"O King of men, mine ancient friend,
(Thus Dasaratha prayed),
Thy Santa with her husband send
My sacrifice to aid."
Said he who ruled the Angas, "Yea,"
And his consent was won:--
And then at once he turned away
To warn the hermit's son.
He told him of their ties beyond
Their old affection's faithful bond:--
"This King," he said, "from days of old
A well beloved friend I hold.
To me this pearl of dames he gave
From childless woe mine age to save,
The daughter whom he loved so much,
Moved by compassion's gentle touch.
In him thy Santa's father see:--
As I am, even so is he.
For sons the childless monarch yearns,
To thee alone for help he turns.
Go thou, the sacred rite ordain
To win the sons he prays to gain:--
Go, with thy wife thy succor lend,
And give his vows a blissful end."

The hermit's son with quick accord
Obeyed the Angas' mighty lord,
And with fair Santa at his side
To Dasaratha's city hied.
Each king, with suppliant hands upheld,
Gazed on the other's face:--
And then by mutual love impelled
Met in a close embrace.
Then Dasaratha's thoughtful care,
Before he parted thence,
Bade trusty servants homeward bear
The glad intelligence:--
"Let all the town be bright and gay,
With burning incense sweet;
Let banners wave, and water lay
The dust in every street."
Glad were the citizens to learn
The tidings of their lord's return,
And through the city every man
Obediently his task began.
And fair and bright Ayodhya showed,
As following his guest he rode
Through the full streets, where shell and drum
Proclaimed aloud the King was come.
And all the people with delight
Kept gazing on their king,
Attended by that youth so bright,
The glorious Rishyasring.
When to his home the King had brought
The hermit's saintly son,
He deemed that all his task was wrought,
And all he prayed for won.
And lords who saw the stranger dame
So beautiful to view,
Rejoiced within their hearts, and came
And paid her honor, too.
There Rishyasring passed blissful days,
Graced like the King with love and praise,
And shone in glorious light with her,
Sweet Santa for his minister,
As Brahma's son Vasishtha, he
Who wedded Saint Arundhati.

CANTO XI

THE SA