The Ramayan

Ikshvaku's son with anguish torn For the great oath his lips had sworn, With tears and sighs of sharpest pain Thus to Sumantra spake again: "Prepare thou quick a perfect force, Cars, elephants, and foot, and horse, To follow Raghu's scion hence Equipped with all magnificence. Let traders with the wealth they sell, And those who charming stories tell, And dancing-women fair of face, The prince's ample chariots grace. On all the train who throng his courts, And those who share his manly sports, Great gifts of precious wealth bestow, And bid them with their master go. Let noble arms, and many a wain, And townsmen swell the prince's train; And hunters best for woodland skill Their places in the concourse fill. While elephants and deer he slays, Drinking wood honey as he strays, And looks on streams each fairer yet, His kingdom he may chance forget. Let all my gold and wealth of corn With Rama to the wilds be borne; For it will soothe the exile's lot To sacrifice in each pure spot, Deal ample largess forth, and meet Each hermit in his calm retreat. The wealth shall Rama with him bear, Ayodhya shall be Bharat's share."

As thus Kakutstha's offspring spoke, Fear in Kaikeyi's breast awoke. The freshness of her face was dried, Her trembling tongue was terror-tied. Alarmed and sad, with bloodless cheek, She turned to him and scarce could speak: "Nay, Sire, but Bharat shall not gain An empty realm where none remain. My Bharat shall not rule a waste Reft of all sweets to charm the taste-- The wine-cup's dregs, all dull and dead, Whence the light foam and life are fled."