  Then RÁma, SÍtÁ, Lakshma? bent At the king's feet, and sadly went [pg 142]Round him with slow steps reverent. When RÁma of the duteous heart Had gained his sire's consent to part, With SÍtÁ by his side he paid Due reverence to the queen dismayed. And Lakshma?, with affection meet, Bowed down and clasped his mother's feet. SumitrÁ viewed him as he pressed Her feet, and thus her son addressed: “Neglect not RÁma wandering there, But tend him with thy faithful care. In hours of wealth, in time of woe, Him, sinless son, thy refuge know. From this good law the just ne'er swerve, That younger sons the eldest serve, And to this righteous rule incline All children of thine ancient line— Freely to give, reward each rite, Nor spare their bodies in the fight. Let RÁma Da?aratha be, Look upon SÍtÁ as on me, And let the cot wherein you dwell Be thine AyodhyÁ. Fare thee well.” Her blessing thus SumitrÁ gave To him whose soul to RÁma clave, Exclaiming, when her speech was done, “Go forth, O Lakshma?, go, my son. Go forth, my son to win success, High victory and happiness. Go forth thy foemen to destroy, And turn again at last with joy.” As MÁtali his charioteer Speaks for the Lord of Gods to hear, Sumantra, palm to palm applied, In reverence trained, to RÁma cried: “O famous Prince, my car ascend,— May blessings on thy course attend,— And swiftly shall my horses flee And place thee where thou biddest me. The fourteen years thou hast to stay Far in the wilds, begin to-day; For Oueen KaikeyÍ cries, Away.” Then SÍtÁ, best of womankind, Ascended, with a tranquil mind, Soon as her toilet task was done, That chariot brilliant as the sun. RÁma and Lakshma? true and bold Sprang on the car adorned with gold. The king those years had counted o'er, And given SÍtÁ robes and store Of precious ornaments to wear When following her husband there. The brothers in the car found place For nets and weapons of the chase, There warlike arms and mail they laid, A leathern basket and a spade. Soon as Sumantra saw the three Were seated in the chariot, he Urged on each horse of noble breed, Who matched the rushing wind in speed. As thus the son of Raghu went Forth for his dreary banishment, Chill numbing grief the town assailed, All strength grew weak, all spirit failed, AyodhyÁ through her wide extent Was filled with tumult and lament: Steeds neighed and shook the bells they bore, Each elephant returned a roar. Then all the city, young and old, Wild with their sorrow uncontrolled, Rushed to the car, as, from the sun The panting herds to water run. Before the car, behind, they clung, And there as eagerly they hung, With torrents streaming from their eyes, Called loudly with repeated cries: “Listen, Sumantra: draw thy rein; Drive gently, and thy steeds restrain. Once more on RÁma will we gaze, Now to be lost for many days. The queen his mother has, be sure, A heart of iron, to endure To see her godlike RÁma go, Nor feel it shattered by the blow. SÍtÁ, well done! Videha's pride, Still like his shadow by his side; Rejoicing in thy duty still As sunlight cleaves to Meru's hill. Thou, Lakshma?, too, hast well deserved, |
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