ersonification of Spring.

The wedding of Rama and Sita was honored by the presence of both
kings, and Rama's three brothers were made as happy as he by receiving
the hands of three of Sita's sisters, the father telling each
bridegroom:

"A faithful wife, most blest is she,
And as thy shade will follow thee."

When the four bridal couples returned to Oude, Rama's father decided
to name his eldest son assistant king, and therefore gave orders to
prepare for the ceremony. The mere rumor that Rama was about to be
crowned aroused the jealousy of the king's youngest wife (Kaikeyi),
who, instigated by an evil-minded, hunch-backed maid, sent for her
aged spouse and reminded him how once, when he was ill, he had
promised in return for her care to grant any two boons she asked. The
infatuated monarch, seeing her grief, rashly renewed this promise,
swearing to keep it by Rama's head.

As some wild elephant who tries
To soothe his consort as she lies
Struck by the hunter's venomed dart,
So the great king, disturbed in heart,
Strove with soft hand and fond caress
To soothe his darling queen's distress,
And in his love addressed with sighs
The lady of the lotus eyes.

Hearing him confirm his former oath, the favorite wife bade him banish
his heir to the forest for fourteen years and appoint her son as
viceroy in his brother's stead. In vain the old king pleaded; the
favorite wife insisted so vehemently that when morning dawned the
bewildered old rajah sent for Rama to ask his advice. Although this
prince fully expected to be crowned that day, he was far too virtuous
not to perceive that a promise must be kept at any cost, so without a
murmur he prepared to go to the forest of Dandaka and dwell there in
hermit garb fourteen years.

"The orders of my sire," he cried,
"My will shall ne'er oppose:
I follow still, whate'er betide,
The path which duty shows."

His first duty, however, was to return to his palace to inform his
wife that they must part; but, on hearing what had occurred, Sita
piteously begged to share his fate, although he eloquently described
the hardships to which she would be exposed should she venture to
accompany him. Her wifely devotion was, however, proof against all he
could urge, for she declared with tears there was no happiness for her
save at his side.

"With thee is heaven, where'er the spot;
Each place is hell where thou are not."

Hearing this declaration, Ram