He thus made answer at the close:

And like thyself in everything.

So should their lips be wisdom-fraught

Whom kings begot, Va?ish?ha taught.

The favour which I came to seek

Thou grantest ere my tongue can speak.

But let my tale attention claim,

And hear the need for which I came.

O King, as Scripture texts allow,

A holy rite employs me now.

Two fiends who change their forms at will

Impede that rite with cursed skill.143

Oft when the task is nigh complete,

These worst of fiends my toil defeat,

Throw bits of bleeding flesh, and o'er

The altar shed a stream of gore.

When thus the rite is mocked and stayed,

And all my pious hopes delayed,

Cast down in heart the spot I leave,

And spent with fruitless labour grieve.

Nor can I, checked by prudence, dare

Let loose my fury on them there:

The muttered curse, the threatening word,

In such a rite must ne'er be heard.

Thy grace the rite from check can free.

And yield the fruit I long to see.

Thy duty bids thee, King, defend

The suffering guest, the suppliant friend.

Give me thy son, thine eldest born,

Whom locks like raven's wings adorn.

That hero youth, the truly brave,

Of thee, O glorious King, I crave.

For he can lay those demons low

Who mar my rites and work me woe:

My power shall shield the youth from harm,

And heavenly might shall nerve his arm.

And on my champion will I shower

Unnumbered gifts of varied power,

Such gifts as shall ensure his fame

And spread through all the worlds his name.

Be sure those fiends can never stand

Before the might of RÁma's hand,

And mid the best and bravest none

Can slay that pair but Raghu's son.

Entangled in the toils of Fate

Those sinners, proud and obstinate,

Are, in their fury overbold,

No match for RÁma mighty-souled.

Nor let a father's breast give way

Too far to fond affection's sway.

Count thou the fiends already slain:

My word is pledged, nor pledged in vain.

I know the hero RÁma well

In whom high thoughts and valour dwell;

So does Va?ish?ha, so do these

Engaged in long austerities.

If thou would do the righteous deed,

And win high fame, thy virtue's meed,

Fame that on earth shall last and live,

To me, great King, thy RÁma give.

If to the words that I have said,

With Saint Va?ish?ha at their head

Thy holy men, O King, agree,

Then let thy RÁma go with me.

Ten nights my sacrifice will last,

And ere the stated time be past

Those wicked fiends, those impious twain,

Must fall by wondrous RÁma slain.

Let not the hours, I warn thee, fly,

Fixt for the rite, unheeded by;

Good luck have thou, O royal Chief,