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as the shriek of tempests, rang.

      The earth, affrighted, shook amain

      As when a hill is rent in twain.

      Then, senseless at the fearful sound,

      The people fell upon the ground:

      None save the king, the princely pair,

      And the great saint, the shock could bear.

      When woke to sense the stricken train,

      And Janak’s soul was calm again,

      With suppliant hands and reverent head,

      These words, most eloquent, he said:

      “O Saint, Prince Ráma stands alone:

      His peerless might he well has shown.

      A marvel has the hero wrought

      Beyond belief, surpassing thought.

      My child, to royal Ráma wed,

      New glory on our line will shed:

      And true my promise will remain

      That hero’s worth the bride should gain.

      Dearer to me than light and life,

      My Sítá shall be Ráma’s wife.

      If thou, O Bráhman, leave concede,

      My counsellors, with eager speed,

      Borne in their flying cars, to fair

      Ayodhyá‘s town the news shall bear,

      With courteous message to entreat

      The king to grace my royal seat.

      This to the monarch shall they tell,

      The bride is his who won her well:

      And his two sons are resting here

      Protected by the holy seer.

      So, at his pleasure, let them lead

      The sovereign to my town with speed.”

      The hermit to his prayer inclined

      And Janak, lord of virtuous mind,

      With charges, to Ayodhyá sent

      His ministers: and forth they went.

      Canto 68. The Envoys’ Speech.

      Three nights upon the road they passed

      To rest the steeds that bore them fast,

      And reached Ayodhyá‘s town at last.

      Then straight at Daśaratha’s call

      They stood within the royal hall,

      Where, like a God, inspiring awe,

      The venerable king they saw.

      With suppliant palm to palm applied,

      And all their terror laid aside,

      They spoke to him upon the throne

      With modest words, in gentle tone:

      “Janak, Videha’s king, O Sire,

      Has sent us hither to inquire

      The health of thee his friend most dear,

      Of all thy priests and every peer.

      Next Kuśik’s son consenting, thus

      King Janak speaks, dread liege, by us:

      “I made a promise and decree

      That valour’s prize my child should be.

      Kings, worthless found in worth’s assay,

      With mien dejected turned away.

      Thy sons, by Viśvámitra led,

      Unurged, my city visited,

      And peerless in their might have gained

      My daughter, as my vow ordained.

      Full in a vast assembly’s view

      Thy hero Ráma broke in two

      The gem of bows, of monstrous size,

      That came a treasure from the skies.

      Ordained the prize of hero’s might,

      Sítá my child is his by right.

      Fain would I keep my promise made,

      If thou, O King, approve and aid.

      Come to my town thy son to see:

      Bring holy guide and priest with thee.

      O lord of kings, my suit allow,

      And let me keep my promised vow.

      So joying for thy children’s sake

      Their triumph too shalt thou partake,

      With Viśvámitra’s high consent.”

      Such words with friendship eloquent

      Spoke Janak, fair Videha’s king,

      By Śatánanda’s counselling.”

      The envoys thus the king addressed,

      And mighty joy his heart possessed.

      To Vámadeva quick he cried,

      Vaśishṭha, and his lords beside:

      “Lakshmaṇ, and he, my princely boy

      Who fills Kauśalyá‘s soul with joy,

      By Viśvámitra guarded well

      Among the good Videhans dwell.

      Their ruler Janak, prompt to own

      The peerless might my child has shown,

      To him would knit in holy ties

      His daughter, valour’s lovely prize.

      If Janak’s plan seem good to you,

      Come, speed we to his city too,

      Nor let occasion idly by.”

      He ceased. There came a glad reply

      From priest and mighty saint and all

      The councillors who thronged the hall.

      Then cried the king with joyous heart:

      “To-morrow let us all depart.”

      That night the envoys entertained

      With honour and all care remained.

      Canto 69. Dasaratha’s Visit.

      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:

      “Let all my treasurers to-day,

      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.

      Vaśishṭha, Vámadeva sage,

      And Márkaṇdeya’s reverend age,

      Jáváli, Kaśyap’s godlike seed,

      And wise Kátyáyana, shall

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