The Ramayan

Then came the vultures' mighty king Where sat the Vanars sorrowing,-- Sampati, best of birds that fly On sounding pinions through the sky, Jatayus' brother, famed of old, Most glorious and strong and bold. Upon the slope of Vindhya's hill He saw the Vanars calm and still. These words he uttered while the sight Filled his fierce spirit with delight: "Behold how Fate with changeless laws Within his toils the sinner draws, And brings me, after long delay, A rich and noble feast to-day, These Vanars who are doomed to die My hungry maw to satisfy."

He spoke no more: and Angad heard The menace of the mighty bird; And thus, while anguish filled his breast, The noble Hanuman addressed: "Vivasvat's son has sought this place For vengeance on the Vanar race. See, Yama, wroth for Sita's sake, Is come our guilty lives to take. Our king's decree is left undone, And naught achieved for Raghu's son. In duty have we failed, and hence Comes punishment for dire offence. Have we not heard the marvels wrought By King Jatayus, how he fought With Ravan's might, and, nobly brave, Perished, the Maithil queen to save? There is no living creature, none, But loves to die for Raghu's son, And in long toils and dangers we Have placed our lives in jeopardy. Blest is Jatayus, he who gave His life the Maithil queen to save, And proved his love for Rama well When by the giant's hand he fell. Now raised to bliss and high renown He fears not fierce Sugriva's frown. Alas, alas! what miseries spring From that rash promise of the king! His own sad death, and Rama sent With Lakshman forth to banishment: The Maithil lady borne away: Jatayus slain in mortal fray: The fall of Bali when the dart Of Rama quivered in his heart: And, after toil and pain and care, Our misery and deep despair."