The Ramayan

Then Rama, when the morning rose, Called Lakshman gently from repose: "Awake, the pleasant voices hear Of forest birds that warble near. Scourge of thy foes, no longer stay; The hour is come to speed away."

The slumbering prince unclosed his eyes When thus his brother bade him rise, Compelling, at the timely cry, Fatigue, and sleep, and rest to fly. The brothers rose and Sita too; Pure water from the stream they drew, Paid morning rites, then followed still The road to Chitrakuta's hill. Then Rama as he took the road With Lakshman, while the morning, glowed, To the Videhan lady cried, Sita the fair, the lotus-eyed: "Look round thee, dear; each flowery tree Touched with the fire of morning see: The Kinsuk, now the Frosts are fled,-- How glorious with his wreaths of red! The Bel-trees see, so loved of men, Hanging their boughs in every glen. O'erburthened with their fruit and flowers: A plenteous store of food is ours. See, Lakshman, in the leafy trees, Where'er they make their home. Down hangs, the work of labouring bees The ponderous honeycomb. In the fair wood before us spread The startled wild-cock cries: Hark, where the flowers are soft to tread, The peacock's voice replies. Where elephants are roaming free, And sweet birds' songs are loud, The glorious Chitrakuta see: His peaks are in the cloud. On fair smooth ground he stands displayed, Begirt by many a tree: O brother, in that holy shade How happy shall we be! " Then Rama, Lakshman, Sita, each Spoke raising suppliant hands this speech To him, in woodland dwelling met, Valmiki, ancient anchoret: "O Saint, this mountain takes the mind, With creepers, trees of every kind, With fruit and roots abounding thus, A pleasant life it offers us: Here for a while we fain would stay, And pass a season blithe and gay."