Lakshman

"Hark! Lakshman! Hark, again that cry!It is,—it is my husband's voice!Oh hasten, to his succour fly,No more hast thou, dear friend, a choice.He calls on thee, perhaps his foesEnviron him on all sides round,That wail,—it means death's final throes!Why standest thou, as magic-bound?

Is this a time for thought,—oh girdThy bright sword on, and take thy bow!He heeds not, hears not any word,Evil hangs over us, I know!Swift in decision, prompt in deed,Brave unto rashness, can this be,The man to whom all looked at need?Is it my brother, that I see!

Ah no, and I must run alone,For further here I cannot stay;Art thou transformed to blind dumb stone!Wherefore this impious, strange delay!That cry,—that cry,—it seems to ringStill in my ears,—I cannot bearSuspense; if help we fail to bringHis death at least we both can share."

"Oh calm thyself, Videhan Queen,No cause is there for any fear,Hast thou his prowess never seen?Wipe off for shame that dastard tear!What being of demonian birthCould ever brave his mighty arm?Is there a creature on the earthThat dares to work our hero harm?

The lion and the grisly bearCower when they see his royal look,Sun-staring eagles of the airHis glance of anger cannot brook,Pythons and cobras at his treadTo their most secret coverts glide,Bowed to the dust each serpent headErect before in hooded pride.

Rakshases, Danavs, demons, ghosts,Acknowledge in their hearts his might,And slink to their remotest coasts,In terror at his very sight.Evil to him! Oh fear it not,Whatever foes against him rise!Banish for aye, the foolish thought,And be thyself,—bold, great, and wise.

He call for help! Canst thou believeHe like a child would shriek for aidOr pray for respite or reprieve—Not of such metal is he made!Delusive was that piercing cry,—Some trick of magic by the foe;He has a work,—he cannot die,Beseech me not from hence to go.

For here beside thee, as a guard'Twas he commanded me to stay,And dangers with my life to wardIf they should come across thy way.Send me not hence, for in this woodBands scattered of the giants lurk,Who on their wrongs and vengeance brood,And wait the hour their will to work."

"Oh shame! And canst thou make my wealA plea for lingering! Now I knowWhat thou art Lakshman! And I feelFar better were an open foe.Art thou a coward? I have seenThy bearing in the battle-frayWhere flew the death-fraught arrows keen,Else had I judged thee so to-day.

But then thy leader stood beside!Dazzles the cloud when shines the sun,Reft of his radiance, see it glideA shapeless mass of vapours dun;So of thy courage,—or if not,The matter is far darker dyed,What makes thee loth to leave this spot?Is there a motive thou wouldst hide?

He perishes—well, let him die!His wife henceforth shall be mine own!Can that thought deep imbedded lieWithin thy heart's most secret zone!Search well and see! one brother takesHis kingdom,—one would take his wife!A fair partition!—But it makesMe shudder, and abhor my life.

Art thou in secret league with thoseWho from his hope the kingdom rent?A spy from his ignoble foesTo track him in his banishment?And wouldst thou at his death rejoice?I know thou wouldst, or sure ere nowWhen first thou heardst that well-known voiceThou shouldst have run to aid, I trow.

Learn this,—whatever comes may come,But I shall not survive my Love,—Of all my thoughts here is the sum!Witness it gods in heaven above.If fire can burn, or water drown,I follow him:—choose what thou wilt,Truth with its everlasting crown,Or falsehood, treachery, and guilt.

Remain here, with a vain pretenceOf shielding me from wrong and shame,Or go and die in his defenceAnd leave behind a noble name.Choose what thou wilt,—I urge no more,My pathway lies before me clear,I did not know thy mind before,I know thee now,—and have no fear."

She said and proudly from him turned,—Was this the gentle Sita? No.Flames from her eyes shot forth and burned,The tears therein had ceased to flow."Hear me, O Queen, ere I depart,No longer can I bear thy words,They lacerate my inmost heartAnd torture me, like poisoned swords.

Have I deserved this at thine hand?Of lifelong loyalty and truthIs this the meed? I understandThy feelings, Sita, and in soothI blame thee not,—but thou mightst beLess rash in judgement. Look! I go,Little I care what comes to meWert thou but safe,—God keep thee so!

In going hence I disregardThe plainest orders of my chief,A deed for me,—a soldier,—hardAnd deeply painful, but thy griefAnd language, wild and wrong, allowNo other course. Mine be the crime,And mine alone,—but oh, do thouThink better of me from this time.

Here with an arrow, lo, I traceA magic circle ere I leave,No evil thing within this spaceMay come to harm thee or to grieve.Step not, for aught, across the line,Whatever thou mayst see or hear,So shalt thou balk the bad designOf every enemy I fear.

And now farewell! What thou hast said,Though it has broken quite my heart,So that I wish that I were dead—I would before, O Queen, we partFreely forgive, for well I knowThat grief and fear have made thee wild,We part as friends,—is it not so?"And speaking thus,—he sadly smiled.

"And oh ye sylvan gods that dwellAmong these dim and sombre shades,Whose voices in the breezes swellAnd blend with noises of cascades,Watch over Sita, whom aloneI leave, and keep her safe from harm,Till we return unto our own,I and my brother, arm in arm.

For though ill omens round us riseAnd frighten her dear heart, I feelThat he is safe. Beneath the skiesHis equal is not,—and his heelShall tread all adversaries down,Whoever they may chance to be.—Farewell, O Sita! Blessings crownAnd Peace for ever rest with thee!"

He said, and straight his weapons tookHis bow and arrows pointed keen,Kind,—nay, indulgent,—was his look.No trace of anger there was seen,Only a sorrow dark, that seemedTo deepen his resolve to dareAll dangers. Hoarse the vulture screamed,As out he strode with dauntless air.