{"collection":"Hinduism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/hin/rama/ry238.htm","path":"hin/rama/ry238.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/hin/rama/ry238.htm","text":"But R\u00e1van soorned the rede he gave\n In timely words to warn and save,\n E'en as the wretch who hates to live\n Rejects the herb the leeches give.\n By fate to sin and ruin spurred,\n That sage advice the giant heard,\n Then in reproaches hard and stern\n Thus to M\u00e1r\u00edcha spoke in turn:\n \u00a0\u00a0 'Is this thy counsel, weak and base,\n Unworthy of thy giant race?\n Thy speech is fruitless, vain, thy toil\n Like casting seed on barren soil.\n No words of thine shall drive me back\n From R\u00e1ma and the swift attack.\n A fool is he, inured to sin.\n And more, of human origin.\n The craven, at a woman's call\n To leave his sire, his mother, all\n The friends he loved, the power and sway.\n And hasten to the woods away!\n But now his anger will I rouse,\n Stealing away his darling spouse.\n I in thy sight will ravish her\n From Khara's cruel murderer.\n Upon this plan my soul is bent,\n And naught shall move my firm intent,\n Not if the way through demons led\n And Gods with Indra at their head.\n 'Tis thine, when questioned, to explain\n The hope and fear, the loss and gain,\n And, when thy king thy thoughts would know,\n The triumph or the danger show.\n A prudent counsellor should wait,\n And speak when ordered in debate,\n With hands uplifted, calm and meek,\n If honour and reward he seek.\n Or, when some prudent course he sees\n Which, spoken, may his king displease\n \n \n He should by hints of dexterous art\n His counsel to his lord impart.\n But prudent words are said in vain\n When the blunt speech brings grief and pain.\n A high-souled king will scarcely thank\n The man who shames his royal rank.\n Five are the shapes that kings assume,\n Of majesty, of grace, and gloom:\n Like Indra now, or Agni, now\n Like the dear Moon, with placid brow:\n Like mighty Varun now they show,\n Now fierce as He who rules below.\n O giant, monarchs lofty-souled\n Are kind and gentle, stern and bold,\n With gracious love their gifts dispense\n And swiftly punish each offence.\n Thus subjects should their rulers view\n With all respect and honour due.\n But folly leads thy heart to slight\n Thy monarch and neglect his right.\n Thou hast in lawless pride addressed\n With bitter words thy royal guest.\n I asked thee not my strength to scan,\n Or [*} and profit in the plan.\n I only spoke to tell the deed\n O mighty one, by me decreed,\n And bid thee in the peril lend\n Thy succour in support thy friend.\n Hear me again, and I will tell\n How thou canst aid my venture well.\n In semblance of a golden deer\n Adorned with silver drops, appear:\n And near the cottage in the way\n Of R\u00e1ma and his consort stray.\n Draw nigh, and wandering through the brake\n With thy strange form her fancy take.\n The Maithil dame with wondering eyes\n Will took upon thy fair disguise,\n And quickly bid her husband go\n And bring the deer that charms her so,\n When Raghu's son has left the place,\n Still pressing onward in the chase,\n Cry out, 'O Lakshman! Ah, mine own!'\n With voice resembling R\u00e1ma's tone.\n When Lakshman hears his brother's cry,\n Impelled by Sit\u00e1 he will fly,\n Restless with eager love, to aid\n The hunter in the distant shade.\n When both her guards have left her side,\n Even as Indra, thousand-eyed,\n Clasps Sachi, will I bear away\n The Maithil dame an easy prey.\n When thou, my friend, this aid hast lent,\n Go where thou wilt and live content.\n True servant, faithful to thy vow,\n With [*half?} my realm I thee endow.\n Go forth, may luck thy way attend\n That leads thee to the happy end.\n [I:ii m.,ir v}, will quickly be\n \n \n In Dandak wood, and follow thee.\n So will I cheat this R\u00e1ma's eyes\n And win without a blow the prize;\n And safe return to Lank\u00e1's town\n With thee, my friend, this day shall crown.\n But if thou wilt not aid my will,\n My band this day thy blood shall spill.\n Yea, thou must share the destined task,\n For force will take the help I ask.\n No bliss that rebel's life attends\n Whose stubborn will his lord offends.\n \u00a0\u00a0 Thy life, if thou the task assay,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 jeopardy may stand;\n \u00a0\u00a0 Oppose me, and this very day\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thou diest by this hand.\n \u00a0\u00a0 Now ponder all that thou hast heard\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Within thy prudent breast:\n \u00a0\u00a0 Reflect with care on every word,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And do what seems the best.'","title":"BOOK III: Canto XL.: R\u00e1van's Speech.","type":"page"}