The Ramayan by Valmiki

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He ceased: and Tara starry-eyed Thus to the angry prince replied: "Not to my lord shouldst thou address A speech so fraught with bitterness: Not thus reproached my lord should be, And least of all, O Prince, by thee. He is no thankless coward--no-- With spirit dead to valour's glow. From paths of truth he never strays, Nor wanders in forbidden ways. Ne'er will Sugriva's heart forget, By Rama saved, the lasting debt. Still in his grateful breast will live The succour none but he could give. Restored to fame by Rama's grace, To empire o'er the Vanar race, From ceaseless dread and toil set free, Restored to Ruma and to me: By grief and care and exile tried, New to the bliss so long denied, Like Visvamitra once, alas, He marks not how the seasons pass. That saint ten thousand years remained, By sweet Ghritachi's love enchained, And deemed those years, that flew away So lightly, but a single day. O, if those years unheeded flew By him who times and seasons knew, Unequalled for his lofty mind, What marvel meaner eyes are blind? Then be not angry, Raghu's son, And let thy brother feel for one Who many a weary year has spent Stranger to love and blandishment. Let not this wrath thy soul inflame, Like some mean wretch unknown to fame: For high and noble hearts like thine Love mercy and to ruth incline, Calm and deliberate, and slow With anger's raging fire to glow. At length, O righteous prince, relent, Nor let my words in vain be spent, This sudden blaze of fury slake, I pray thee for Sugriva's sake. He would renounce at Rama's call Ruma and Angad, me and all Who call him lord: his gold and grain, The favour of his friend to gain. His arm shall slay the fiend more base In soul than all his impious race, And happy Rama reunite To Sita, rival in delight Of the triumphant Moon when he Rejoins his darling Rohini. Ten million million demons guard The gates of Lanka firmly barred. All hope until that host be slain, To smite the robber king is vain. Nor with Sugriva's aid alone May king and host be overthrown. Thus ere he died--for well he knew-- Spake Bali, and his words are true. I know not what his proofs might be, But speak the words he spake to me. Hence far and wide our lords are sent To raise the mightiest armament, For their return Sugriva waits Ere he can sally from his gates. Still is the oath Sugriva swore Kept firmly even as before: And the great host this day will be Assembled by the king's decree, Ten thousand thousand troops, who wear The form of monkey and of bear, Prepared for thee the war to wage: Then let thy wrath no longer rage. The matrons of the Vanar race See marks of fury in thy face; They see thine eyes like blood are red, And will not yet be comforted."

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