Scene 66
Part 2: The Ramayan of Valmiki · Act 6: Book 6
Kumbhakarna's Sally
Scene 66Visible text2 paragraphs
In pomp and pride of warlike state The giant passed the city gate. He raised his voice: the hills, the shore Of Lanka's sea returned the roar. The Vanars saw the chief draw nigh Whom not the ruler of the sky, Nor Yama, monarch of the dead, Might vanquish, and affrighted fled. When royal Angad, Bali's son, Saw the scared Vanars turn and run, Undaunted still he kept his ground, And shouted as he gazed around: "O Nala, Nila, stay nor let Your souls your generous worth forget, O Kumud and Gavaksha, why Like base-born Vanars will ye fly? Turn, turn, nor shame your order thus: This giant is no match for us"
They heard his voice: the flight was stayed; Again for war they stood arrayed, And hurled upon the foe a shower Of mountain peaks and trees in flower. Still on his limbs their missiles rained: Unmoved, their blows he still sustained, And seemed unconscious of the stroke When rocks against his body broke. Fierce as the flame when woods are dry He charged with fury in his eye. Like trees consumed with fervent heat They fell beneath the giant's feet. Some o'er the ground, dyed red with gore, Fled wild with terror to the shore, And, deeming that all hope was lost, Ran to the bridge they erst had crossed. Some clomb the trees their lives to save, Some sought the mountain and the cave; Some hid them in the bosky dell, And there in deathlike slumber fell.