{"collection":"Hinduism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/hin/rama/ry398.htm","path":"hin/rama/ry398.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/hin/rama/ry398.htm","text":"There ceased the V\u00e1nar: R\u00e1ma pressed\n The treasured jewel to his breast,\n And from his eyes the waters broke\n As to the V\u00e1nar king he spoke:\n 'As o'er her babe the mother weeps,\n This flood of tears the jewel steeps.\n This gem that shone on S\u00edt\u00e1's head\n Was Janak'a gift when we were wed,\n And the pure brow that wore it lent\n New splendour to the ornament.\n This gem, bright offspring of the wave,\n The King of Heaven to Janak gave,\n Whose noble sacrificial rite\n Had filled the God with new delight.\n Now, as I gaze upon the prize,\n Methinks I see my father's eyes.\n Methinks I see before me stand\n The ruler of Videha's land.\u00a01\n Methinks mine arms are folded now\n Round her who wore it on her brow.\n Speak, Hanum\u00e1n, O say, dear friend,\n What message did my darling send?\n O speak, and let thy words impart\n Their gentle dew to cool my heart.\n Ah, 'tis the crown of woe to see\n This gem and ask 'Where, where is she?'\n If for one month her heart be strong,\n Her days of life will yet be long.\n But I, with naught to lend relief,\n This very day must die of grief.\n Come, Hanum\u00e1n, and quickly guide\n The mourner to his darling's side.\n O lead me--thou hast learnt the way--\n I cannot and I will not stay.\n How can my gentle love endure,\n So timid, delicate, and pure,\n The dreadful demons fierce and vile\n Who watch her in the guarded isle?\n No more the light of beauty shines\n From S\u00edt\u00e1 as she weeps and pines.\n But pain and sorrow, cloud on cloud.\n Her moonlight glory dim and shroud.\n O speak, dear Hanum\u00e1n, and tell\n Each word that from her sweet lips fell,\n Her words, her words alone can give\n The healing balm to make me live.'\u00a02\n \n \n \n \n \n427:1 Janak was king of Videha or Mithil\u00e1 in Behar.\n427:2 The original contains two more Cantos which end the Book, Canto LXVII begins thus: 'Hanum\u00e1n thus addressed by the great-souled son of Raghu related to the son of Raghu all that S\u00edt\u00e1 had said.' And the two Cantos contain nothing but Hanum\u00e1n's account of his interview with S\u00edt\u00e1, and the report of his own speeches as well as of hers.","title":"BOOK V: Canto LXVI.: R\u00e1ma's Speech.","type":"page"}