  “Again, O best of kings, give ear: My saving words attentive hear, And listen to the tale of old By that illustrious BrÁhman told. “Of famed IkshvÁku's line shall spring ('Twas thus he spoke) a pious king, Named Da?aratha, good and great, True to his word and fortunate. He with the Angas' mighty lord Shall ever live in sweet accord, And his a daughter fair shall be, ?ÁntÁ of happy destiny. But LomapÁd, the Angas' chief, Still pining in his childless grief, To Da?aratha thus shall say: “Give me thy daughter, friend, I pray, Thy ?ÁntÁ of the tranquil mind, The noblest one of womankind.” The father, swift to feel for woe, Shall on his friend his child bestow; And he shall take her and depart To his own town with joyous heart. The maiden home in triumph led, To Rishya?ring the king shall wed. And he with loving joy and pride Shall take her for his honoured bride. And Da?aratha to a rite That best of BrÁhmans shall invite With supplicating prayer, To celebrate the sacrifice To win him sons and Paradise,83 That he will fain prepare. [pg 019]From him the lord of men at length The boon he seeks shall gain, And see four sons of boundless strength His royal line maintain.” “Thus did the godlike saint of old The will of fate declare, And all that should befall unfold Amid the sages there. O Prince supreme of men, go thou, Consult thy holy guide, And win, to aid thee in thy vow, This BrÁhman to thy side.” Sumantra's counsel, wise and good, King Da?aratha heard, Then by Va?ish?ha's side he stood And thus with him conferred: “Sumantra counsels thus: do thou My priestly guide, the plan allow.” Va?ish?ha gave his glad consent, And forth the happy monarch went With lords and servants on the road That led to Rishya?ring's abode. Forests and rivers duly past, He reached the distant town at last Of LomapÁd the Angas' king, And entered it with welcoming. On through the crowded streets he came, And, radiant as the kindled flame, He saw within the monarch's house The hermit's son most glorious. There LomapÁd, with joyful breast, To him all honour paid, For friendship for his royal guest His faithful bosom swayed. Thus entertained with utmost care Seven days, or eight, he tarried there, And then that best of men thus broke His purpose to the king, and spoke: “O King of men, mine ancient friend, (Thus Da?aratha prayed) Thy ?ÁntÁ with her husband send My sacrifice to aid.” Said he who ruled the Angas, Yea, And his consent was won: And then at once he turned away To warn the hermit's son. He told him of their ties beyond Their old affection's faithful bond: “This king,” he said, “from days of old A well beloved friend I hold. To me this pearl of dames he gave From childless woe mine age to save, The daughter whom he loved s
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