The Ramayan

He bore her on in rapid flight, And not a friend appeared in sight. But on a hill that o'er the wood Raised its high top five monkeys stood. From her fair neck her scarf she drew, And down the glittering vesture flew. With earring, necklet, chain, and gem, Descending in the midst of them: "For these," she thought, "my path may show, And tell my lord the way I go." Nor did the fiend, in wild alarm, Mark when she drew from neck and arm And foot the gems and gold, and sent To earth each gleaming ornament. The monkeys raised their tawny eyes That closed not in their first surprise, And saw the dark-eyed lady, where She shrieked above them in the air. High o'er their heads the giant passed Holding the weeping lady fast. O'er Pampa's flashing flood he sped And on to Lanka's city fled. He bore away in senseless joy The prize that should his life destroy, Like the rash fool who hugs beneath His robe a snake with venomed teeth. Swift as an arrow from a bow, Speeding o'er lands that lay below, Sublime in air his course he took O'er wood and rock and lake and brook. He passed at length the sounding sea Where monstrous creatures wander free,-- Seat of Lord Varun's ancient reign, Controller of the eternal main. The angry waves were raised and tossed As Ravan with the lady crossed, And fish and snake in wild unrest Showed flashing fin and gleaming crest. Then from the blessed troops who dwell In air celestial voices fell: "O ten-necked King," they cried, "attend: This guilty deed will bring thine end."

Then Ravan speeding like the storm, Bearing his death in human form, The struggling Sita, lighted down In royal Lanka's glorious town; A city bright and rich, that showed Well-ordered street and noble road; Arranged with just division, fair With multitudes in court and square. Thus, all his journey done, he passed Within his royal home at last. There in a queenly bower he placed The black-eyed dame with dainty waist: Thus in her chamber Maya laid The lovely Maya, demon maid. Then Ravan gave command to all The dread she-fiends who filled the hall: "This captive lady watch and guard From sight of man and woman barred. But all the fair one asks beside Be with unsparing hand supplied: As though 'twere I that asked, withhold No pearls or dress or gems or gold. And she among you that shall dare Of purpose or through want of care One word to vex her soul to say, Throws her unvalued life away."