The Ramayan by Valmiki

So Raghu's son, his foemen's dread, With Sita and his brother sped, Girt round by many a twice-born sage, To good Sutikshna's hermitage. Through woods for many a league he passed, O'er rushing rivers full and fast, Until a mountain fair and bright As lofty Meru rose in sight. Within its belt of varied wood Ikshvaku's sons and Sita stood, Where trees of every foliage bore Blossom and fruit in endless store. There coats of bark, like garlands strung, Before a lonely cottage hung, And there a hermit, dust-besmeared, A lotus on his breast, appeared. Then Rama with obeisance due Addressed the sage, as near he drew: "My name is Rama, lord; I seek Thy presence, saint, with thee to speak. O sage, whose merits ne'er decay, Some word unto thy servant say."

The sage his eyes on Rama bent, Of virtue's friends preeminent; Then words like these he spoke, and pressed The son of Raghu to his breast: "Welcome to thee, illustrious youth, Best champion of the rights of truth! By thine approach this holy ground A worthy lord this day has found. I could not quit this mortal frame Till thou shouldst come, O dear to fame: To heavenly spheres I would not rise, Expecting thee with eager eyes. I knew that thou, unkinged, hadst made Thy home in Chitrakuta's shade. E'en now, O Rama, Indra, lord Supreme by all the Gods adored, King of the Hundred Offerings, said, When he my dwelling visited, That the good works that I have done My choice of all the worlds have won. Accept this meed of holy vows, And with thy brother and thy spouse, Roam, through my favour, in the sky Which saints celestial glorify."