faint and travel-worn Had gained the city fenced around With a deep moat's protecting bound. An audience of the king they gained, And honours from the prince obtained; The monarch's feet they humbly pressed, To Bharat next these words addressed: “The household priest and peers by us Send health to thee and greet thee thus: “Come to thy father's house with haste: Thine absent time no longer waste.” Receive these vestures rich and rare, These costly gems and jewels fair, And to thy uncle here present Each precious robe and ornament. These for the king and him suffice— Two hundred millions is their price— These, worth a hundred millions, be Reserved, O large-eyed Prince, for thee.” Loving his friends with heart and soul, The joyful prince received the whole, Due honour to the envoys paid, And thus in turn his answer made: “Of Da?aratha tidings tell: Is the old king my father well? Is RÁma, and is Lakshma?, he Of the high-soul, from sickness free? And she who walks where duty leads, Kau?alyÁ, known for gracious deeds, Mother of RÁma, loving spouse, Bound to her lord by well kept vows? And Lakshma?'s mother too, the dame SumitrÁ skilled in duty's claim, Who brave ?atrughna also bare, Second in age,—her health declare. [pg 178]And she, in self-conceit most sage, With selfish heart most prone to rage, My mother, fares she well? has she Sent message or command to me?” Thus Bharat spake, the mighty-souled, And they in brief their tidings told: “All they of whom thou askest dwell, O lion lord, secure and well: Thine all the smiles of fortune are: Make ready; let them yoke the car.” Thus by the royal envoys pressed, Bharat again the band addressed: “I go with you: no long delay, A single hour I bid you stay.” Thus Bharat, son of him who swayed AyodhyÁs realm, his answer made, And then bespoke, his heart to please, His mother's sire in words like these: “I go to see my father, King, Urged by the envoys' summoning; And when thy soul desires to see Thy grandson, will return to thee.” The king his grandsire kissed his head, And in reply to Bharat said: “Go forth, dear child: how blest is she, The mother of a son like thee! Greet well thy sire, thy mother greet, O thou whose arms the foe defeat; The household priest, and all the rest Amid the Twice-born chief and best; And RÁma and brave Lakshma?, who Shoot the long shaft with aim so true.” To him the king high honour showed, And store of wealth and gifts bestowed, The choicest elephants to ride, And skins and blankets deftly dyed, A thousand strings of golden beads, And sixteen hundred mettled steeds: And boundless wealth before him piled Gave Kekaya to KaikeyÍ's child. And men of counsel, good and tried, On whose firm truth he aye relied, King A?vapati gave with speed Prince Bharat on his way to lead. And noble elephants, strong and young, From sires of Indra?ira sprung, And others tall and fair to view
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