The guardian goddess thus subdued. The Vanar chief his way pursued, And reached the broad imperial street Where fresh-blown flowers were bright and sweet. The city seemed a fairer sky Where cloud-like houses rose on high, Whence the soft sound of tabors came Through many a latticed window frame, And ever and anon rang out The merry laugh and joyous shout.
From house to house the Vanar went And marked each varied ornament, Where leaves aud blossoms deftly strung About the crystal columns hung. Then soft and full and sweet and clear The song of women charmed his ear, And, blending with their dulcet tones, Their anklets' chime and tinkling zones.
He heard the Rakshas minstrel sing The praises of their matchless king; And softly through the evening air Came murmurings of text and prayer, Here moved a priest with tonsured head, And there an eager envoy sped, Mid crowds with hair in matted twine Clothed in the skins of deer and kine,-- Whose only arms, which none might blame, Were blades of grass and holy flame There savage warriors roamed in bands With clubs and maces in their bauds, Some dwarfish forms, some huge of size.
With single ears and single eyes. Some shone in glittering mail arrayed With bow and mace and flashing blade; Fiends of all shapes and every hue, Some fierce and foul, some fair to view. He saw the grisly legions wait In strictest watch at Rávan's gate, Whose palace on the mountain crest Rose proudly towering o'er the rest, Fenced with high ramparts from the foe, And lotus-covered moats below.
But Hanuman, unhindered, found Quick passage through the guarded bound, Mid elephants of noblest breed, And gilded car and neighing steed.
