Scene 68
Part 2: The Ramayan of Valmiki · Act 6: Book 6
Ravan's Lament
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They ran to Ravan in his hall And told him of his brother's fall: "Fierce as the God who rules the dead, Upon the routed foe he fed; And, victor for a while, at length Fell slain by Rama's matchless strength. Now like a mighty hill in size His mangled trunk extended lies, And where he fell, a bleeding mass, Blocks Lanka's gate that none may pass." The monarch heard: his strength gave way; And fainting on the ground he lay. Grieved at the giants' mournful tale, Long, shrill was Atikaya's wail; And Trisiras in sorrow bowed His triple head, and wept aloud. Mahodar, Mahaparsva shed Hot tears and mourned their brother dead. At length, his wandering sense restored, In loud lament cried Lanka's lord: "Ah chief, for might and valour famed, Whose arm the haughty foeman tamed, Forsaking me, thy friends and all, Why hast thou fled to Yama's hall? Why hast thou fled to taste no more The slaughtered foeman's flesh and gore? Ah me, my life is done to-day: My better arm is lopped away. Whereon in danger I relied, And, fearless, Gods and fiends defied. How could a shaft from Rama's bow The matchless giant overthrow, Whose iron frame so strong of yore The crushing bolt of Indra bore? This day the Gods and sages meet And triumph at their foe's defeat. This day the Vanar chiefs will boast And, with new ardour fired, their host In fiercer onset will assail Our city, and the ramparts scale. What care I for a monarch's name, For empire, or the Maithil dame? What joy can power and riches give, Or life that I should care to live, Unless this arm in mortal fray The slayer of my brother slay? For me, of Kumbhakarna reft, Death is the only solace left; And I will seek, o'erwhelmed with woes, The realm to which my brother goes. Ah me ill-minded, not to take His counsel when Vibhishan spake When he this evil day foretold My foolish heart was overbold: I drove my sage adviser hence, And reap the fruits of mine offence."