gaze upon the prize,
Methinks I see my father's eyes.
Methinks I see before me stand
The ruler of Videha's land.(893)
Methinks mine arms are folded now
Round her who wore it on her brow.
Speak, Hanuman, O say, dear friend,
What message did my darling send?
O speak, and let thy words impart
Their gentle dew to cool my heart.
Ah, 'tis the crown of woe to see
This gem and ask "Where, where is she?"
If for one month her heart be strong,
Her days of life will yet be long.
But I, with naught to lend relief,
This very day must die of grief.
Come, Hanuman, and quickly guide
The mourner to his darling's side.
O lead me--thou hast learnt the way--
I cannot and I will not stay.
How can my gentle love endure,
So timid, delicate, and pure,
The dreadful demons fierce and vile
Who watch her in the guarded isle?
No more the light of beauty shines
From Sita as she weeps and pines.
But pain and sorrow, cloud on cloud
Her moonlight glory dim and shroud.
O speak, dear Hanuman, and tell
Each word that from her sweet lips fell,
Her words, her words alone can give
The healing balm to make me live."(894)

BOOK VI.(895)

Canto I. Rama's Speech.

The son of Raghu heard, consoled,
The wondrous tale Hanuman told;
And, as his joyous hope grew high,
In friendly words he made reply:

"Behold a mighty task achieved,
Which never heart but his conceived.
Who else across the sea can spring,
Save Vayu(896) and the Feathered King?(897)
Who, pass the portals strong and high
Which Nagas,(898) Gods, and fiends defy,
Where Ravan's hosts their station keep,--
And come uninjured o'er the deep?
By such a deed the Wind-God's son
Good service to the king has done,
And saved from ruin and disgrace
Lakshman and me and Raghu's race.
Well has he planned and bravely fought,
And with due care my lady sought.
But of the sea I sadly think,
And the sweet hopes that cheered me sink.
How can we cross the leagues of foam
That keep us from the giant's home?
What can the Vanar legions more
Than muster on the ocean shore?"

Canto II. Sugriva's Speech.

He ceased: and King Sugriva tried
To calm his grief, and thus replied:
"'Be to thy nobler nature true,
Nor let despair thy soul subdue.
This cloud of causeless woe dispel,
For all as yet has prospered well,
And we have traced thy queen, and know
The dwelling of our Rakshas foe.
Arise, consult: thy task must be
To cast a bridge athwart the sea,
The city of our foe to re