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With angry menace Rama, best Of Raghu's sons, the Sea addressed: "With fiery flood of arrowy rain Thy channels will I dry and drain. And I and all the Vanar host Will reach on foot the farther coast. Thou shalt not from destruction save The creatures of the teeming wave, And lapse of time shall ne'er efface The memory of the dire disgrace."
Thus spoke the warrior, and prepared The mortal shaft which never spared, Known mystic weapon, by the name Of Brahma, red with quenchless flame. Great terror, as he strained the bow, Struck heaven above and earth below. Through echoing skies the thunder pealed, And startled mountains rocked and reeled, The earth was black with sudden night And heaven was blotted from the sight. Then ever and anon the glare Of meteors shot through murky air, And with a wild terrific sound Red lightnings struck the trembling ground. In furious gusts the fierce wind blew: Tall trees it shattered and o'erthrew, And, smiting with a giant's stroke, Huge masses from the mountain broke. A cry of terror long and shrill Came from each valley, plain, and hill. Each ruined dale, each riven peak Re-echoed with a wail or shriek.