our hero, after slaying Ravana's
son, fights with the demon himself, whose heads he proceeds to cut
off. He is justly dismayed, however, to see they have the power of
springing up again as soon as hewn, until remembering at last his
magic bow, he makes such good use of it that he annihilates the demon,
whose numerous wives wail as he falls.

Although many of Rama's adherents have perished in battle, he now
proceeds to call them back to life, and graciously receives the praise
they bestow upon him for having rid the world of demons.

Soft from celestial minstrels came
The sound of music and acclaim;
Soft, fresh and cool, a rising breeze
Brought odors from the heavenly trees;
And, ravishing the sight and smell,
A wondrous rain of blossoms fell;
And voices breathed round Reghu's son,
"Champion of gods, well done, well done."

It is only then that Rama consents to see Sita, who, thanks to her
gift of eternal beauty, is still so lovely that all present are awed.
But, instead of embracing her, Rama coldly declares that, although he
crossed the seas for her sake and slew her foes, she is no longer
worthy to dwell in his sight since she has been an inmate of Ravana's
harem. In vain Sita urges that she has been faithful throughout. Rama
refuses to credit her purity; so the poor little wife, preferring
death to disgrace, begs permission to die on a funeral pyre. Even then
her stern husband shows no signs of relenting, but allows her to
enter a fierce fire, whence the god of the flames bears her out
unharmed, and restores her to her husband, declaring that, as her
chastity has withstood this fiery test, he can receive her without
compunction.

She ceased and, fearless to the last,
Within the flames' wild fury passed.

By this time the prescribed fourteen years of exile are finished, so
husband and wife set out for home, crossing the ocean bridge in
Ravana's magic car, and flying all over India, of which the poet gives
a wonderful panoramic description. Rama's return to Oude is joyfully
welcomed by his brother, who proudly shows him the golden sandals
which have occupied the throne all this time.

Rama's reign proves an Age of Gold for India, but, although all seem
happy, some doubt lingers in regard to the propriety of Sita's return.
When a famine finally devastates the land, one of the ministers
assures Rama this scourge is due to the fact that he has taken back a
guilty wife. Rama, therefore, banis